softstarrynights's review against another edition
5.0
Damn it Lauren Kate! You've done it again, you've written a spellbinding book!
Okay so there's no way I can write a review without writing about the gorgeous cover. The girl on it is gorgeous (and looks a little like Jennifer Lawrence) in a to-die-for dress that just makes me jealous. The girl is the main character, Eureka.
Ander, Ander, Ander... What can I say? The first 'chapter' is a prologue from Anders point of view which, later when the story is told form Reka's point of view, makes the stalker thing a lot less creepy. It's not a long prologue but you get to see how much he cares for Eureka. I don't want to say that he loves her because she is all he knows, but you definitely understand that Ander believes that he loves her. And of course he is drop dead gorgeous, tall, blonde and handsome, if it wasn't for the curly hair (and age) he's basically my all time favorite vampire Eric Northman (my darling Alexander Skarsgard)so yes please! I'm picturing a cross between Simon Baker, from 'The Mentalist' and Bradley James, from 'Merlin'. Also I'm dying to read the little prequel book about Ander!
But then Brooks, Brooks, Brooks! I don't think I've ever been so invested in a love triangle in my life, though this book barely touched upon it I can see it coming. At first I was completely team Ander but as the book went on I began to give Brooks a chance and though he was sending mixed messages I was intrigued. It was definitely the epilogue that clinched it for me. I would have given anything for it to have been longer!
I should probably mention Eureka too, since she is the main character so here we go. Wow! Thank you Lauren Kate! Thank you for giving me a strong beautiful heroine who isn't dependent on a boy, who doesn't take one look at a boy and think that they're soul-mates and who isn't spending three whole books just to choose between two boys when there were much more important things going on, like maybe a revolution to overthrow the government, for instance. I liked the fact that before the book even started I knew that she was going to be a damaged character, rather than becoming damaged and spending most of 300 pages avoiding everyone else by hiding and sleeping. I like to know what I'm getting into.
The book is pretty long but the build up for the end is subtle yet perfect. At no point was I disappointed in any false sense of build up or excitement. I love myths and legends, especially when woven into a story as sound as this one. I've also been watching 'Atlantis' on BBC 1 at the moment so I'm definitely in the Atlantis zone right now. I am so excited for the next book to go next to this one on my shelf (and pray to God that the covers match!)
Also my copy is a signed hardback thanks to a Goodreads giveaway, which makes it super special! Thank you Lauren Kate!!
Okay so there's no way I can write a review without writing about the gorgeous cover. The girl on it is gorgeous (and looks a little like Jennifer Lawrence) in a to-die-for dress that just makes me jealous. The girl is the main character, Eureka.
Ander, Ander, Ander... What can I say? The first 'chapter' is a prologue from Anders point of view which, later when the story is told form Reka's point of view, makes the stalker thing a lot less creepy. It's not a long prologue but you get to see how much he cares for Eureka. I don't want to say that he loves her because she is all he knows, but you definitely understand that Ander believes that he loves her. And of course he is drop dead gorgeous, tall, blonde and handsome, if it wasn't for the curly hair (and age) he's basically my all time favorite vampire Eric Northman (my darling Alexander Skarsgard)so yes please! I'm picturing a cross between Simon Baker, from 'The Mentalist' and Bradley James, from 'Merlin'. Also I'm dying to read the little prequel book about Ander!
But then Brooks, Brooks, Brooks! I don't think I've ever been so invested in a love triangle in my life, though this book barely touched upon it I can see it coming. At first I was completely team Ander but as the book went on I began to give Brooks a chance and though he was sending mixed messages I was intrigued. It was definitely the epilogue that clinched it for me. I would have given anything for it to have been longer!
I should probably mention Eureka too, since she is the main character so here we go. Wow! Thank you Lauren Kate! Thank you for giving me a strong beautiful heroine who isn't dependent on a boy, who doesn't take one look at a boy and think that they're soul-mates and who isn't spending three whole books just to choose between two boys when there were much more important things going on, like maybe a revolution to overthrow the government, for instance. I liked the fact that before the book even started I knew that she was going to be a damaged character, rather than becoming damaged and spending most of 300 pages avoiding everyone else by hiding and sleeping. I like to know what I'm getting into.
The book is pretty long but the build up for the end is subtle yet perfect. At no point was I disappointed in any false sense of build up or excitement. I love myths and legends, especially when woven into a story as sound as this one. I've also been watching 'Atlantis' on BBC 1 at the moment so I'm definitely in the Atlantis zone right now. I am so excited for the next book to go next to this one on my shelf (and pray to God that the covers match!)
