Waterfall by Lauren Kate – 2nd in the “Teardrop” Duet
I gave Teardrop only 3 stars (and that was pushing it). There is so much that could be done with the story of Atlantis and felt like Teardrop missed the mark by overshadowing the mythology of Atlantis with teen angst and drama. As well as with an “epic love story” that wasn’t so epic. But, I’m in love with Kate’s “Fallen” series so I just had to give this series (2nd book) a shot. Sad to say, but I was very disappointed with these books; especially the second book. I’m so disappointed because I expected so much more from Lauren Kate and these books.
The concept and premise is unique and there is so much that could’ve been done here but it just failed. There wasn’t enough for me to connect with the characters at all. There’s a feeling of disconnect when reading it. There wasn’t anything to really pull me into the characters or the love story of Eureka and Anders. There was way too much going on and it left the story very confusing. There were times I had to rewind the audiobook and relisten because it jumped around so much from occurrence to occurrence that I felt I’d missed something. The story was good, but not captivating enough to earn more than 2 stars. I keep using the word disappointing but that’s the best way I can describe it. I just expected so much more from Lauren Kate as she is a beautiful writer and storyteller. Although I did find the writing in this book to be almost pretentious at times. Another reader, Hazel, said in their review “The setting for the finale of the book was a complete contrast to what the characters had been exposed to previously.” I can’t add to that; this sentence is a perfect description for my feelings right now.
I live in the New Orleans area, not far from New Iberia and the setting of this book. I don’t think others that aren’t from south Louisiana will feel this way but…. Halfway through the book I thought to myself if she uses south Louisiana food to describe her feelings on something one more time, I’m going to throw this book into a pot of gumbo! And omg please STOP referring to New Iberia and Lafayette. Eureka is from New Iberia. I get it. Move on. All the references to restaurants and other spots told me was that the author spent a couple of weeks in New Iberia and Lafayette. If I made a drinking game where I took a sip of alcohol every time New Iberia, Lafayette, a south Louisiana restaurant, or south Louisiana food was referenced, I would be drunk between ¼ to ½ way through the book. If I managed to do it for the whole book, I would end up with alcohol poisoning and liver damage. It took away from the good aspects of the book. I wanted to hear about Atlantis, not about what restaurants and foods the author loves.
“Sometimes when you try not to repeat your mistakes, you forget that the original mistakes are still unfolding”
Synopsis:
Eureka’s tears have flooded the earth, and now Atlantis is rising, bringing with it its evil king, Atlas. Eureka is the only one who can stop him, but first she must learn how to fight. She travels across the ocean with Cat, her family, and Ander, the gorgeous and mysterious Seed bearer who promises to help her find Solon, an enigmatic lost Seed bearer who knows how to defeat Atlas. Once on land, Eureka is taunted by gossip witches, a group of displaced Atlantean sorceresses, and ambushed by locals struggling to survive amid the destruction her tears have wrought. And she feels no closer to facing Atlas or saving the world when Solon lets slip that love is Ander’s weakness, and that any affection he feels toward her makes him age faster. Trying to make sense of the dark world her sorrow has created, Eureka receives startling insight from an enchanted pond. Her bewildering reflection reveals a soul-crushing secret: if she’s strong enough, Eureka can draw on this knowledge to defeat Atlas—unless her broken heart is just what he needs to fuel his rising kingdom.
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