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,

Similar Titles:

Other Reviews:

• WatchaYaReading
• OverFlowingShelf
• Truly Bookish

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Book Review : The Goddess Test

Book: The Goddess Test (#1)
Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 297
Source: ARC
Date Read: April 7, 2011

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Yani's Analysis:
I was hearing a lot of blog chatter about this book and immediately requested it on Netgalley. It is very different from what I am used to reading and that is probably why I never requested it before even though its been available for a while.

What won me over about this book was the Greek mythology. It was so interesting! And inside this mythical world there was a mystery to solve. It was a super interesting backstory and I love how it was all incorporated into these tests,

However, there where some drawback. Like some reviewers wrote, you have to let go of reality reading this book, just like our main character Kate did. Obviously it’s a mythical world, so how could it be real. My issue was the characters and their actions; sometimes it didn’t seem to make sense to me. I felt like the love was a little rushed and some things could have been developed more, but the backstory and the mystery really kept me reading straight into the night.

The ending was neat, everything was solved, but still open ended enough to know there will be another book coming. One I will definitely be picking up when it comes out. Normally I would give a book like this a Great rather than Amazing rating, but since I could not stop reading and I just wanted to know more and more I gave it Amazing.


Ratings:

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

Similar Titles:
I know there are some new Greek mythology ones out there, but I haven't read any yet.

Memorable Quotes: