Book 2), Torment (Fallen

"When Daniel kissed her, Luce knew in her bones that he was her past. Folded into his embrace, she was desperate for him to remain her present. But the second their lips parted, she couldn't really be sure he was her future."

I am still torn on this series. I do love that in this book it seems to become, for the character anyway, about what is real to her. She is starting to rely less on the feelings of those around her and examining what she can trust about herself. By the end, I really liked the direction the story is taking, and I am definitely interested in the characters enough to keep reading.

There are these glimpses of beautiful writing and deeper character development to the point of it feeling like gambling. You get just enough of a win to want more. I am hoping the books and characters continue to grow in this way.

Daniel and Luce are separated again -story of their lives really only this time it is the war and trying to keep her safe that has them in different places. This story was slow going with so much angelic history revealed and another new school where Luce has to try and fit in. This journey of self discovery finds Luce sequestered away in a school of Nephilim which lacks the intrigue of the Sword and Cross and its colorful characters like Arianne, Roland and Cam.
Learning about the Announcers was interesting and lessened the fear that Luce had every time they showed up. Daniel disappeared and re-appeared a lot in this book and the other angels all showed up from time to time but apart from a few minor attacks nothing epic happens and even the ending was a bit disappointing.
Luce seems very confused in this book, unsure of her relationship with Daniel and then has moments of wishing for a normal life. Most of her time with Daniel is spent fighting over his reluctance to share her past with her and Luce ends up feeling like he has become an overprotective parent rather than her long lost love. Shelby is an interesting character with her snarky attitude. Luce and her blossoming friendship with Miles indicates she is very lonely and crying out for friendship and acceptance while feeling isolated by her situation and lack of control.
Is love eternal and can love really conquer all?
I guess we will find out soon enough.

In short, this book is captivating, enthralling, is full of breathtakingly beautiful moments and is a massive improvement on book one. Part one of the saga (FALLEN) was good, in fact, it was very, very good, but this one reeks a certain type of atmosphere and sophistication that is unique to a young woman falling in love with an eternal being and finding herself on the slippery slopes of discovery, love, investigation, potential betrayal and self development. The interaction between the two lovebirds are electrifying, and the descriptions of the angels in flight will take your breath away. There are times in your life when you come across something new and unexpected that is so far out of left field that you wonder where the inspiration for it came from. In this case, the answer is pretty obvious.

Once more we have a novel featuring Luce (of course), her man Daniel (also of course) and the apparent sworn enemy to them both, Cam. Book one ended - quite literally - with the two Angels shaking hands on a truce of sorts. I say that because the truce will only last eighteen days. And then (pun intended) all hell will break loose.

Coincidentally, TORMENT is comprised of eighteen chapters, and each chapter plays a wonderful part in a captivating countdown to angelic pandemonium. There is rumoured to be a massive cliff hanger at book’s end but there are enough awesome and incredible moments to make you forget what happens when you reach the end as you find yourself enthralled with this gorgeous love story.

Luce has left one school (Sword & Cross) and under the cover of metaphorical darkness, finds herself at another - The Shoreline School. But talk about comparing chalk with cheese! The detention facility for wayward teenagers we all hated from FALLEN is gone and has been replaced with an opulent and state of the art facility that could double as an international hotel. Without giving too many spoilers away, some of the teachers in this new school are angels, too (both good and ’bad’), and they are not only teaching the students some angelic ’magic’, but they admit to erring in class from time to time. For example, displaying in class how the shadows (that were stalking and terrifying Luce from book one) can be manipulated for informational and educational purposes into glimpses of history way back when. Naturally, at her first opportunity, and despite stern warnings from the school staff, our Luce tries it for herself in the middle of the nearby dark forest, but when she manages to snap herself back to reality she finds several hours have passed without her awareness.

More enemies are daring to show their faces, and so the reader learns more of the weaponry and characters that comprise this war. There is an obvious trap for Luce in the book’s first quarter that she falls right into, and the reader may have assumed that Cam was the culprit. He ends up saving her life (as per the truce, or as per his true feelings?) but we don’t find out at this point in the book who the culprit was. And further proof of the ruthlessness of the apparent enemy when a new friend of Luce is pulled overboard from a yacht out to sea, and once more Luce the Swimmer jumps into a heavy ocean to save her. But not without assistance. And all of this happens without Daniel’s awareness. Cam is around, but he can’t know of these happenings, either.

Like I said at the top of this review, TORMENT is a solid improvement on book one. My rating stays at four, but i would give it four and a half if i could. Now let me get back to reading my book before i miss anything!!!

BFN Greggorio!

Once again, I was drawn into the story immediately and found it difficult to put down. I related a bit more to Luce in this book...I got angry about the things she was angry about and frustrated when she was frustrated. I find I have so much better of a connection with a book when I relate to one of the characters in this manner.

I love that we've got a whole new group of characters introduced too. With Luce leaving Sword & Cross and going to a new school, new friends are made and new experiences are had. I also love that we still see some of the old characters as well, though I did wish for more of them.

Luce has to get used to a whole new school, all while not truly understanding what's going on with Daniel and the others. It's frustrating and strange and she feels the need to rebel a little bit. In the end we are left with another sort of cliffhanger...it's not a huge cliffhanger, but more of one than in the first book. Either way, I'll be looking forward to reading book 3 in the series.

This book is perfect for people who enjoy fallen angel stories, paranormal fiction, or paranormal romance. And it's different than other fallen angel books I've read.

Sections of this book I loved and other bits not so much.

First and foremost the thing that really made the book for me, the school. Luce gets hidden away at a school for Nephilim, anyone who has angel genes in them. I loved the school and the whole idea behind it. The campus is like the complete opposite to that of Luce’s previous school and even though I liked the idea of the story being set there I like this school more. Its filled with kids that can do cool stuff because they are part angel, really whats not to like about that? The school and some of the things that happen while they are there is really what made the book for me.

Luce and Daniel are now in a relationship, and its a super back and forth one at that. They fight over nothing. All the time. This would probably be normal for teenage relationships, but one of them isn’t actually a teenager. I could see why Daniel would be bossy because of this. Luce on the other hand became stupider in this book. I get that she is very confused about what is going on because the angels cannot tell her everything in the fear that she might burst into flame and die forever, but come on. They tell her some things and she just completely ignores it. A number of times Daniel tells her that Cam is not the enemy in this book and her little brain can’t seem to grasp that and then is still shocked when she finally works out that its true. God Luce frustrates me.

We don’t really get much of the old characters in this book and instead deal with some new ones, and with these new ones comes a new love triangle. Yay… I just love those… Luce isn’t that great guys, calm down. The only person that we get to actually meet that is old is Callie, she never made a physical appearance in the first book. I personally would love to have a best friend like Callie, shes so nice. I felt bad for her at the end of the book. She wasn’t prepared for the things she saw and didn’t deserve it. I wonder why she didn’t burst into flame.

