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Book Review: Teardrop – Lauren Kate


teardropTeardrop
Author: Lauren Kate
Series: Teardrop #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD

Summary:

Never, ever cry…
Eureka Boudreaux’s mother drilled that rule into her daughter years ago. But now her mother is gone, and everywhere Eureka goes he is there: Ander, the tall, pale blond boy who seems to know things he shouldn’t, who tells Eureka she is in grave danger, who comes closer to making her cry than anyone has before.
But Ander doesn’t know Eureka’s darkest secret: ever since her mother drowned in a freak accident, Eureka wishes she were dead, too. She has little left that she cares about, just her oldest friend, Brooks, and a strange inheritance – a locket, a letter, a mysterious stone, and an ancient book no one understands. The book contains a haunting tale about a girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea – and something about the story is uncannily familiar.
Eureka is about to discover that the ancient tale is more than a story, that Ander might be telling the truth…and that her life has far darker undercurrents than she ever imagined.
From Lauren Kate comes an epic sage of heart-stopping romance, devastating secrets, and dark magic…a world where everything you love can be washed away.

 
First Sentence: So this was it: Dusky amber sunset.

My Review:

I’ve heard a lot of things about Lauren Kate’s books – a lot of bad things to be more specific. Here and there, I’ve seen my friends review Fallen and was scared of what I’ve seen. An idiotic heroine, a stalker, no plot, and insta-love all in one book (Fallen)? I mean, I was still curious about the Fallen series, but reading all those other reviews on it would surely influence my opinion once I actually read it, so in the end, I decided that no thanks, I’ll rather avoid it. However, when I heard about Teardrop right before BEA, I decided to give it a chance because hey, things can change right? Surely maybe Lauren Kate would learn from all the criticisms and write a better book right? As I find out later, no. It turns out that Teardrop is full of cliches and has a pretty similar storyline to Fallen (from what I saw from Fallen reviews).

“Eureka, you’re in danger.”
The way he said it, a reluctant rush of words, made Eureka pause. His eyes look wild and worried. He believed what he’d just said. (227)

The cover of Teardrop angers me. Before I actually held the book in my hands, I thought it was quite pretty on-screen. I loved the way the cover designers made the girl’s dress out of water to match the title of the book…until I received the book from the library and saw it face to face. Simply put, the body proportions of the cover model on the cover of Teardrop is wrong. There is so way the cover model’s waist could be that skinny when her arms are that size. The cover model’s legs are also pretty much non-existent in that water dress. Way to send girls the wrong message.

Right from the very second page, there is love. This guy has to choose between saving the world or saving the girl. From that moment on, I was wary. (Hint: If you have a choice to save the world or save your love and doom everyone else, save the world. It’s the only unselfish thing to do guys.) As if it wasn’t cliche enough, the guy has to kill her. Two pages later, that character also admits to stalking the heroine throughout the heroine’s life, ever since she was born. Along the way while he was stalking her, he fell desperately in love with her, but knew that their love can never be. Ladies and gentlemen, this guy’s name is Ander and he’s one of Eureka’s love interests. (This is the part where you guys applaud in case you don’t know.)

He knew everything about her. He would ace any exam on her complexities. He had been watching her since the leap day she was born. All of the Seedbearers had. He had been watching her since before he or she could speak. They had never spoken.
She was his life. (4-5)

Eureka isn’t much better. When she first meets Ander, right after he wrecks her car, she tears up. Ander captures her tear and presses it against his right eye, where it disappears. Is it only me, but won’t you also be freaked out when a stranger appears out of nowhere and does that to you when you tear up? I’ll be running away from him, screaming bloody murder all the way home. Or maybe I’ll just call 911 right there in front of him. But no, Eureka stays there and is flattered. To make matters even worse like this is not bad enough already, Eureka realizes and is scared that Ander is continuously stalking her, but feels regretful when she has to report him to the police. What is this logic?!

