A long overdue Review: Falling Under and Dreaming Awake by: Gwen Hayes

From Goodreads.com : 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.

From Goodreads.com: She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…

Before I launch into my review I'd like to officially say I'm back. It took me longer to read the adult fiction series I started in May, but I'm glad to say that I've now finished the many novels in that series. It was a nice break from YA, but I'm returning to my true love. I thought I'd start by reviewing two novels at once to catch up on lost time. 

Gwen Hayes's FALLING UNDER series is a phenomenal supernatural adventure. The covers alone are eye-catching but the words within don't disappoint. 

Hayes creates a startlingly vivid nightmare world, bending the borders that separate our known world with the world that haunts us in our sleep. Who knew that there is a place where nightmares are born? And who knew that such a hot romance could fall between this one and the next? 

Hayes's imagery is incredible throughout both books. The descriptions are crisp, on point, and most of the time you feel like your taking a gut-wrenching stroll through this vivid nightmare world she's created. It's terrifying, delicious, and incredible all at once. The images grab you and don't let you go.

Add to that beyond believable characters and a heart-pounding romance and this series is one I stayed up late to finish. 

At first I was afraid that Theia (our wonderful female lead) would be too much of a wallflower for me. In the beginning she is shy, coy, and downright scared of her own emotions! I wanted to shake her out of herself from the get-go...fortunately the author did that for me by introducing Haden Black...a half demon half human over-the-top hot boy that falls for Theia in a soul-mate sort of way. The romantic tension between the two is tight from the start and continues to pulsate throughout the story. They've got something...it's twisted and dark, but it's also passionate and bright. It simply works. Theia brings out the best of Haden and Haden wrenches out a strong and confident girl from Theia. They make each other more exciting characters and they grow together throughout the story.

The secondary characters are well developed as well. The best friends of Theia (Donny and Amelia) are such strong personalities and compliment Theia well. They fit together like a puzzle and their presence made this series not only about forbidden romance and the consequences that come with that, but the relationship between the three girls made this story about true friendship and how valuable it can be. I believe that is something that is missing from most YA novels and it was a refreshing change of pace. Not only do you get a heart-wrenching romance, you get a heart-warming bulletproof friendship as well. 

The trials these characters face are out of this world...literally. Theia continues to find herself enthralled with Haden's home world--the wickedly devilish place called Under where his mother (Mara) is the Queen of Nightmares--and her friends get caught in the crosshairs. All Theia wants is to be with Haden and to keep her loved ones out of harms way and all Haden wants is to keep Theia safe, but nothing is that easy when demons, hell-deminsions, and true love are involved. 

Hayes's series is filled to the brim with action, passion, tension, frustration, fear, and all the great stuff inbetween. This is a roller coaster series and one ride you really shouldn't miss.