Well this is one is gonna be a tough one to write, but here we go.
Usually, Sorensen's books are pretty high up on my list of YA favourites, her books are sweet and usually highly entertaining, however... it saddens me to say, that I don't think 'The fallen' is gonna make the cut.
The story started out sweet and mysterious enough, although with a somewhat familiar plot line.
Social outcast and protagonist Gemma walks through life unable to feel any kind of emotion, she's hollow and completely numb to anything going on around her.. until she meets deuteragonist Alexander Watson who the Author constantly refers to as being 'hunky' & 'drop dead gorgeous' ... (Sound familiar yet?)Did I mention how much that phrase irritates me?
Alright, fair enough.
And of course, right of from the start he seems to hate her guts. (surprise, surprise)
They argue and glare at each other a couple of hundred times, but nothing drastic happens for a while, (apart from Gemma finding out she's not actually as crazy as she thought and someone really is coming after her) until it's confirmed there's definitely something dodgy going on with Alex and he's somewhat connected with Gemma's foster parents.. Or was it her Aunt and Uncle? Grandparents? Who knows.
So without any more spoilers, let me just cut to the chase.
I can't quite put my finger on what it was exactly, but for me, there was just something missing in the story. I kept waiting for something big to happen, for something to shock me, anger me or whatever else, but...
nothing. Just, nothing.
I myself almost felt numb and emotionless the further I got into the book.
The story just dragged on, chapter after chapter and as hard as I tried, I really couldn't stay focused.
Never being particularly fond of weak female characters, Gemma irritated the absolute fudge out of me. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against, shy or introvert characters, but Gemma was just downright infuriating. Even when she was able to feel, all she did was mope around, hopelessly pining after Alex.
And Alex just really needed a good slap.
It also angered me that the character portrayal was so plain weak in general, just describing how green someones eyes are and mentioning that they're attractive just isn't gonna cut it, and if I'm completely honest, Laylen seemed to be the only character remotely interesting throughout the majority of the book.
The handful of supposedly romantic moments between Alex and Gemma all felt a little too clinical which made it quite difficult for me to connect to them on a more emotional level.
The narration wasn't dreadful by any means, nor was it linguistically unappealing, it was just missing a little more..fire. For a lack of better word. More heart, charm and above all, moreemotion.
Usually, Sorensen's books are pretty high up on my list of YA favourites, her books are sweet and usually highly entertaining, however... it saddens me to say, that I don't think 'The fallen' is gonna make the cut.
The story started out sweet and mysterious enough, although with a somewhat familiar plot line.
Social outcast and protagonist Gemma walks through life unable to feel any kind of emotion, she's hollow and completely numb to anything going on around her.. until she meets deuteragonist Alexander Watson who the Author constantly refers to as being 'hunky' & 'drop dead gorgeous' ... (Sound familiar yet?)
Alright, fair enough.
And of course, right of from the start he seems to hate her guts. (surprise, surprise)
They argue and glare at each other a couple of hundred times, but nothing drastic happens for a while, (apart from Gemma finding out she's not actually as crazy as she thought and someone really is coming after her) until it's confirmed there's definitely something dodgy going on with Alex and he's somewhat connected with Gemma's foster parents.. Or was it her Aunt and Uncle? Grandparents? Who knows.
So without any more spoilers, let me just cut to the chase.
I can't quite put my finger on what it was exactly, but for me, there was just something missing in the story. I kept waiting for something big to happen, for something to shock me, anger me or whatever else, but...
nothing. Just, nothing.
I myself almost felt numb and emotionless the further I got into the book.
The story just dragged on, chapter after chapter and as hard as I tried, I really couldn't stay focused.
Never being particularly fond of weak female characters, Gemma irritated the absolute fudge out of me. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against, shy or introvert characters, but Gemma was just downright infuriating. Even when she was able to feel, all she did was mope around, hopelessly pining after Alex.
And Alex just really needed a good slap.
It also angered me that the character portrayal was so plain weak in general, just describing how green someones eyes are and mentioning that they're attractive just isn't gonna cut it, and if I'm completely honest, Laylen seemed to be the only character remotely interesting throughout the majority of the book.
The handful of supposedly romantic moments between Alex and Gemma all felt a little too clinical which made it quite difficult for me to connect to them on a more emotional level.
The narration wasn't dreadful by any means, nor was it linguistically unappealing, it was just missing a little more..fire. For a lack of better word. More heart, charm and above all, moreemotion.