Passion by Lauren Kate

Passion by Lauren Kate

Release Date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Doubleday
Series: Fallen, Book 3
Rated: YA 14+
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Read my review of Fallen HERE.

Read my review of Torment HERE.

"Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have always chosen me. Forever."

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross, before they fought the Immortals, they had already lived many lives. And so Luce, desperate to unlock the curse that condemns their love, must revisit her past incarnations in order to understand her fate. Each century, each life, holds a different clue.

But Daniel is chasing her throughout the centuries before she has a chance to rewrite history.

How many deaths can one true love endure?
And can Luce and Daniel unlock their past in order to change their future?

Despite the fact that Passion is a reread, I never actually wrote a review for this one way back when. I got this book when Lauren Kate came to Singapore for a book signing, and I did read it, but I guess it had been a while since I'd read Torment, which is why I was a little bit confused with the events in the book. Thankfully, with rereading the series, it's now making a LOT more sense. I think this one is my favourite in the series so far. I love the concept behind it–visiting the past lives in different time periods in different places. I love learning about history, and I was excited to learn more about the past while looking at Luce and Daniel's previous relationships.

This was the breakthrough I needed–Luce became a MUCH better character. At the start of the novel she was still kind of her old self, super whiny, clearly not seeing the bigger picture. Later on in the book, she kind of gets it. While I still don't really like her character, I can tolerate her. Here's to hoping that she remains this way (or gets even better) in the last book! I did like the differences between her past selves and her present self. It was cool to see her change with the time period and the area she lands in: China, Mexico and Egypt were really interesting changes of scenery.

I missed the rest of the crew this time round! While we do get to see Daniel in all his glory–as well as the earlier versions of himself–I missed seeing the rest of the angel, demon and nephilim crew on the regular. I mean, you do get glimpses of them here and there (including a very interesting Cam moment in the past), but it just wasn't the same without Arriane's constant snark and Gabbe's sweet nature. There's also an interesting addition to this novel, who throws a complicated twist as Luce and Daniel go back further in time.

Passion delves through rich history and makes for an exciting adventure with several deadly twists and an outcome that could change it all. The last few moments were very interesting, and that has me all set to read the final book in the main series–for the first time. I can't believe I'm finally going to read it after all these years! I'm looking forward to see how it all ends.

If you like this, try...

• Evermore by Alyson Noël ● Goodreads
• Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz ● Goodreads

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(re)Review: Torment by Lauren Kate

Torment by Lauren Kate

Release Date: September 28, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Series: Fallen, Book 2
Rated: YA 14+
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Read my (re)review of Fallen HERE.

How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for?

In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean – and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future . . . and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened . . . what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

I'm rereading the Fallen series because of a blog tour that I'm a part of coming up in November for the release of Unforgiven in paperback. I'm glad that I reread Torment, because I clearly didn't understand much of it reading the book the first time round. It might be me getting older and actually comprehending stuff, but yeah–I wasn't left perplexed by the end as I was four or five years ago. Also, that's also probably the reason why the third book Passion didn't make too much sense. Now I get to go into that with a clearer understanding!

Oh geez, Luce's character tormented (get it?!) me throughout this book. I wanted her to be a stronger heroine compared to the last book; a girl with a little more backbone. I got my wish (somewhat), but ugh, it seems like that confidence made her even MORE unlikeable. Why do you have to be so stupid? I mean it absolutely drives me nuts, the way this girl thinks: Daniel AND Cam told me not to leave campus for some reason, and they keep on talking about my "protection"...meh, imma roll out. What could possibly happen? I mean, the last time I left some chick tried to kill me, but that was just a coincidence, right? RIGHT? 

Oh god, the idiocy of this child.

Again, like the last book, the other characters were amazing compared to Luce. I loved Shelby–she was the quirky, outspoken one taking over Arriane's place...kind of–and Miles. I was reading my first review for Torment (only some slight cringes along the way...maybe I'd started to write better reviews? Who knows), and apparently I hated him. Well, damn, I'm doing a complete 180˚ because I LOVED him this time round. I don't know why, but I think the pretty sickening lovey-dovey way that Daniel gives up everything for Luce (ugh, somebody also needs a stronger backbone!) and his over-obsession with her–which is, okay, kinda understandable because of the whole in-love-with-her-for-several-centuries thing–slightly changed my view on him. For now I'm leaning more towards Team Miles, although I'm sure it'll never happen. Miles is sweet and I seriously don't know why I hated him so much to begin with–probably my obsession with Daniel–but, I'm hoping to read more about him in the coming books. I even liked Cam a lot more in this book! I love the truce that the angels and demons made, because I enjoy it when opposite teams join forces. I can't remember much of what happens in the next book, but I'm hoping this sort of collaboration continues. 

With the main character slightly more annoying than the first book, I would recommend Torment for the plot and other characters. I'm enjoying rereading the series so far, and this one–on top of having probably the most gorgeous cover–shows that the stakes are higher and nothing is as it seems. I'm looking forward to digging into Passion next, and then finally getting to Rapture to see how it all ends.

If you like this, try...

• Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick ● Goodreads
• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl ● Goodreads

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(re)Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Release Date: December 8, 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Series: Fallen, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

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 Savannah. 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–he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But 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.

I'm rereading this series because I'm going to part of the upcoming blog tour for the release of the paperback of the fifth book in the series, Unforgiven. It's been such a long time since I've read these books! I didn't even actually finish the series–I have yet to read the fourth book, so this reread will give me the chance to do so. I was a little afraid of going into this one, because while I did absolutely love this book when I first went into it way back in 2010 (and wrote a review that I couldn't finish reading because I was too busy cringing), my attitude towards books in general has changed, and I felt like I would be annoyed at parts of it. I'm glad that I still liked this book for the most part, even if I found parts that I didn't, and I'm excited to be rereading and continuing on with this series.

I can't remember how I felt about Luce the first time round, but ugh–I didn't like her! She's the only problem I had with the book. Seriously wayyyy too obsessive over Daniel. He flips her off, she wants him more. She's told to stay away from him, she just CAN'T. She stalks him, tries to find out more about him... it was just way too much. I mean, sure around the time this book was published, a lot of the young adult paranormal or supernatural novel's heroines were like this. Drawn to the mysterious boy, wondering why he's so different, basically trying to grasp onto any connection they have. 2010 me definitely would have appreciated it, but I just about tolerated it. I mean, there was a character–who shall remain nameless to avoid spoilers–who said it best:

❝You're the human equivalent of a migraine.❞

–p. 415, paperback

The other characters though? Loved them. Well, maybe with the slight exception of Penn. That chick was wayyy too clingy. Maybe that's why she and Luce are friends? Makes sense anyway. But yeah, Arriane was a total badass, and I liked that she was quirky and different. I even loved Gabbe, because she's got that sweet, protective vibe to her. Cam was super interesting, because he's the typical bad boy, and definitely has some swoon to him. Daniel–oh, Daniel–was one of my first book crushes, and yup, distance (and a whole load of time) DOES make the heart grow fonder.

While my hatred for Luce tarnished my reading experience this time round, I'm excited to be diving back into this world. It's been a while since I've read a good ol' supernatural book with the classic tropes that made the young adult market boom. Dark and compelling, with a delicious gothic touch, Fallen reminded me of my love for (not only Daniel Grigori, but also) eternal love stories and paranormal fiction.

If you like this, try...

• Evernight by Claudia Gray ● Goodreads
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick ● Goodreads

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Waiting on Wednesday - Week 33

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I'm DYING to get my hands on.

This week's WoW is:

Rapture by Lauren Kate

The sky is dark with wings. . . .

In RAPTURE, the highly anticipated fourth and final novel in the FALLEN series, Luce and Daniel are together . . . but for how long? Can history be rewritten? Or are some punishments eternal?

Goodreads

Release Date: June 12th, 2012

I think I just had a mini-heart attack when I saw this cover on Fiktshun. LOVE this cover, and I've been totally waiting for it for a looooonnnggg time. I hope Lauren Kate tours here for this one's release as she did with Passion :)

What are you waiting on?

Lauren Kate Signing in Singapore!

On July 9th, 2011 (Today) I went to the Lauren Kate signing at Books Kinokuniya in Singapore. It's the second time I've been to a signing (the first being in Toronto, Christopher Paolini's for Brisingr) and so I was ÜBER excited! I've never been to a signing in Asia (it isn't so often a famous author comes down here!) and I went early so I could grab a good seat. There weren't too many people luckily, so I managed to snag a seat in the 2nd row. I had my camera ready to go, all my books balancing on my lap and my feet tapping the floor as my leg wouldn't stop shaking. I was seated 20 minutes before it started, which during I purchased Passion and The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove. Then finally they announced that it was starting! 



Lauren Kate came up, the manager of the store gave her a gift and she began talking. It was really interesting to see her talk about how she became a writer, what the writing process was like for this book, and what we could expect from this book and the next one, Rapture, which is coming out next year. She told us that Passion was harder to write as it talks about the many romances of Luce and Daniel through hundreds of years.
After this, it was time for questions! No one at first asked a question, and then there was a question about the movie deal for Fallen. I've briefly heard about this, when I read this short article. Disney has optioned the rights to make movies out of the books, and it was funny, as Lauren Kate went, "...and I know when I say Disney, back in the US everyone's worried that Miley Cyrus would get the main part or something." Can't wait to watch and see who gets cast!
After this question, I raised my hand and asked "What made you want to write about Fallen Angels?" and Mrs. Kate answered that she had Bible studies and then came the topic of angels, and from that came the idea of fallen angels to the story she was currently writing. It then took several sources of information to find out all she needed about Angels and their history. It was interesting to hear how the research process went, how many countless books and other places she had to look for information and such.


