Review: Hide and Seek by Sara Shepard

My friends and I used to play lying games.

Now my twin sister is living one.

When I was alive, my family seemed picture-perfect. My adoptive parents adored me, and my little sister, Laurel, copied my every move. But now that my long-lost twin, Emma, has taken my place to solve my murder, we're both learning just how flawed my family really is.

Laurel is shooting Emma nasty looks and sneaking around with my ex-boyfriend. And it turns out my parents are keeping a huge secret--could it be the reason I'm dead?

How far would they go to keep the truth buried? No one can harm me now, but Emma is still fair game. And if she's not careful, she'll end up buried, too. . . .

Language: Moderate

Violence: Moderate

Sexual: Mild

When I first began this series, I was really enjoying discovering the secrets and killer lies this story brought force, bringing out my inner sleuth along with it. I thought the plot was fairly unique and the writing style smoothly played along the continuous flipping of pages. But I found that as the story continues, it lacked the depth and mysterious thrills that tagged nearby.

I never particularly liked the games Sutton and her friends played on people, that they called “pranks.” What they would consider hilarious jokes, I would consider premature homicidal activities that needed to be watched closely by a therapist or psychiatrist, at best. Nobody seemed to enjoy Sutton’s company after pulling these pranks on her friends, which I don’t understand because, even though hers might have brought out her mental instability I imagine she must’ve had by then, her friends went along with it and pulled out some foolery of their own. But did anyone despise them? Yes, but not like they did Sutton.

There was something that began to get on my last nerve about these books. Through the second book, it felt like nothing was really happening. It was as though nothing had happened from the first book. These novels always leave with a cliffhanger, leaving open your thoughts for the killer, but it never ends with any closure, nor does it pursue our ambitions. The cliffhangers were seemingly for nothing at all, really.

I am not sure if I have such feelings about this series because I watch the TV series before reading the story itself (but I don’t think this is the case, considering the show is completely different than the novels), but I have doubts whether or not to continue reading the last two books. Apparently I am not the only one with feelings about these books, and about the Pretty Little Liars series, that of which I have not previously read but have the same dragging storyline. It makes me feel as though I wasted my money on the books that don’t even continue the story, and I don’t like that about Sara’s writing style.

Cover: Honestly, I like the designs for these covers. Or maybe it’s just the fashionista in me that enjoys the interesting styles the twins have.

Setting: A small town with big fashion, catty teenagers, and deceiving secrets.

Characters: Spiteful and selfish characters were what apparently made up this entire series. Hardly any of them had any good aspects in them, and most were rude and incompetent, even the parents and sister who I had some hope for in the beginning. Despite the fact that Sutton remembers nothing, she is still able to be just as much of a twit as she used to be. Emma is growing into the similar character her twin sister unfortunately was.

Storyline: The search to find Sutton’s murderer continues.

Writing: It had an easy and swift flow to it, but it lacks depth and builds up nothing at all.

Surprises: There were no surprises that made me gasp, but that was probably because I watched the television series beforehand.

Overall: 3.5 stars, because it did not fulfill my ambitions for the series, unfortunately. Although it is a thrilling read, there are just too many things I didn’t care for.

Recommended: If you enjoyed the PLL series, also by Sara Shepard, and you don’t mind basically reading the same story with each sequel to it, then I would recommend this to you.

Review: Tempestuous by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes

Description: Recently banished, unfairly, by the school’s popular crowd, former “it girl,” Miranda Prospero, finds herself in a brave new world: holding dominion amongst a rag-tag crew of geeks and misfits where she works at the Hot-Dog Kabob in the food court of her local mall. When the worst winter storm of the season causes mall workers and last-minute shoppers to be snowed-in for the night, Miranda seizes the opportunity to get revenge against the catty clique behind her social exile. With help from her delightfully dweeby coworker, Ariel, and a sullen loner named Caleb who works at the mall’s nearby gaming and magic shop, Miranda uses charm and trickery to set things to right during this spirited take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Language: Moderate

Violence: Mild (there’s a mention of robbers who steal laptops, iPods, etc. in the mall, and some cases of revenge, some risky and including BB guns)

Sexual: Mild (a few kisses and innuendo)

Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for providing me with an ARC.

Have you ever had that feeling where the pacing is so slow that you feel you’ll lose interest in it quickly, and yet at the last moment when you’re about to close the book, you just need to find out how the book will end? That’s how I felt after finishing Tempestuous.

