Scan barcode
chidunn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kyleofbooks's review
3.0
I can't seem to find a reason why it took me so long to finish this one, but... whatever. It's done now.
At times unrelenting in how bleak and dire Callum and Ava's situation is, Brown manages to find so much beauty in this story through (mostly) gorgeous passages where the language transcends the darkest of circumstances. That's where I must give the author credit, because this novel has some truly lovely writing; it was damn-near poetic at times. I was pretty taken with the main characters, as well. They were strong, reliable, resourceful, and (for the most part) good-natured. They were willing to go to whatever lengths they had to to survive, while still maintaining their humanity.
Where this book failed for me, however, is with its redundancy in the plight of our main trio (yes, i count the hrose amon the MC's). There's a lot of 'Stop. Sleep. Wake. Ride', over and over. It got a wee bit boring. If it weren't for the action and the pursuit of their enemies and other vagrants breaking up the tedium, I don't know if I'd have ever finished this one. Also, the "romance" was not altogether believable. It was, without question, 'love-at-first-sight' (in a way), which threw me off. In an instant, Callum is wholly infatuated (entranced?) with Ava? Yeah, okay. I get it, though. She's a great character... Callum, too! I really enjoyed them both. But his initial feelings for her/willing to anything for her (as chivalrous as his intentions were) did not seem convincing to me.
Lastly, in the case of this book, and seeing as it was the harshest of times in which they lived, I could look past the countless moments of violence against animals. I really have a pet peeve when it comes to explicit animal cruelty/violence/death in literature (unless it's absolutely necessary). I know it sounds dumb, but I don't like it. So, in the very last few pages, was it really freakin' necessary to.
So, yeah, screw you for that, Mr. Brown.
In the end, Fallen Land is a well-written and enjoyable read worthy of a one-time ride.
At times unrelenting in how bleak and dire Callum and Ava's situation is, Brown manages to find so much beauty in this story through (mostly) gorgeous passages where the language transcends the darkest of circumstances. That's where I must give the author credit, because this novel has some truly lovely writing; it was damn-near poetic at times. I was pretty taken with the main characters, as well. They were strong, reliable, resourceful, and (for the most part) good-natured. They were willing to go to whatever lengths they had to to survive, while still maintaining their humanity.
Where this book failed for me, however, is with its redundancy in the plight of our main trio (yes, i count the hrose amon the MC's). There's a lot of 'Stop. Sleep. Wake. Ride', over and over. It got a wee bit boring. If it weren't for the action and the pursuit of their enemies and other vagrants breaking up the tedium, I don't know if I'd have ever finished this one. Also, the "romance" was not altogether believable. It was, without question, 'love-at-first-sight' (in a way), which threw me off. In an instant, Callum is wholly infatuated (entranced?) with Ava? Yeah, okay. I get it, though. She's a great character... Callum, too! I really enjoyed them both. But his initial feelings for her/willing to anything for her (as chivalrous as his intentions were) did not seem convincing to me.
Lastly, in the case of this book, and seeing as it was the harshest of times in which they lived, I could look past the countless moments of violence against animals. I really have a pet peeve when it comes to explicit animal cruelty/violence/death in literature (unless it's absolutely necessary). I know it sounds dumb, but I don't like it. So, in the very last few pages, was it really freakin' necessary to
Spoiler
kill off Reiver? I mean, the horse in itself was part of the main trio of characters. And why in Hell kill the horse when there are only a handful of pages left? It was completely unnecessary, especially seeing as how Callum was so close to where he was headed... I knew going into this novel, though, that this was going to happen. Every book in the history of the written word that involves an animal has the animal die at some point. I was just hoping this one would've been different.So, yeah, screw you for that, Mr. Brown.
In the end, Fallen Land is a well-written and enjoyable read worthy of a one-time ride.
lauralovestoread's review
3.0
Fallen Land was one of the books in 2016 that I had to get my hands on, based on the hype of it being one of the best "to-read" books of the year. I loved the historical aspects of reading a book based on the aftermath of the Civil War through the southern states.
Callum, a young horse thief who has banded with a gang of rowdy men, all trying to survive the after effects of the war. Stealing horses, killing just to make it in the world. He meets Ava during one of these raids and they join together on the run, trying to make a place in this new fallen land.
I wish that there had been more details of Ava and Callum instead of the other many details of the scenery on each page, and was surprised I didn't even realize what color Ava's hair was until towards the end of the book. I felt like this book had such potential to be GREAT, but was just good.
Callum, a young horse thief who has banded with a gang of rowdy men, all trying to survive the after effects of the war. Stealing horses, killing just to make it in the world. He meets Ava during one of these raids and they join together on the run, trying to make a place in this new fallen land.
I wish that there had been more details of Ava and Callum instead of the other many details of the scenery on each page, and was surprised I didn't even realize what color Ava's hair was until towards the end of the book. I felt like this book had such potential to be GREAT, but was just good.
mrbadger63's review
3.0
Beautifully written, but mostly plods along aimlessly until it reaches the predictable and convenient turns of its clumsy narrative. Of course it's hard to read this and not consciously compare it to Cold Mountain which it often tries to emulate, but in doing so puts itself in a horribly pale light.
twistinthetale's review
4.0
It is the dying days of the American Civil War and Callum and Ava, upon the back of a great black stallion, find themselves on the run from renegades, a price on their head. Ahead of them, though, the devastation wrought by the retreating and advancing armies. This was a powerful, haunting and violent novel with glimpses enough of love, compassion and beauty. A compelling chase.
elvenavari's review
2.0
A short, easy read...though a lot of it felt really disjointed to me. Things seemed to happen and then there were other things happening but often I wasn't sure how the two connected.
deathprofessor's review
5.0
Fallen Lands is one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a long time. Gripping and tragic, author Taylor Brown perfectly captures the desperation and fear that permeated daily life during the Civil War. The protagonists Callum and Ava are written with such depth that I lost sight of how young they area until moments of perfectly timed weakness that Brown has mastered. I cannot remember the last book before Fallen Lands that made my heart race and stomach drop. I highly recommend this to readers who want a change of pace from the supernatural-dominated teen fiction popular right now. This is a story entrenched in history and full of hardship and terror, but mostly overwhelming regard for life and love.
claudetteb's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the language but the story itself was predictably cruel with the obligatory happy ending. Ici was glad to be finished.
amandacole's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read but I didn't love it. Not bad, but I wanted something more.