Downfall (The Incorruptibles Book 1) Kindle Edition

"Lose her inhibitions, do something spectacularly stupid and fall madly in love ..."
Who wouldn't be drawn in with such notions to start you off into the story of Frankie ...
Woven with beautiful words and sentences, twists in the plot that draw you in, its a difficult book to put aside even for a short lunch break ...
The story unfolds in waves that seemingly welcome you unknowingly into a romantic sojourn into young breathtaking love experienced with a vulnerability that aches amidst a backdrop of a paranormal landscape that continues to haunt me ... It feels real ... I'm just there in it ...
SD Wasley is a mistress of this genre indeed ... I cannot wait for the arrival of Book Two ...

Hey, reader, come for a ride?
DOWNFALL, by S.D. Wasley, begins in the desperate dark of consequences, a rash decision that begs not only resolution but explaining. For those who accompany Frankie, the camera fades back in from the black to reveal the events leading up to her fateful ride. It’s a journey wrapped in several layers of secrets—not only her own, but also those of the people closest to her.
And so we meet Francesca—but that’s “Frankie,” to us, at least if we want to be her friend. She’s a bit of a disappointment to her father. The end of school did not go well for her, and she finds herself booted from his ongoing “tour” (promoting books that promise spiritual power to those seeking meaning or purpose in their lives), exiled back to her uncle’s house, and surrounded again by friends and acquaintances that belong to a past she had once thought she’d outgrown. Her mission: fix her academic situation, and prepare herself for college—even as she finds her place on her father’s tour supplanted by a trophy girlfriend who can be, rather generously, described as incompetent.
And yet, as the reader meets those people who populate Frankie’s exile, we can’t help but be more than a little happy for her, even as she doubts herself. The cast is both colorful and entertaining, and also—very typical in Wasley’s body of work—tinged with mystery. Foremost among these characters are her “hot former friend” Jude (who totally not over her), and the members of the “club” he regularly meets at Gaunt House … always at night, always descending into its recesses to hold their meetings in a most clandestine manner.
Enter “Cain,” the mysterious club leader with the striking, unforgettable face. Frankie doesn’t at first know if she likes him—she’s a little afraid of him—but she can’t get him out of her head. And, much as she tries, she simply cannot stay away.
Right now, you’re thinking “I know where this is going. Yep. Got it.” But you’re wrong. It isn’t going where you think—not even close.
The magic of Wasley’s writing is that she often pretends to lead you somewhere and then—either suddenly and without warning, or gradually, like watching a painting come together via time-lapse camera—you find yourself somewhere else entirely. This particular tale is both romantic and dramatic, and splashed (as ever) with the paranormal, but everything else about it defies basic genre limitations. It’s a unique story that proceeds at its own pace, largely character driven. The reader cares about the people in the story, and so the revelations come as they will, easing the story farther along as we come to understand the players in deep and satisfying ways. There you are, underground with Frankie and her friends—and you’re playing Monopoly or poker, snacking on chips and beer, and you suddenly understand something about them you never knew before—and you can’t even remember how many pages ago you learned it.
Wasley’s characters are generally defined by the way in which they attack the quest to realize their own potential and find their way in a world where they’re not sure if they belong. That’s true here, too. This time, the journey’s a bit more complex, more grown-up, than in some of her other stories. Still, fans of her work will find themselves right at home here, even as we learn the unexpected truth behind the Incorruptibles and share the experience of Frankie’s dark and magical downfall.

This is such a beautifully written book with perfectly crafted sentences that flow without conscious thought. From the very first chapter I was swept into Frankie's story. To me, she felt like a real person with both strengths and weaknesses. There were times when I admired her guts and determination, as well as times when she made mistakes which added to her vulnerability and ultimately gave her real dimension. I found her easy to identify with and an enjoyable character to read.

Throughout her journey she meets a whole range of new characters and while some of them receive less screen time than others, I was impressed by the depth of characterisation provided in a short period.

The plot also progressed nicely with twists and turns I truly didn't anticipate. Around the final quarter, I thought, Oh, I know what's going to happen, but I was actually completely wrong. The end left me disappointed it was over but satisfied with the conclusion and I'm looking forward to reading book two!

I love Ms Wasley's haunting style. Given the mystical nature of this paranormal romance, it fits the story perfectly.
The underground chamber in a ruined house sounds like one of those places you see in your childhood that haunts your dreams forever - and yet this one houses secrets I'd never expected.
When Frankie falls in love, but there's far more at stake than her untouched heart. Oh, it's so hard not to give spoilers for this book, but I'll do my best to resist!
From an explosive beginning, through a well-paced unveiling of characters and secrets, all the way up to...whose downfall? You'll have to read it to find out ;)

Five stars.

I loved SD Wasley's YA books and was excited to read her new NA series. She did not disappoint!
One thing I look for in books is original, unpredictable storylines because I like a book that pulls me in from the first page and doesn't let me go. I often put books down after a few pages because I'm not hooked or because I feel I'm reading the same old story. Downfall hooked me. You won't be able to predict what's happening (I tried and failed!) and you'll be captivated by the story unfolding in front of you. The writing is beautiful, the author definitely has a talent for crafting words to draw the reader into the mysterious world she creates. Her characters have personalities and flaws, and I loved watching Frankie's character grow. In fact, SD Wasley has a talent for fleshing out all of her characters - the minor characters are also well-rounded. The group with their mysterious powers and connections were all individuals. There's no cliffhanger here but I can't wait to find out what's in store for this amazing set of characters in the next book. 5 star recommended read!