Also my copy is a signed hardback thanks to a Goodreads giveaway, which makes it super special! Thank you Lauren Kate!!
bookish_spoonie's review against another edition
2.0
It just wasn't very good. The story could have been great but I found it lacking in atmosphere and tension. Shame as I actually liked a few of the characters.
forsakenfates's review against another edition
2.0
This book did not really have much going for it. Other than the interesting Atlantis storyline. It was confusing and the end was rushed.
Ander was creepy. I don't care that it was his job he was basically stalking her. And it really bothered me that Eureka called her mom Diana. I know it was kind of explained, but the reason wasn't sufficient for me.
This book had a good idea behind it, it just was not written in a way I enjoyed.
Ander was creepy. I don't care that it was his job he was basically stalking her. And it really bothered me that Eureka called her mom Diana. I know it was kind of explained, but the reason wasn't sufficient for me.
This book had a good idea behind it, it just was not written in a way I enjoyed.
visubooks's review against another edition
2.0
I thought it was really good. The plot was really interesting and enjoyable. I wanted to keep reading it and find out what happens next but it just was missing something. I just didn’t connect to the story as much as I would have liked to. The story has a lot of potential it just got sort of confusing at some points and I wasn’t sure what was going on. I really like the idea it just needed something more. Maybe a little more information so it didn’t feel like you were left knowing less then when you started. Overall it was a really enjoyable read and would recommend it!
whatdaniellereads's review against another edition
5.0
Thoughts:
1. The end was breath taking, makes me want to read a part two!
2. I love Eureka and Ander, they are so special together.
3. Still can not believe what happened to Brooks.
4. Lauren Kate is the best. Please write more books like Teardrop!
1. The end was breath taking, makes me want to read a part two!
2. I love Eureka and Ander, they are so special together.
3. Still can not believe what happened to Brooks.
4. Lauren Kate is the best. Please write more books like Teardrop!
brodie_rose's review against another edition
2.0
When I first saw this book, I think my mouth actually fell open. Can you blame me? Look at that cover. It's all so gorgeous with that beautiful purpley bluey swirly loveliness, and then that stunning waterfall dress that I would trade my brother for (though I guess a dress made of water probably isn't my wisest fashion choice, which is saying something) and in the background you can see those lost, mysterious cities... captivating.
And then I saw the author's name at the top (hard not to, seeing HOW FRICKIN' HUGE IT IS) and my heart sank. Although whoever makes Lauren Kate's book covers is clearly a genius, the author herself...? Not so much. Fallen is in my very small and much disgraced DNF pile.
So, all this emotional trauma and I wasn't even on the first page. When I started to read it, I noticed the things that had bothered me about Fallen - a mopey, self-pitying female protagonist (though admittedly, she has reason to be, given her circumstances) a whole lotta telling but not much showing, and jumpy, awkward sentences. The language is beautiful, though, I'll give her that.
Not EVERYTHING was bad - in fact, it was a good sight better than Fallen. Eureka (I couldn't take that name seriously) does have her moments of sarcasm which make her more likeable, and the descriptions of her family did make them bearable. Her step-mother seemed unrealistic - on a scale from 0 to Cinderella's-step-mother on Bitchiness, she was pretty high up there.
I actually LOVED the idea of the plot, though. I liked the mythical element and the idea of tears brining on torrential downpours (and no, I don't believe that's a spoiler alert, because if you didn't guess this from pretty early on, the internet has clearly been killing your brain). However, Lauren Kate didn't really get into the MEAT of the plot until a good 300 pages in - bearing in mind that this is a pretty hefty book, and 300 pages of not-really-much-going-on-apart-from-a-few-little-not-well-hidden-clues can get pretty irritating.
So, what is it that's going on in these extra 300 pages? Building up a romantic relationship, it is not. Eureka and Ander's 'love' for each other was unrealistic and flat, and it seemed like the only reason Eureka actually liked him was because he was hot. (That, my dear girl, is lust, not love). Then she seemed to go from thinking he was a creep to falling in love with him, literally within the space of a few pages. The chemistry between them wasn't even dead, because it had never lived in the first place. Sorry, Kate, but it's true.
And WHY - WHY - are girls in YA fantasy romance novels ALWAYS attracted to the FREAKING STALKERS? Eureka finds out that Ander has basically been following her his whole life, and not only is she pretty much fine with it, but she finds it ROMANTIC. As do all the YA protagonists. I do not get.
