Torment by Lauren Kate

Title: Torment
Author: Lauren Kate
Release Date: September 28, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Pages: 464
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Borrowed
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Fallen
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 Stars

It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous.
What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

Okay, so this got a higher score than the first book, and it surprised me as well. Originally I was intending to give it a 3, because the beginning was just like the first book and it made me mad. I could already see that I was going to have to force myself to read the rest of the series but I was hoping it got better, and for the finally, Lauren did not let me down.

This did move a little faster, and there was a little more action in it. But what really got me going was the kiss that Luce shared with Miles and the Thanksgiving scene. I was literally laughing my head off while Luce's parents were oblivious to everything that was really going on. I didn't like that I had to wait almost four hundred pages before things started to happen - again - but I was just happy that it was something good for once.

I felt like Luce was trying a little harder to be independent and I appreciate that fact. She has grown to depend too much on Daniel and that's never good for any woman. I didn't like was Shelby. I felt like a true friend wouldn't lie about what happen with Daniel. It was just too soap operaish for her to be jealous of Luce and I didn't like that Luce would actually believe something happened. I also felt that Miles was trending on ground he shouldn't be. Apparently everyone has heard the story of Luce and Daniel, and this kid was making moves on her...and she was encouraging him. Yikes.

Things were a little clearer and I appreciate that she was finally answering some questions but not enough. The beginning was too "We got a secret but we can't tell you. It's a big secret though, a huge secret, but we still can't tell you." Seriously outdated. We already know something big is happening, she doesn't need Cam and Daniel to be talking in circles.

Am the only one who was seriously confused by Francesca and Steven's relationship? Are they one of the couples to live in the moment and deal with the consequences later or do they just like making things complicated? I understand if your in love, but it doesn't matter if they're in love because they'll just kill each other later. I just don't get it.

The ending surprised me a lot. I totally called Phil out though. I actually felt proud of Luce. Despite being reckless and dangerous, she still did something for herself and she did it without a second thought. Of course Daniel would follow, but that's expected.

Funny and a little more adventures, I'd say this book was a little better then the last, but still not five star material. What would have gotten it a higher score would be if the book had explained more and there would have been less fighting between Luce and Daniel - though secretly I enjoyed those - and if Daniel wasn't such a jerk. I mean, does the guy really expect to order Luce around and she would obey. She was right in her feelings that he was treating her like a misbehaved pet, instead of his girlfriend. In a way, I feel like he had the kiss coming to him.

If you have the time, just fight through the first few hundred pages because you won't regret what happens later on.