So yeah, some cool new stuff and some same stupid stuff. An enjoyable book though! Now onto the next one.

Daniel annoyed me a bit in this installment of the series. I understand that he wasn't sharing things with Luce as a way to protect her, but it really just rubbed me the wrong way. The majority of the things that "torment"ed Luce throughout this book could have been avoided if Daniel would have just been a little more honest with Luce, even if he was unable to give her 100% of the details. Although it had it's problems, I still overall enjoyed the story. I really enjoy angel stories, so I read this book in just a few hours.

The characters were well fleshed out, including new characters as well as old. Overall, this series seems to be going in such a way that I feel that by the end, I'll be wanting left wanting more. I especially enjoyed Miles, as he gave Daniel a run for his money when it comes to Luce's affection. This added twist was nice for me since I was fairly annoyed with Daniel throughout this entire book.

I can't wait to read the next book, unfortunately the library wait list insists that I do. =P

I'm going to be honest, I really don't like this book or the series so far. And I usually DO really like these types of books. Luce is a total idiot and this is the biggest thing that makes the books terrible. She keeps doing stupid things that put herself in danger and she acts childish. To me, if a heroine is like that and i don't even like them, it kind of ruins the story. I finished Torment and I am really not very interested in reading the rest of the books. Although I may continue at some point to see how it ends. It does end with a sort of cliff hanger, which would usually make me want to read the next one right away, but it doesn't. I have a lot of better things to read. The only one I am more interested in is the one about Cam as it seems like way better characters and not Luce as the main character, who I really don't like.

*Spoiler Alert*

Just when Luce finally gets Daniel to admit his feelings for her, the complications of their relationship force them apart. Luce is in danger and the only way to keep her safe is to tuck her away in a special boarding school away from Daniel. Once again, Luce is left in a strange place, away from family and friends. Only now, she is separated from Daniel and left in the dark as to why. What is this ever present danger that everyone is so afraid of? Why can't she know what it is? And when will she and Daniel be together? Or will they ever? Are they really meant to be?

The first book was interesting enough to move onto this second book...though mostly because the first book was such a teaser and I just HAD to know what the whole story was. The second book brings more to light. Luce's character becomes more well-defined. The backstory is illuminated even more. But Daniel is only a little more present than in the first. The history of their love and the costs associated with it are more in the forefront, and I was left wanting more. Just beginning to scratch the surface of what Daniel has faced in order to love her life after life left me, once again, needing to know what is the whole story here and what does the future hold for the two of them? Will they be together finally?

Overall, this one was better than the last, and so I am on to the next one because I can't NOT know. All I can say is, wherever this goes, it better be good.

I was hesitant to continue with this second book after reading Fallen. Fallen was slow paced and anticlimactic but the story was interesting overall so I gave it a shot. I was let down. This is just another author who can't seem to write an independent, strong-willed female character without making her an obstinate and petulant brat. I couldn't finish the book. The character of Luce made it impossible. I found myself hoping she would get killed in her stupidity and be reincarnated as a better version of herself. But I guess that is the torment. We are stuck with this life of hers. Not worth continuing. And it's a shame because the underlying story has potential and the cover art is beautiful. But what a let down over all.

Contemporary, Paranormal, California

Luce feels like she is living in hell on earth since she has to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel. Daniel decides to hide Luce at Shoreline, a school in California that is for unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

Daniel is determined to protect Luce but to do that he must hide her from the Outcasts that are hunting her and intent on killing her. Daniel wants Luce hidden just long enough so that he can hunt the Outcasts that are after her.

While at Shoreline Luce learns more about the shadows she has seen her whole life and how to use them as windows into her previous lives. As Luce learns more and more she starts getting the feeling that Daniel hasn't told her everything that has happened in the past. He is hiding something, something that could be very dangerous.

This is the second book in this series and it picks up shortly after the first left off. The story is wonderfully written and readers will be looking at fallen angels in a completely different light than they have in the past. The twist and turns that are in this series are sure to have readers wanting to read all the books just to see what ultimately happens to Luce and Daniel and how this life will end for them. It will also have readers thinking about the possibility of previous lives and what ifs. This is one that readers won't want to miss.

Dani's Rating: 4.5 stars Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

Dani's review

Something about the Fallen series made me want to pull an all-nighter just to finish reading the books. I read the first 2 books, Fallen and Torment, in a total of four days. Is it the romance? Maybe. Is it the suspense? No. Is it the plot? No. Is it the characters? Maybe. Is it the little "mini-dramas" in Luce's teenage life? YES.
DO NOT READ MORE OF THIS REVIEW UNLESS YOU HAVE READ FALLEN. MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

I can understand why Luce is annoyed that Daniel is keeping her in the dark and hiding precious knowledge from her, but from a reader's view Luce seems too paranoid, worrisome, and unfaithful. The reader knows that Daniel is just trying to keep Luce safe. We don't know why he thinks Luce needs to be protected, but we know that Daniel is always concerned with her safety. Luce proves to be made of stronger stuff than she first appears to be when she deals with enrolling in yet another new school that happens to be full of Nephilim, and taking it into her own hands to find the knowledge Daniel won't give her.

The plot was much more interesting in this book. I have a feeling that this is one of those series that gets better as you read on. The first book was more of an "introductory" book. Luce becomes a true "bad girl" and openly disobeys Daniel, even though she may be risking her life. Daniel, that's what you get for ordering a girl around without telling her why she should listen to you! Because of you, the love of your life could die! Being even more bad girl-ish, Luce experiments with "the shadows", which she now knows are called Announcers. She figured out how to use them, although it is extremely difficult and dangerous to deal with them. And as she did it, she hid it from all the disapproving figures of authority around her...well, most of them.

Two more cool supporting characters are introduced! One of them provides some serious competition for Daniel and the other could contend with Molly (from Fallen) in grumpiness. The drama in this book is what kept me reading. There weren't many true "slow parts", because as you read the slow parts your mind is still trying to decode Luce and Daniel's latest argument, the newest threat, or a romantic moment! Mrs. Kate is keeping us readers in suspense. The end is so mind-boggling. You wouldn't think that Luce would have the courage and defiance to do what she does. Oh, and she sorta-maybe-kinda almost breaks Daniel's heart...Read Torment to find out!
I gave Torment 4.5 stars because it was really good, but not PERFECT. I know that some people will get bored when reading the so-called "slow" parts. The perfect, 5 star book is a book that all YA fiction lovers will obsess over! SHOUTOUT FOR PURE BY JENNIFER ARMENTROUT. Pure is definitely a 5 star book. Read the review for Pure and then go on and read the book!

Here's a small excerpt from Torment about that serious competition Daniel has...

