I read this book because a young cute worker at a chain restaurant interjected into a conversation I was having about what I was reading that she liked this book, mainly because of the romance angle. I like reading what others liked because it tells me something about them. I also wanted to see if the fairly negative reviews were true. I have read some really bad books but as it turned out this was not one of them.
I always wonder what motivates a writer to write what they do. As a reader, I want more than entertainment. I want a book to teach me something and the best books I've read, I think, actually make me a better person for having read them.
Fallen was not a life changer but I loved the way the author interwove the theme of "things are not always what they seem" throughout the book and it was this element that left me feeling I had been taught something and that it was a worthwhile read.The boy who ignores you and treats you badly may have something good in him (maybe a little cliche but often true) while the boy who treats you like a princess may be a conniving charmer (also often true). Teachers may have other agendas besides teaching. They are human after all, or are they? The people that walk among us in our daily lives all have a hidden story and we would be shocked if all secrets were to be revealed. The accused and convicted may be innocent while the guilty may go unjustly unpunished. There may be a whole universe we do not perceive which may or may not impact the one we find ourselves in. The person in a new environment who becomes your most loyal friend may be the last person you expected to fill that role.
I also found myself liking all of the characters developed. Some of the reviewers have been a bit harsh on details of Luce's introspective ambivalence.. Does he like me? What did that gesture mean? What are these forebodings I feel? How do I survive in this place without making a fool out of myself? But I think these are all very genuine human failings. It is far more unrealistic for a character to have perfect perception of another person's thoughts or intentions, or to even know themselves well. I felt that Luce especially was very typically a vulnerable, sometimes perplexed, girl whose intelligence in the classroom didn't translate very well to her "social intelligence." Doesn't this happen all the time? Kudos for the author for making us cheer for someone with faults, confusion, making stupid mistakes, and who sometimes was made out to be the fool.
I also liked the fact that the "supernatural" element was not entirely predictable. It wasn't a simple good angels vs. bad angels. We are left guessing as to the ultimate fate of many characters. Are they on the good side or the bad side and can they switch sides? And the element of deja vu from a past life or an alternate universe is intriguing to me. As well as the possibility of breaking the spiritual cycle of life, death, new life which I thought was an innovative twist. The author also dared to leave some things rather unresolved, possibly aiming for the inevitable sequel, but there is such a thing as too much "tidying up" at the end.
The prose was excellent and a very easy read. I read it comfortably in one day. I do agree with those who feel the book has a flavor of the "young adult" genre but that's fine by me. I ready lots of YA fiction and find it a relaxing change of pace. Some of the book's critics seemed to me to have different expectations than a YA work of fiction, fantasy, and romance which is exactly what this book delivers.
This is not a "rave" review and I am not going to say it is the best book I have read this year. It isn't. But I enjoyed it and am glad I took the time to read it. I am giving the book 5 stars because I found nothing obviously disappointing with the book.
Fallen: A Fallen Novel, Book 1
4.3 | 6,688 ratings
Price: 15.75
Last update: 03-31-2025
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Top reviews from the United States
Jeffrey O. CurtisNot a life changer but a good, easy read that made me think.
Pacey1927