I’ve never read The Tempest by William Shakespeare, so I had to go on Spark Notes and find more details on it, because I searched Barnes & Noble’s website for a vague description, but it only told me things on the physical book, rather than the story on the inside. So, after reading the summary off Spark Notes, I understood a bit more about Tempestuous. It’s actually semi-amusing to me the way the authors modernized and twisted this story until it was molded into their own creation. I appreciate that. It takes guts to try to modernize a Shakespeare masterpiece, and so I give a round of applause for Kim Askew and Amy Helmes.

This being said, there are a few things in the book I didn’t appreciate. I didn’t like how everyone but Caleb was practically a slave to Miranda; I don’t know if this was the case in the original Shakespeare play, but I’m going to go on a whim and say it is this similar class, and if it is, I apologize for the negativity on that part. Still, I felt the whole grudge on her ex-friends and ex-boyfriend went on for a bit too long. I realize Brian cheated on her with her best friend, but the revenge seemed an inch below her level.

Other than the few things I didn’t care for, this was a pretty good book. There were some slow moments, some that weren’t as interesting, but even the lesser intriguing parts was still well written and made me want to continue on with the story.

The title of this book was actually what captured my attention—“Tempestuous: A Twisted Lit Novel.” If that doesn’t get you to read through the synopsis, I don’t know what will. Twisted Lit? I’m a fan of all old stories that have been manipulated into modern literature, and that’s the main reason I requested this one.

There was another thing I loved about this book. Actually, two things: firstly, this entire book takes place in a little more than one day (how cool is that?), and secondly, the chemistry that grew between Miranda and Caleb had a force to the readers that’ll have them cheering for them.

Now, I don’t know if you will fall upon the same issues I have with this novel, or if you will find it as surprising as I did, but take a chance and pick up this book. It’s not one you can easily forget.

Cover: I like the cover. It reminds me of a mall fountain mixed with an Old Roman/Grecian one, but that was probably the point, right? The soda on it is cute as well.

Setting: The local mall.

Characters: Miranda is a girl who can be very self-centered at times. It makes sense that her nickname is “princess,” because it seems she has many people wrapped around her finger, especially her friend and coworker Ariel, who she sends off to get revenge for her on her two ex-friends, even though those friends did nothing but emotionally hurt Miranda and her “friends.” (Really, it was Brian and Rachel who were to blame.) But thankfully, I got to know her better as the story progressed, and she isn’t as bad as I thought.

-Caleb is a character all in his own. I love how he doesn’t put up with Miranda’s crap, and points out her selfishness whenever there’s a chance. It seems as though he doesn’t care about what anyone thinks about him, and I like that about him, too, along with the fact that he has just an edge of bad boy genes in him.

-Chad and the other jocks Miranda accuses of being “nut-logs,” some of which include the infamous band, aren’t all that bad. They aren’t exactly the nicest people in the world, but they’re much better than Brian is, that’s for sure.

-Whitney, Britney, Rachel, and Brian were all complete jerks at the beginning of the story, especially towards Miranda, Ariel, and Caleb. Although Brian remains a player and the three besties’ eyes are only set on revenge, and I did get more than a little tired of reading about this, the story wouldn’t be as interesting without them.

Storyline: Teenagers get locked in a mall after being snowed in.

Writing: The writing is okay, in my opinion. It’s a little amusing at times, while the narrator can also appear snotty at others.

Surprises: (A small spoiler here.) I know this sounds a little weird, but I laughed so much at the thought of Caleb, Chad, and a few other guys in a band together. Just picture a sarcastic and stony-looking guy who works at a game store wearing a magician’s cape with a jock in another funny costume playing guitar and drums together. Laughing yet? No? Okay. Other than this, there actually weren’t a whole lot of surprises until the very end. The rest was more amusing than surprising, however.

Overall: 4 stars. This is interesting story that others may have enjoyed somewhat more than I did, but I did give it the rating I think it deserved. Like I said before, I really like Shakespeare, although I’ve only read a few of his works, and this was an intriguing and exciting book for me.

Recommended: I’d recommend this one to all who love Shakespeare and would be interested in reading a twist on the story all the fans know and enjoy.

—“Remind me why I'm doing this again?" I whispered back.
“For your real friends, of course: Me, Caleb, and Chad.”
“That's sweet of you to say, but I'm not sure we're all friends. Mr. Darcy over here," I indicated Caleb with a nod, "finds me barely tolerable.”

—“Where are you taking me?” he asked.

