24
Jan
2010
Fallen by Lauren Kate
I am making an effort to read more YA literature. But then I read it and I remember why I don’t usually pick up books like this. And the worst of it is, I kinda liked it.
There’s this girl. Her name is Luce. She is a new student at school. There is a seemingly nice boy, and a boy who stares at her and then gives her the finger (and truthfully, it was this description from the blurb that first grabbed my attention–I thought it was funny and intriguing). There is something supernatural/paranormal going on.
The twist? They are at a reform school. Which, btw, I totally did not buy the whole reform school thing, as it didn’t seem convincing, but I guess some literary license can be granted there.
O.K., so Luce, right? Can’t help feeling all dejà vu whenever she sees Daniel. But we already know why because the the prologue has basically told that Luce keeps being reborn and meeting Daniel and it does not end well. So he all pushes her away, and the other guy, who is seemingly nice, seems really too nice, and there are apple and snake metaphors like mad, and I’m going…
REALLY? REALLY YAPARANORMALROMANCE? IS THIS THE BEST YOU HAVE ANYMORE?
And the writing isn’t really stellar or anything. Daniel draws Luce in life after life and it’s always crap like (and I’m going to quote from the ARC here, which, you know, shame on me) “He had filled up his book with pages of her arched neck, her marble collarbone, the black abyss of her hair.”
And then I get to the end, and I come to find out that this is book one of a series, and again I’m like:
WHY YAPARNORMALROMANCE? WHY CAN YOU NEVER HAVE JUST ONE SELF-CONTAINED BOOK ANY MORE?
And you know how I feel about starting series (serieses?) before they’re finished, but now I’m in for the long haul. And the reason?
There are angels. In case you couldn’t tell from the title, they fell from the sky. They have wings. They fly. The occasionally glow or shine, but at least they don’t sparkle.
What can I say? I totally geek-out over religion stuff. I even liked the whole snake/apple thing (or I did the first time or two). And so long as there is no manuscript or grail or splinter or bone or whatever they have to go find, I’ll be O.K. with it.
In the end, I was able to deal with the formula, and clichés, so don’t think that this was a totally negative review.
Yo FTC! I got this ARC from the publisher.
If you like this book/author, you might like:
(my reviews in blue)
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Strange Angels by Lili St Crow
Supernatural: Rising Son by Peter Johnston, Rebecca Dissertine and Diego Olmos
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice
Angel Time by Anne Rice
Other works by Lauren Kate:
The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove
This is the best written review of this book I’ve read. I’d already planned on not reading it but I’m glad I read your review.
YA fiction is heading down a very slippery slope. There is too much of the same supernatural, immortal, reform school, past-life romance genre for anything to feel fresh any more. I think it all comes down to the writing. I think this is why I loved Shiver…not something completely new, but well written, and original enough to be fresh and interesting.
Sorry this was a dud for you. I’m still probably going to check it out, though. I just can’t help myself with a cover this beautiful!
LOL! I’m starting to hate series. I hate the feeling you get at the end of a book when you really want to know what happens next and yet you must wait for another year (or more) to find out.
I had mixed feelings about Fallen, but I loved your review!
I’m ignoring the fact it starts a series. Probably.
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It is interesting to see the reviews for this book because they seem to be all over the place. Some people are really, really liking it while others seem to find it just okay if that. It will be the next review on my blog. Personally, I really liked it but I mostly do like these types of books (hated Twilight though and only found City of Bones to be okay).
I am trying to read more YA books this year (hence YA Challenge) just to see what the fuss is all about – while I thought Twilight is just okay (didn’t read the rest of the series), I was amazed to see all the other paranormal YA books out there and don’t really have an interest… so I appreciate your review (too funny!) and won’t pick up this one! I guess I have always preferred realistic fiction.
I bought this one to read with my gc money from the inlaws. I haven’t delved into it, but I love the cover.
I read Hush Hush and liked it okay because the angels part intrigued me. But I think I have to keep allowing for the reality that it will not be on an intellectual level with me, because, of course, it is YA. I keep wanting more. But they are nice books for quick reads and easy escapes. I don’t know why every book has to be a series either. Just like every movie that does well at the Box Office has to be a series. Why? Sometimes it would be great and sometimes it is best to just leave well enough alone.
so are these angels good or bad or both? and i missed your words regarding series. i’m curious. do you read series in one fell swoop once it is completed? please direct me to that post.
I guest posted on Literary Escapism a while back:
http://bibliofreakblog.com/interviews-guest-posts/guest-post-literary-escapism/