Review: "Torment", Lauren Kate (Some spoilers)

Publisher: Random House Uk
Format: Bound manuscript
Pages: 464
Source: Manuscript sent from publisher















"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? "
(Description from Play.com)

Background:
"Torment" is the second book in the Fallen Angels series, written by Lauren Kate. The first book, "Fallen", became an instant hit and a worldwide bestseller with over 500.000 sold copies all over the globe, and has not left the New York Times bestsellerlist. Disney has optioned the books for film.

Story:
"Torment" begins where "Fallen" left off. Daniel Grigori has made sure that Luce is transferred from Sword & Cross to Shoreline, in order to keep her safe from the Outcasts. The angels and demons have decided on an eighteen day truce, in order to hunt down and kill those who are threatening Luce. Suddenly, Cam and Daniel must stand side by side to protect Luce from the threat.

Shoreline is not your typical American school either. Most of the students are Nephilim kids, who are attending the school to develop their abilities. Luce meets a lot of new characters, and starts to question her love for Daniel and what has really happened in her past.

Main Character:
I like Luce a lot. She is a protagonist it is easy to empatize with. She is strong, but at the same time vulnerable. And she does not automatically believe everything she is told, but seeks the truth her own way. She is not a girl you can boss around. She has her own opinions and will fight for her right to be heard. She is also passionate, and is drawn to a lot of people. She is thoughful, in so many ways. A person with a lot of depth. Even though I do not understand a lot of the choices she make, I still like her.

The book:
The story in this book takes place in California. I was a bit afraid that would influence the atmosphere in the book in a negative way - but I was wrong. I am instantly propelled into the story, and I do not want to leave Luce and Daniel's world. The gothic atmosphere is not so present in this book, but I do not mind. Actually, I think "Torment" is a far better book than is predecessor. It is a more complex book, a book with a lot more depth.

The story of the shadows that have haunted Luce her entire life, is revealed. They are now called "The Announcers" and the history behind them is old and so magnificiently developed by the author that I could actually have believed it to be a real story. We are told more about the angels and the past relationships between Luce and Daniel. The author introduces us to a new, male character that will gain Luce' attention.

Some of the themes in Luce and Daniel' s relationship is probably also known to readers of Alyson Noel's books. Luce and Ever are both seeking out the truth of their past lives and they both starts to question if their boyfriends have told them everthing there is to know about their past reincarnations. Destiny is also a big part of the mix, and they both ask themselves if there is perhaps another soulmate waiting for them out there. I think it is interesting that both authors have chosen to focus on these aspects, but I do not think either one of them has borrowed from the other- just want to state that.

You can also see some similarties between Daniel and Edward from Twilight. But Luce is not in any way like Bella. She does not try to kill herself when Daniel leaves her, no, she starts to question if he is actually right for her. When I read Twilight, I had a hard time understanding Bella and how she could let herself almost fade away in the relationship between her and Edward. I am so happy that Lauren Kate has not done the same with Luce. Luce knows how to stand up for herself, and she knows that every girl deserves the best - and if Daniel is not the best choice for her, well then she just have to find another boy that is. That said; I also understand why Daniel can't be with her. He loves her, but at the same time he have to make sure that she is safe.

"Torment" is not a fastpaced book. There is not a lot of action, but at the same time there is just something about this book that really captivates the reader and keeps you wanting to read and read and read. I read the book almost in one sitting.

I had a lot of expectations for this book, and every single one of them was met. I think that "Torment" is a much better book than "Fallen". Lauren Kate has once again done an amazing job and given us an atmospheric, romantic, dramatic and great read. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, "Passion".

This book went straight to my heart. I loved it!








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