“To Got Games for a pair of those trick handcuffs,” I said. “I’m not letting you get away so easy this time.”

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Description: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Language: Mild

Violence: Heavy

Sexual: Mild

Take a journey through the future, where everyone is able to choose a category they fit best in at age sixteen; a place where you will stay and follow the rules, or else you will be factionless and tossed into the streets, with few to help you get by.

Let me just get this fact out there in the open: I fell in love with Divergent.

Basically we are all Divergent. Our attitudes and actions are mixed together between all the factions. In this time, Divergence is normal. It’s what everyone is. But in this novel, Divergent may as well be a demon sent from hell. It’s unusual and yet not unexpected to not make it into any of the “normal” factions, but you will either be factionless or executed. You can act like you fit in, follow the rules, or you can take charge and fight for what’s right, with the high possibility of making it through the battle.

Many deaths were in this book, a whole lot of action and suspense that’ll make you chew on your nails in nervousness and almost fall right off the edge of your seat, and a romance that wasn’t over the top, which I was happy about. It’s awful when a gushy romance is too much for the story and it coats it in gooey insta-love, which also wasn’t the case here.

This book left me thinking long after I pried my eyes away from the intriguing story. How would you handle being brought up to be someone you aren’t? What would you do if you didn’t fit in any of the factions, if you didn’t want to follow the rules, and if you knew this world you lived in wasn’t fair and you would be willing to follow Tris and risk your life and others’ lives?

Cover: I love the cover! It’s very fitting, in my opinion, and original. Simple covers do not mean the story isn’t amazing.

Setting: A Dystopian world where everything is chosen for you.

Characters: Four: the man who is basically the assistant trainer in Divergent. He’s cruel, stubborn, and will push anyone their hardest. But deep down, he has a kind heart and will do anything to protect those he loves.

-Tris: the willful girl who is strong, fierce, and is still human enough that she is compassionate and tries to protect everyone, no matter the cost. Whether it’s putting her own life on the line or training in battle, Tris will win you over. And hopefully she will win the battle for the truth as well.

-Al: the betrayer. That’s all I have to say.

-Christina and Will: they were some of my favorite characters as well. Even though it seems more time than not that Christina should just shut her mouth and keep quiet, she was a great secondary character and won me over, along with the accompaniment of Will, who actually wasn’t in the book as much, but I loved him just the same and was extremely sad when… well, I can’t say…

-Peter, Molly, and Derek: I hate them. Sure, they’re Dauntless, but I wouldn’t call them brave. Brave people wouldn’t hurt others for the sake of winning the game or for their own benefit. That’s just cruel.

-Eric and others: most others were ones I had a strong dislike for, especially Eric. There were a few others that I do like, whose names have oddly escaped my mind at the moment…

Storyline: The beginning of this novel starts off as the usual Dystopian tale, which made me somewhat hesitant to continue if I hadn’t been sucked right into the story. But rest assured that this book is nothing like the usual ones out there. Just read it and you will understand.

Writing: It was so easy for me to lose myself in Tris’s voice. It’s right between simple and elaborate, but exceptionally enthralling and intriguing. It makes me feel as though I’m actually walking through this Dystopian world, following the rules and then breaking them, going through dangers and risking my life for those I love, right along with Tris, instead of making me feel like I’m just reading it.

Surprises: There were so many things in this book that I never saw coming, but I find I can’t state these surprises unless I want to spoil it for all of you. Which is tempting, but not my thing.

Overall: 5 stars! This book is one of the best that I’ve read in 2012. Even if you’re not a fan of the particular genre, there is everything in here that I can guarantee you will love if you give it a chance.

Recommended: I would recommend this book for years thirteen and over and for all of those who love unique Dystopian stories.

-         -“I might be in love with you.” He smiles a little. “I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though.”

-         -“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”

-         - “Peter would probably throw a party if I stopped breathing.'

“Well,” he says, “I would only go if there was cake.”

-         - “Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” 

-         -“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.” 

-          -“I am selfish. I am brave.” 

Cover Reveal: Free Souls by Susan Kaye Quinn

I am so excited about this one. It is the third and final book in the trilogy, and the cover is amazing. Susan Kaye Quinn is a self-published novelist, with fresh and intriguing stories to pour into that'll leave you wanting more.

When your mind is a weapon, freedom comes at a price.