As if Teardrop isn’t bad enough so far, a love triangle is introduced later on in the book. This time, there is a guy named Brooks who is Eureka’s childhood friend, but surprise surprise, he has loved her all along. How cliche. But of course, Eureka prefers the dark, stalking, dangerous boy to the childhood friend that has always been there for her. Obviously. Why? Well, you can’t forget another cliche, insta-love. For some weird, unknown reason, instead of liking the childhood friend who has always been there for her, Eureka loves Ander when she barely knows him. Ahem, let me correct that statement, Eureka barely knows anything about him except for the fact that he lies and is constantly stalking her. I guess those are qualities she likes in a guy? As if things can’t get even worse than it already is, Eureka herself realizes that she hardly knows Ander, but she loves him anyway.

Unexpectedly, the phrase I love you sprinted to the tip of her tongue. She swallowed hard to keep it back. It was the trauma talking, not real emotion. She hardly knew him. But the urge to voice those words wouldn’t go away. (434)

Now let’s not forget about the character who’s always there to hate on the main character because of a boy. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, we can’t forget about the pretty, gorgeous, Maya Cayce who lives for the sole purpose of hating on Eureka because she’s friends with Maya’s love, Brooks. That’s the only reason why Maya exists – to hate and bully Eureka. That is literally the only way I can describe Maya; she lives to torture and hate on Eureka. Otherwise, Maya basically has no personality.

The same goes for Cat, Eureka’s best friend. There are basically two and only two adjectives I could use to describe Cat: boy-crazy and gutsy. That’s it. I named her entire personality with two words. Whenever Cat appears in Teardrop, she’s either a) comforting Eureka and protecting her from the oh-so-evil Maya or b) going crazy over her making-boy-fall-in-love-with-her plan.

She was a senior, a roller-skater, a rumored Wiccan, a transcender of all cliques, a contralto in the choir, a state-champion equestrian, and she hated Eureka Boudreaux.
“Maya.” Eureka nodded but didn’t slow down. (68)

The characters weren’t the only thing I had a trouble with in Teardrop – I also had a problem with the writing. Lauren Kate’s writing is chunky and doesn’t flow quite well. Sometimes I’ll just snap out of reading a page because of her writing. There are just so many unnecessary words and phrases used. It just feels like the words would never, ever, end. (See what I did there?)

The most annoying thing of all was the fact that Lauren Kate loves to talk about each aspect of her character’s outfits and looks in slow, agonizing detail. I mean, I get how important it is to know how a character looks like because several authors have made that mistake before, but on the other hand, I also don’t need to know everything about how the characters looks like from their hair style to what shoes they’re currently wearing at that moment.

Maya Cayce had a voice as deep as a teenage boy’s…Maya Cayce was extraordinary, with thick, dark hair that hung in loose waves all the way down to her waist. She was notorious for her fast clip down the hallways at school, her surprising, slender grace thanks to legs that stretched for decades. Her smooth, bright skin bore ten of the most intricately beautiful tattoos Eureka had ever seen – including a braid of three different feathers running down her forearm, a small cameo-style portrait of her mother on her shoulder, and a peacock inside a peacock feather underneath her collarbone – all of which she’d designed herself and had done at a place called Electric Ladyland in New Orleans. (68)

Do you see what I mean? Everything about the looks of the characters is written in deep, painful, extraordinary detail.

Now let’s focus on the lack of plot in Teardrop, or, in other words, the romance overshadows the plot. About 386 pages are filler pages – the stalking, the so-called romance, the love triangle, the bullying, the suicide aftermath, and the family drama. Things finally get interesting in the last 60 or so pages of the book, but by then, it’s too little, too late.

Overall, compared with some Fallen reviews I’ve read on Goodreads, I can see some major similarities between Fallen and Teardrop. Simply put, they both have: stalking, insta-love, no plot, and weak characters. I can’t personally say anything about the writing of Fallen because I haven’t read it, but I do know that as authors write more books, their writing improves, so I doubt Teardrop‘s writing is any better than Fallen‘s.

Overall, there is no doubt that I would not recommend Teardrop to anyone, unless you like Fallen or any of the other aspects of Teardrop that I have mentioned in my review. I mean, I’m sure Lauren Kate is a really nice person in real life like one of my friends have mentioned and I’m glad that she has the author career she’s always been aiming for (I read about that in the Q&A portion at the back of the book), but her books just aren’t really my style.

onepointfive

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 11-06-13 · 58 Comments
Categories: 2013 book, book review Tagged: 1.5 star

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Speak Your Mind

  1. Joy (Joyousreads) says

    11-06-13 at 9:46 AM

    Oh yikes. Ugh. I just bought this book. I really must read reviews first before going to the bookstore. Cheesy, much? Hmmm what to do with my copy?
    Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 92My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-06-13 at 11:34 AM

      Ha ha, maybe you can still return it? Or donate it?
      But who knows, maybe you’ll like this one a lot better than I did. o:
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Teardrop – Lauren KateMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Mel@thedailyprophecy says

    11-06-13 at 10:10 AM

    If someone would take my tear and presses it’s to it’s cheeks, I would indeed run away screaming. That’s just so bizarre! I wasn’t a fan of Fallen and it seems like this book has many things in common – not interested to see that all over again.. Picking love over saving the world *sigh*

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-08-13 at 4:40 PM

      Ha ha, Ander took it even one step further, he presses her tear into his EYE. I’ll be doing bodily harm by then.
      I was HOPING this one would be different from what I’ve heard about Fallen, but alas, it looks like it isn’t. :l
      I know. Like you can survive alone in the world with your loved one. Who is going to conduct electricity? Grow your food? Make your clothing? Help you when there’s a flood/hurricane/earthquake?
      Kelly recently posted…Updates + The Search For A Co-Blogger Or A Guest ReviewerMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Lillie Moss says

    11-06-13 at 10:37 AM

    Great review! This is exactly how I felt when I was reading the book. I totally agree with you with that stalking and insta-love thing. It was such a frustrating read!!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 12:29 PM

      Thanks Lillie! :D
      I’m glad you agree – Teardrop was indeed a frustrating read! Stalking and insta-love in books definitely turns me off.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  4. Sandra @Sandra's World of Books says

    11-06-13 at 11:54 AM

    I had really expected more of this book. I really was looking forward to reading it. Thanks for you review though! I will still read it, but might not immediately buy it!
    Sandra @Sandra’s World of Books recently posted…I Am Pusheen the Cat – Claire BeltonMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 12:51 PM

      Yeah, I was hoping that Teardrop would be better than what I saw other people said it was.
      Hopefully you’ll like this one better than I did Sandra. I wouldn’t wish my frustration with this book on anyone.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  5. Susan T. says

    11-06-13 at 1:05 PM

    I just won this book and it does look pretty on my shelf! :) After reading your review I’m not at all excited about reading it but since I have it I suppose I’ll at least give it a try.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 12:54 PM

      Ha ha, the spine of Teardrop will look pretty on your shelf. ;D
      I hope you’ll like this one better than I did Susan. Hopefully you won’t have the same issues with it that I did.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  6. Hillary R. says

    11-06-13 at 1:55 PM

    Ever since I found out about Teardrop, I knew I had to read it. I really liked Kate’s first series the Fallen series and I miss those characters dearly. I really liked how she ended that story. Now I’m ready to continue following her new stories and I can’t wait to read this one. The concept of the story intrigues me and I’m hoping I’ll like it as much as I did her previous series. I know you didn’t really like it, but sometimes people just have different tastes in certain books. I’m pretty sure this will be one of the very few books that we don’t share tastes in :p

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 1:00 PM

      Ha ha, of course I know people have different tastes when it comes to books. This happens all the time. ;D
      I’m really happy that you like Lauren Kate’s Fallen series and I hope you’ll like Teardrop too! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  7. Kimberly says

    11-06-13 at 3:50 PM

    I actually liked the first book in the Fallen series, but after that it went down hill fast. The second was just really annoying and the third book, holy crap, the third book would never END. I skipped about 200 + pages just to get to the end. It just wouldn’t end.
    And after reading this review and some other negative reviews I’ve seen I’m glad I didn’t get this book. I was just at my local bookstore and I had this book in my hand debating on getting it or not. Now I’m glad I didn’t. I just can never really like a book where the main love interest stalked the MC.
    Great review :D
    Kimberly recently posted…October Wrap-UpMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 1:08 PM

      Eep, that sounds like such an awful read. I remember suffering through books like that and it was pretty. D:
      Yeah, the reviews for this one ain’t pretty. I should have stayed away from it, but I wanted to give Lauren Kate’s books a chance instead of taking other people’s opinions on her books for granted. I have to admit, it wasn’t a brilliant move. :l
      Looks like you saved some money. ;D
      And stalking in books is NOT hot.
      Thanks Kimberly! :D<3
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  8. Anne C says

