Fallen

Fallen by Lauren Kate 2 stars
I really didn't think it was possible to make Hush, hush seem like the new Twilight but this book has achieved it. I feel bad that yet again I am giving a negative review but like my taste in films, I'm more inclined to like something then to dislike it so you can imagine how disappointed I have been with the current books I have read.

The main problem with this book is it is so trying to be Bella Swann however Lauren Kate does not have the skill to pace the (very long) novel nor write a sympathetic main character.

Nothing happens for a long time and I mean nothing. This not the months of tension Bella endures as she pieces Edward Cullen's life together. This is Luce, the protagonist, mopping about, lamenting her life and her unrequited love for a certain boy Daniel. Large chunks of the book do not progress the story and are quite frankly boring. It wasn't until the end that the theology the author introduces interested me, unfortunately so I will no doubt buy the sequel to see if the author will settle down and write a proper story and answer some of the questions she has thrown up (as a frustrated Lost fan, I know what it is like to never have anything answered).

All the vital elements to make this a twilight are there: 'ordinary' girl (who doesn't know she has a special destiny/power), mysterious boy who rejects her but can't keep away, 'ordinary' boy who loves her but she doesn't return his affection and depressive, internal monologue. These should all work in Fallen but it is missing the vital spirit that make Bella such a modern and exciting character. She doesn't take no for an answer, she doesn't let Edward's overbearing, old fashioned ways stop her from doing what she wants to do. This is part of her attraction to the reader. Luce is unfortunately a little passive and doesn't ask the right questions or defend herself. This is very frustrating and towards the end you kind of hope the bad guys get to kill her so that your suffering will end!

She offers an interesting theology (even if it is not explained) but describes Georgia (USA) beautifully. The ending was intriguing and the first chapter of the second book 'Torment' hinted that this book will be better paced. The book covers are great too (love the dress).