"But instead of the stars and trees and crashing waves, Luce's eyes fixed on something else behind one of the roof's many chimneys. Something white and billowing. An iridescent pair of wings.
Daniel. Crouched, only half hidden from view, just feet away from where she and ****(NAME OF DANIEL'S COMPETITION IS EXCLUDED) had kissed. His back was to her. His head was hanging.
"Daniel," she called out, feeling her voice catch on his name.
When he turned to face her, the drawn look on his face was one of absolute agony. As if Luce had just ripped his heart out. He bent his knees, unfurled his wings, and took off into the night.
A moment later, he looked like just another star in the sparking black sky."

Now you want to know hear the details on who this mysterious person is, huh? Well, I'm not telling you. You have to read Torment!

--Steph and Dani @ A Walk on Words

In the second book of the Fallen series Daniel sparks even more questions. He tells Luce that she must hide at Shoreline, a boarding school on the opposite coast where she will be safe if she stays at the school. But he doesn't elaborate on what she needs to stay safe from. He visits a few times over the course of the few weeks she needs to be there, but things are always tense and she feels as though he is leaving her out of the loop, keeping details to himself. She chafes under the pressure to stay put.

This time her fellow students are all Nephilim, the children or descendants of children born of fallen angel and human unions. Many of them have special skills, but Luce doesn't know why she is there. Her parents are humans and she does not have any of their skills. But she can see the shadows known as Announcers that humans cannot. In the first book Miss Sophia, an elder who is trans eternal, wanted to kill her but she never knew why. Now she has to worry about Outcasts, who are blind fallen angels who want to kill her, but again she doesn't know why. Her classes are all taught by Steven, a demon or angel who sided with Lucifer at the time of the fall, and Francesca, an angel who sided with the Throne. They are counterparts and cover the skills and history the Nephilim need to know for what is coming. They show how Announcers hold the memories of past events of certain people or angels.

Luce starts to experiment with using the Announcers to see her past and the past lives she has shared with Daniel due to their curse. They have been cursed for their love and she has been reborn many,many times. She and Daniel are fated to meet each time, fall in love and then she dies by going up in flames, but this current life is her last, if she dies this time she will not come back. Something is different, although no one seems to know what, and since she now can be killed for good many come out of the woodwork hoping to do so.

Luce befriends Shelby and Miles, two Nephilim students who help her learn more about her past and about her curse, which all the Nephilim are aware of as it is like a bedtime story for them, the story of the love Luce and Daniel have shared through the ages and their inability to stay together.

Luce's frustration with Daniel and her lack of knowledge of their history together can be felt throughout the book. Luce questions their union and whether they really are supposed to be together. She thinks about how much easier it would be to be with someone who leads a regular, everyday sort of life, instead of one who needs to fly off on his own wings to take care of secret missions.

Little does she know, she is being shipped off to Shoreline school for nephilium. Luce is not allowed to see Daniel, for reasons she doesn't understand (because no one will tell her.) Every time Luce asks a question, the response is always, "I can't tell you." Completely frustrated, she takes matters into her own hands, with a little help from her new friends, and effectively gets herself in trouble.
In this book you end up with a whole new cast of characters. They really don't make an appearance in the book until close to the end. Which is disappointing because I really liked Arriane and the friendship that her and Luce had. Even when Arriane shows up there is very minimal contact. It's almost like starting the series over ( in regard to characters) but you're starting out with an in-depth back story. It was a little disappointing on that aspect.

This is the second book in Lauren Kate's Fallen series. This book takes up immediately after the last book ends, with Luce and Daniel fleeing from Sword & Cross reform school. Daniel has teemed up with Cam to take on this new threat to Luce, and has let Luce in on close to nothing of his plans. He also takes her to a new school, one where the children of angels and humans, called Nephilim, also attend.

Luce is there without Daniel, however, and that seems to sting a bit. In this book, Luce and Daniel have some problems, which was weird compared to last book. And in truth, I wasn't a fan of the way that there were times, when they have this multiple-lives spanning love, that they use the term "break up" a few times. I'm not sure that that would/could happen. But it seems that it might.

Luce also begins to learn about her past lives in this book through the shadows that we saw in the last book. This was a totally intriguing idea to me, and a totally cool one as well. Able to see past lives just by calling a shadow to you?

In the end, we're left on a cliff hanger, with Daniel and Luce still somewhat fighting, Luce having found out several choice things that Daniel and Cam, as well as the other angels, seem to have neglected to tell her.

All in all, this book was a good continuation to the series, and we see a lot more development of Luce, but we see very little of Daniel at all. The next book promises to be very interesting, and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

I'm grateful my friends told me to stick with this series, because I definitely liked this book better than Fallen. There was still a lot of teen angst, which I guess you have to expect from a book like this, but the story was more believable, which I appreciated.

With all the stuff that's going on, Luce is finally becoming a little less whiny and helpless and is taking charge of her own life. Thank goodness! I wanted to see this in the first book, but I'm glad that it came about eventually. One thing I didn't like about her was that she seems to be a bit stupid at the beginning. I mean, she just went through this huge battle with people trying to kill her, yet she doesn't listen when Daniel and Cam tell her to stay at the school where she's safe. This cluelessness on her part is an attempt at conflict, I think, but it just irritated me.

Another thing that bothered me was the tension between Daniel and Luce. Again, I feel it was forced. Daniel using phrases like, "Don't disobey me!" to Luce doesn't make any sense to me. He knows her personality and knows how she'd react to that. And why can't he just explain things? It doesn't help the suspense at all, because the reader pretty much knows what's going on and it bothered me a lot.

Despite that, I really did like this book. I liked the new characters we were introduced to, though Miles is a bit annoying. And Shelby is definitely my new favorite. Seeing children of angels and demons and learning what they can do was a highlight. It was also strange to see how popular Luce is in the angel/demon world. Kind of a Harry Potter moment for her.

The story itself was fast-paced and interesting. I kept wanting to know what would happen next and what Luce would figure out about her past that would shed some light on what's going on in the present. I loved the ending and how it gave enough information to satisfy my curiosity, but not so much that we now know all that's going on. It answered some questions, and made me ask a few more. I thought the final battle at the end was a little unrealistic -- really, nobody saw that? But I can get over it.

If you found yourself on the fence about Fallen, don't give up on the series! Definitely give Torment a try before you decide not to like it.

Lauren Kate continues to develop the relationship between angels and demons in Torment. Here, we learn a little more about the weight that Daniel carries, about the fallen angels and Nephilim, and about what's at stake. The title itself tells us of the emotional anguish that Luce will go through in this book. Despite having just been reunited with her angel lover Daniel, Luce must part with him while he protects her from those who week to end her life for good.

I missed Arriane and her wicked sense of humor, but I have to say that Shelby is a brilliant character. She is one of the few people who doesn't idolize Luce because of her relationship with Daniel --in fact, she starts off not liking Luce at all-- and she is not afraid to be blunt and say what Luce needs to hear. Overall, she's a cool girl with a don't mess with me attitude.

