Book Review: Fallen

I just finished Fallen by Lauren Kate and it was a compelling read. I kinda want to buy the next one in the series but I won't. Judging from the cover I was expecting an angsty, teen vampire novel. What I got was an angsty, teen fallen angel novel.

It's not really a big deal to me that it wasn't about vampires. What irritates me about the book is it's twilightishnes. I actually kinda liked Twilight, but this is more twilightish than twilight. Maybe I'll be able to explain.

I read a lot of young adult literature, and by that I mean books that teenagers like to read. I like those kinds of books and besides, they are the kinds of books Jasmine likes, so we can talk about them together.

The kind of love represented in these books is just plain silly. Don't get me wrong, I totally get seeing somebody you don't really know and feeling like you have a connection and being a little silly about it. Been there. Done that. But that's not love. That's body chemistry. That is not the kind of thing to die for, or get your friends killed for, or fight a war for. Oh, I know that people have done those things in real life and will again, but it's not a holy thing to be revered and save the world.

Love might conquer all. Lust just gets everybody into trouble. Trust me on this. Like I said: I got the T-shirt. Passion isn't evil. It can be the driving force toward great things, but it's a lot like fire. Be really, really careful with it.

Another thing that seemed off putting to me, but is probably really minor in comparison to the Twilight complaint, is that there is a standard set of Christian-style angels and demons along with a mostly Christian ethos, and nestled integrally into the sappy, romantic, boys-fighting-over-girls-and-saving-the-world plot they have reincarnation. That just feels like bad form to me.

Also, it has been said before but I'll just say it again. No immortal, two-bazillion-year-old-idiot better be making time with my daughter when she's only seventeen. I'd be kicking me some angel rear. Just sayin!