Book Review: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Writer's Note: Due to the complicated circumstances of the week I was unable to read a book. So here for review is a book I read last week, before all heck broke loose. ^_^

Falling Under: Book One of Falling Under

Written by: Gwen Hayes

Published: March 1, 2011

Publisher: Penguin Group

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams. 

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. 

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul. (From GoodReads)

I’m going to try to do this without spoiling any of the story for those that still haven’t read it, or are currently reading it.    

        

Originally, the book cover caught my attention. The black roses against the red dress are an eye catcher. Then I read the little blurb. Intriguing. With all the books about vampires and fairies and werewolves and Angels this sounded much more promising. I had to read the book. I bumped it up on my list of currently reading ahead of some of the sequels I should be reading. 

A lot of books can’t really hold up to what they’ve promised in their little blurb. Or what others have promised in their review of the book. I was pleasantly surprised with Falling Under. It is all that I had hoped it would be. 

Theia is a darling. Naïve in a way, however she’s not as guillible as she could be considering the circumstances. She's also strong willed when push comes to shove. Which is a must to prevent her from being a mouse character. I feel for her in a way that it’s difficult to do with some writers. Being sheltered isn’t her choice, but rather forced on by her Father. Which might I add is a bit heavy handed in the control everything you do department. 

Hayden is… well Hayden. He’s unapologetic in some forms about what he is. He’s accepted that he can’t change that but would rather try to be different in his actions rather than changing what runs through his blood. I’m very pleased with that decision of his. It’s a very mature decision for someone of his age. (^_~) I’m also very pleased with the fact that he follows through on trying to act differently then what his blood demands he be. He’s not just all talk. Although he does have some emotional problems that lead to several awkward situations.

The crux of the whole thing actually rests on Hayden and not Theia. Although the book is told from Theia’s point of view everything cycles on what Hayden must decide to do or not to do, although not doing comes with heavy consequences. Theia, however, is a wild card to Hayden’s decision making. Even though the reader is left to believe it’s all Hayden’s decision, Theia surprises us. After all it takes two to make a couple. ^_^ And she takes that very seriously. 

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very different than the usual cadence of YA books. While we still have a boy and a girl and love and decision making it’s done in what I’ve found to be a freshingly unique way. I feel we need more books that stand apart like Falling Under and less books that follow the mainstream of boringness that some YA has come to be. I’m definitely marking Dreaming Awake as a to read when it’s released. ^_^ 

 My Rating:

 Touya