    11-06-13 at 7:31 PM

    I haven’t read any of Lauren Kate’s book yet but I admit that I got pretty interested in Teardrop. It seems like an intriguing read but omg, that Ander guy is scary. A stalker, a creepy stalker. Pressing Eureka’s teardrop to his eye?!! That turned me off.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 1:28 PM

      I haven’t read any of Lauren Kate’s books before either. This one was my first one and boy, did Ander scare me off right from the very third chapter when he did that. -shudders-
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  9. Natasha @Primrose Musings says

    11-07-13 at 12:56 AM

    Wow, I’m really going to avoid her book from now on. Thanks for the heads up!
    Natasha @Primrose Musings recently posted…Review: Palace of SpiesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 2:00 PM

      Yeah, Lauren Kate’s books are just not for me. I guess they’re not the books for you either. ):
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  10. barefootmedstudent says

    11-07-13 at 4:03 AM

    Hated Fallen, and I am certain I will hate Teardrop as well. But even the synopsis – heroine who won’t let anyone get close – is so cliched that I’m over it before it even begins. I’m sure that thousands of girls will love it again, though. Your review is very thorough, well done. It really bothers me when people say a book is bad but they don’t substantiate it. Good work!
    barefootmedstudent recently posted…Book Review: The Devil Wears ScrubsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 2:09 PM

      When I read the synopsis of Teardrop, my first thought was are you serious? Then I predicted three plot twists that would happen and they all came true. -sigh-
      Ha ha, I’m glad to hear that my review is very thorough! I was planning on adding more quotes from the book to prove my point, but then, I’ll be basically quoting from the whole book.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  11. Jessi @ Auntie Spinelli Reads says

    11-07-13 at 12:40 PM

    Damn, I was hoping this one would be better than Fallen. (Which was awful by the way, don’t let curiosity get the best of you.) But it just sounds like a train wreck of everything I hate in books. Which is really disappointing, because I kind of wanted to read it. Not anymore!
    The cover IS awkward! The way she’s standing and the tiny proportion of her body bothers me and takes away from the beauty of the cover.
    “They’d never spoken. She was his life.” Wow. That right there is enough to make me never, ever want to read this book. I hate instalove, I hate love triangles (with very few exceptions like Unravel Me and Splintered), and I hate cliche characters and romance. I will be staying far, far away from this one!
    Jessi @ Auntie Spinelli Reads recently posted…Novel Thoughts: False AdvertisingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 2:16 PM

      I’ve seen and read enough Fallen reviews to scare me off it for a lifetime! And now, Teardrop has done its job too. I’m too scared to touch any copy of Teardrop now.
      I KNOW. The cover can still be pretty with a cover model with a normal waistline. You don’t need to photoshop her body until it’s nearly non-existent.
      Sadly, this insta-love doesn’t make you swoon or cheer. It makes you gag and want to run away and call 911 for help. (That creepy Ander teardrop scene, I still can’t get it out of my mind. I want it to go away. D:)
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

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  12. Romi says

    11-07-13 at 5:51 PM

    Oh, the photoshop on the cover is definitely something that would frustrate me to no end. I think it’s upsetting that photoshop in the industry is coming into books as well- though I hardly think they haven’t been here for a long time, I just haven’t seen that many books where I’ve noticed, which is perhaps the worser thing.

    Sorry this really didn’t work for you- I briefly tried Fallen, though only got a few pages and it never interested me all that much, and this definitely doesn’t sound like my kind of thing, either. Hope your next read it/was better!
    Romi recently posted…Fortunately… the milk by Neil Gaiman.My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 2:22 PM

      People have been using photoshop for everything these days. I don’t mind that they use it – I just mind when they use it and the results are SO unrealistic.
      If you can’t get through Fallen, I doubt you’ll like Teardrop either, although I can’t really say for sure since I haven’t read Fallen.
      And my next read is definitely better, Of Beast and Beauty is SO good. ;D<3
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  13. Meg says

    11-08-13 at 5:01 AM

    If you’d read the Fallen series, your criticisms of it might have some credibility. But you just followed others’ opinions, afraid to think for yourself. If you were a heroine in a YA novel, you’d hate yourself.