While intentional, Daniel has been severely missing from this book. He'll do anything to protect Luce, but the way he handles the situation continuously hurts Luce and causes her to doubt their relationship. He tells her that they can't see each other, he sneaks into Shoreline because he misses her so much, and then he won't tell her what's going on except that it's for her own good. We know that he still loves her, that he sacrifices so much to keep her, but she doesn't remember anything outside of this lifetime.

Luce doesn't know for sure that Daniel has not tired of her. He's absent, gone somewhere she can't follow. Consequently, it's no surprise that she starts to develop feelings for Miles, the nice kid who's always there for her. Honestly, Daniel brought this on himself, and I hope he respects Luce more in the next book (such as considering her feelings more) because I do like him.

Luce learns more about the Announcers, the shadows that have followed her throughout her life, and how to manipulate them into windows that open her to her past lives. At the same time, certain events that she spies cause her to doubt Daniel's intentions and whether her true destiny lies with him. Without Daniel there to take care of everything for her, she has more time to contemplate her feelings and to look into her past. The most touching scene for me is when she meets Vera and realizes that she and Daniel aren't the only ones affected by her many deaths. That is when she realizes the immensity of the conflict revolving around the love she shares with Daniel.

Luce makes a bold decision at the end of the book to step into the past. This journey will continue to test her love with Daniel and possibly answer this nagging question I've had throughout the book. What secret is Daniel afraid of Luce uncovering? And will they learn to trust in each other's strength?

This second book was probably on equal level with the first book, which I liked as well. Although the first book tended to have a bigger "end battle" (or what I sometimes like to call a "Boss Fight" like in a video game) this book built up the idea of "Why is Luce so important?" Questions are asked and left unanswered as a cliff-hanger. We do find out more information on the purpose of "The Announcers" and that seems to be the main theme of this book, as they rule Luce's curiosity. Luce wants to know if she can change the outcome of her life, and the lives of her loved ones by possibly eliminating Daniel from her life; but there's some sort of gravitational pull that draws her to him every time. While in the first book, Fallen, I liked Cam, in this book I've grown a liking towards Miles. Daniel just seems to self-absorbed and single minded for me to really appreciate his character and his choices.

First Line: "Daniel stared out at the bay." (1)
Last Line: "Would he find her? Without question. Would he save her? Always." (452)

------------
Quotes:

"But when the truce was over, everything would be in Luce's hands again. Luce's hands alone." (11)

"She loved him. But." (242)

"There, in the darkness, her heart pounding, she willed them to come out. She called on those coldest, darkest things, asking them to deliver her past, to illuminate her and Daniel's story. She called on them to solve the mystery of who he was and why he had chosen her.
Even if the truth broke her heart." (266)

"Would love be different with someone else? Was love even possible with someone else? Love was supposed to be easy, wasn't it? Then why did she feel so tormented?" (278)

ETERNAL LOVE
It has happened to me to read a book that has completely touched my heart, "Soul Mates Bind: Witching Call 2" by Sandra Ross Soul Mates Bind: Witching Call Part 2: a supernatural novel, just like the one I'm going to review.
"Passion" by Lauren Kate is the third novel of a series, coming after "Fallen" and "Torment", that deals with the story of Luce and Daniel.
This is a love story but not like the others: they are under a curse, thanks to that Luce must live many lives to discover if Daniel's love is true and pure.
This novel will be appreciated by supernatural and love stories lovers and they will surely like Kate's writing style.
She wants to push reader to read until the very last page of her book, because you really want to find out if Luce and Daniel will have a happy ending.
The two protagonists have to face many obstacles, before their dream love can come true.
One of the most exciting thing about "Passion" is the supernatural matter: Daniel is not a simple human being, but he's an angel.
And this will make this novel more interesting and intriguing, and it will make you wonder what you'd do if you were in Luce's skin and situation?
Maybe this kind of book will be loved by young and adults at the same time, because it's able to capture you completely!
I guess buying a copy of "Passion" is really a must, specially if you want to read about a different love story, in which there's a good combination of feelings and a good writing style.

Also reviewed on my blog, The Vintage Bookworm. [...]

I'm so happy I was finally able to read this! I read Fallen in 2011, but never moved on to read Torment. So this year I re-read Fallen and FINALLY dove into Torment. Though Torment wasn't as good as Fallen, it was still amazing and gave you a lot more history on things and Luce was able to find out a lot more about her past lives than she knew in the first book.

Daniel, unfortunately, wasn't in it as much as I was hoping. Boo! BUT after starting the book and learning about the truce, he was in it more than I expected after all that. Which I was happy for. I love Daniel! I'm starting to like Cam again after all the crap at the end of Fallen, but I'm still team Daniel!

I know a lot of people think that this series is a "Been there, done that." series. But I don't think so. Yes, some parts have been done before, but a lot of it is unique and extremely addicting. EXTREMELY. So much that I went ahead and ordered Passion and Rapture.

You meet a lot of new characters in this book as well. Miles and Shelby, whom I absolutely ADORE! At times I was getting mad at Miles, since I'm team Daniel, but at other times I was all "A[...]" and falling under his spell. He's a great guy. =) Shelby is a great friend, at first I was a little annoyed by her, but as soon as she started opening up and being nice to Luce, I started really liking her.

Overall, this is a great series. The writing and plot is addicting and the characters are well developed and you find yourself flipping through pages faster than you think you can even read. You go through so many emotions as well, at least I do. I'll be happy and then I'll be heart broken and it's just so emotional with Luce and Daniel and heart-wrenching at times and sometimes I really need a box of tissues sitting beside me when it involves them.

Lucinda Price can't win for losing. After a millennium of reincarnations, she and her one true love, Daniel, have found each other once again... only to be torn apart for an unknowable amount of time. Being apart is more than just a torment for Luce, its pure hell on earth. Literally and figuratively, because she's being hunted and hounded by every fallen angel imaginable. Will Daniel return in time to keep her safe? Or will her well-being fall to someone a little closer to her? As is the way of their relationship, only time will tell.

Lucinda's character really blossoms into a more life-like person in this second novel. In the previous book, Fallen, she was completely obsessed with Daniel, bound and determined to do whatever it took to catch his eye, no matter how hard he tried to discourage her. When we meet her this time, she's more cautious and open-minded about her relationship with the fallen angel. Although she's still desperately in love, her eyes have been opened to the imbalances between the two of them. However, she doesn't completely give up on him, either. She and her friends work out ways to help Luce discover more about her past lives in an effort to make understanding Daniel easier.

