Review - Fallen by Lauren Kate

4 out of 5

Synopsis:
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

My Review:

My motto stands. Always read a book more than once to truly 'get' it.

First read: I loved the story of Luce and Daniel. I thought the push and pull of their character's made for great reading. As Luce goes through trying to piece her life back together after a horrific accident that claims the life of a friend of hers she is sent to a reform school. Luce didn't expect Swords & Cross to be the place where she finally figures out who she really is.

When Luce lays her eyes on Daniel she has a weird sense of De ja vu. Trying to figure out the connection with Daniel she sets out to find out everything she can about the elusive Daniel Grigori.The plot of Fallen was entrancing. I was enthralled with all the character's. Each one of their quirky personalities made them excellent side character's.

Second Read: While I still had the thrill of the first read the second time around was different. I began to see the characters for what they really are. Luce is a little bit shallow. Her life revolves around her. She finds a friend in Penn but all they do and talk about is Daniel and what Luce wants from a relationship with him. She also flicks between Daniel and Cam a little too often, leading Cam on a little too much, surely she's in love with Daniel? 

Luce also really doesn't have much else going for her apart from her infatuations. She doesn't easily make friends or have any interest in their lives other than for her own benefit.

Daniel also becomes too soft. Surely he's supposed to be this bad guy considering he's in a reform school but his actions (with the exception of a fight scene with Cam) are just way tooooo gushy. No backbone.

When I left the story the second time I couldn't help wondering the following two things.

1) What were a bunch of Angels doing at the reform school in the first place - was it just to find Luce (when Daniel pointedly said that she always just 'shows up' and he doesn't look for her any more). Surely these Angels have better things to do with their eternity?

2) If Daniel is the leader and the victim of the whole 'fallen' thing why isn't he more manly in his actions rather than the dull, gushy, wistful, no personality boy he appears to be.

Hmm. Lots to think of.