    Teardrop is amazing. Your attempts to dismiss it still made it sound awesome. I want to avoid whatever books you like.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-08-13 at 4:27 PM

      First, of all, I’m not afraid to think for myself. I avoid Fallen like its the plague because I’m SMART. I don’t want to waste MY precious time reading a book that I’m sure NOT to like. Unlike you, googling for random Teardrop/Lauren Kate reviews or something like that (your fallen____@gmail.com email & how else do you explain that the first time you comment on my blog, you automatically comment on THIS review? proves my point), I need to use my time to study and the rest of my time leftover to read books that I would actually like. But if you want me to read Fallen, then okay. I’ll be GLAD to read it. Just don’t go screaming BLOODY MURDER! or something of that sort when I agree with what other reviewers have said about Fallen and ended up disliking it.
      And NO WHERE in my review have I criticized Fallen. The criticisms of Fallen that appear in my review are all taken from other reviews written by other reviewers like I’ve stated CLEARLY in my review. I’m sure the other thousands of users on goodreads who HAVE read Fallen and absolutely hated it ARE creditable, right? And please note this, this is a review of TEARDROP not Fallen.
      Sorry, but if i was a YA heroine, I won’t be hating myself; I’ll be LOVING myself. I’ll be going around calling myself SMART, especially to avoid a book that THOUSANDS of people absolutely HATED, including 99% of all the book reviewers I absolutely trust. I’ll rather use my time to discover books I’ll actually love than to read a book I’m destined to dislike, won’t you agree? (:
      When have I ever dismissed Teardrop because I HIGHLY doubt writing a review on the book itself is dismissing the book. In fact, I gave it a fair chance like any other book I’ve read and reviewed. Just because I don’t like Teardrop as much as you obviously do doesn’t mean that I’m dismissing it. In the future, try to find a better word for what you’re trying to say.
      And feel free to avoid whatever books I like, it’s obvious right here and now that we have totally different opinions on books. But unlike you, I’m not trying to bash the other person for hating on their favorite book.
      My advice to you? Breathe Fallen fan, breathe.
      Kelly recently posted…Updates + The Search For A Co-Blogger Or A Guest ReviewerMy Profile

      Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 12:48 PM

      A reply for your other comment: Nowhere in my review did I bash Fallen or Teardrop. Using what others said/criticized about Fallen is NOT bashing a book. Maybe you need to look up that word in the dictionary to understand how to use it correctly? I’m sure dictionary.com exists for reasons like this one.
      And as for your statement “why take the time to bash a book on your own website? being a bitch just feels good? why don’t you write about what you like?” – first of all, this is MY blog. I can do whatever I want in MY blog. It’s MY personal space. Second, I spent AT LEAST six hours reading and taking notes about Teardrop, not effortlessly because Teardrop was just horrible and just not the book for me. That’s SIX HOURS of my life I’ll never get back. I might as well get something out of it, called writing a review of what I think of it. Some people also actually value my opinion and just don’t bash me or call me a “bitch” just because they disagree with me and my opinion.
      I’ve tried to be civil with you Meg, but calling me and my friends a “bitch” for no reason is pushing it too far. If this continues, I’ll be blocking you.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

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  14. Meg says

    11-08-13 at 2:55 PM

    And, by the way, maybe you should put some effort into your reading. Why would anyone take seriously a reviewer whose very website name proclaims she refuses to try?

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-08-13 at 4:36 PM

      Hi again! I’m glad you came back to my blog 9 hours later just to attack me on my blog name on the same exact post where you bashed me and my review. :D
      If you even BOTHERED to look up what effortlessly means, you would know that my website name doesn’t proclaim that I “refuse to try.” Hey, I’ll even do the work for you.
      Taken from dictionary.com: effortless – 1. requiring or involving little effort; [because it’s] easy.
      If you still don’t get my blog name, I’ll even explain to you it even one step further: my blog name Effortlessly Reading means that it’s easy for me to read; when I read, I don’t struggle with it like other people do, reading comes naturally to me. It doesn’t mean I don’t put any effort into my reading.
      But hey, at least you learned something new today from all this! :D
      Kelly recently posted…Updates + The Search For A Co-Blogger Or A Guest ReviewerMy Profile

      Reply
      • Meg says

        11-08-13 at 5:09 PM

        Making my point for me, lazy hater. Hate on and laze on.