Daniel also comes around in a serious way. He's given up on keeping her at arm's length and is embracing having her back in his life, even when he's promised not to see her. His fear of losing her all over again is front and center, however, making dealing with Luce on equal ground near to impossible. He tries to protect her and ends up pushing her away even more. Despite all of his clumsy and failed efforts with Lucinda, he always does what he thinks best and her safety is first on his list. If they can ever find a way to be together for eternity and be happy, he is everything that she'll need.

Torment is a magical and often heartbreaking story of two people who want to be together, even need to be together, but can't for many reasons. Watching them fight through heaven and earth to find a way to be with the other, even if just for a few moments, makes it all worthwhile. It gives you hope that, in the end, everything will have been worth the fight, no matter how harrowing or horrifying. For Lucinda and Daniel, true love does exist, even if it's worlds away for now.

Originally posted at LAS YA Reviews

This review was originally posted on my blog: The Bibliophile's Corner

Once I started this book, I could not put it down. I read it before class, after class, during breaks at work and before I went to bed. I finished it in about two days after you add my total reading time together. The first book took me longer to read because I was forcing myself to read it. The end of Fallen matches the entire pace of Torment, which is fast, but detailed and not rushed. Torment was seriously wonderful.

The new characters in this story that I feel in love with were Shelby and Mike, both Nephilum, children of angels and humans. Shelby is a bit of rough around the edges, but a wonderful friend who will do anything for you. Mika, the golden boy, is sweet, charismatic and an all-around good guy. The become Luce's close friends and forms a triangle of beautiful friendship. My other favorite characters are Francesca and Steven, the teachers of Luce's new school. They are an angel and a demon, respectively. They are also in love. My heart breaks for them as Lauren Kate makes it clear that one day, when the End Times come, they will have to be on opposite side.

One thing that I absolutely love about this book is how often it is said that the "evil" and "good" are not so easy to identify. The line is blurred and I keep questioning, in the terms of this book, is there even a real "evil?" Those who are supposed to be "evil" I always find myself loving. I love Steven and Roland specifically because they don't possess any evil qualities. In fact, they're the ones who always seem to be saving Luce.

If there is one thing that annoyed me about this book, it would be Luce's inconsistent feelings toward Daniel. I understand the inexplicable drawn and need she has toward Daniel because they're love has lasted over thousands of years. But I found myself wanting to shake her and tell her to grow a pair. At least a handful of times, Luce gets upset with Daniel and when he is away, she has all of these feelings and thoughts that she wants to share, but once he gets anywhere near her, it all "melts away" and she gives into her physical hunger to be with Daniel. I can understand this, but I was frustrated that it took until the very end to do the smart thing.

If you have not read Fallen, but Torment intrigues you, read Fallen as quickly as you can and pick up this book.

I waited so long to get this book, and when I finally did, I kept thinking 'OMG, I FINALLY HAVE IT! YAY!' which sort of kept me from reading, what with my mind spurting out at random intervals words and phrases that kept clouding my conscious.

Torment will not disappoint! As I've always believed, the second books in trilogy's are the best. Since, in the first you're just getting to know characters. And in the third, ends are being tied so that the book can end, you know? But the second one, the middle one, is always (in my opinion) the best. You have more time for character development, and you learn what's "to come" even if you don't know it/can't see it.

Reading this book was much different than reading Fallen. For starters, Fallen was good, but it took me about a week to really read it, I had to keep going back to re-read a part, since I kinda felt that 'huh?' that bothers me so much. Whereas Torment, I know what the hell is happening. I know what's exactly going on with Luce/Daniel/Cam and I don't have to wonder.

This book is definitely awesome, but I'm not all in-favor of it's ending. Of course, I love a cliff-hanger as much as the next girl, but c'mon! This book is LONG and I think that it should end semi-final, so that I'm not really dying for the next one.

Kate does a wonderful job with her words...again! I just feel like I understand what she says, and she easily comes across as 'understanding'. She doesn't put Luce into stupid situations, and I don't think I once stopped and shook my head in disappointment. It's impossible to find a flaw in this sequel (well...unless you hate the series. In that case, why the hell are you READING IT?!) and I can honestly (and willingly) admit that I loved it to pieces! 4/5 Stars (Yup, that's minus one for the ending!)

My Thoughts: After reading Fallen I knew that I couldn't wait to read Torment. I was eager to see how this love story was going to play out and what choice Luce was going to make in the end. Sorry to disappoint but we will have to wait till book 3 for these answers.

Daniel takes Luce to a school of nephilim to help hide her while Daniel and Cam attempt to defeat her enemies that either want her dead or want her on their side. Here she meets some new class mates but Luce is troubled, she desperately wants to know about her past and the role Daniel has played in it. She's trouble because everyone seems to be keeping secrets from her; troubled because she doesn't know anything about her past; Luce and Daniel keep fighting when they are together and most of all, she's trouble because one of her new friends likes her and she's not sure if she wants to like him back. If Daniel had never come into her life, would she be able to have a relationship with someone else? Could all the fighting that Daniel is doing to keep Luce safe be in vain?

At first I thought the start was a little slow but it didn't take long for the book to pick up and I was sucked in like I always am! Let's face it, if this whole book was just about Daniel and how awesome he is...I would read every word over and over again. The love he has for Luce is literally to die for. There were some things however that got on my nerves in this book. Daniel treated Luce at times like she was a child, telling her exactly what she could and couldn't do. In my opinion that is something you just don't do to someone you love- unless you have a good reason and even a good reason is only justified by letting the other person know exactly why and the reasons behind it. Daniels desire to protect Luce by sheltering her and not believing she is stronger than he gives her credit for may have been his only downfall in this story.

Luce on the other hand had me wanting to reach in a smack her upside the head a couple of times. Of course its normal to miss your boyfriend when he's not around but my goodness he's fighting people who what to kill you!! I think that might have a little more priority over your need to have him by your side! OK, 1- He's fighting for your life! 2- He left Heaven for you! 3- He breaks the truce to sneak back to see you because he can't bear to be without you! 4- When you were with him, your conversations ended with you picking a fight because he wouldn't tell you what you wanted to hear. Really??! How much more could you ask of him?

Yes, I know...I'm ranting... but those were just a few things that really annoyed me about Luce. Though she was pig headed sometimes, I could understand some of the decisions she made and why she made them. The love story here is more about what Daniel is going through to be with Luce because they don't actually spend that much time together in this book. The moments they share are bittersweet and tend to end with a fight (thanks to Luce.) For me, it's the vision of how strong their love will become and the hope that everything will work out so they can truly be together; they've already been through so much in the past, we want a happy ending and a long lasting future.

Truthfully I was a little disappointed in the ending. I wanted more and I didn't think it should have ended the way it did. It left me with too many unanswered questions. And waiting till the summer of 2011 for Passions, the 3rd installment of the Fallen series is going to be a long wait!

