*This title will be released on January 3, 2012*

Title: Dreaming Awake Author: Gwen Hayes Series: Falling Under #2 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal YA Excerpt: No Source: Paranormal Reviewed by: Abigail Reading level: Ages 12 and up Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: NAL Trade (January 3, 2012) ISBN-10: 0451235541 ISBN-13: 978-0451235541 Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex. Rating: Okay – A few good points, but with significant flaws. Library/swap/borrow if you want.

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*This title will be released on March 1, 2011*

Title: Falling Under Author: Gwen Hayes Series: Falling Under #1 Cover Art: Oceania Gottieb  Genre: Paranormal YA Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: NAL Trade (March 1, 2011) ISBN-10: 0451232682 ISBN-13: 978-0451232687 Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex.  Some coarse sexual dialog   My Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.

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Description

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.

Review

 

When I think of the BIG titles that broke out a specific trend in Paranormal YA, I think of TWILIGHT and vampires, SHIVER and werewolves, HUSH HUSH and angels, WICKED LOVELY and faeries, and now I think we’re about to add FALLING UNDER to that list. You’ll have to read the book to find out what new trend it’s breaking.

 

In the tradition of those aforementioned titles, FALLING UNDER is part gothic romance, part paranormal mystery, and part coming of age story.  It’s breathtakingly written in a way that I think will elevate it above most of it’s peers (excepting maybe SHIVER).  The characters, even the secondary ones, are all given dimension and distinct motivations.  I didn’t necessarily like every character, but I believed they were real. 

 

Specifically, FALLING UNDER is like a mash-up of HUSH HUSH and WICKED LOVEY.  Like, Patch, the romantic lead is dark and dangerous and his motives are rarely pure.  You’ll hate and love him a dozen times before the book is over.  And like the unseen Faerie realm, Theia’s ‘visits’ to Under are fractured and macabre.  It frighteningly easy to lose herself there and revel in the dance even while knowing it’s destroying her. 

 

The entire book is surprisingly dark and delightful.  Even readers who are growing jaded by this genre should find something to enjoy here.  The ending is less of an ending and more of a setup for the next book, but it’s so provocative that I don’t even care that it’s a cliffhanger. All I care about is finding out when I can tumble back down this rabbit hole and fall back Under. 

 

Previous Books in Series	Also Reviewed By:
N/A	The Book Scoop Genre Go Round Reviews Errant Dreams Reviews