Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes

Title: Dreaming Awake
Author: Gwen Hayes
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
Publisher: NAL Trade
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Falling Under
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

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…

The sequel to Falling Under, Hayes brings back Theia, Haden, and the rest of the gang. Now that Theia is back to the human world, she has some readjusting to do as she quickly realizes that things will not be the same. And that Mara, the queen of Under and a human's worst nightmare, will never let Theia go.

I have to say, I loved the first one, but this one completely blew my mind. The world that Hayes has created is haunting, chilling, twisted, dark, and incredibly creepy. She brings back this world that literally creates terror to the human world.

Theia's struggle to get back to normal and try to hide what could be her demon side that she now holds proves to be incredibly difficult. I felt like Hayes never rushed things when it came to Theia. She was able to keep a steady pace and realistically present the hardships that her heroine goes through. And with Haden, Hayes is still able to keep him a dark, delicious mystery that will make any girl want him.

When students in Theia's school begin to show signs of an unknown sickness, Hayes keeps us surprised at every turn with a revelation that continues to shock as the story develops.

The character's, I feel, go through some incredible developments and grow as the story progresses. Hayes even lets us into the minds of Donny and Amelia for a chapter, as the horror increases and everything begins to unravel as Mara grows stronger and stronger.

One thing I was not expecting was the way things ended. This leaves a lot open for hopefully future books, because so many things have been left open.

This book was as wonderful as the first and I have to say that I'm starting to love both Theia and Haden, because Hayes breathes such life into her character that it leaves no room for argument how wonderful they are for each other. This book definitely focused much more on the demonic aspect than the first, which brings goosebumps across my arms while reading it.

Another wonderful story by a wonderful author.

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Title: Falling Under
Author: Gwen Hayes
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: March 1st, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author

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. 

Overall, I LOVED this book!

At first, I was afraid that this would be another Twilight-type novel, where the human girl falls in love with the supernatural being and all of a sudden her life just revolves around him and nothing else matters. That type of story. And for a while it seemed that way too, especially with the way Haden was acting, which is too Edward-like.

But, quickly into the novel you realize, this is nothing like Twilight. It's better, because Theia is a strong female and she does have her own mind. And since the beginning Theia has had to battle her own personal demons, but I didn't like how she was so down on herself. Yet, the reader can understand why she feels so low about herself considering everything that happened that led to her birth.

And I really wish there was more moments with her father, but I did like their one on one moment, but you get frustrated because here are two people who are suffering and instead of reaching out to each other they just push away, or at least that's what Theia's father does, and you're never sure if you should feel bad for this man because he's lost something important, or grab him by the shoulder and tell him, "Look, you lost one person, don't let the other go!"

Haden, for a moment I was afraid I would not like him. He seemed so smug and really pulls off the new-hot-guy-in-town persona, and what I really like what Gwen did was that she made him real! You see Haden and the Hell he lives in - literally. Well into the novel Gwen takes it a whole step further with Haden. And besides being real, he's hot, he's sexy, he's delicious, he really has a demon fighting inside of him that just won't let him go, and while his problem is paranormal you can almost connect to him. For those who did read it, I think it's safe to say we appreciate our mom's a heck of a lot more compared to Haden's.

The best part? I had fun reading this. I mentioned the Twilight reference I know this novel is going to suffer, well apparently Gwen knew the same thing too because there were moments where I had to stop reading I was laughing so hard to the little jabs she takes at the book. 

And Gwen herself, she had this way of bring the characters to life. Theia's two best friends are such opposite of each other and of her, and they all just fit together nicely. We all have those friend's that are afraid to do something risky, or those friends who likes to give the guy that likes her a real difficult time or those that are sheltered in life. There was something about these three girl's that fit nicely and they can play off each other well.

Some downsides? Like I said before, I wished that Theia was just a little tougher, but she was forgiven later on. Besides that, I felt like she could have added just a little more. I can't say too much, but there is a part which I hope will be addressed in book 2.

Haunting, sexy, funny, enjoyable, unexpected, twisted, and adventures are just a few words I can use to describe this novel and I cannot wait for book two to come out. This book was not at all what I expected!

For those who read it and didn't know there was a number two coming out it's Dreaming Awake and to be released January 3rd, 2012.

Again, great book.