I'll start off by saying that I've heard some good and bad about Torment, so I was a bit skeptical when I picked it up. I was nervous that I wasn't going to like it. I really enjoyed Fallen and once I picked up Torment I knew I would love it just as much! It has been a while since I'd read the first in the series and was glad when I was reminded throughout the beginning of Torment what had previously happened.

In Torment Luce steps out of her shell and toughens up to the Shadows. I really enjoyed seeing Luce explore on her own rather than rely solely on what Daniel has told her, which seems like close to nothing. Luce is in the dark while Daniel is `protecting' her and she's not sure from what.

I love Daniel's character, but I liked that he was missing as Luce steps into the limelight. I definitely would have liked to see Cam more. I'm a sucker for the bad ones! There are some new characters though that I think are funny and a great addition to the story...There's Shelby who I picture as a beach-y type girl who's got a dry sense of humor and she's a bit hard to please, but definitely warms up after a while. Then there's Miles who's cute and sweet and befriends, Luce helping her through her new situation.

At Luce's new school Nephilim students are taught how to use their underlying powers and talents. Luce feels a bit out of place, but she takes learning alongside them as a benefit for figuring out the Shadows. Working against the rules, Luce discovers that the Shadows have a lot more to offer than fear and she soon discovers they can possibly reveal messages to her.

I love the LOVE in this series. Its passionate without being too mushy and gushy! Its so natural and even though doubts flicker in Torment Luce and Daniel know their love is strong and can withstand a lot. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Luce continue her exploration of her past lives and love with Daniel.

I thoroughly enjoyed Kate's different take on this type of story. Yes, its a struggle between Heaven and Hell, but it has unique twists and its definitely a page-turner! Its a great read and I do hope you will pick up the Fallen series!

It's been three years since I read Fallen, because I was worried that Torment would be more of the same, but finally I have succumb to the call of the pretty cover. Thankfully, I did like this one better. There are parts that I liked less, like that slow, repetitive, boring beginning, but then there's some really interesting stuff happening, too. It picks up with Daniel delivering Luce to another new school, since she's no longer safe at their former reform school. Now, she's in California at a kind of prep school for Nephilim where she'll be protected while Daniel goes off and does what he does for eighteen days. Luce is left mostly in the dark about the situation, which prompts her to do some research of her own.

My favorite part of Torment was learning more about the shadows (which were mostly really dumb in the first book). They're not just creepy blobs of darkness, but messengers known as Announcers for those in the know. Each one can show a snippet of the past if you know how to summon one (which Luce does) and how to "glimpse." Of course, Luce is special among humans and figures out how to do this complicated task and uses it to explore her past lives. Quite interesting. Then there are hints at time travel! I love time travel, but it's not something I would expect from a Paranormal Romance about angels and demons. But then when you consider the reincarnation bits, it does make sense. Luce has to uncover he past lives somehow, since Daniel refuses to explain.

Most of the first part of Torment is just Luce moping after Daniel. Eighteen days is such an eternity! Wah, wah, wah! However, I could totally understand her frustration over not knowing why he's going to be away and why she had to transfer. But, I did find it annoying when Luce would just leave campus, despite being told not to, just because she claims she didn't know how dangerous it was for her elsewhere since no one will tell her anything. I totally wanted to high five one of her "teachers" when he said they shouldn't have to be so explicit, since it's fairly obvious someone is out to get her! Come on, Luce! Use your brain! Then there's the parts where Luce finally starts to question everything Daniel has told her, which wasn't much. Daniel's word is not gospel! There's something he's hiding, and maybe life and love is possible for Luce without him, even though they've spent centuries losing and finding each other.

In the end, I kind of liked Torment. It didn't annoy me as much as Fallen, since Luce is finally coming out of the Daniel haze and starting to think for herself, even if it does get her in trouble, since she seems to only be able to think about one thing at a time. Mostly I was just excited to see how this time travel aspect works in Passion!

I know a lot of readers are critical of the sequel to "Fallen". The biggest complaint seems to be Luce's questioning of her relationship with Daniel and whether they are really meant to be and questioning his motives. I have to say that I thought these plot points were very realistic. Luce has only known Daniel (in this current lifetime, the only one she can remember) for a very short period of time. Lets face it, even at that he hasn't been very nice to her a good portion of the time. She has been thrust into a world, and found out things about herself that are truly frightening. It is only natural that she is questioning everything around her including Daniel. Daniel drove me nuts in this book because of how much he kept from her even as Luce is begging for information. He also annoyed me by showing up and starting a fight and then running away before it was resolved. He did that at least four or five times in "Torment" alone. '

I found Luce's interest in Miles to be very realistic. Miles is an attractive, smart boy who treats Luce like a princess. He'd do anything for her and is fun to be around. We know that there is an unbreakable bond of love between Luce and Daniel but to this point we only know that because we've been told it over and over. I personally haven't seen any evidence of this bond. I think it goes without saying that Daniel and Luce will end this series together but I certainly hope the next two books establish this connection better and make me feel the love! I want to root for Daniel and the couple's happily ever after.

Besides the relationship issues, I thought this book was entertaining and a very compelling read. My biggest personal complaint is that I felt too much time was spent on the shadows or Announcers and I would have like to see an explanation for the thing that was at the bottom of the lake in the boating scene. I liked the glimpses into Luce's past and would have liked to see further resolution there as well but from what I hear we do get more of that in "Passion". I won't say that the "Fallen" series to this point is exactly worthy of its popularity but I also can confirm that they are certainly worthwhile and enjoyable reads.

From the back cover:
Love never dies... It took Lucinda an eternity to find her beloved angel, Daniel. But he waited for her. Now they are forced apart again, to protect Luce from the Outcasts - immortals who want her dead. During their separation, Luce learns about her mysterious past lives. But the more she discovers, the more she suspects that Daniel is hiding something. What if Daniel's version of the past isn't true? Is it really their destiny to be together? Or is Luce actually meant to be with somebody else? The thrilling sequel to the bestseller, Fallen.

Review:
I equal parts loved and hated this book. I couldn't put it down, I got completely absorbed in the story, I had to keep reading and find out what was going to happen next. The world that <[...]>Lauren Kate</a> has created felt well constructed and rich, the writing was so visual, I felt like I was watching a movie. I loved all the characters (even the ones who irritated me) and wanted to know more about them and what they were doing and what was going to happen to them.

BUT.....

Pretty much nothing happens plot wise. There's a lot of story but by the end of the book not much is different from the end of Fallen. There's some more mystery added to the end of the book but no answers. This seriously annoyed me. In comparison to a book like Beautiful Darkness, where more information is given but doesn't reveal the whole story, Torment lacks that continuity.

