Falling Under (Falling Under, #1)

by Gwen Hayes

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.

• ISBN10: 0451232682
• ISBN13: 9780451232687
• Publish Date: 1 March 2011
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Berkley
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451232687

Reviews

[elysium]

2.5 stars

One night Theia sees burning man falling from the sky and her life will never bee the same again. She starts to dream about a boy and is more than surprised when the same boy starts the same school Theia does. Haden seems to avoid her but she can’t help but to be drawn to him.

I liked the idea of the book; The world of Under and how demons traveling between worlds. And for once in YA book there wasn’t love triangle! But I couldn’t connect with the characters.

They fell in love too soon and Haden was all over other girls and still Theia wants him. Seriously? Haden is telling Theia all the time to stay away from him because he’s dangerous but I just couldn’t tell why he’s so dangerous exactly.

Theia was brought up by overprotective father and I didn’t buy how she so suddenly decides to rebel. I liked Haden better but honestly he was total jackass most of the book.

And it really annoyed me how Haden calls Theia “lamb” all the time, And how Haden’s mother Mara calls her “pussycat”, I believe she called Haden that one time too…

I’m kinda torn between giving this 2.5 and 3. In the other hand there were so many things that annoyed me but it was also entertaining and quick read. But I think the annoying winns…

[jeannamichel]

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.

Cover: 5
Characters: 5
Plot: 5
Writing Style: 5
Ending: 4

Overall: 5

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

[lizarodz]

This is the first novel by Ms. Hayes that I've read and I think I will become a devoted fan. This novel reminds me a little of the the Soul Screamers series and of bad boy Patch from Hush, Hush. Theia is a strong female character, even if she doesn't think she is. She had a very restrictive upbringing that makes her feel unprepared for the world and for the high school scene. But although she is insecure, she is willing to fight for the things that matter to her, like Haden, her friends and her family.
I always enjoy a love story and nothing makes me like it more than love at first sight. The type of love that makes the rest of the world fade and your knees feel weak. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of action, creepiness, and other strange things going on.
I also loved Theia's friends, Donny and Amelia, and the male characters Gabe, Varnie and of course Haden. Their closeness and acceptance of each other is refreshing.
This cover is gorgeous. I like the font, the background of black roses, the importance of the red dress and I can't help but get hair envy (look at those curls!)