Review: Tender Hilarity At Its Best
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 14, 2013
As posted on Goodreads.Violet, oh, Violet, you cheeky little devil you.  I wasn't so sure about our relationship in the beginning; admittedly, you confounded me a bit.  Your storytelling was a bit shaky at the start and I must admit, the uber-swooning put me off a tad.  But all was quickly forgiven as you blossomed into someone I may never be able to pry from my brain, not that I want to mind you.  What wit and charisma you have.Falling is, quite frankly, one of the best I've read in recent times.  I will liken this read to The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay in that the characters are fully realized and will stick with you long after the cover is closed.  Just like Nastya in the aforemention publication, Violet is a heroine I can get behind and root for without ever whinging.  But where TSoT is dark and heartbreaking and full of serious strife; Falling is pee your pants hilarity and warm squishiness and tender vulnerability.  And not unlike TSoT, this review needs no spoilers in order to convey its awesomeness.The themes of this book are simple but remarkably realized.  They are about identity, understanding oneself, the importance of self-reliance, strength of familial connections and remaining true to who we are, regardless of the complications.  These themes are experienced in multiple story arcs and by a multitude of characters, reinforcing the relationships and exposing the vulnerability in these characters.But where the true beauty of this story resides is in its main characters.  Violet and Zane are beautifully realized and their voices are so appropriate for the demographic.  Zane is believable and fully fleshed out as a more mature and experienced guy (yes, there is a small age difference).  His life has afforded him the opportunity to have experiences most men his age would never have, but there is still a glimmer of uncertainty and vulnerability there that hints of a man who is not yet fully formed.  Zane is cocky, but not at the expense of others, yet he is insightful and tender.  As his backstory is revealed I truly began to understand the man he had become and when his secret is finally revealed, it solidified my assessments of who he was as a human being.Violet, on the other hand, is in many ways naive and young, yet this is tempered by experiences which have given her wisdom beyond her years.  The juxtaposition allows for some hilarity the likes of which I have not experienced before.  She is both bold and timid, confident and uncertain.  I adored her and her views on simple, everyday events rang so true it gave her voice an authenticity that is missing in many protags her age.  Violet's obsevations and self-awareness are spellbinding and give the reader insight into a psyche most have long since forgotten.  As I read Falling, I felt seventeen again, with all its doubts and questions, its insane internal chatter, and its sweet, sweet vulnerability.Zane and Violet's relationship is one which is truly earned.  It is clear from the onset that there is insta-lust but true love does not rear its head until well into the story.  Proper time and relationship building is afforded these characters which allows the reader to experience their blossoming love in a real and tangible way.  When declarations are made, it is honest and warranted.  Never, not once, did I question it.  I rooted for them in a way I don't with most other Y/A couples because the time this author invested in their relationship allowed me to fully understand the trepidation and heartache as if it were my own.  Folks, this is not easy to accomplish without the story suffering.  I cherished every moment this couple shared and when they were gutted, so was I.Lily, Violet's mom, is pure comedic gold and her relationship with her daughter is tender and compelling.  These two are remarkably drawn and their dynamic so wonderful, I looked forward to their banter.  I wished there was more Lily in the book, her early departure left me craving, but her return had me squealing for joy.  She is the sort of mom that will, in one moment, say the most cringe-worthy thing and, in the next, will offer a kind of tenderness and love only a parent can feel for a child.There is something else I'd like to acknowledge and applaud this author for.  Sex is a recurring theme - how could it not be with all those hormones running amuck?  But it's never graphic and, though certain things like oral sex are eluded to, they are portrayed beautifully and with great consideration.  Yes, these two may be sex-crazed but it's never cheap and, like their love, it is given the appropriate time and care.In fairness, there are some minor, niggling issues I must address.  I wished this book had the chance to get a proper edit.  There were quite a few typos and grammatical mistakes which would have been caught before release.  In addition, the beginning was a bit rocky which may put some readers off enough to walk away (if you're one of them, please forge ahead!).  And there were a few occasions, toward the end of the novel, where the plot seemed to meander a bit.  I wish, also, that Zane's age was revealed far earlier in the story.  I had a vague idea of how old he was but knowing sooner would have alleviated the questions about the appropriateness of their relationship.  ALL of these issues would have, and should have, been picked up by a good editor.  It is my hope that Falling is picked up by a major publisher and given the proper care and handling it deserves.  This gem of a story is far better than a lot of what's out there and should be on the shelves of B&N;.