Book Review: Falling

Falling

Book #1 in the Girl With Broken Wings series

Author: J. Bennett

Release Date:  January 2, 2012

Published By: Smashwords

Buy it at Amazon (Only $2.99, y'all!)

Source: Provided By Author

Audience: YA/Older Teens/Urban Fantasy

My Thoughts:

Fresh - That's my first thought. Falling a fresh take on the paranormal/genetic engineering world, with a refreshing voice.  Maya is imperfect, sarcastic and believable; and her plight is heart-poundingly realistic. Tarren and Gabe also fall into this category and can barely be called secondary characters, because their voices and personalities are strong and defined.

The author crafts (and crafts very well in my humble opinion) a dark world where Angels are anything but angelic and more vampiric in nature. One thing remains true, however - Brothers are a pain in the ass, even when they're saving yours. The trio have a really great dynamic going on between them, and I having a brother myself, I enjoyed it very much. (Speaking of siblings, you can read all about the author's most pressing questions, often asked by her own sister, here, as well as get a peek into the writing process)

I also loved the detail that went into creating the auras and their colors, as well as the feeding and how it all affects Maya. It's a world and a family I want to know more about. It is classic good vs. evil but with so much more going on underneath the surface.

As far as debut novels go, J Bennett has hit the ground running and I can't wait to watch her pick up speed and take off!

Summary:

The intellectual challenge of college and the warm embrace of a serious boyfriend have given Maya the wings she needs to break away from her bookish and shy reserve. Her ideal life comes crashing down when she and her boyfriend are accosted by a stranger. A stranger with glowing hands.

Maya's boyfriend is killed. She is kidnapped. Changed. 

A rescue comes, but not soon enough. 

Maya’s senses sharpen, her body becomes strong and agile, and she develops the ability to visually see the emotions of those around her as colorful auras…beautiful auras…tempting auras. 

 

And then there’s the song…

Now, Maya must struggle to control the murderous appetite that fuels her new abilities, accept her altered condition and learn to trust two vigilante half-brothers she never knew she had. As she joins the battle against a secret network of powerful and destructive beings that call themselves "Angels", Maya vows to find and destroy the one who changed her.

On the bright side, at least Maya's oldest half-brother has stopped trying to kill her.