        Reply
        • Nova Lee @ Musings of a Blogder says

          11-08-13 at 8:43 PM

          I know I’m a book nerd and I spend my time reading books and not much else, but you seriously need to get a life. Your opinions are invalid because no one cares about it but that doesn’t make it any less rude. How about you accept others’ opinion; I mean, we’d accept yours if you weren’t being rude about it.
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        • Kelly says

          11-08-13 at 8:50 PM

          How am I the hater? You attacked my blog name and made fun of it. All I did was politely explain to you why you were wrong about it. I was completely civil with you, but I can’t really say that about you.
          And how am I “lazy?” Taking the time to reply to a comment is certainly not lazy in my book.
          Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Of Beast And Beauty – Stacey JayMy Profile

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        • Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat says

          11-08-13 at 9:17 PM

          Troll – n. A person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a forum, chat room, or blog), either accidentally or with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
          Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat recently posted…Review: Thornhill by Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

          Reply
          • Meg says

            11-09-13 at 12:28 PM

            Kelly: effortlessly bashing a book you clearly didn’t even read = lazy

            Nova Lee: it’s so obvious that everyone’s “entitled” to their own opinion that it’s moronic for you to point it out. what you object to me voicing my opinion.

            Jessi: your definition applies to Effortlessly’s effortlessly idiotic review. ask yourself: why take the time to bash a book on your own website? being a bitch just feels good? why don’t you write about what you like?

          • Nova Lee @ Musings of a Blogder says

            11-09-13 at 12:46 PM

            This “Meg” person is calling ME moronic? Meg, you’re funny. Go troll somewhere else. You’re obsolete.

          • Nikki says

            11-09-13 at 7:48 PM

            OH GODDAMMIT NOW I NEED TO JUMP IN.

            So here’s the thing about blogging–we’re honest in our reviews. We do not bash. We can be snarky, but that’s us. WE have a right to our opinion and YOUR statement that she was bashing a book can be yours–as long as you don’t state it in such a rude way. Sure a review can be a little abrasive, but it’s different from directly insulting the person. Be civil, be polite.

            If authors accept negative reviews, why don’t you do it too? After all, if you love Lauren Kate so much, just do what she does and IGNORE THE REVIEW if you have to. No need to go on and on about someone’s BLOG NAME that has nothing to do with the topic in question.

            And to YOUR replies to Nova and Jessi’s:
            We’re not objecting to your opinion. We’re objecting to HOW you state your opinion which is a totally different matter.

            We’re told by publishers to give AN HONEST REVIEW as long as we REVIEW IT. They send us review copies to get an HONEST REVIEW, not a positive one. And we can’t force ourselves to love every review book.

            And Kelly probably did read it. You can’t say that she didn’t read it when she listed all the points proving how she read it. And if your review is similar to others, then it’s just a common opinion, not necessarily a copied or pressured one.

            Kelly also states at the end of her review that the book was not her style–so she’s admitting there that others may love it, but if they typically have the same opinions as her on books then it’s best to stay away.
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          • Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat says

            11-09-13 at 9:45 PM

            Hey Meg, I was referring to YOU as the troll, and I’m sure you aren’t so ignorant to not get that. I’d love to ask you the same thing…does being a bitch feel good? Because that’s what you’re doing by degrading Kelly and her blog. Never once did Kelly ‘bash’ the author. She stated clearly why she did not like the book. You are obviously not a book blogger, because you don’t understand the concept of book blogging. We state our opinion on a book, the good and the bad. It’s called honesty, not being a bitch. Being a bitch would be saying ‘Lauren Kate is a useless lump of flesh and should stop trying to write novels.’ Disclaimer: No, I do not think Lauren Kate is a useless lump of flesh that should stop trying to write novels. But that is the perfect example of what ‘bashing’ would actually be. I’m not calling you an idiot, but the way you are approaching this is extremely idiotic. Not to mention ignorant and immature. Not everyone will like the same thing as you do. It’s called human nature. Are you saying that nobody besides yourself should have an opinion? It would be in your best interest to leave well enough alone and act like an adult instead of a bratty twelve year old.
            Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat recently posted…Novel Thoughts: Bad Reactions to Negative ReviewsMy Profile