So, the reason for the two stars? The potentially awesome plot earns one (though it could've been carried out much better, a mi ver - again, sorry, Kate). The nice language and the GOD DARN STUNNING COVER earn half each. The romance and epically long build-up before any action occurred (and most of the time, I appreciate a good built up of setting) were the major turn-offs. This book could've potentially reached a four star. And for some people, I'm sure it will be. It just ain't my particular cup of tea.
(Apologies for any epically failed attempts at html - I'm not computer savy. xD)
And then I saw the author's name at the top (hard not to, seeing HOW FRICKIN' HUGE IT IS) and my heart sank. Although whoever makes Lauren Kate's book covers is clearly a genius, the author herself...? Not so much. Fallen is in my very small and much disgraced DNF pile.
So, all this emotional trauma and I wasn't even on the first page. When I started to read it, I noticed the things that had bothered me about Fallen - a mopey, self-pitying female protagonist (though admittedly, she has reason to be, given her circumstances) a whole lotta telling but not much showing, and jumpy, awkward sentences. The language is beautiful, though, I'll give her that.
Not EVERYTHING was bad - in fact, it was a good sight better than Fallen. Eureka (I couldn't take that name seriously) does have her moments of sarcasm which make her more likeable, and the descriptions of her family did make them bearable. Her step-mother seemed unrealistic - on a scale from 0 to Cinderella's-step-mother on Bitchiness, she was pretty high up there.
I actually LOVED the idea of the plot, though. I liked the mythical element and the idea of tears brining on torrential downpours (and no, I don't believe that's a spoiler alert, because if you didn't guess this from pretty early on, the internet has clearly been killing your brain). However, Lauren Kate didn't really get into the MEAT of the plot until a good 300 pages in - bearing in mind that this is a pretty hefty book, and 300 pages of not-really-much-going-on-apart-from-a-few-little-not-well-hidden-clues can get pretty irritating.
So, what is it that's going on in these extra 300 pages? Building up a romantic relationship, it is not. Eureka and Ander's 'love' for each other was unrealistic and flat, and it seemed like the only reason Eureka actually liked him was because he was hot. (That, my dear girl, is lust, not love). Then she seemed to go from thinking he was a creep to falling in love with him, literally within the space of a few pages. The chemistry between them wasn't even dead, because it had never lived in the first place. Sorry, Kate, but it's true.
And WHY - WHY - are girls in YA fantasy romance novels ALWAYS attracted to the FREAKING STALKERS? Eureka finds out that Ander has basically been following her his whole life, and not only is she pretty much fine with it, but she finds it ROMANTIC. As do all the YA protagonists. I do not get.
So, the reason for the two stars? The potentially awesome plot earns one (though it could've been carried out much better, a mi ver - again, sorry, Kate). The nice language and the GOD DARN STUNNING COVER earn half each. The romance and epically long build-up before any action occurred (and most of the time, I appreciate a good built up of setting) were the major turn-offs. This book could've potentially reached a four star. And for some people, I'm sure it will be. It just ain't my particular cup of tea.
(Apologies for any epically failed attempts at html - I'm not computer savy. xD)
nogenreleftbehind's review against another edition
4.0
Lauren Kate has created an amazing new reality in Teardrop. A reality where magic is real and myths and legends begin to come true. Eureka doesn't think she's anything special. Just a girl whose mother died a strange and horrible death. Her mother's inheritance is nothing like she expected. Not that she wanted money or anything, but her mother's gifts seem strange and otherworldly. Then the strange boy that has been following her seems to know more about them than she does herself. Book one of the Teardrop series is a lot of world building. It tends to move along a little slow at times but the people are brought to life along with the world and it's legends in a beautfiul way. Eureka is a confused teenager - and Lauren Kate shows us all sides of this, along with her family and friends to really bring us into her world. It was a fantastic start to the series with quite a bang and cliffhanger for the ending. I'll be keeping my eye out for book two. When I checked out Goodreads to look for an expected publication date, I stumbled on a #0.5 - a short 50ish page story that I picked up right away. I really want to know more now! Look for that review soon and for book two as soon as I can get it. *This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
08151991j's review against another edition
4.0
I felt the ending ended so abruptly but since it's a prequel I cannot wait to read the second book in the series Waterfall.
jay_bird_books's review against another edition
3.0
The review up on my blog ----> http://goo.gl/ATtszW