Book Review : Falling Under

By: Gwen Hayes

Publisher: New American Library
(March 1, 2011)
Date Read: June 2, 2011
Pages: 324
Source: My Kindle

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.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did, but it so wasn't what I was expecting. It was dark, twisted, and really scary at some points. And when it wasn't that it was hot and romantic. I couldn't put it down!

I don't know why dangerous is equal to sexy, but its so the case with Haden. He's mysterious and kind of a jerk, but not as much as other reviews make him out to be. In the words of innocent and naive Theia...

If I was going to begin the kind of games boys and girls play in high school, I should have started with a nice boy who didn’t make me feel like Little Red Riding Hood alone with the Big Bad Wolf.

And then as we get to know him he's shy one minute, and charismatic devil the next. Yes, there was a bit of insta-love, but I am starting to come of the opinion that if done right, insta-love can lead to some of passionate romance novels I have ever read. On top of really loving the romance (and let me tell if there is one thing Gwen rocks, its writing romance - see reviews of her novellas by clicking the tag Gwen Hayes below!) I was really intrigued by the mythology and the seriously twisted "Under."

I really can't wait for the second book and am so glad this book was gifted to me by Neri @ In the Name of Books Thanks Again!!

My Review in a Tweet: This Tim Burtonesque book is scary, sexy, and scary sexy. Really enjoyed falling 'Under' with Theia and Haden and looking forward to what comes next!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 4/5

Memorable Quotes:
This is one of my favorite scenes:

Haden stopped walking, watching me warily. I, however, didn’t stop. I didn’t even slow. Like that first day in the hall, it seemed that the world stood still. When I reached him, I pulled him into the grass and cupped his surprised face in my hands. “I missed you,” I said, and before he could respond, I kissed him with all the unpracticed ardor I possessed.

“What the hell?” I heard Noelle say, but by then Haden was smiling into my kiss and returning it. He placed his hand behind my head and pulled me closer. Noelle left in a huff.

“You’re a minx,” he said when I allowed him up for air. “And you’re going to get us both detention for PDA and walking on the grass.” “I had to make sure you weren’t another dream,

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Book Review : The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Book: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (#1)
Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Date Published: September 27, 2011
Pages: 464
Source: ARC
Date Read: June 2, 2011

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

This was the ARC I was most excited about getting at BEA. I felt like everyone was talking about it, yet no one knew what it was about. And that just might be what I loved most about it. I went in expecting nothing, and being sucked into this giant mystery, which yes got a little crazy at points, but was so intriguing and new!

Mara Dyer's story has a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, suspense, family, mean girls, etc, etc. I was seriously sucked in, from the first pages to the last. Not that I didn't put the book down, at some points I had to, just so my brain function could return to normal. I haven't been this excited for a series in a long time.

The writing is fantastic. The scene with Noah (ahh <3) and Mara are fantastic. I never knew where the story was going, but it was one heck of a ride.

I don't want to spoil anything of the book, but if I have to say one thing I wish was a little different it would just be that if the story is in Miami (my hometown) can we have some more Hispanic representation?? Maybe the next book? Maybe a girl named Yanelys (just in case you didn't get this, that's my full name HAHA) =)

My Review in a Tweet: Exhilarating, suspenseful, magical debut by Michelle Hodkin that just may be one of my favorites this year! Who is Mara Dyer???

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Memorable Quotes:

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I was warned about you, you know." And with a half-smile that wrecked me, Noah said, "But you're here anyway."

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Review: Nightshade (Deux)

Book:Nightshade
Author:  Andrea Cremer
Publisher:Philomel
Release Date: October 19, 2010
Pages: 452
Source: Kindle Purchase
Date Read: March 23, 2011

Summary:
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers.

But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Yani's Analysis:
Apparently werewolves are starting to become a favorite of mine, which is funny considering I was a HUGE Edward/vampire fan in Twilight, and because of that I stayed away from werewolf books for a while. But Nightshade is different, in fact the wolves of nightshade are not even werewolves, but Guardians who take the form of wolves to protect and serve the Keepers. They whole back story was one of the things that kept me reading, these Guardians really believe in duty and their life mission of protected the Keepers (even the evilish ones). And the Keepers treat them as pets. You can tell no one has ever questioned this because of their duty... until Calla meets Shay.

Calla is one of the strongest yet realistic female characters I have read. She is an alpha and while she doesn't back down from most things, including her alpha partner to be Ren, it takes her a while to build the courage to question her loyalty to the Keepers and all she has ever known about her own world. Slowly, with the help of Shay a human boy, she learns the truth about her world and for the first time ever she has to make a choice.

Back to Ren, I think this is the first time I have ever liked the #2 guy (guy who will probably lose in the love triangle situation) more than the guy she is clearly meant to be with. I hope I am wrong about this. Usually you can tell, even when the main character loves both, who she loves the most. But Ren was fantastic character, with all these layers.Shay was great too, a cute nerdy type that loved to read. There was a part in the book where philosophy was discussed and you can tell Andrea did her research. I mean guys actually discussing philosophical geniuses and ideas...definitely HOT!

Some people had problems with the sexual nature of Calla's relationship with the boys, but I didn't mind it at all. It was never gratuitous or too graphic, yes it was a little more intense then more YA novels, but I like it like that. Calla was really struggling with the attraction she felt for Ren and the love she felt for Shay, I thought it felt very real, considering their mind set of a wolf pack about honor, loyalty, and duty.

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5