Since there were no more questions after mine, it went onto the signing, and luckily, with not too many people, I got quite a good spot in line– I didn't have to wait too long. Maybe around 20-ish minutes, which is WAY different compared to the signing in Toronto, as I waited for 3 hours! When I finally got up to the table I was so excited! I thought I was going to die, but Mrs. Kate was so nice. She asked me if I was Singaporean (which I'm not) and then it lead to me telling her I moved from Toronto and she told me she's never been there (hopefully she will, so y'all in Canada can go for her signing!) and then she asked me which place I loved living in most and it was really cool to have a conversation with her! I thought I would like stammer or something, but nope, all went well, thank God. I even got a pic with her! Check it out:

I'll show you all what amazing books I got signed during this event, tomorrow on In My Mailbox! I'm so glad I managed to find out about this. I would be DEVASTATED if I found out I missed it or something!! 
Thank you so much Lauren Kate for coming here, and I hope you had a fab time coming to Singapore!

Torment by Lauren Kate

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.


Have I mentioned how much I love the first book? and how much of an idiot I was for not reading it WHEN I GOT SOOO MANY CHANCES TO? Well, I'm glad I got this book, it was SO AMAZING. I loved every second of reading it.


We return again, with Luce and this time she's going to this boarding school in California...and her classmates are offspring of fallen angels and humans. She's different, yet she's popular, because practically every student (well, not the human ones) happens to know stories of her and Daniel. This makes her even more curious about her past, and she also learns how to master the Shadows and how she can use them to access her past lives. With her new friends, Miles and Shelby, she manages to do so.


I love how in this one, everyone comes together to fight the Outcasts. Both sides of the Fallen Angels come together to do so. I just loved the Thanksgiving bit, where everyone gets together and where all the action is...but that's at the very end, so NO WAY am I gonna spoil such an amazing book for you...no matter how bad I really want to.


I really don't like Miles. I really don't. I mean, as a friend he's nice and all, but *SPOLIER ALERT!* as he makes a move on Luce? No thanks, and I feel so bad for Daniel after that! I mean, he witnesses the whole thing. But Daniel in this book is pretty moody, he hides a lot from Luce, so I don't blame her if she moves on from him. But then, of course, all is forgotten and they're back together again :). 


I really do keep on thinking about the song "Angels" by Within Temptation when I read this series. I mean, it fits so perfectly with the plot! I love the bit of the song where it goes:


Sparkling angel, I couldn't see
Your dark intentions, your feelings for me.
Fallen angel, tell me why?
What is the reason, the thorn in your eye?
I see the angels,
I'll lead them to your door
There's no escape now
No mercy no more
No remorse cause I still remember


I thought it fit, kinda well. Especially the "Fallen angel" bit. I also found another song by Within Temptation that fits. "What Have You Done" featuring Keith Caputo. I think the chorus:


I, I've been waiting for someone like you
But now you are slipping away... oh
What have you done now?
Why? Why does Fate make us suffer?
There's a curse between us
Between me and you


Goes perfectly with this book. I dunno, it's weird how all these songs come to me when I'm reading this series. It generally doesn't with most books, but this book is an exception.


Well, I loved this book from start to finish. Fallen Angels, Battles Heaven vs. Hell and a Match made in Heaven (Literally) Torment is an amazing addition to the paranormal world of literature, same with Fallen. Can't wait for Passion! (Look at the post below for the new cover!)

Cover Alert (1)

Hey Guys!


I was looking at different book blogs and I came across this post on Addicted 2 Novels. Lauren Kate has released the new cover for Passion, the 3rd book in the Fallen series! Here it is!

Isn't it Gorgeous?! I loved it from the moment I saw it. Here's a little "blurb" that I found on Goodreads with this image.

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross and fought immortals at Shoreline, they lived many lives. . . .

OMG! which means it's gonna be a "prequel" to the book! This is sooo gonna be interesting...anyway, it comes out June 14, 2011...can't wait!

Fallen by Lauren Kate

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.


I'd heard so much about this book, but I wasn't interested in reading it. I mean, it was somewhere on my "to-read" list, but meh, not so important at the moment.


Do not make the same mistake.


This book was beautiful, enthralling and rapturing at the same time. It was flawless and every word pieced together made it a masterpiece. I love how gothic it is, how dark, deep and dangerous this book is. It's like, the perfect Paranormal book anyone could ever read. And Fallen Angels? The Hottest Thing ever.


As with Patch from Hush, Hush (review here) I fell in love. For like, the millionth time I think. With guess what? another fallen angel. There are some things that are so captivating about them. It seems to give them a bad-boy look, with the fallen from above thing goin' on, yet their kisses and gazes and everything else about them is like looking/or being in heaven. Get what I mean?


I, like probably every girl who read this book and loved it, am jealous of Luce. She's an amazing character. Not only does she get the guy, but she's also pretty, smart (I think) and every girl want to be her. But yeah, like her, I guess we would also melt when we catch a glimpse of Daniel.


The plot was amazing. I didn't see the bends and turns coming, and they surprised me. But everything does piece and fit together as it forms on epic awesome book. Like I mean, who wouldn't suspect the other guy (who, in the end is so lame that I forgot his name. That rhymed!)? I mean, and every character isn't what they seem to be.


I cannot wait to get Torment, it seems as promising as Fallen. Fallen Angels rule! Btw, when I was reading this book, I couldn't get three songs outta my head.


1) Angels by Within Temptation
2) Haunted by Taylor Swift
3) My Immortal by Evanescence


Do you agree? and the cover, magnificent!