Trust is a careless pursuit at best. At worst, it's a good way to get yourself killed

Trust is a careless pursuit at best. At worst, it's a good way to get yourself killed

In the world of Lauren Kate's novels, trust is a dangerous game. From the Fallen series to The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, the theme of trust (or lack thereof) is a recurring motif that often leads to dire consequences for the characters involved. In Kate's stories, trust is portrayed as a careless pursuit at best and a potentially deadly mistake at worst.

In the Fallen series, the protagonist, Luce Price, finds herself caught in a web of deceit and betrayal as she navigates the complex relationships between angels and demons. Throughout the series, Luce must constantly question who she can trust, as those closest to her often have hidden agendas and ulterior motives. The consequences of misplaced trust are severe, as Luce's decisions can have life or death implications for herself and those she cares about.

Similarly, in The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, the titular character learns the hard way that trust can be a dangerous game. As Natalie schemes and manipulates her way to the top of her high school social hierarchy, she must rely on the trust of others to achieve her goals. However, Natalie soon discovers that not everyone can be trusted, and her misplaced faith in the wrong people leads to devastating consequences.