And I could rant for pages about Luce. What an idiot. Say your supernatural boyfriend takes you to a school and tells you it's to keep you safe, and then from time to time turns up looking shattered telling you he's exhausted from fighting to keep you safe. Say he then asks you to stop running off into the forest and endangering yourself because he's doing everything he can to stop you from dying and staying in the school would help him in this endeavour enormously - don't you think you might throw the guy a frickn bone and STOP LEAVING THE SCHOOL????? And how about when he comes to visit you when he says something that annoys you, you might grill him for information instead of chucking a hissy fit and running away back to your room to sulk about how he never tells you anything???? Ugh, most. annoying. character. ever.

Having said all that, when the book finished I was left with the same feeling at the end of Fallen - I can't wait to read the next one. Sure, Luce needs a kick to the head, but the writing is great, the story is interesting and I have a feeling that by the end of the series when all the answers are revealed I won't be annoyed anymore. Bring on book three - Passion - next year!

First, can I just say... I LOVE the covers of this series! Seriously... gorgeous. I try very hard not to judge a book by it's cover, but I have to admit that the covers of Fallen and Torment were what attracted me to the books at first.

As I've said before, I tend to be a little leery of YA titles. It's a 50/50 chance on whether I will like the book, even if the synopsis sounds interesting. I'm not sure why, but a lot of YA titles just drive me crazy. Not so with this series. This series, I loved! Lauren Kate tells a tale that is timeless. The struggles of love, acceptance, and life choices are present throughout one's entire life, which makes this series great for anyone.

Very rarely, I come across a book that leaves me thinking about it after I put it down. Torment is one of those books. The characters are fabulously created, and the story kept me engaged throughout the entire experience. It seemed that every time I had a few moments to spare, I would find myself wondering about what was going to happen next. Torment will definitely suck you in and keep your attention.

Any book that can raise emotions in the reader is special. At different times in the book, I found myself wanting to reach out and smack Luce, hug Daniel, and warn Miles. There were even occurrences where I would literally be smiling while reading and hubby would give me that "what the heck's going on" look from across the room. lol

Fallen and Torment are both great books that will keep you turning pages and wondering what will happen next. They will suck you into Luce's world, where you can see what's going on and feel the emotions being raised.

Book Basics
Title: Tormaent
Author: Lauren Kate
Published September 28th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Format Read: Borrowed from the library
Number of pages: 452
Book Stats
Setting: Shoreline: a school in California
A Few of the Characters:
* Luce - Finds herself being sent to a new school for her own protection, but nobody will tell her exactly what she is being protected from
* Daniel Grigori- Luce's angel boyfriend, whom she's spent lifetimes (that she doesn't remember) falling in love with him
* Miles - A friend at school who makes her question her relationship with Daniel
* Shelby - A no nonsense girl, whi becomes a comrade of Luce
Author Website: [...]

What made me keep turning the page?
* Luce finding out about her past lives
* Learning more about this "angel lifestyle"
* Trying to figure out the secrets Daniel was keeping from Luce
* The great relationships in the book

Any complaints?
* Not a whole lot happened in this book, it felt like it was just getting us ready for book 3
Recommendation:
* Young Adult/Paranormal Fans

Final Thoughts...
Because I had grown to love the character and story from Fallen, I did enjoy this book. I was a bit disappointed that we had to wait, along with Luce at Shoreline, while Daniel saw all the action. I wanted to find out more information. I also didn't like that Luce and Daniel were apart for most of this book. While many things did frustrate me about this book, I enjoyed reading it

The cover:

Don't you love this cover?? The only great thing about these books (the first and this one) are the covers!! I just love it!!

The content:

This an Angel story in the Fallen series, I thought it was a trilogy but obviously it's not.

You can say that I disliked the first one, Fallen, from my past review of it. This one is slightly better in the story line. I hate the heroine, Luce, especially in this sequel. She's just too stupid and too self absorbed. The other characters are cool, funny, serious, deadly, lovely and also interesting.

I would've rated it 2 stars if the story didn't get better before the middle. With all that said, I am going to read the the rest of series, hopefully, because I am simply hooked by the story. I am definitely not going to read any other Angel novels, not any time soon, but I'll gladly finish this one :).

The writing is good, but sometimes it feels like the author explains things too well and exaggerates in describing the surroundings that she leaves nothing to your imaginary :s.

I do like all the chapters, they all have something good in them, except for the first few ones, they kind of were slow and long.

The conclusion:

I do recommend this book to fans of the Hush, Hush series, which I haven't read yet and I'm not planning to do so anytime soon, and for those who love YA Angel/Fantasy books, I know a lot of book readers and reviewers who love it, it's just a matter of personal taste and opinion :).

Okay I need to say that there are so many reviews out there that say this book sucks and they were frustrated with it. But I did notice that most of the "I hate Torment" reviews, were from readers who were in love with "Fallen". I must say that because I was not too crazy about "Fallen" and based on reviews for "Torment", I almost did not purchase this 2nd book. I am so glad I did. IMO this book is so much better than the 1st. Luce I must say I loved her more because she was growing, coming into her own and asking herself and everyone else some pretty grown up, valid questions. And expecting straight answers. While still being thrown into an even more confusing and dangerous environment. Although alot more beautiful, not knowing who to trust and not sure she can trust her own instincts at this point. Being shut out of her own life. Trying to find out who she is and why she seems to be so important to these angels and demons and not know why. But everyone involved seems to know but refuses to say what the hell is going on. In her position I would be beyond pissed, confused, and frightened. And I am sure that I would probably react the same as Luce.

Now you are not going to get any real answers in this book, but you will get a hell of alot more insight into this world and Luce. For starters you find out what the shadows are and what they represent and how they can help Luce. This is a great set up I think, for the 3rd book "Passion". This book also takes not the typical turns that you normally would see in a 2nd book series concerning a love triangle ie.., Miles. Which had me kinda on edge but in a good way. I am still not really feeling Daniel and because Cam was rarely in this book,(big disappointment, but I think we will see him alot in the 3rd one), Miles filled that void for me very well. And he had Luce questioning alot of things which were valid because she too was attracted to him. Which it was kinda hard not to be. Miles is hot and sweet. A lethal combination. And with the way Daniel was being all super charged over protective and not telling her what he's protecting Luce from, but just barking orders.. I may not have had the will power Luce did display when it came to Miles.. LOL.

So for those of you who are sitting on the fence like I was after reading "Fallen" take my advice and get "Torment" You will not be disappointed. Those of you who have not read either I would suggest you do read "Fallen" first before you tackle "Torment".

I only hope that "Passion" is even better.

Book Title: Torment (Fallen #2)

Author: Lauren Kate

Published By: Ember; Reprint edition

Genre: Supernatural

Recommended Age: +13

Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavoc

Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community

Rating: 4 Ravens

I picked this book up before I knew it was part of a trilogy, Something I know that most of you all know I absolutely HATE doing. Most books in series are hard to follow if you don't read them from the beginning I am glad to say that Lauren Kate has made it possible that no matter where you pick up the books you can fall right into the story and keep reading without feeling like you need to read the first one in order to enjoy the second book. Does this mean I didn't read the first one? Absolutely not I was so captured when I read this book I went back and picked up not only the first book but the second just so I could have them all and read them adding them to my collection of series on that special series shelf in my home.

