Book Break-Ups: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Title: Falling Under

Series: Falling Under

Author: Gwen Hayes

Publisher: New American Library

Publication Date: Mar 2011

Source: Bought

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

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

I used this book as part of the Greek Mythology in YA presentation for library lessons thinking it was a re-telling of the Hades & Persephone story.
If you pick up this book for the same reason then my advice is DON'T it isn't remotely related to Greek Mythology not in the slightest. That isn't to say that it isn't an enjoyable read just not what I was expecting. 

The main aspect of the plot felt very reminiscent of The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff (review HERE) with its dark, nightmarish imagery creating a Tim Burton-esque movie within the imagination. The plot does flow smoothly, even if there is a huge case of insta-love the main characters have a sizzling chemistry so I can forgive the insta-love angle. The writing is richly descriptive making up for the predictability of the plot, the succubus usage provided an interesting twist. 

The peripheral characters made all the difference in this book and really lifted the story as a whole. Varnie, the psychic was especially entertaining. The friendship between Gwen, Donny and Ame gave a solid foundation to the story although it did add to the annoyance that Gwen would drop everything in her obsession with Hayden.

I have to say I probably would have enjoyed the story more if I hadn't been under the misconception thaat it was based on Hades and Persephone. This is definitely one of those books that you have to try for yourself and don't make the mistake I did by thinking its basis is in Greek Mythology.

Other Reviews:

Dark Faerie Tales

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Book Break-Ups: Unleashed by Nancy Holder

Title: Unleashed
Series: Wolf Spring Chronicles
Author: Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Publisher: Doubleday Children's
Publication Date: 8 Dec 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

REVIEW

I am having such a hard time writing this review because I really had issues with it. The premise sounded brilliant but for me it didn't translate within the narrative.

Although I felt sympathy for the main character, Katelyn, for the loss of her mother I felt that there was more of a background story surrounding her death than was stated but this was never developed. Katelyn morphs into Kat when she moves in with her Grandfather, trying to build a new life to accompany the new town. I found her emotions/reactions and character in general to be inconsistent. Thinking about it now it was the inconsistencies with the characters that frustrated me the most about this book not only with Kat but with ALL the characters. I found myself wondering about their change in actions/attitude as it didn't seem to fit in with how they were portrayed earlier within the story.

There are a number of plot threads hinted at within the narrative, only one was really pursued while the others were like constant static noise in the background. It made me feel as if there was no true direction and that the plot had been left wide open to go off at any angle it chooses to in the future. I am all for plot twists but did feel that this story needed less possibilities or more answers.

On a positive note the writing is beautifully descriptive, the tension and atmosphere are well portrayed. However, it do not think it will be enough for me to continue with this particular series.

Thanks to Carla of The Crooked Shelf for the use of Book Break-Ups

Guest Review: Book Break-Ups: The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Title: The Prince of Mist
Series: Niebla #1
Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Publisher: Phoenix
Publication Date: 28 Mar 2011


Synopsis from Goodreads


From the bestselling author of The Shadow of The Wind, the haunting story of a ghostly ship and an age-old curse.

In 1943, Max Carver's father - a watchmaker and inventor - decides to move his family to a small town on the coast, to an abandoned house that holds many secrets and stories of its own. Behind the house Max discovers an overgrown garden surrounded by a metal fence topped with a six-pointed star. In the centre is a large statue of a clown set in another six-pointed star.

As the family settles in they grow increasingly uneasy: Max’s sister Alicia has disturbing dreams while his other sister, Irina, hears voices whispering to her from an old wardrobe. With his new friend Roland, Max also discovers the wreck of a boat that sank many years ago in a terrible storm. Everyone on board perished except for one man - an engineer who built the lighthouse at the end of the beach.

As they learn more about the wreck, the chilling story of a legendary figure called the Prince of Mist begins to emerge..

GUEST REVIEW BY LOU OF LOU & KAIN'S BOOKS AND GAMES

The Prince of Mist is about a young boy called Max.  Max and his family move to a remote seaside town due to the war. Max soon realises the house and town have haunting stories to be discovered and told.  Including a sunken ship and a walled garden with scary statues! !

I found this quite a hard book to get into.  I kept picking it up, putting it down again unsure whether I wanted to go back to it.  I didn’t really get into it easy but I carried on and it did get better but then it ended. Its hard to explain how I felt but it wasn’t keeping me engrossed and turning the pages quickly. Quite a slow book, not really exciting enough for me.  I will give another book by this author a go as it may of just been this one that wasn’t right for me.

I feel as though although this is classed as a “young adult” book its more tailored towards the younger “young adults”.  Its worth a read as its not really too taxing but it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Carla at The Crooked Shelf for the use of Book Break-Ups

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