Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Review! Fallen by Lauren Kate


Fallen
Lauren Kate
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
December 8, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-385-73893-4

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic,
Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.
Once you get past the amazing cover - it is honestly beautiful; I want a poster of it! - Fallen is a story that will certainly grab you and not let go until the very end. Let me start by saying that I have never been a big fan of predestined lovers, the concept just has never appealed to me and as such, while I was looking forward to reading Fallen, I was a bit wary. I am happy to tell you that all my worries were for naught. Fallen ripped into my gut like a hungry hippo and didn't let go until I had read the very last word, even then I was left with wanting more.

Luce has been sent to Sword & Cross by her parents after something horrible happened to her. She's now surround by strangers in a morose-looking academy in the middle of nowhere, Georgia and needless to say, not very happy about it. When she meets Daniel, she's immediately drawn to him, too bad he makes it more than clear to stay away from him by flipping her off right off the bat.

But Luce can't help herself - there's something about this boy that calls to her and she soon finds herself on a mission to find out more about him, including what makes him be nice to her one second then brush her off the next. What she doesn't know is that it's more than just attraction and she might not survive uncovering his secrets.

Character-wise, two stole the limelight for me. Arriane, the funny psycho girl who from the beginning takes Luce under her wings (no pun intended) and Cam, the dark-haired boy with the hots for Luce. I admit, I quickly developed a full-on crush on Cam. He is awesome!

I have to say that for the first 300something pages, there was very little - if any - explanations on why things were happening. The reader is teased with hints throughout but it's not until the 300ish mark that we actually start to find out the reasons behind some characters' actions and even then, it's just enough to answer some questions. I feel that Fallen is more of a introductory story than anything. It sets the story arc and the characters while giving some slight resolution at the end with an incredible cliffhanger.


With that said, I think Fallen is a very good first book of a series that has the potential to become awesome. The characters were endearing, even when they did something that I didn't like and throughout the whole story, I was on the edge of my seat wanting to read more. I am definitely looking forward to the next book titled Torment, which sadly doesn't come out until September next year.

40 comments:

Tales of Whimsy said...

Oh good review. I love books that keep me at the edge of my seat.

Tynga said...

I didn't read your review 'cause I never do before I read a book, but I am SO excited about that one!

Wicked Walker said...

Okay now I MUST get this book! One more on the TBR list! :)

Gina said...

Risked reading the review as I just received an ARC of this title yesterday....glad I did! It only added to my interest in reading it! (no big spoilers...thanks!) Alas, the cover is plain on my version, but my imagination will take care of that.

Sara said...

Great review! Now I'm even more excited to read this book! I love the titles too...

BookObsessedGrl said...

Ok that's it I am going to have to go buy a YA novel! Look at what you have done to my convictions! All your YA reviews leave me wanting to know more, to meet the characters you have fallen in love with - and we won't even get in to you teaser tweets this past week while you read Fallen & yelled at the characters! UGHH...I'm doin it - buying Fallen right now and it's all because of you! ;o)
Heather a.k.a. BookobsessedGrl

BookObsessedGrl said...

Oy - It's not out yet! I didn't read the release date in your post until after I saw GRM say she had just received the ARC! Now it has to go on the TBR List & I have to wait. That's just cruel Wendy - just cruel!

Ellz said...

Great review. I can't wait to read this book. It is on top of my WL.

Briana said...

Thats funny that you say nothing really happens before the 300 mark and I know what you mean! I am on page 260! And I need more!! lol. But great review! I really cant wait to finish this book! :)

-Arielle

Smokinhotbooks said...

I'm addicted to YA novels! Do you think I would like this - I a fan of Intertwined by Gena Showalter and Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I trust you.

Enchanted by Books said...

Great review Wendy! I hope I get a copy of this one. Sounds soooooo good!!

Jax said...

great review. I can't wait to read this book.

Anonymous said...

What a great Review. I so need this book.

Unknown said...

ACK I soooooo wanna read this - OMG!!! I cant wait, what a wonderful review! :) It has me wanting it even more! EAK

elaing8 said...

There is so much hype about this book.I can't wait to read it.

Unknown said...

Great Review :)

going to the TBR pile =)

Smokinhotbooks said...

This has been on my TBR pile for awhile. The cover alone makes me want to read it. Glad I stopped by to get your take b/c some other bloggers were dissing Fallen!

Adriana said...

I've read so many different reviews on this. I really like the cover also, but I'm not sure how much I'll like it. You made it sound interesting though.

Natalie said...

Like you, I really like the cover of Fallen! I've been wanting to get my hands on a copy of this book for awhile, but I've been a bit afraid to buy it because I'm scared it won't live up to all the hype. Thanks for the review!

Natalie @ Mindful Musings

Eleni said...

Nice review, I really wanna read this book!

Anonymous said...

The cover is what first grabbed my attention too. It is so beautiful! And of course, the blurb got me too. I've heard from some that it does start off slow but that doesn't deter me - I'm still going to read it :D

ParaJunkee said...

I love this cover and can't wait to read it your review only got me more excited!

Mel (He Followed Me Home) said...

this was getting mixed, reviews - glad you liked it!

Jessica B said...

I've heard very mixed reviews about this one. I loved your review of it! I cannot wait for this book.

donnas said...

Great review. I so want to read this one. Thanks!

Jackie Uhrmacher said...

I'm not usually a fan of YA, but this looks very good!

Laurie T said...

Nice review. This book has been on my To Get list forever.

D Q said...

Great review. Would love to add this book to my collection.

mariska said...

this book is on my Top list to read !

Missmagic188 said...

I like books that's hard to understand at the beginning since most of the books I've read are pretty straight forward. Where's the fun?

Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) said...

I've been wanting to read Fallen from the moment I saw the cover and your review just strengthens my desire for this book. I didn't realize it is a book in a series, so I'm even more excited now.

:D Nikki

Jackie said...

Waiting for best review to come out to make up my mind, you convinced me and now really want the book. I love the story line and the cover and cannot wait to read....

Jackie B Central Texas

Zahir Blue said...

I liked your review very much, although honestly I wish there'd been a tiny more hint about what the whole mystery was all about. No spoilers, just a teasing hint is all I ask.

J. Lee said...

Wow sounds really interesting
Now I wanna read it

Jessy said...

Great review. I am really looking forward to reading this. I'm glad you really enjoyed it.

Mysteriousrose said...

Very good and funny review, you really make me want to read this book^^

Mundie Moms said...

That's a great review!! I'm looking forward to reading this book!!

Triskaideka said...

you make fallen sound delicious definitely something i will have to read

L said...

I'm dying to read this book. It looks so good and I love the cover@

Anonymous said...

This book looks like an exciting read!

He can Chapter-32 me anytime!

Bones is Mine