Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Book Details:
ISBN: 978-0-385-73893-4
Publication Date: December 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: Hardcover, 464 pgs.

From the Cover:

Daniel's gaze caught hers, and her breath caught in her throat. She recognized him from somewhere. But she would have remembered meeting someone like him. She would have remembered feeling as absolutely shaken up as she did right now.

They were still locking eyes when Daniel flashed her a smile. A jet of warmth shot through her...but then he raised his hand in the air. And flipped her off. Luce gasped and dropped her eyes. Her momentary delirium vanished. What was that guy's problem?

Just before she ducked into her first class, she dared to glance back. His face was blank, but there was no mistaking it-he was watching her go.

My Take:

If you have followed my blog, you know that I am a big fan of dark fantasy novels. I was super excited when I learned I had received an advance copy of this novel. Unfortunately, life and prior commitments forced me to wait a few weeks before I could get to read this one. To my surprise, I put the book down after the first 100 pages; 100 slow and boring pages.

I did finally finish the book, but it took several starts and stops to get through it. It has been my experience that the first novel in a dark fantasy series usually starts out slow and the series builds in intensity from there. This one takes slow to a whole new level. You would expect that a lot of character development and story background would be presented, but no. I found myself uninterested in the main character and absolutely no idea there was a plot for the first three hundred pages or so.

Things do pick up in the last 75 - 100 pages. But the story did not flow towards this change in pace. It was as if a dam had busted and all of the plot and character development that had been held back came rushing at me all at once. I would be remiss if I did not point out that I did enjoy some of the story elements near the end.

My biggest problem with the book was the almost instant change in certain characters near the end. There was no warning the change was coming. Usually there are clues or things that you can put together after the fact, but not in this case. I appreciate surprise and shock in a story, but it has to fit with the beginning as well.

The story ends with somewhat of a cliffhanger. I will probably read the sequel. I would like to see the story pick up and be able to write a positive review of the next novel. There are signs that this could happen in the ending of this book.

About the Author:

Lauren Kate grew up in Dallas, went to school in Atlanta and started writing in New York. She lives in Laurel Canyon with her husband and hopes to work in a restaurant kitchen, get a dog and learn how to surf. She is currently at work on the sequel to Fallen.