Rutabaga's Reads 2013: Part 4

This compilation is all about the Fallen series by Lauren Kate. Not included in this compilation is her companion novel to the series, “Fallen in Love.” If I ever read it, I will add it to this post. For anyone concerned, I have NOT included spoilers.

Fallen (Dec. 8, 2009).

Have you ever been inexplicably drawn to someone? If you have, then you can relate to Lucinda “Luce” Price. She is attracted to Daniel Grigori from day one at Sword & Cross (a “boarding” school) and even feels like she recognizes him. But Daniel is difficult to decipher. When he’s not completely ignoring her, he’s downright rude. Other times he’s nice, tender even. At least Cameron “Cam” Briel is easy to figure out. He isn’t shy about showing his interest in Luce. Too bad she’s so strongly drawn to Daniel, like a moth is drawn to a flame. But Daniel is keeping secrets, because he’s afraid that if he reveals too much, he will lose Luce for good.

            If you enjoy YA fantasy romance novels, you’ll likely enjoy this one. Luce’s obsession with Daniel can border on the annoying (and possibly unhealthy), but every character’s gotta have flaws! “Fallen” is fascinating, and the story’s premise is interesting. I look forward to progressing through the series. Will Luce be with Daniel? Will Daniel fight for her? They say that love is a battlefield, and in “Fallen,” it really is!

Torment(Sept. 28, 2010).*

After the events in “Fallen,” Luce is sent to Shoreline, a posh, scenic school that’s the opposite of Sword & Cross. She’s told that she’s there for her own safety, but she feels smothered and frustrated because others tell her to stay, yet never explain why. She keeps fighting with Daniel, but how about Miles Fisher? He’s a “diluted” Nephilim, but he’s kind, easygoing and good-looking. He’s not at all the aloof, brooding worrywart that Daniel is right now. Luce makes new friends while missing her old friends, deals with homesickness, meshes with Announcers (“shadows”) and finds out a rogue group of immortals (the Outcasts) want to kill her, along with the Elders of Zhsmaelim -- you know, normal teenager stuff!

            “Torment” introduces the reader to new characters and incorporates many of those we were introduced to in “Fallen.” There are still many questions left unanswered, including how hard it can be, really, to choose the “good” side. But no matter what, Luce loves Daniel … Right? For sure, their love knows torment. But is theirs a blessed torment? Or a cursed one?

* If you click on the book title it will take you to the extended summary/review that I originally posted on Aug. 13, 2012. I don’t promise that the extended version doesn’t contain spoilers.

Passion (June 14, 2011).

Let me just say that Luce and Daniel do a lot of traveling in this book. And by traveling, I don’t mean to California or Italy or even Antarctica. And I don’t mean by train, plane or automobile. Each time, Daniel seems to just miss Luce. Meanwhile, Luce has found herself a travel buddy named Bill and discovered cleaving. Bill’s not your usual travel companion, but he’s a very knowledgeable one. Luce is seeking proof of her love for Daniel and his for her. Will she find her proof? Will Daniel catch up with her before the end? For awhile now, Luce has convinced herself that Cam is the bad guy. What if he’s not? Then who is?

            I thought the travel destinations were interesting. Luce’s obsession with Daniel (and proof of their love) is still annoying and possibly unhealthy, but at least she’s consistent. There is definitely a heavier tone of “higher powers” at certain points in the book, especially near the end, but “Passion” is still, first and foremost, a YA fantasy romance novel. The passion of the book doesn’t refer to anything hot or steamy; it’s the passion of obsession and (re)discovering the passion of true love. Is it real? Or is it there out of habit?

Rapture (June 12, 2012).

Things aren’t often easily (and truthfully) described as wholly good or fully evil. Sometimes love and adoration come from the same source as hatred and loathing. Luce will discover this as she gains more knowledge about herself. To say she has a lot of catching up to do regarding herself is an understatement. Together with Daniel, angel allies and enemies-turned-allies, Luce will set out to find three specific relics. Their expected whereabouts are Venice, Vienna and Avalon. They gain much, but lose much, too. The group must locate the relics and get them to an unknown location to stop a highly unsavory character. Is he fully evil? Was he always? Can Luce figure out who she is in time to make an impact?

            From the first page, the storyline scoots right along. It shouldn’t surprise any reader of the series that the storyline does include occasional Christian connotations, but by no means does Kate write in terms of overwhelming religious allegory. This book – this series – is a YA fantasy romance first, and other pieces of the story are there to help the story, not overshadow it. The book took a couple turns that I wasn’t expecting, but I enjoyed reading them. Kate’s concluding novel struck a lovely chord and is a nice ending to the series.

            Overall, I liked this series. It is imaginative and different from other YA fantasy stories I’ve read, which is always a plus. Should a movie adaptation of the series come to the big screen, I’d go watch them. True, I found Luce to be quite noisome at times, but hey, she’s a teenager. I guess one whiny teen isn’t unusual! I suppose we whine as adults, but we don’t call it whining; we call it venting! Ha!