" In a dark and seedy underground of burned-out rock stars and angels- turned-vampires, a revolutionary neuroscientist and a fallen angel must pit medicine against mythology in an attempt to erase their tortured pasts...but at what price?
Olivia, vampire and fallen angel of desire, is hopeless...and damned. Since the fall from Eden, she has hungered for love, but fed only on desire. Dominic O'Shaughnessy is a neuroscientist plagued by impossible visions. When his research and her despair collide at L'OtelMathillide- a subterranean hell of beauty, demons, and dreams-rationalist and angel unite in a clash of desire and damnation that threatens to destroy them both.In this fractured Hotel of the Damned, Olivia and Dominic discover the only force consistent in their opposing realities is the deep, erotic gravity between them. Bound to each other finally in a knot of interwoven freedoms, Dominic and Olivia -the vision-touched scientist and the earthbound angel, reborn and undead- encounter the mystery of love and it is both fall.. and flight " -Book Cover
Dominic is a Reborn. A being resurrecting life after life, with their memory of past lives crushing into them at teenage-hood. Down to earth and brilliant neuroscientist, Dominic convinced himself all these memory are hallucinations and is trying to find a cure.
Olivia, Fallen Angel, feeds on desire and fear through her victims blood. She's been trying to find a way to get back to heaven for millennia but is ready to give up.
and Falling, Fly is a dark story of Despair, Damnation and Curses and could have easily been depressing, but Skyler also made it a brilliant story of Love, Hope and Faith. In a world where none of the rules you know applies, modern science and old beliefs will collide to try discover the ultimate Truth.
You live this story through both Dominic and Olivia alternatively, which could have been confusing, but was greatly handled by White. I think this narration adds an additional depth to the story, allowing the reader to connect with both main characters.
I have to admit I had a hard time reading the book at some point because of language barrier. Being French and all, the level of English was much higher than what I am used to and I felt like I was missing information from time to time, which proved frustrating, but the story was so great I had to keep reading anyway.
I loved the characters, and I'd like to throw in a special shout-out for Alyx. Fallen rock star, cursed some-how but I don't really know what his damnation is. He was corky and very unique, I really liked the guy!
I'd finish this review by saying this book is nothing like something else you've read before. It's unique, smart and provocative.
Here's a quote of my favorite moment:
"I take no pleasure in food, but I still eat," I tell him. "I have no joy in life, but I live. Does that sound like an ordinary woman? I am the Undead. The Hollow. I am numb. I am the sacred, stuffed into the profane. My body, made like yours of vile mud and ash, cannot contain all of who I am, and yet I am nothing at all. I am timeless, spaceless, crammed into time and space. I am the unspeakable made into a single word. I am a true violation of Truth." p.115
Book Stats:
Paperback: 352 pages
Éditeur: Berkley (TRD); 1 édition (Mars 2 2010) Langue: English
ISBN-10: 0425232344
ISBN-13: 978-0425232347
Book Source: Provided by Penguin for review.
Great choice in quote Tynga. I really enjoyed and Falling, Fly and I'm glad you did despite the language barrier. I found I had trouble myself getting through certain parts...not because of the language, or the writing... it was just tough to process at times.
ReplyDeleteGreat review =)
I was really turned off by this cover, but after reading your review, I'm thinking I might check it out.
ReplyDeleteThe language barrier thing actually intrigues me - I'd be interested to see what you had trouble with, as your English seems so great!
Great review. The cover was what first drew me to the book,then the synopsis sounded really good. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! My friend Star gave this 5 out of 5 stars. I need to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover, and I've always had a thing for fallen angels and their like (: And you do have such excellent english, so I too am curious about the problem areas.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I really like the cover, too! I'll have to read this someday.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote from the book. It tells exactly what a vampire feels in my opinion. Great review.
ReplyDeleteHave added to my to buy list..
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Nice honest review. I don't know why, but I thought this was a YA book. It sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I've been looking at this book for a while and your enlightening review has tipped the scales? I'd love to win this contest!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Kate aka YzhaBella
http://yzhabellasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
Sounds like a very interesting read!
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover. Great review. I have been dying to read this. It sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteLooks like such an awesome read!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw this book I wasn't really sure if it is worth reading. However I might have to change my mind after reading your review. The story sounds dark and edgy which is sometimes hard to find in urban fantasy. Thanks for the review. I'll definitely be giving it a try!
ReplyDeleteI love this cover and premise. I'm determined to get the book...although I don't know when. Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds very interesting. Love the trailer :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review...looking forward to reading this book
ReplyDeleteI found this book a while back on the publishers website and of course the cover is what got my attention!
ReplyDeleteBut I more so want to read this now that I've read your review!
Thank you for sharing!
Glad to hear you stuck with it despite the language barrier. I've heard good things about this one. Thanks for the review
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and the heads up letting me know what I'm in for regarding the language.
ReplyDeleteGreat review and this book sounds really awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good. It has a creative title and a beautiful cover. Sounds great from your review. Maybe it will be something different. The heroine sounds really strong which is a nice change.
ReplyDeleteI like the quote. Thanks for this interesting review!
ReplyDeleteVampire books are by far my favorite, and that's not just because of the Twilight craze going on right now... This looks like a great addition to the vampire shelf on my bookcase lol.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote. It pushed my empathy button.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post. I look forward in reading Ms. White's works. I love discovering "new" authors.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Tracey D