> Skip to content

Article  •  12 May 2016

 

Are you a Fallenatic?

The sure-fire signs you’re obsessed with Lauren Kate’s Fallen series.

Fallenatic: one who is addicted to the consumption of Lauren Kate books; habitual and excessive fascination with angels; Fallen dependency.

Does this sound familiar? The first step to recovery is to identify that you may be suffering from clinically diagnosed Fallenism, for which the only known remedy is a continued healthy dose of reading. So take note Lauren Kate fans: here are the 13 tell-tale symptoms of Fallen dependence.

  1. You’d consider wearing black to your own wedding just for an excuse to finally dress in that Luce-style, tiered ebony ballroom gown with matching lace gloves that you’ve been eyeing on the Fallen covers for years.
  2. Immediately after reading the first book, you were hesitant to kiss your beau for fear that they might spontaneously combust.
  3. Sometimes you catch glimpses of dark shadows out of the corner of your eye, and are convinced that they’re announcers or portals to your countless past lives, which, by the way, you totally have.
  4. You spent a good few hours wondering which side of the scales you would tip, but finally came to the conclusion that gold wings would suit your complexion way better than silver – so demon it is.
  5. Speaking of demons, Cam Briel features prominently in your daydreams, which are all, disturbingly, set in a cemetery and feature the green-eyed dreamboat seductively saying ‘Oh yes, we’re going to brawl, baby. Over you. Again.’ on repeat.
  6. You are so psyched for the Fallen movie that you dream cast ordinary people you encounter in the street for the lead roles. For example, today I met the perfect Arriane at a bus stop and asked if she’d ever consider a career in acting.
  7. You’ve actually tried to submit the word ‘Nephilim’ while playing Words with Friends, only to be met with the infuriating error message, Sorry, Nephilim is not an acceptable word. I’m sure Shelby and Miles would beg to differ.
  8. You’ve considered naming your first born after one of the Fallen characters. Hopefully not Pennyweather Van Sykle Lockwood though, because that is a mouthful.
  9. You can’t visit gothic buildings, or alternatively watch Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, without being reminded of Bill the gargoyle.
  10. You’ve seriously contemplated getting yourself admitted to a reform school, because surely they’re all packed with a hot bunch of deviant angels just like Sword & Cross, right?
  11. All your ex-boyfriends are now referred to as ‘sorry-ass ex-boyfriends’ or SAEBs for short.
  12. After reading the books, you actually attempted to look at your own back in the mirror, in hopes of discovering the scars of an angel. You’ve also most likely cut two identical slits into the back of all your clothes, just on the off chance that your wings decide to unfurl at random one day. You can never be too careful.
  13. You’ve genuinely wondered whether, like Luce, you’ve simply forgotten entire chapters of your own epic, yet tragically damned angel-human love story. Chances are, you’re still waiting on a sign from heaven or to be flipped off by a handsome blonde, purple-eyed angel in a red scarf. Whichever comes first . . . 

Disclaimer: You should not rely on the information in this blog as an alternative to medical advice. If these symptoms persist, see your doctor or healthcare professional.

More features

See all
Article
Letters from Lauren

Fallen author Lauren Kate’s advice for young writers.

Article
Our Dark Unravelling: the gothic revival is upon us

Margot McGovern’s Our Dark Unravelling is the must-read YA horror thriller for 2026.

Article
Discover Protector of Beyond, the blockbuster new fantasy series

Magical creatures, perilous trials and one unbelievable adventure await in Protector of Beyond, the first book in a gripping new fantasy book series from exciting new voice Shara Curlett.

Article
20 Best Romantic Fiction Novels | Our Top Romance Books

Fall in love with Penguin’s selection of the best romance fiction. Explore our diverse list of new favourite reads, from YA favourites to Australian classics.

Article
Best Books to Read on Your Holiday | Top Vacation Reads

Looking for a good book to accompany your holiday? Whether you’re sitting poolside, on a snowy escape or relaxing at home, find our 10 best choices here.

Article
The benefits of reading vs. watching TV

At the end of a busy day, many of us like to sit down with a good book or in front of the television to relax. Both offer the chance to enjoy a great story, but they engage us in their own ways.

Article
The best spicy food and book pairings whatever your spice level

From a smouldering slow-burn to fiery heat at first bite, we’ve paired some of our best spicy books with our most delicious dishes.

Article
Diversify your bookshelf: recommendations from the Penguin team

Discover the diverse books our team recommends to broaden your reading and introduce you to unforgettable new authors.

Article
The Odyssey reading guide: editions, translations and retellings

Forget the Roman Empire. We're entering our Greek mythology era.

Article
What is Dungeon Crawler Carl?

If you’ve been hearing these words a lot lately and not sure what they mean, here’s your guide to the DCC universe.

Article
The Best Book to Screen Adaptations

See Penguin Australia’s selection of the best book adaptations, from movies to TV shows. Get to reading or watching your next favourite here.

Article
The 10 Best Memoir & Biography Books | Get Inspired

Discover Penguin Australia’s best memoirs & biographies. Find a curated list of powerful stories from the most interesting & inspiring people.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles