SYNOPSIS | It’s been about a year since the mists swept over the world, rising out of cracks deep from the earth. The mists are attracted to certain types of metals and eat away at people and buildings; the world has been decimated. The ragged few survivors have been gifted psychic powers without knowledge or insight on how to control them or what all might manifest.
Emma, a well-known artist Before, has gathered up eight children under her wing, protecting and caring for them. One of them is her own – 5-year-old Mandy. It’s been rough, though, and she can’t keep it up alone much longer. Out there roaming around what used to be France are large bands of cannibals, rapists, slavers, and other humans with dark intentions. There are also good people. You just never know who you’re going to find.
Arthur was well-accomplished Before: a classified military scientist researcher and supposedly brilliant. He’s now the leader of a large camp of men of varying specialties. He’s trying to rebuild the world and he’s a little off his rocker. Fierce, loyal, determined, ambitious, controlling, and jealous, Arthur isn’t exactly a shining example of mankind. He is not, however, a cannibal and he won’t hurt the children.
Can Emma and Arthur each make sacrifices to connect with each other and help each other with their goals? Will Arthur understand when Emma explains that her husband and oldest daughter are still alive in Canada, and she wants to get back to them? Will Emma understand when Arthur explains his own secret?
REVIEW | Fallen explores the grittier side of what could happen in a post-apocalyptic setting. Lives are clearly divided into Before and After, and survivors battle with the guilt as they can’t reconcile the two. If you’re looking for a picture-perfect romance with two adorably perfect main characters, walk away now. This isn’t a YA novel. What you get instead are two adults with massive flaws and faults trying to survive in a world that is literally trying to kill them. As Emma says, this isn’t a time for judging. It’s a time for surviving.
The stories portrayed by Slatton aren’t heart-warming. People are hurt and people die. There is no redemption at the end of the first novel; there is no happy ending. These two people are thrown together in an intense situation and they each are doing their best with what sanity they’ve got left. Neither main character is incredibly lovable. Emma is married to another man whom she knows is alive, yet she is having sexual relations with Arthur. Arthur is a downright controlling and jealous bastard who can be vicious when he so chooses. There isn’t flowery language and poetry going on here.
Despite this, though, the way that Slatton has written the novel sweeps right past my critical-of-romance alarms (you don’t even want to hear me go off on Twilight) and hits the entertainment button.
Note: There aren’t really graphically described sexual scenes such as in a Harlequin book, but the matter is discussed cavalierly and referenced casually. If that’s not your thing, you’re not going to be interested in this book. If you are triggered by rape and violence, please avoid this book.
CONCLUSION | I hesitate to recommend this book to just anyone because it’s not for everyone. However, if you enjoy dark, gritty peeks into possible human nature reactions in apocalyptic settings, you will probably enjoy this novel.
Thank you Traci Slatton.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Fallen free through the FSB Media review program. I then purchased my own copy. I was not required to write a positive review and did not receive any other compensation. The opinions I have expressed are my own and no one else’s. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2014
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