Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

I don't normally do book reviews, but this particular book has bothered me, I will explain at the end. Being an indie author myself, I understand the dedication and hard work it takes to put our work out there by ourselves.

The Fallen Star

Here is the premise:


For eighteen year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. Up until recently, she has been incapable of feeling emotion. And when she’s around Alex, the gorgeous new guy at school, she can feel electricity that makes her skin buzz. Not to mention the monsters that haunt her nightmares have crossed over into real-life. 

But with Alex seeming to hate her and secrets popping up everywhere, Gemma’s life is turning into a chaotic mess. Things that shouldn’t be real suddenly seem to exist. And as her world falls apart, figuring out the secrets of her past becomes a matter of life and death. 


First, you must understand, I love to read. But with the constraints between my own writing, work, family and life in general, my reading has fallen behind. I was trying to promote my book on Amazon for free for a few days and spotted this and thought since I had just finished writing a chapter, I would take a needed break.



So here goes with my first critique on a book:


I enjoyed The Fallen Star very well, enough that I didn't put it down until I was finished. It was a light read for me, so it only took me a few hours last night. I cuddled on my couch with my blanket and read it via my ipod, such a lovely gadget. There were a few grammatical errors, but not enough to warrant a tirade, also another thing I understand as a fellow indie author. Sometimes our eyes don't catch everything. Most will say to hire an editor, and to that I say we can't all afford it. Like I said, the errors were only a few that I spotted. Ms. Sorensen also kept the spark between Alex and Gemma. In away, it was if you were the one tingling with the heat between them. As for the plot, I often kept thinking, "Surely, this girl isn't that dense." Of course, the author could have meant for her to be. Gemma had just "woke up" out of a life where she never felt emotion. And eventually, she did get it. But for me to keep thinking that, sort of pulled me out of the book a little.


Okay, so here is what I didn't like. The end left me feeling let down or maybe betrayed is the better word. Why? It's the end of the book. The sexual tension is still there, it is never fully accepted between the characters and someone doesn't have the gumption to stand up for Gemma. He lets Gemma down, and yes, after you read it, you might ask... what else could he have done? But that leads to the way it was ended. A cliff hanger. Like watching an end of the television series to keep you waiting for the next season. Yes, it may cause me to buy her next book eventually when I have time. Just because I want to know what happens next. But I like books that end the story in one book. So what if it is a series. A little suspense can be left without you going, what? Take Harry Potter or Twilight for example. They are series plots but each book ends neatly, even while knowing another is out there to read. My own is a series, but I have ended the story within the book with the next one a whole new story. At least I hope others think so after this little rant. 


So there you have it. If you don't mind the cliff hanger, then I do suggest The Fallen Star. If I had to give it a "star", then 4 stars. Only because I don't like to be left saying "what?".