Fallen by Lauren Kate

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)

Why is this book the first book I chose to read in 2011?  believe me – it wasn’t an easy choice.  What if I chose a book I disliked?  Who wants to start the year out that way?  I struggled choosing the read that would hold this coveted posting spot but settled on this one for reasons I feel are perfect:

This book was one I wanted so badly last year right around Christmas time.  I could not find it at any of my local book stores but hinted about it enough to actually find it under the tree for Christmas from my husband.  SSQQUUEEE!!!  He does not but me books often, as obviously if you looked around my home it would appear that a book is truly the last thing I need.  However, he does understand the book lover in me and I was thrilled to receive this treasure.  This was Christmas 2009.  That’s right, I have had this book for over a year and lovingly put it on a shelf and there it sat.

For a year.

That is why this book seemed very appropriate to start off the 2011 year with.  I hope this will remind me to not only pursue books I really want to read, but to also take the time to read them.

Happy New year fellow book lovers!

Sheila

 

FALLEN

Seventeen year old Lucinda (Luce) Price has just arrived at the Sword and Cross Boarding School in Savannah.  It’s not that she is a bad girl really… yes she was present during a recent fire that left one of her friends dead, and yes… she see’s shadows that seem to make her skin crawl and bad things seem to happen when they are present…

and of course her parents are worried for her own safety..

but boarding school seems a little extreme doesn’t it?

And then there is Daniel.  She sees this dark, mysterious, weight of the world boy on her first day at school and he promptly…

flips her off.

This action would probably make most girls decide a gut like that was not worth any attention at all, but Luce finds herself fascinated with this boy who makes her heart race and scowls whenever he sees her.  Something in those eyes seems hauntingly familiar.

Then there is Cam, gorgeous popular and totally swoon worthy and the big difference between Cam and Daniel is that Cam is charming, friendly and likes Luce a lot.  Often surprising her with gifts and attention that warms her insides in this new environment.

Yet why can she not shake this need to be with Daniel?

Why do we girls so often go for the bad guys?

 

Read in my Reading Room

Fallen is…. a love story, definitely YA, with a sprinkle of paranormal.  Seriously – whats not to love?

I found Luce’s storyline bringing me right into the setting.  Fallen was very visually described and I had no problem at all envisioning the school, the colorful characters (Arriane – both a little spooky and fun at the same time), Penn ( the girl with a heart of gold who usually does not get the credit she deserves) and doesn’t every school have a Molly (ie.  mean girl usually just for the sake of being mean?.  Of course I feel that I too would probably feel a little ga ga for Daniel as well, in fact he reminded me of a boy I knew in High School…

enough said.

There are parts I wish had been a bit more detailed – for instance the fire before Luce comes to the school seems to be vague on what exactly happened and why Luce is blamed.  I wish that would have been a bit more detailed as it does play out to be an important part of this read.

The ending came to a powerful conclusion that actually did take me by surprise how it all played out.

As far as the love (well… read the book, not sure if it is all love) triangle… I enjoyed it being the big sap that I am (I also enjoyed the Bella, Edward, and Jacob triangle).  I mean,even though I can not stand romance reads, a YA powerful love triangle where the guy will do anything to get the girl admittedly tugs at my heart.

I have read over the past year mixed thoughts on this book, anywhere from it being slow, or underdeveloped but I find I do not agree.  I enjoyed the pace of the book and getting to know the characters and the mysteries behind who they all are.  I am looking forward to reading the second book TORMENT which is on my kitchen table currently, and if FALLEN became a movie I for one would check it out.

Reviewer note:  When you are done reading this book, go back and read the first chapter again called, “In The Beginning” it will have a much richer meaning.

Amazon Rating

 

Book 1 on my WHERE Are You Reading Challenge map


This book was a gift from my husband – Christmas 2009

Thank you Al!

27 thoughts on “Fallen by Lauren Kate”

  1. I chose a Star Trek book as my first read of the year.

    It’s funny you chose this book. In my first essay of the year, I talked about YA love triangles.

    Drop by for a visit. I redesigned my site.

    Reply

  4. My first book is Choker by Elizabeth Woods, part of the 2011 Debut YA Challenge. It isn’t suppose to be released until the 4th, but for some reason my bookstore had it forsale last week, I did the happy dance right out the store. I did wait until today to start it though 🙂

    I have Fallen in my TBR pile, tackle it next (2011 Off The Shelf Challenge)

    Reply

  5. I’m so glad your first read of 2011 was a good one. I think picking that first read is extremely hard!! I chose to read Sarah, Plain and Tall as my first read/review of 2011. It’s one I’ve always loved and got me in the reading spirit. I actually spent most of the day moving around to different blogs and finishing up my challenge posts. Glad you had a great New Year!!!

    Reply

    1. It really was a hard pick Emily – why do we put such pressure on ourselves? 🙂 I am happy with my choice because the book being a gift had special meaning and I did enjoy it.

      I like the one that you picked too!

      Reply

  9. I so want Fallen have plans to get it soon. Your review just sealed it for me .

    As for my first book of the new year is one I am still reading which is Devoured by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy then I am moving on too The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter.

    Reply

  10. Why do we girls so often go for the bad guys?

    I just never get the answers 😀

    . Seems this book is not trouble you much like what I read from another bloggers’ review. I am trying to search this book in net galley. I hope I can find it

    Reply

    1. LOL Aleetha, you are right, I did enjoy the read and even reading some of the other reviews yesterday I was surprised by what some of the reviewers found they did not enjoy about the book. For me it was a good fit for this time of year, not a hard read and a good story line that held me attention.

      Reply

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