The first couple chapters of Torment were okay. They weren't great, and Luce's "I miss Daniel this" and "I miss Daniel that" were annoying, but they weren't horrible. I was able to visualize the San Francisco setting and Shorline easily- a compliment to Lauren Kate's writing style. The writing was good for the first couple chapters; I was very impressed. It went straight downhill from there...
Luce was as irritating as ever. From the start she was sullen, moody and self-centered. I mean, it was eighteen days. EIGHTEEN DAYS people. Why couldn't she just sit the hell down and stop making things difficult for everyone? WHY did she need to be an annoying, self-centered, whiney witch going around complaining about "all that she's been through"?? She meets her roommate - Shelby - in chapter two, and after eight minutes in her company, she could conclude that she 'seemed annoying'. Just because she wasn't a member of the Lucinda Price fanclub.
Daniel (as always) is stiff, dull, and completely flat. He is absolutely one-dimensional; I couldn't see his face or hear his voice. He had no substance- it seemed as if his whole life revolved around Luce and her irritating attitude. I hated the way he ordered her about, hated the way he treated her like a baby, but Luce doesn't exactly show herself as being able to handle basic logic and common sense. Yeah, he's a chauvinist ass, but I can see why he doesn't trust her with this information and I can totally understand why telling her he's an angel in her previous lives has made her die from a brain explosion.
And then there's the Luce and Daniel relationship. They are hands down the most messed up couple I have ever had the misfortune of reading about. I swear every single time he and Luce meet, they fight, end up pissed off at each other, and go their separate ways. Every single freaking time!!! And it's not two or three times, it's like TEN TIMES! And Luce is all confused and frustrated with Daniel so she goes and kisses some other guy. And Daniel sees. OH NO! But wait, it's not a problem. BECAUSE THEN HE DECIDES TO JUST FORGET ABOUT IT AND PRETEND EVERYTHING IS A-OK. ???????????????????????????????? What in the world?????
Moving on from the irritating-as-hell characters, there's the plot/writing. We still haven't been given a real reason for Miss Sophia's attempt on Luce's life. We weren't given any plausible reason as to why the Outcasts want her, either. Apparently, she's the price.
The price for what?
Come ON, Lauren Kate! Give us some damn ANSWERS already! This is becoming ridiculous! Throwing in all these hundreds of random folk who inexplicably want Luce's head on a spike doens't build suspense, it just confuses the plot and the readers. Please, just tell me what the hell is going on.
The end is another brain-crushing qualm, but simply because I don't know how on earth we managed to reach that conclusion. Is Lauren Kate trying to say that the best way to resolve problems is to run away from them? None of my questions were answered, I felt like I was completely in the dark; I sincerely hope that the sequel to this book will have more insight as to what is happening.
I really don't know why I continue reading this series although I hate every single book. Maybe because I am trying to understand what is going on, or I am too drawn to the cliffhangers, I don't know! Fallen was bad, Torment was a bit better, hopefully Passion will be good? Maybe? :)
I LOVE THIS BOOK!! although i think that Daniel can be a little more cooperative by explaining things to her about what's going on and just being there to help her instead of being away and protecting her although that isnt abad idea. Although i really do like the eternal love thing, Miles may just be a better fit for Luce since he's always there for her whenever she needs someone to listen to her.
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