  15. Brianna's Bookish Confessions says

    11-08-13 at 4:44 PM

    Aww, I’m super nervous about this book now! I have not read anything by Lauren Kate yet simply because of the ratings her books get. I’ve heard a lot of negative things about the Fallen series, but I still wanted to figure out if I liked it or not. I also have had my eye on this book for a while now, I’m really sad to hear that it wasn’t all that great. It sounded really interesting and a lot better than the Fallen series.
    By the way, I LOVE your blog!! :)
    Brianna’s Bookish Confessions recently posted…Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh MafiMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-09-13 at 2:57 PM

      I was exactly like you – I avoided Lauren Kate’s books because of all the horrible reviews it had gotten, until I saw Teardrop and was like why not give it a chance? That happened to be a big mistake for me. :l
      Thank you Brianna! That means a lot to me! :D<3
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]My Profile

      Reply
  16. Lou says

    11-14-13 at 4:40 AM

    i thought fallen was great but i didn’t finished it at all. i don,t know but maybe her books are not just for me. It’s a good thing i happened to read this because just like you, i felt, was hoping that maybe teardrops is way better than fallen which i read, um the first three books and never wanted to read the last one..

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-24-13 at 3:45 PM

      Hmm, maybe in your case your taste in books changed? Like the more books you read, the more things you learn, the more picky you are about them,
      Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature YALLFest Special Edition Thanks To The Amazing JessiMy Profile

      Reply
  17. Hanna @ Booking In Heels says

    11-21-13 at 2:41 PM

    I love this review. I thought I was going crazy when all I could see were glowing reviews about Teardrop and the literary masterpieces of Lauren Kate. I just finished writing my review and I pretty much LOATHED this book – there’s absolutely nothing to recommend it. For me it was Eureka’s melodrama that really did it – I wanted to beat her over the head with the damn book.

    New follower :) Found you by searching for a Teardrop review to link to – if you want me to take down the link though, just let me know.
    Hanna @ Booking In Heels recently posted…Review: Teardrop by Lauren KateMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-24-13 at 3:48 PM

      Thank you Hanna! :D
      Ha ha, glowing reviews about Teardrop and it being a literary masterpiece? Where? -looks around goodreads-
      OH YES. I just LOVED that moment where Brooks broke Eureka’s heart by telling her the truth. I’m like GO BOY TELL HER HOW SHE IS!
      Don’t worry, it’s okay to link to me. I don’t mind. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature YALLFest Special Edition Thanks To The Amazing JessiMy Profile

      Reply
  18. Hanna @ Booking In Heels says

    11-24-13 at 3:41 PM

    That Meg girl is an absolute treasure, isn’t she? I got similar comments on my review too – apparently I’m either lying or ‘unaware how much I love what I say I hate.’

    Apparently my review was also written entirely to support you. God forbid that somebody actually dislike the book without conspiring with another blogger.
    Hanna @ Booking In Heels recently posted…Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh MafiMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      11-24-13 at 3:52 PM

      Ha ha, she wrote even more comments that didn’t make sense at all, and like I warned her, I labelled them as “spam.” She hasn’t been back since (I think – unless she’s secretly stalking this review).
      Oh yes. We LOVE to bash books, conspire, and share the hate. We read books just to hate on them. (I’m being REALLY sarcastic if people can’t tell. :P)
      And if your review was entirely written to support me, you should also add an extra paragraph about my awesomeness. -wink wink-
      Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature YALLFest Special Edition Thanks To The Amazing JessiMy Profile

      Reply
  19. Amanda @ Books for Thought says

    12-04-13 at 7:16 PM

    Definitely going to push this one back on my Reading list! I think I will save this as a mindless summer read! I have many more books of substance that I would rather read and focus on for now. I am very wary of the love triangle too! I am getting so sick of love triangles appearing in every book I read lately. I mean I think it is the next fad, after vampires of course. While I did enjoy the Fallen series, I will be putting this one off as it seems to be almost the same thing. Thanks for the very informative review!!
    Amanda @ Books for Thought recently posted…The Carrie Diaries: by Candace BushnellMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      1-05-14 at 8:58 PM

