Title: Teardrop
Author: Lauren Kate
Genre: YA, fantasy
Published: October 22nd
Pages: 441
My rating: 
Find it on Goodreads
“Never, ever cry…
Seventeen-year-old Eureka won’t let anyone close enough to feel her pain. After her mother was killed in a freak accident, the things she used to love hold no meaning. She wants to escape, but one thing holds her back: Ander, the boy who is everywhere she goes, whose turquoise eyes are like the ocean.
And then Eureka uncovers an ancient tale of romance and heartbreak, about a girl who cried an entire continent into the sea. Suddenly her mother’s death and Ander’s appearance seem connected, and her life takes on dark undercurrents that don’t make sense.
Can everything you love be washed away?”
My thoughts
I had real hopes for Teardrop – despite all the bad reviews. I enjoyed the Fallen series despite all it’s negative criticism, so I thought I should give it chance. But sadly, I was disappointed. This wasn’t an amazing read – but it wasn’t awful.
Pretty cover, great grabbing synopsis – everything indicates a possible amazing read. Though there was insta love, some poor character development and motives and I personally think there was a poor portrayal of myths and legends.
First off – I did like the plot idea. It had all the possibilities for twists and turns, flexibility and dramatic climax’s. Though it was poorly carried out. There was hardly any twists, the story stayed fairly stream lined and predictable – like a computerized game of chess. And the climax was as gripping as a sack of unwashed potatoes.
The only character that was developed well was the main character Eureka. Straight from the beginning, we get an understanding of who she is, her personal demons, her motives, her undeniable goal of keeping her emotions under lock and key is clear – and works well with her, uh, “curse”. Though everyone else is a little flat. Even her close friend; as eccentric as Cat is, we have no idea why she is even friends with (). How did their relationship form with someone so emotionally unavailable? Even before her mothers’ death, she is somewhat withdrawn. Same goes with other bestie Noah. This is just some of the plotholes I have within the relationships of Teardrop. More includes weird hatred between Rhoda and Eureka, and what the hell is up with her dad? So much is just unexplained, illogical and not clear.
And to hell with the insta love in this book. How does this emotionally unavailable girl, at her lowest of lowest points of stony unavailability, fall insanely in love with the boy she’s come to know as her wired stalker? Well, we can assume in some part that this “love” is formed from their descendants; who also happen to instantly fall in love at first sight – which we learn from the mythical/legend side of things. Ugh.
The mythical legend of Atlantis is what this story is based around, and we grasp this from a translated fable her mother leaves her with after she dies. This is a really poor modern version of events, in my opinion. I used to love the story of Atlantis as a child – and this book has turned it into something corny and overly dark/evil at the same time. Just torture me more, Kate?
Even though I liked Fallen, I did not enjoy his book nearly as much. What’s sadder is that I can see some similarities between Teardrop and Fallen, such as basing a love story from mythical legends. I believe this was carried out much better in Fallen, and Kate is leaving out some important aspect in Teardrop. Such as mystery, logical connections with the legend and twists that actually suit what is trying to be told.
I don’t entirely not recommend this book – maybe someone else will find it enjoyable and worth loving (such as me and Fallen). But for me this was a case of “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. I’d actually be happy to see anyone who does like this book. Feel free to comment what you think of Teardrop, and any reviews I might like to look at.
Related articles
- Book Review: Teardrop (Teardrop #1) by Lauren Kate (delicateeternity.wordpress.com)
- Lauren Kate: Teardrop (2013) Teardrop Trilogy I (beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.com)
- Book Review: Teardrop, by Lauren Kate (mvlteenvoice.com)
Breezy Reads 
I was disappointed by this book, as well. It had SO MUCH promise, and the entire thing just fell flat for me.
I couldn’t really find anything in this book to fall in love with. None of the characters ‘spoke’ to me, and the story was pretty monotonous.
I agree with you about how friendships formed between Eureka and others when she was so obviously emotionally unstable. I think they call that a plot-hole, right?
Anyway, I enjoyed this review, Brea 😀
Completely agree, sadly. I really just wanted this book to be good!
Haha, yes a plot-hole. Pretty sure nearly wrote “pot-hole” in the post and thought; “wait, no. Aren’t pot holes on roads?” O.o
Glad you liked it!
I wanted it to be good, as well. It had so much promise.
Haha! Yes, pot-holes are in roads 😛 But plot-holes are in books. Or at least they should be. I don’t think I made this up …..
Your not! Haha, I swear I’ve heard it before, too…
It’s a thing, then! 😛
I reviewed it today! Gosh, yes. I was disappointed. I hadn’t read Fallen, but I didn’t know Lauren Kate’s writing was a bit controversial. I went into Teardrop totally unbiased. But it just did. not. click with me at all. The whole fall-in-love-with-a-creepy-stalker is not okay at all. Plus Ander was really flat. He had no pull except for his “gorgeous eyes”. Um, love is a little more then what colour your eyeballs are. *ahem* Anyway
I’m stopping by from Candance’s linkup! Here’s mine!
Yeah, you either love or hate Lauren Kate’s stories. It’s weird, but I just noticed that Fallen and Teardrop are opposites – because in Fallen, there was a great story line that did not let down, but poorly devleoped characters. In Teardrop, the characterization was great! And the plot was promising, but did not perform.
And your right. There’s a lot more to love than eye colour!
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I totally disagree. Teardrop is exquisite. LK takes huge risks and pushes the envelope with her books. 17 years is not “insta-love.” And your attempt at negative criticism (“plot-hole”) is misused–a plot hole is when something *in the plot* in overlooked, doesn’t add up. Your criticism is one of characterization–which doesn’t make sense, either–Eureka only “connects” with outsiders who are as lost and sad as she is.
I appreciate your view, Meg. But I do not appreciate being put down. Please refrain from commenting in this manner in the future. If you have an issue with or offended by what I have posted – email me directly and I’ll correct the problem and look out for it in the future.
In my defence – I believe there are things in the plot over-looked. And a character that can only connect to certain people is undesirable, which is why I commented on it.