Title: Opal
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #3
Published: December 11th 2012
Rating: 5
No one is like Daemon Black.
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we’re stronger... and they know it.
Opal is by far my favorite book in the Lux series so far! Jennifer L. Armentrout never ceases to amaze me with her compulsively lovable writing style.
After the tragic ending of Onyx we get to see in full effect the aftermath of Adam's death and how that disastrous event had a huge consequence on the dynamic of the groups we were use to seeing in Obsidian and Onyx. Katy's and Dee's friendship is basically non-existent, Dee still holds a great deal of anger towards Katy, that at times annoyed me because Katy didn't kill Adam, right? I understood why Dee was angry I just felt it wasn't just at some periods. Dee now hangs out with Ash and Andrew, quite the contrast to the previous novels. Changes like that were seen throughout Opal.
It was incredible to finally see Katy and Daemon in a relationship. Katy and Daemon take any moment they can together with the craziness surrounding them, they grew extremely close and there love for on another was very obvious. This YA couple I'am hands down jealous of, the intimacy both emotional and physical was a combination of sexy and adorable something that is really had to get right but Jennifer L. Armentrout knows the perfect balance. Katy and Daemon still have their heated conversations and Daemon's jerk side may appear now and then but it was nice to see not everything had changed.
The infamous Blake returns bringing along with him trouble. In big fat capital letters! I've come to the conclusion that I don't like Blake and I never will. It always appeared that he was hiding something, always working an angle, and always generally being a creep. Watching Katy sleeping Exhibit A of the creepiness of Blake Saunders. STAY AWAY! The only thing that bugged me about Katy in Opal was that Blake continued to do weird things and she didn't tell Daemon! Girl that's what your boyfriend is meant for, you tell him when stuff like that goes down!
And now onto the supposedly dead runaway Dawson! Dawson is not the same alien Daemon and Dee were use to. His quite and rarely speaks, his past torments him and the only thing he wants is to get his girlfriend Beth back to safety. This issue is the constant struggle in the novel and makes some of the characters push themselves and do things out of their normal to reach this goal.
One of the things I admired most about Opal was the cliffhanger! I know, strange right? But it was heart-breaking, glass shattering and tear jerking kind of ending that I liked. These kinds of endings make you feel something. It was a cruel ending, just when you think that everything is going to plan for the characters... something shocking happens and the falling pieces of confusion are swept away and you see crystal clear who their real enemies are.
Overall I have alot of feels for Opal. I just want Origin now! I need it now, okay? I have to know what happens next! And I'm sure when you read Opal you will feel the same way! Another spectacular read from Jennifer L. Armentrout, this author knows how to make my feels weep!
-Taylor X
Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #2
Published: August 14th 2012
Rating: 5
Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…
Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.
Something worse than the Arum has come to town…
The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.
But then everything changes…
I've seen someone who shouldn't be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?
No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…
Onyx was a fantastic sequel, it had all the elements of Obsidian had plus more! It really blew me away how HOT Onyx was, if you thought Obsidian was toe curling then you haven't seen anything yet compared to this beautifully crafted sequel! I have this sneaking suspicion that Jennifer L. Armentrout has a deadly goal. A goal that is to make each book even sexier than the last- it's seriously like she's teasing us- I don't even know if I'll be prepared for Opal.
In Onyx we see Daemon putting his heart out on the line, time and time again trying to convince Katy that what he feels for her is genuine and not some freaky byproduct of this mysterious connection they have, which Katy is deluding herself into believing is the reason why Daemon now has feelings for her. While dealing with her complicated relationship with Daemon Katy frighteningly discovers that she has abilities, powers much like the Luxen and very unstable. Katy isn't an alien but she's not fully human either anymore... the big question is what is she now?
Katy is desperately seeking something normal in this otherworldly reality she's stumbled into and finds this in Blake Saunders. Blake's the new guy to school. He's also the guy who likes to surf and blog about it, wears old vintage t-shirt that Katy cannot seem to stop loving and has a killer California smile that makes all the girls sigh. *Loudspeaker* Incoming competition for Daemon Black here; Team Blake to aisle four and Team Daemon please make your way to the register. I know I know a love triangle? I'm sadly to say yes. However it's not your traditional one and I wouldn't worry too much over it. Daemon is adamant that Blake is no good and cannot be trusted, but Blake's just your average human right? How much trouble can he really cause? A WHOLE TONNE OF MOTHER MONKEY CHAOS. Blake is a huge pain in the ass for Daemon and holds secrets that could potentially be the death of them all. Is Blake good or bad? That is the million dollar question that I won't be answering *evil laughs*
Furthermore the DOD are out to play and are investigating the area which the Arum was killed, we learn startling information about them and their true motives are revealed that'll make your jaw drop. Everything that Daemon and his family have known is turned upside down and put though the spinner. These shocking truths will change everything. Also highlighting information about Dawson - Daemon and Dee's dead brother- has come to light and this twist is a big game changer that leaves all the characters wondering what really happened to Dawson and his girlfriend Beth.
