Review # 44: Fallen by Traci L. Slatton

Description:

     In this fast-paced post-apocalyptic romance, the Earth is plagued by lethal mists that dissolve all living organisms and metal structures, excluding plants. Anything the mists touch, including humans, becomes a formless dead dust; and most of the human and animal populations have fallen prey.

     Emma and her daughter Mandy have survived the mists, finding food and shelter in whatever places they can. There are several orphaned children in their group, a few with strange gifts that mysteriously manifested when the mists began. Emma can heal someone just by touching them, and one of the children is slightly clairvoyant.

     When a group of men save Mandy from the mists, Emma must decide what is best for the children; traveling with no protection, or joining the new group? So she finds their leader, Arthur, and trades her "affections" for a safe haven.

     Their bargain begins as necessity, trading her womanly goods for food and shelter, but Arthur and Emma eventually start to fall for one another. Unfortunately, as soon as they give in to their desires they are tested. The mists are getting worse, rogue riders are attacking, and the other survivors can't be trusted, especially around Emma and the children. Can Arthur and Emma protect themselves and everyone that's relying on them? Or will the mists claim everyone and everything they love?

Review:

     Fallen definitely had my attention from page one. It is an intense post-apocalyptic action/romance that's so well written you feel like the mists exist; (and you will probably avoid fog after reading). Being a fan of the survival-horror genre, I didn't know how a "survival-romance" would mesh, but Traci Slatton made it work. Her writing style is really descriptive and has a great flow to it; one minute your heart is racing, and the next minute you can't help but smile. The characters, Emma especially, had an authentic quality to them. They weren't just cookie-cutter characters, but 3-dimensional, and the dialogue fit them perfectly. As for the plot, it was very well developed, fast-paced, twisty, unique, and you won't see the ending coming. I personally can't wait for the next book in the trilogy!

Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)

*** I received this book from FSB Associates (Telemachus Press) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.