Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Publisher: New American Library
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Pages: 324
Source: purchased
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.--Goodreads

Theia fights to pin down her essence every day.  Not only will her father be cross with her but she will certainly not get any practice for the future if she gives in to the temptation of showing her true wild side.  The only time she unleashes her soul is when she plays her music.  However she has been tempted.  Her dreams have been taking her into far-off places that are both enchanting and nightmarish.  When an equally enchanting boy, Haden, shows up at school, she swears she has seen him before.  In her dreams.

I loved this novel.  I do not want to give too much away, so this review will have minimal spoilers.  Falling Under has taken me on such an amazing ride that I feel like I am falling under a spell as well.  I couldn’t stop reading.  I was supposed to be studying for a test that I have and I just could not stop taking my eyes off the pages.  I needed to know what happened next.  Now that I am finished, I cannot stop thinking of it or thinking what the next installment will bring.

The whole concept is very intriguing.  The whole dreamscape creates a plot that I have never encountered before.  I have never read a novel quite like this.  It was filled with so many twists and turns that I kept audibly making sounds of disappointment or joy whenever the plot got really good.  So much so, the other people in the room with me have to think that I am crazy by now.  However addicting it was, it was very Twilight-esque.  There was the whole I’m-a-monster-I’m-no-good-for-you stuff going on for a while; Haden is too dangerous.  Also there was the whole stalking issue before they met, which was a bit creepy (but no creepier than playing the Sims where you control their lives: if that makes any sense at all) and how Theia just had to Google to find out some information about dreams.   Being a huge Twilight fan, I am not complaining.  I thought the waking-dreams Theia kept experiencing were a new fresh story that I haven’t seen done before.  I wasn’t even suspecting anything paranormal to come out of this.  Truly, I knew nothing about the novel, going into it.  I was surprised to discover that the paranormal factor is not what you’d expect (or at least I didn’t) and after all those vampires and werewolves that I’ve been stuck on lately, this is such a great change. 

Theia was a torn character for me.  She was so unsure and childish at first.  She did everything her father said and no matter how many times Theia had explained the reasons for doing so, I just couldn’t relate.  I’m not a natural rebel but I do not go to the lengths Theia did in pleasing her father.  By the end, she was more independent.  I love how the plot had changed and maybe even improved her character a bit.  Haden was the bad boy that I wished I didn’t like, but liked anyway just because he was Haden.  He was just so impossible that I felt like Theia every time he was on the page, that I was willing to grant his every whim.

Everyone knows how much I hate cliff-hangers, right?  Well, this one is no different.  However, I have to congratulate Falling Under for actually leaving me on a note that made me smile but that is still no excuse for leaving me while I still wanted more of the story.

The writing style was wonderful.  Gwen Hayes has a voice that speaks and that runs through your mind like a movie when reading.  It was so easy to just imagine every single detail in Falling Under.  So much so that I think I may have fallen under and only now am I waking up from its lure.   


Rating:

Cover: 5

Rated PG-13 for sexual references, violence, and some scary scenes.