Title: Falling Under
Author: Gwen Hayes
Pages: 324
 

At least half of the YA books out there have been accused of Twilight wannabe (from what I observed). And I always give a book a benefit of the doubt (they do deserve it); while the similarities are sometimes uncanny, there certain factor which make the books standout on its own — at least, making it unique. But from all the books I’ve read that have the same flavor as Twilight has, Falling Under is the closest. And for clarification, I didn’t mean it in a plagiarist way. Similar? Yes. But in totally different approach.

I don’t know what to say about this book. It’s definitely not a horrible book (that’s for sure), but it came to me a bit unoriginal. You cannot help finding a lot of similarities between Falling Under and Twilight as you read it. There’s even a certain scene where it was almost the same conversation as the one in the Blood Type Chapter (yes, I check) — the-stay-away-from-me-‘coz-I’m-dangerous-for-you’. I’m this close to anticipating the infamous Edward line “What if I’m not a superhero…” (you already know the rest of the line ;D). Good thing Thea mentioned about the book (even themselves recognized the “similar scene”) that made me remember that I’m reading a totally different book. And the ‘lamb’ thing, well Haden, Edward already beat you with that, she already called Bella that too.

That aside, the ‘lion-lamb’ kinda relationship, the premise of the plot is a lot richer than Twilight. The book, for me, started as Twilightish to Nightmare Before Christmas (which a movie I totally love). I like the Under scene, the only thing that I like about the book. It’s creepily entertaining to picture. Moreover, at first, I don’t understand how the falling burning guy got to do with the story, well, it was elaborated in the book (thank goodness to that). Most of my plot related questions had been answered, and story telling is really good. I kinda like spunky, bitchiness Haden mother has, but I still find her character weak for an antagonist.

I really don’t like the relationship between Thea and Haden. It is capital L-U-S-T. So superficial. And cliché sexual tension is my least favorite relationship development, at least as the entire relationship is concern. I know you need to be attracted to the person first, but if the only thing I read is how his touch can make you *insert metaphor here* then, argh, how shallow. I don’t know what to base their relationship (aside from lust), definitely thinly made.

Didn’t I enjoy it? Not much. It’s ok, in a very mediocre way. I don’t even know what to say about this book anymore. Nothing stands out to me, well, aside from the Under, it was cool but wasn’t — once again — original. The most predictable book I have ever read.