Four months have passed since Kira left home to join Julian’s Jacker Freedom Alliance, but the hole in her heart still whistles empty where her boyfriend Raf used to be. She fills it with weapons training, JFA patrols, and an obsessive hunt for FBI agent Kestrel, ignoring Julian’s worries about her safety and repeated attempts to recruit her for his revolutionary chat-casts. When anti-jacker politician Vellus surrounds Jackertown with the National Guard, Kira discovers there’s more to Julian’s concerns than she knew, but she’s forced to take on a mission that neither want and that might be her last: assassinating Senator Vellus before he can snuff out Julian’s revolution and the jackers she’s come to love.

Doesn't this sound awesome? I can't wait!

Review: Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Description: Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

Language: Heavy

Violence: Moderate/Heavy

Sexual: Moderate

   I have several different emotions souring through me after reading this book. Anticipation, adoration, the need for more, and an even stronger love for the story itself and Daemon and Katy; nothing was boring to me and there were only a few typos in the eBook version, which I forced myself to ignore and focus on the greatness of the overall book.

   There were so many things I want to point out, but that would be spoiling the whole thing for you guys. But it’s so hard not to gush about it! I mean, just think about it. Daemon: he’s his amazing and arrogant self who will make you wish you had a Daemon of your own just to cuddle with, despite the fact that he’s an alien. Oh, and Katy? She’s even feistier. Just register all of this.

   Overall, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, but at the same time releasing a breath you hadn’t known you’d been holding.

Cover: I love all the covers! The models on the cover (aka Pepe Toth and Sztella Tziotziosz) resemble the characters I’ve imagined as Katy and Daemon extremely well. The couple looks very well together, and I really like the background as well as not just the models.

Setting: West Virginia.

Characters: It’s pretty obvious who my favorite character is: Daemon. Oh, Daemon. Who wouldn’t like him? The reason I like him is because, well… Daemon is Daemon. The sarcastic, charming Daemon. And I don’t like him just because he’s hot. Even though he can be rude and definitely envious, it’s almost impossible for most people not to fall for him, much like Katy did (another one of my favorite characters, who is feisty and somewhat relatable), even though she denies it through most of the book, which I found quite annoying.

Storyline: Onyx starts right where Obsidian leaves off. The entire storyline I found was awesome and flowed really well. Very suspenseful and intriguing, but I will say no more because no one likes a spoiler.

Writing: I absolutely adore the writing style of this! It makes me never want to stop reading the book, but once it’s finished, I’m begging for more.

Surprises: There were quite a few things I didn’t see coming laid out sporadically throughout the book, ones that made my jaw drop. There was rarely a dull moment in this story—heck, in this series in itself—but this is to be expected.

Overall: 5 stars! Once again, Jennifer L. Armentrout does not disappoint. She is one of my all-time favorite authors, one who you can be guaranteed will have a great and intriguing romance, an interesting and thrilling story, and loveable and wonderful characters included in her novels.

Recommended: I would recommend this book for anyone who loves a unique alien story, and any sci-fi or paranormal lovers! Even if you don’t like aliens, this book changed my liking of them and it’s possible to change yours as well.

Cover Reveal: Enders by Lissa Price

I've never done a cover reveal before, but I'm just too excited not to do one for Enders by Lissa Price. It looks amazing!

With the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn't want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save Callie's life - but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena's memories, too ...and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body? This is the thrilling sequel to "Starters."

Don't you just love it? Doesn't it make you wish you're holding it in your hands right now?

The official release date for Enders has been pushed further back, all the way to July 4th, 2013. It feels like such a  long way away! But I suppose we'll wait for the release together.

Review: Passion by Lauren Kate

Description: Luce would die for Daniel.

And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn't need to be that way....

Luce is certain that something - or someone - in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of thislifetime...going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel...and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history. Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames...forever.

Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series.

Language: Mild

Violence: Mild

Sexual: Moderate

   It seems I’ve grown accustom to reliving the failures this series has fallen to (pun not intended—okay, it kind of was). But maybe that’s just because I have a love/hate relationship with it.

   I cannot stress how boring this book was. The same things happened: Luce finding her old self, staying in her past for a few minutes and watching her past-self kiss the past Daniel, and then leave off to another past, while Daniel is chasing after her and missing her a split second too late. Why? He should be extremely fast and teleport or whatever. He is an angel, isn’t he?

   Some things were also pretty confusing. When Bill was introduced, I felt he was unimportant and weird. Yeah, he was interesting, but it never explained how exactly he could change into whatever or whoever he so pleased until the very end. And even the explanation seemed as if Lauren Kate only just thought of it at that same time we did! I know we’re the readers and all, but I hate being perplexed through the entire book, even if Luce is confused as well. Luce is pretty stupid without many emotions—why don’t we know more than she does?

