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Fallen (Lauren Kate's Fallen Series #1)

Fallen - Lauren Kate Check out this review at Smash Attack Reads: http://smashattackreads.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-review-fallen-by-lauren-kate.htmlMy ThoughtsI've wanted to read this one for a while. I love angel mythology and this one has received a lot of attention. Unfortunately, I can't say I was all that impressed. It reminded me very much of Hush, Hush in its premise. Unfortunately, the characters weren't as exciting in my eyes. Ha. I rhymed.Luce lands herself in Sword & Cross reform school after a freak accident that left her boyfriend dead and Luce with no recollection of the event. She feels very guilty but is trying to move on with life. She tries her best to act normal at this new school full of very abnormal kids. She meets some interesting, eccentric characters who were the most enjoyable part of the book, for me. Arianne is a spunky, quirky chic who, during their introductory meeting, asks Luce to chop off her hair like Luce's style. Love her. Then we have beautiful, self-assured Cam, who is hot to trot for newcomer Luce. He is one sexy, charming young man and personally, I can't wait to see more of this bad boy. Luce also meets Penn, who attends the school only because her deceased father was an employee. Penn is studious and a bit shy, but opens up and begins to enjoy herself in Luce's presence. She also makes it her personal mission to help Luce uncover the mystery that is Daniel Grigori.Sweet, confused, mysterious, Daniel. I enjoyed his character but I feel like his potential was not not fully met. He just felt a bit flat, to me. I wanted some intensity, urgency, desperation. I never really felt these emotions from him, even though it was written. He was a bit pissy, as well, due to circumstance you will uncover, but it just felt fake. I also wanted more intensity between he and Luce, but understand that it could not be that way due to certain reasons important to the plot.Luce is pretty unremarkable in my eyes. She is a trustworthy, loving soul who really doesn't belong at a reform school. I found her to be pretty boring. She can't seem to do anything for herself and always needs backup/saving. She also seems to ache for Daniel from day one, even though, in the beginning, he tells her to take a hike, complete with hand gestures and fun remarks. And I get that she is drawn to him for a specific reason, but again, it didn't feel real. I just can't explain it. *shrugs*The book was pretty slow on the action front, but does pick up about 100 pages out. Some characters that you thought might be bad guys are actually good, and others you thought were eternally good turned out to be evil. I loved the Gothic setting of the school and the fact a cemetery was the location for many scenes. It helped convey the emotional tone of the plot. I will read the sequel, Torment, because I must find out the answers to the questions below. And if they were in Fallen, I must be an idiot because they flew right over my head..[SPOILER] Questions that I hope are answered in TormentWhy is Luce able to see the shadows now?Why can she touch/hurt them?Why is Luce so important?What is so important about Luce and Daniel's connection?What is the fight between sides about?What does Cam want with Luce?[/SPOILER]My Favorite Quotes"She buried her face in his shoulder. And while the truth still scared her, being in his arms made her feel like the sea finding its shore, like a traveler returning after a long, hard, distant trip-- finally returning home." "He dipped her low and kissed her fiercely, as if he were angry, and each time his lips left hers, even just for half a second, the most parching thirst ran through her, making her cry out."