Throughout all of this mess Katy stays strong and is always stepping up to the plate to protect Daemon and his family, no matter the cost, even if that means putting herself at risk and going against Daemon's wishes. I really felt that Katy really grew into herself, becoming more confident and leaving that old shy Katy in the past. Also we finally get to see a softer side to Daemon in contrast to his brash behavior in public. It was heart warming to see him open himself up to Katy and letting her see that vulnerable side to him. I have to say my favourite moment between these two was when Daemon helped Katy film her "What's In My Mailbox" for her blog. I found it insanely adorable and made me wishing I could live next door to a hot alien that'll help me with my blog *sighs* only in my dreams.
I can guarantee that you'll love Onyx and won't disappoint in any areas! You can be certain to see some more pen prodding and invitations to work off some more *trace residue* I look forward to reading Opal as the ending of Onyx was littered was gasping moments and heart-wrenching outcomes.
-Taylor X
Title: Obsidian
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #1
Published: May 8th 2012
Rating: 5
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don't kill him first, that is.
Oh My God. For the people who have read Obsidian I think we all know what I mean by that. This is the first Jennifer L. Armentrout book I have read and I'm wondering why I haven't picked up on her books earlier because, hot damn, Obsidian was freaking kickass and high levels of swoon-worthy moments. This book was sizzling with sexual-tension that left me completely breathless and looking over my shoulder incase anyone saw what I was reading!
The protagonist Katy is down right hilarious and very witty, she'll have you laughing from the get go. Katy also happens to be an awesome girl who has a YA blog, Jennifer l. Armentrout nailed the blogger portrayal, I felt as if it was me getting a package of books squealing with delight or the computer breaking right along with my heart. Katy is a very lovable and relatable character, I think she may have made it to my top 5 favorite heroine characters! Oh and when there's Katy there's Daemon Black her- extremely attractive, drool worthy, stop what your doing even if that's heart surgery to stare at his chest- neighbour not too far behind and a huge pain in the butt for Katy. These two really took sexual-tension to a whole new level, even when their at each others throats about to go in for the kill the, just, I don't know, WOW. That's really all I can say. I crave that I could find a chemistry as hot as Katy and Daemon have. Infact I think we should all pray for something like that because, really, who doesn't want something as hot and sexy as that, I literally think I'm still wiping away the steam those two created, like sweet mother, they even blew up light bulbs when they kiss! Hottest couple alert here!
As I'm sure I've mentioned Daemon is one hot alien that I definitely wouldn't mind getting up close and personal with. I swear in every moment we had we him in it I had trouble pulling together coherent thoughts and wiping the drool off my face. There done. I will not say anymore concerning the outrageous attractiveness of Daemon Black because I think you all get the picture by now.
The storyline of Obsidian is extremely gripping, with Katy realizing that the Blacks are not quite what they appear to be. Furthermore Katy forms a close friendship with Daemon's sister Dee, which is the bases of why Daemon is so hostile and harsh to Katy, because having humans around is a huge risk and causes alot of safety problems. It was highly entertaining to see Daemon fall for Katy as his conflicting beliefs were at war. Should he push Katy away and make her hate him? Or cave to his feelings? That was the constant struggle throughout the novel and the reason why we see many hot and cold scenes between Katy and Daemon. Daemon does have good reasons for pushing Katy away as there's the lurking threat of the Government ready to wipe the Luxen (that's what the aliens are called) out or the dangerous Arum-another alien race made up of shadows that wish to absorb the Luxen's ablilties and kill them. I quite like the fresh take on aliens, it's very different from the Hollywood version of smiley green creatures with antennas that we all know.
Now please promise me if you haven't read Obsidian yet after you've read this review go out and buy this book! It's a must-read, it should be on the top of your TBR list because Obsidian is a mesmerizing read! It's a stop what your doing, put away that homework, forget to clean that room and don't even bother picking up that phone because Obsidian is extraordinary and will capture your attention within the first sentence. I highly recommend this if that isn't obvious!
-Taylor X
