Angelic Friday (19/02/10) Fallen by Lauren Kate

There's an abundance of Daniels in the YA fiction world. And today, I'm going to review a book that stars a Daniel within its pages - Fallen by Lauren Kate!

Book 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 & 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.

My Thoughts:

I'm so attracted to the idea of Luce seeing shadows. I like shadows. To experience something such as being the only one who can see these things and not be believed is miserable. It's saddening in my part that Luce had to go through things as a 'consequence' for the rational behavior she exhibited - which is to tell that she indeed saw and heard shadows. The constant referral to the shadows are temporarily cut off when Luce goes to a reform school called Sword & Cross, the place where she meets Daniel.

Daniel was this cold guy who always avoids Luce. But as the story progressed, I started to understand why he was doing it, he was trying - in vain - to delay something that he fears from happening. From that angle, I can say that he was actually very concerned, thoughtful and protective. I can't imagine going through the eternal emotional torture he's been through.

The characters were well-developed. I particularly liked Arianne! I think she's the naughty version of Alice Cullen from Twilight. Plus, for the most part of the story, I liked Cam for Luce. I really did! Everyone in the novel has their own unique sane and insane characteristics.

The first half of the novel is all about Luce being the new girl - the only girl who doesn't know anybody in Sword & Cross prior to being sent there. We see how she struggles, how she copes, how she meets friends, how she meets Cam and how she develops her crush on Daniel. This part is stuffed with the adjusting she does to the strict rules. The first half of the novel was a little too slow for my liking. But despite this, I kept reading. Why? Because it was so beautifully written. And I wanted to know what would happen next. To elicit this kind of response from me, the book should be good. And Fallen is good.

The second half of the novel is where the magic happens - secrets are revealed bit by bit. We get subtle hints here and there. Daniel and Luce start to have this connection. But then, Daniel, being the cold guy that he is, doesn't let this connection become fully established. A shocking revelation is revealed somewhere near the end. Trust is betrayed. But as long as Luce is with Daniel and the fallen, she's safe. Isn't she?

Fallen is a tale of love that transcends through time with buds of hope in every meeting and the threat of enemies that coax the events to the battlefield. It's all about finding love in the strangest places, believing the unbelievable and choosing the right people to trust.

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