Fallen (Fallen, #1) by Lauren Kate
Product Details
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 464 pages
- Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition/First Printing edition (December 8, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0385738935
- ISBN-13: 978-0385738934
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.
Fallen has a promising start - it's dark, mysterious and has a Gothic charm. But somehow, the author fails to present the story well enough to hold my attention. Luce was a teenager who seems normal but actually not. She was sent to Sword & Cross because of an accident that took her (boy)friend's life. I was expecting some explanation about how the fire happened, but the author never satisfy my curiousity. There was no explanation about the other fire accident that happened when Luce was at the library of Sword & Cross that left a classmate dead either.
Daniel Grigori was aloof, cool and distant. Luce had a feeling that she had known him for a long time, and she tried everything to know more about him. But on the other hand, she had some feelings for Cam, a boy who openly showed his interest for Luce. She was treating Cam as if he was a substitute when Daniel is not present. I thought that was really a bad thing to do. And she was so obsessive about Daniel that she wanted to peek through his personal database, but only found a sheet of paper. She constantly whined about how she loved Daniel, how handsome and strikingly gorgeous he was, felt like they've met before and swooned over him. That made her a real shallow person.
Penn was the only character in Fallen that I've grown to like. She was the only one who treated Luce as a real friend. She was supportive and helpful. And yet, her fate was miserable. I wished the author didn't write it that way.
The story was good at first, then getting better and better, although it was really long and inconsequential sometimes. But the ending was really disappointing. It was like a bucket of cold water being doused over my head. It didn't make much sense, nor there is any explanation. I felt lost. And the lines just sounded strange. Read this and you'll know:
Had Cam just turned into a Digimon Trainer? LOL.
To wrap things up, Fallen has a great premise, but it didn't turn out to be what I expected. I was somewhat baffled. I seriously wanted it to work, but sadly, it didn't. I love the cover, though. It's one of the best I've seen.
Rating:
Note: This book has some kissing scenes - nothing serious.
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.
Fallen has a promising start - it's dark, mysterious and has a Gothic charm. But somehow, the author fails to present the story well enough to hold my attention. Luce was a teenager who seems normal but actually not. She was sent to Sword & Cross because of an accident that took her (boy)friend's life. I was expecting some explanation about how the fire happened, but the author never satisfy my curiousity. There was no explanation about the other fire accident that happened when Luce was at the library of Sword & Cross that left a classmate dead either.Daniel Grigori was aloof, cool and distant. Luce had a feeling that she had known him for a long time, and she tried everything to know more about him. But on the other hand, she had some feelings for Cam, a boy who openly showed his interest for Luce. She was treating Cam as if he was a substitute when Daniel is not present. I thought that was really a bad thing to do. And she was so obsessive about Daniel that she wanted to peek through his personal database, but only found a sheet of paper. She constantly whined about how she loved Daniel, how handsome and strikingly gorgeous he was, felt like they've met before and swooned over him. That made her a real shallow person.
Penn was the only character in Fallen that I've grown to like. She was the only one who treated Luce as a real friend. She was supportive and helpful. And yet, her fate was miserable. I wished the author didn't write it that way.
The story was good at first, then getting better and better, although it was really long and inconsequential sometimes. But the ending was really disappointing. It was like a bucket of cold water being doused over my head. It didn't make much sense, nor there is any explanation. I felt lost. And the lines just sounded strange. Read this and you'll know:
"Or this?" Cam asked, shrugging as the hideous, formless darkness settled around him. The insects each began to grow and unfold, becoming larger than an insect could ever be, dripping like glue and growing into black segmented bodies. Then, as if they were learning how to use their shadow limbs as they formed, they slowly hoisted themselves onto their numerous legs and came forward, like mantises grown to human height. Cam welcomed them as they swarmed around him. Soon they had formed a massive army of embodied night behind Cam.
Had Cam just turned into a Digimon Trainer? LOL.
To wrap things up, Fallen has a great premise, but it didn't turn out to be what I expected. I was somewhat baffled. I seriously wanted it to work, but sadly, it didn't. I love the cover, though. It's one of the best I've seen.
Rating:
Note: This book has some kissing scenes - nothing serious.
I'd like to thank Valorie Ruiz from www.TruthBeToldBlog.com for sending me a paperback copy of Fallen! Thanks, pal!
Visit Lauren Kate's Website
5 creative remarks:
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Melissa, from 1000 + Books to Read
Oh... Sorry you didn't like it all that much. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but one recommendation? If you didn't enjoy this one, don't bother reading the sequel, because I doubt you will be able to finish it.
Avery
I finished reading Fallen this week and just like you, I was sadly disappointed by it. I agree with everything you said. I was doubly disappointed because of the beautiful cover I really wanted to enjoy the story, but it was just confusing and shallow.
@Melissa: No problem. I'm now your follower.
@Avery: I have the same idea. I just read the sneak peek for Torment (it's at the back of Fallen), and I just don't understand the fact that Cam and Daniel are working together to protect Luce. What? Why? How? These questions are plaguing my brain.
@Stella: I know what you're thinking. I think the cover is gorgeous, too. I'll check out your review.
@Jacqui: Alright! Thanks for following my blog! :)
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