      About 75% of all books have a love triangle nowadays, especially when they aren’t needed. In fact, I know a book that could have been REALLY good and one of my top favorite books of all time if the author didn’t include a love triangle that overshadowed the plot.
      From what I can tell, Fallen is 90% similar to Teardrop.
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren MorrillMy Profile

      Reply
  20. Jaime Lester says

    12-27-13 at 11:57 PM

    I am among the few who actually enjoyed the Fallen series, so I was looking forward to this one. But I have heard so many bad things about it, I am a little nervous. I don’t think I will let it keep me from at least trying it out, though. I hate not giving books a chance because of bad reviews, I just know going into it to be very wary!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      1-05-14 at 9:03 PM

      Well, if you don’t mind reading another book that’s very similar to the Fallen series, then you’ll probably love reading Teardrop, so don’t worry Jaime! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren MorrillMy Profile

      Reply
  21. Joanna V says

    12-29-13 at 11:24 PM

    Holy crap. I’m sorry you had to deal with that Meg character o.o
    For what it’s worth, it makes sense to mention what you’ve heard about her Fallen series. It’s completely valid in my opinion. I liked Fallen okay, but each book after that got worse and worse until I didn’t read the last book. You’re doing yourself a huge favor by staying away from it.
    As for Teardrop, I was hoping it would be different. I was hoping I would like this one. But I’m not going to put in the effort if it’s going to be like Fallen, you know?
    So thank you for the review. Sorry you didn’t like it, but I can’t say I’m surprised o.o
    Have a good day!
    Joanna V recently posted…Wolfie Wonderings (1)My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      1-05-14 at 9:05 PM

      Ha ha, yeah. I tried my best to remain civilized and polite.
      Yeah, I figured. I mean, I’m not spending a majority of my reading time reading a book others hated when I know that there’s a 95% chance that I’ll hate it too.
      Teardrop is sadly like Fallen with the stalker, the love triangle, the one dimensional characters, etc.
      Have a great day yourself Joanna! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren MorrillMy Profile

      Reply
  22. Nina says

    1-03-14 at 5:01 AM

    Yikes! I was thinking of buying this book because I keep seeing it in the local bookstores but after I read your review,I think I change my mind..
    Nina recently posted…Bookish Resolution + January TBR!My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      1-05-14 at 9:44 PM

      I STRONGLY recommend you borrowing Teardrop from the library first Nina. After that, if you like it, you can buy it knowing that you liked it. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren MorrillMy Profile

      Reply
  23. Lexie says

    1-04-14 at 11:36 PM

    I read this book and liked it but I see your point in a lot of things you stated as well. Unlike your other “little friend” who was bashing YOU, I’ve politely stated my opinion. I was hoping to use this book for my book talk but I’m a bit nervous to do so now. Perhaps if people don’t like it I can simply state that everyone has different tastes like you said. I believe that your writing is very professional as was the way you dealt with the person trying to bring a rise out of you and everyone else. Great job and I hope you find a better book to suit your taste. :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      1-05-14 at 9:47 PM

      I’m glad you liked Teardrop Lexie and thanks for being polite! ;D
      Noo, don’t stop making your book talk! Like you said, everyone has a different opinion when it comes to books and we all respect that except for my “little friend.” I’ll love to hear your opinion. (:
      If you’d like, leave a link for your book talk please! I would love to watch it. :D
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren MorrillMy Profile

      Reply
  24. Emily says

    5-15-14 at 6:03 AM

    Ah! I have this on my review pile… I don’t want to read it now. From what I remember of her other books (Fallen ect) I liked them but I also remember liking twilight when I read it so maybe my memories not the best judge of character!
    Thanks for sharing, great review :)

    ~Mily
    Emily recently posted…Day 4 #boutofbooks ChallengeMy Profile

    Reply
  25. karrie says

    4-02-15 at 12:29 AM

    I did have a tough time getting through it but I didn’t think it was all that bad and I’m going to finish the series just because I like the whole concept. I’m not a fan of fallen though. Hush hush is probably my favorite Angel series.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Monthly Wrap Up: November 2013 says:
    12-02-13 at 9:10 AM

    […] Teardrop by Lauren Kate (Rating: 1.5/5.0) 2. Vicious by Victoria Schwab (Rating: 5.0/5.0) 3. Of Beast and […]

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