If you spent any time on Wattpad back in the day, you know Anna Todd isn't just an author. She’s a force. Most people know her for the After series—that massive Harry Styles-inspired phenomenon that basically redefined modern romance. But honestly, it's The Falling that has been living rent-free in my head lately. It’s the first book in her Brightest Stars trilogy, and if you go into it expecting another toxic Hardin Scott roller coaster, you're in for a surprise.
It's different. Kinda quieter.
The Falling follows Karina, a twenty-year-old living in Fort Benning, Georgia. She’s an army brat through and through. Her dad is a strict officer, her twin brother Austin is constantly in some kind of trouble, and her mom is... well, she’s not really in the picture. Karina is a fixer. She buys a fixer-upper house, she tries to fix her family, and then she meets Kael.
Kael is a soldier. He’s just finished two tours in Afghanistan and he is quiet. Not just "shy" quiet, but the kind of silence that feels like it’s hiding a hundred secrets. He’s dealing with massive trauma and PTSD, and Karina, being the caretaker she is, falls hard.
What Makes The Falling by Anna Todd So Different?
The biggest thing you’ll notice if you’ve read her other stuff is the pacing. This is a slow burn. And I mean slow. Like, you're 200 pages in and they're still just sort of looking at each other across a room. Some readers find it frustrating, but I think it fits the vibe of military life. It’s a lot of waiting and a lot of tension.
Anna Todd really leans into the "army brat" perspective here. It’s not just a backdrop; it’s the whole world. Karina knows the "background noise" of war—the way it changes people before they even get home.
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Meet the Characters
- Karina Fischer: She’s relatable but also kind of a mess. She’s a massage therapist (physical therapist in some editions) who is desperate for a life that isn't dictated by the military, yet she keeps getting pulled back in.
- Kael (Martin Mikael): He’s the enigma. He doesn't say much, but Todd writes his presence in a way that feels heavy. He’s trying to reintegrate into a civilian world that doesn't make sense to him anymore.
- Austin: Karina’s twin brother. His relationship with their father is a huge part of the drama. He’s the "troubled" one, and Karina feels like she has to be the bridge between them.
- Elodie: Karina’s roommate and friend who provides some much-needed outside perspective.
One of the most interesting things about the publication of this book is that it was actually a "reimagining." If you were an early fan, you might remember it being called The Brightest Stars. Todd basically took that original story, stripped it down, and rebuilt it into The Falling. It feels more mature. The writing is less about the "shock factor" and more about the internal psychological struggle of being with someone who is fundamentally broken by their job.
The Controversy of the Ending
Let’s talk about that cliffhanger. Honestly, it’s brutal.
People were mad when this book first dropped because it feels like it ends right in the middle of a scene. There isn't a neat little bow. In fact, there’s no bow at all. It just... stops.
Karina and Kael hit a crossroads involving a massive breach of trust. Karina is someone who values honesty above everything because of how her father lied to her growing up. When she finds out Kael hasn't been entirely truthful about his past or his reasons for being near her, the fallout is messy.
Why the Slow Burn Works (And Why it Doesn't)
If you're looking for a plot-heavy thriller, this isn't it. The "plot" is basically Karina restocking towels at work and thinking about Kael. Then she goes home and thinks about Kael some more. It’s very stream-of-consciousness.
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Pros:
- Nuanced PTSD Representation: It doesn't treat trauma like a plot device; it treats it like a lived-in reality.
- Atmospheric: You can really feel the humid, heavy Georgia air.
- Relatable Insecurities: Karina’s inner monologue about her body and her worth feels very "human."
Cons:
- Repetitive: There are only so many times you can read about her mundane daily routine.
- Frustrating Lack of Dialogue: Kael’s silence is a character trait, but sometimes you just want him to say one full sentence.
Beyond The Falling: The Brightest Stars Trilogy
You can't just read The Falling and walk away. You'll be too annoyed by the ending. To get the full story, you have to follow the trilogy:
- The Falling (2022 / Revised 2018)
- The Burning (2023)
- The Infinite Light of Dust (2024/2025)
The series is basically a study on how to love someone while they're healing. It’s not always pretty. Sometimes, it’s actually quite boring, which is a weird thing to say about a romance novel, but it feels real. Real life isn't always a dramatic rain-soaked confession of love. Usually, it's just trying to figure out how to be in the same room as someone without it hurting.
If you’re planning on diving into this world, here’s how to get the most out of it.
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First off, check which version you’re buying. There are older editions titled The Brightest Stars floating around in used bookstores, but the 2022 Frayed Pages/Penguin release of The Falling is the "definitive" version Anna Todd wants you to read.
Second, don't rush it. This isn't a book to skim for the "spicy" scenes (though there is tension). It’s a book about the quiet moments.
Finally, pay attention to the stars metaphor. It’s in the title of the series for a reason. As Karina says, stars are brightest right before they burn out. It’s a bit of a foreshadowing for her relationship with Kael. Is their love the kind that lasts, or is it just a spectacular explosion before the dark?
To really understand the character dynamics, look into the "fixer" psychology. Karina's need to repair everything around her is her greatest strength and her biggest flaw. It’s what draws her to Kael, but it’s also what makes her overlook the red flags that eventually lead to that crashing halt at the end of the book.
If you've finished the book and feel like you're missing pieces, move immediately to The Burning. The story is designed to be read as one continuous arc rather than three distinct adventures.
Ultimately, this story is for the people who liked the vibe of After but wanted something a little more grounded in adult reality. It’s for the ones who know that sometimes the most dangerous thing you can do is fall for someone who doesn't know how to catch you.