Fallen has a very vivid world populated with interesting characters. I did find the female characters to be much more dimensional than the male characters-- I really liked the love/hate relationship between Emma and the herbalist who sets out to help her use her gift. I found Arthur to be borderline abusive at times. His possessiveness of Emma really bothered me and I kept expecting either that he would snap or Emma would leave him. All in all, I enjoyed watching the characters develop in their new world, especially seeing the children mature and find their own places among the survivors.
My Recommendation
While Fallen by Traci Slatton is not a deeply philosophical (or dark) look at the apocalypse, it is a nice read. In the backdrop of a ruined society, the characters shine through, trying to make the most of their new world and find their place in it.
Fallen by Traci Slatton
Published by Telemachus Press
242 pages
Fallen by Traci Slatton is available at Amazon.com
My free review copy of Fallen was provided by the publisher.