   I felt this book was very unnecessary and was only a type of filler for the last book in the series, much like the second book. I was hoping this book would resurface my love for the series and make my happiness in it soar through the sky, but unfortunately, it did the complete opposite I was expecting—no, hoping for.

   After my past two negative reviews I didn’t enjoy giving you guys, you’re probably wondering why I’m going to continue on reading the next book in the series. It’s because I still liked the first book and I want to see how the story ends, and whether it gets less boring and more interesting very fast. But, Lauren Kate, I want some things explained to me! I don’t like living in the dark!

   I probably won’t reread this book ever again. Sorry, but I just can’t put myself through it. But if you like this series and would like to continue it, don’t let this review stop you!

Cover: I didn’t like this cover as much, because it looks a bit cartoony. But it’s still pretty, in my opinion.

Setting: Time-travel seems to be the main thing in this book, using shadows to transport them into another world. Luce pretty much travels everywhere in her past, meeting her own self—excuse me, selves—and past Daniels.

Characters: Daniel Grigori very lost and a bit lonely, and wouldn’t let anybody else help him, which annoyed me quite a bit. If he can’t find the girl on his own, why won’t he let anybody help him?

-Luce was consistent with her new time-travel abilities. Basically she did the same exact thing from Chapter One to the end, with nothing very interesting happening.

-Cam was hardly in the book. This was fairly irritating! He was the most unique of all the characters in Passion.

-Arriane was hardly in this one as well. Another favorite character is gone to the wind.

-The characters thoroughly acted as puppets lead only by a string, very emotionless with less unique things about them in the previous books. At least in the others they had a bit of depth. In this one, there’s none at all.

Storyline: The storyline lacked many things. It had too much detail in some parts and not enough in others. I wasn’t pleased at all with the storyline, as I felt it was repetitive and dull.

Writing: One word: repetitive. Not only was this book extremely slow-paced, but it was also boring with its same reoccurrences and very choppy. I’m pretty sad about the fact that things weren’t interesting and the story didn’t exactly pull me into it as much as the first book.

Surprises: Nothing was especially surprising to me. This one was pretty dull, except the part where Bill had a secret identity I didn’t expect.

Overall: 3 stars. I would give it 2.5 stars, but as I’ve grown to somewhat appreciate the simple things about this series I’ve decided to be a bit kind to this book. I could be much more brutal than I already am about the past few books. Even though the first book was awesome, the series seemed to only go down the cliff from there. And unfortunately for these books, they don’t have wings to catch their fall.

Recommended: I would recommend this book for anyone who loves a unique love story, fallen angels, and/or doesn’t mind taking their time with this one.

Review: Torment by Lauren Kate

Description: Hell on earth.

That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.

It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts - immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something - something dangerous.

What if Daniel's version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series...where love never dies.

Language: Mild

Violence: Mild

Sexual: Mild

   Torment, unfortunately, is one of those second novels where not much happens until the last hundred pages. I feel that this book could have been three quarters shorter and be a more satisfying read than I found this four-hundred and fifty-two pages of mostly filler to be. I don’t like downgrading novels and I hate writing bad reviews for them, but let me begin with my rant before I move on to things that I enjoyed.

   Something that annoyed me repeatedly was how Daniel and Lucinda would kiss and then get into a huge fight, solve this said fight with kissing, and then start all over again. Another thing that was aggravating was the fact that their relationship was more physical than mental, in my opinion, and how everyone seemed to throw the word love around as if it were a game of catch. Everything seemed to be the same in this book, and I was left feeling a bit exasperated that nothing important really happened until the very end, which didn’t exactly blow my mind either.

   So yes, this book has flaws. Do I regret reading this? Maybe the first few hundred pages. Will I continue the series? As I have the last two books already and I am still curious to see how the story plays out, I will continue this series.

Cover: Again, the Fallen series has lovely designs that have become some of my favorite covers. Well done.

Setting: Shoreline is the new boarding school in California Lucinda has been sent to, with a whole lot more new characters and a lot less of the previous characters I had grown to love. I didn’t really appreciate this, nor did I enjoy the atmosphere. I liked how at Sword and Cross, there were flaws and extreme conditions, but at Shoreline it seems as though everything is perfect—well, almost.

Characters: Daniel Grigori was much more controlling in this book, and even though it was for Luce’s safety, for some reason this irked me a bit.