The story of Luce and Daniel is not only intriguing but inspiring it's definitely different not based simply on nothing but the attraction of each character but to know that their past is what pulls them together and no matter what Daniel will always do what it takes when he finds Luce again to make her fall in love with him. Not using her past to corrupt her but working his butt off to make her realize that she's his soul mate. I adore the frustration that goes into it not only for Luce not knowing everything about their past as does Daniel for not being able to fully divulge everything he knows without ruining Luce's free will.

Throughout this book we find Luce being put at a boarding school away from her old one in the attempt to protect her from the other darker forces of the world that work all their might and power against the two in the attempt to keep them both apart. Heaven and Hell had agreed and cursed the two for holding their love for each other over the choice of heaven or hell. Now it's up to Luce and Daniel to find out where they went wrong and how they can correct their pasts to keep and have a different future. Already Daniel knows something has changed but he's not sure what in order to find out he needs Luce stored where she is safe and goes on about a hunt to find out. Luce however being stubborn like she always is refuses to give in and just simply sit still she knows something is wrong and enlists the help of her new friends in order to find out. Long story short sets them all up for the third book and a gripping story that had me running straight out to get the books and know more.

Check them out you will love them like I'm sure.

In the second installment of Lauren Kate's Fallen series, we follow Luce from the southern gothic to a new school called Shoreline, which is everything Sword & Cross was not. The sunny clime of California and students who are more chipper than sullen make TORMENT a refreshing sequel to FALLEN, which picks up only a few days after the truce between the fallen angels has been made. We learn that there are others who are after Luce aside from the demons or "evil" fallen angels, and Luce must be protected. The Shoreline school offers that protection, as many of its students are Nephilim, the gifted progeny of fallen angels and humans.

Luce attends classes with the Nephilim, befriends them, and even finds herself crushing on one of them, but most importantly, Luce comes into her own at Shoreline. The Shadows, or Announcers, in FALLEN are explained more fully, and Luce displays a talent of her own as she discovers that she can manipulate them. Though she frequently does the opposite of what she is told to do, her proactive, independent spirit hints at the engaging and skilled heroine she will likely become, though that characteristic proves to be a flaw as well.

The battle in FALLEN continues at the end of TORMENT. This time, however, the truce allies the demons and the angels and pits them against the Outcasts, a newly introduced faction of fallen angels also looking to Luce for reasons not yet divulged to us. The battle is climactic and plays out well, surprising us at times and allowing us to feel sympathetic toward the characters who do not know what we know.

For me, the two most interesting aspects of the book were the development of Luce's relationship with Daniel and the questions that arise about "good" and "evil". At Shoreline, fallen angels that stand on the side of evil, "demons," work alongside --- and are even romantically entangled --- with the fallen angels that are "good." Kate plays with this idea; she explores it by showing the reader that good and evil are sometimes just a matter of opinion. In fact, I quite frequently found myself leaning toward the side of the demon teacher Steven, who believes in teaching Luce how to summon and work with the Announcers, rather than considering it too advanced.

As for the development of Luce's relationship with Daniel, those expecting a love story without its bumps might be disappointed. That said, I considered the rockiness of their relationship to be one of the most interesting elements of the book. Luce cannot remember how she fell in love with Daniel in the first place. Of course this would cause some dissatisfaction in a relationship! I as a reader wanted Luce to make a decision based on her present, not because she is "fated" to be with someone. I enjoyed the element of free will that she has, and I appreciated Miles's character, who tempts her with the promise of normalcy.

TORMENT is an exhilarating follow-up to FALLEN, and though there are still a good share of questions that need answers, I'm looking forward to Luce learning about her ill-fated past with Daniel, which will be revealed in PASSION, a prequel to the series.

--- Reviewed by Jordana Frankel

Torment by Lauren Kate review by Moireaethefatesbooktreviews.
I was so excited to read the sequel to the best seller Fallen. I was not disappointed! Kate has done it again! Torment picks up where Fallen left off. We get to follow Luce to California and to new school; Daniel and Cam are working together against a mutual foe.
While Luce is at her new school, her family and friends in Georgia think she is still at Sword&Cross. Daniel, has given her strict instructions to stay at her new school for her own protection, Luce doesn't listen and gets into some tough spots.
We learned in Fallen that Luce has been reincarnated; in Torment we get a glimpse into her past lives. We also learn more about the strange shadows that have been following Luce her whole life.
We do not see Daniel as much in this book as we did in book one. But we do get to meet some new characters that are just as strong as Kate's other characters.
We meet a new breed of angels that are born of a mortal and a fallen angel. This group was very interesting and I simply loved what they brought to the story.
This story was jam packed with much wanted info and is action packed from cover to cover!
We get more of an insight into Luce and Daniel's relationship, which was refreshing.
Kate has given her fans a fast-paced well-written plot. As always her character development is flawless! Her writing is amazing it never felt like she was trying to force a plot that wasn't there. The plot was always there and it flows beautifully.
I have heard the books compared to Twilight, but in my opinion the two are nothing alike. They are two separate books by two separate authors. I can't say how much I loved this book! Ms. Kate is one of the best authors of the YA adult genera. I simply devour her books!
She has said that her upcoming book Passion which is set to be released in Summer 2011, will be a prequel to Fallen and we get to see a bit from Daniel's point of view as well. Which I am looking forward to, I keep looking to see if the book is available for pre-order!

Cover art
***** 5 out of 5 stars
What parents need to know:
There is some language but not much in this book, the only "sexual content" is kissing.

Over all rating:
***** 5 out of 5

Torment (Fallen #2) is a strong follow-up to Fallen (Fallen #1). In it, we are reunited with our favorite characters (Luce, Daniel, and Cameron) and are introduced to several new ones (Miles and Shelby), who are memorable enough for us to long to see - much - more of them in future books.

Torment (Fallen #2)'s greatness lies in the way the readers are gradually and gently introduced to Luce's abilities, her new world, and her and Daniel's history. There's is one filled with love, passion, and grief.

As with Fallen (Fallen #1), I'm constantly perplexed about which characters to trust and love and which ones I should distrust and hate. I'm completely sympathetic to Luce's dilemmas when it comes to particular conflict. At the same time, I enjoyed the level of suspense creating by the unknown because it makes this story more amazing and tender and tumultuous.

For those looking for a young adult series that can be read by almost anyone, the Fallen series is for you. It's filled with love and action. It rises above other stories by proving great books don't have to be consumed with sex and profanity in order to get the world's attention. For that, I applaud Lauren Kate.

T. R. Graves, Author