   Luce was constantly breaking rules against everyone’s better judgment and seems to always give in to what people want her to do without a fight, another thing that annoyed me.

   I hate Cam as much as I have grown to, but I absolutely love Miles!

   Arriane was only in the last hundred pages or so in the book, but even then it made Torment so much more interesting. Oh, how I did miss that raunchy girl!

  Although interesting, I found myself not enjoying the presence of most of the other new characters introduced into the story.

Storyline: The storyline seemed to be lacking much more depth than the previous book (Fallen) had, and I can’t help comparing the two on the differences. It begins with the truce between Daniel and Cam, then with Lucinda going to live in yet another boarding school (Shoreline), living among both humans and Nephilims, to help her blend in and be safer.

Writing: I appreciated the writing better in the first book than this one. It wasn’t outstanding, but it was beautiful in its own way. Something that did annoy me, however, was how slow this one was—yes, it was even slower than the first one, but I do think you should read it, if you can tolerate it.

Surprises: Nothing was especially surprising to me, but the ending made me a little confused.

Overall: 3.5 stars. Although this review has more faults about Torment than anything marvelous about it, it is still an important book of the four-book series. It is still recommended, although it is a bit dull more times than less. There were some things I enjoyed, and some I didn’t. But everyone has their own opinions, so don’t let my mostly-negative one stop you from reading this overall great series!

Recommended: I would recommend this book for anyone who loves a unique love story, fallen angels, and/or doesn’t mind taking their time with this one.

Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

    First of all, you may have noticed I changed the set-up for my reviews. If not, well, that’s perfectly fine.

    Now to the review!

Description: 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 and 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. Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Violence: Moderate

Sexual: Mild

Language: Mild

Fallen is a book I will not soon forget, but it’s not one I would necessarily read again extremely soon. I will warn you, though, that many slow parts may tempt you to skip ahead in the book, but don’t. It’ll just make you more confused than you already started. Plus, you would miss a great story! I started this book with no expectations whatsoever, after reading some mixed reviews that left me uncertain, but I have to say that I’m pleasantly surprised! Fallen left me with more perplexing questions that I began with and can’t wait to find out.

Cover: I love the cover! It’s so gothic and pretty.

Setting: Something I really enjoyed was the boarding school setting of Sword and Cross, with the descriptions of how everything was; the old feeling to the building and how it used to be a church made it more interesting, with the gravestones and the ancient statues that could just crumble down any moment.

Characters: One of my favorite characters died in the end. I’m not saying who, because I don’t want any spoilers, but in my opinion she was the most interesting of them all. And she died. Need I express this more?

Other than her, my other favorite character has to be Daniel—obviously. He’s an angel, although a fallen one, and has undying love for Lucinda! Of course I love him.
   I thought Lucinda was a little relatable at times, but, yeah, she was, like she said, a little bit of a stalker also, and could be a kind of damsel-in-distress sort of girl. But I love her friend Arriane! She’s so sarcastic and rebellious and interesting. Who doesn’t want a punk character in a story?

Storyline: More often than not, this story will have you asking more unanswered quarries than you ever thought possible for a book of this genre. The story begins with Luce (also known as Lucinda) arriving at the school, taking in her surroundings, meeting new people, including Arriane and, of course, spotting Daniel from afar.

Writing: Although Lauren Kate’s writing style isn’t the most elaborate, it is sure addicting to read! The only way I can think to describe it is simple, but the thickening plot makes up for this. Make sure you know before starting, this is not a light or quick read! The story can be rather slow at times, but it builds anticipation and suspense along the way, and it lets us readers get to know the real Luce, her friends, and especially Daniel. (Yes, you may have noticed, I really like Daniel.)

Surprises: At times there are admittedly parts in the story where it was a bit predictable, and times where I was a little annoyed that Luce hadn’t seen some things coming, but there were a few surprises here and there. Cam, for example: I knew there was something a little weird about him and how his attitude had begun to slowly change throughout story, but I didn’t know that “something a little weird about him” could be this big. Also, with Miss Sophia: What a jaw-dropping moment!

Overall: 4.5 stars. I love the romance and the suspense with a bit of dark mystery mixed in. The characters are likeable and unique, those of whom I can’t wait to continue reading about. Plus, I need to know what’s going to happen next!

Recommended: I would recommend this book for anyone who loves an interesting love story, fallen angels, and/or doesn’t mind taking their time with this one.

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (December 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385738935
• ISBN-13: 978-0385738934