Review: Onyx by Jennifer L Armentrout (Lux #2)

Onyx by Jennifer L Armentrout
Published: August 14, 2012 (Entangled Teen)
Source: Purchased from B&N
Rating: Squee-worthy
Add it/Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Connect with the author: Twitter | Website

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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…

My Review

Every time I finish a book by Jennifer L Armentrout, I'm speechless for one reason or another.  With her unparallelled ability to create intimately identifiable characters, and sizzling love interest, not to mention heart-pounding storylines, I went into Onyx with high expectations, and finished this brilliant addition to her Lux series with sky-high hopes for the sequel.  Spirited book blogger Katy and insufferable, swoon-worthy Daemon Black add layers of depth and emotion to this installment, which is made even more intense by the mysteries and betrayals swirling through the community.  

Everything I thought I knew about these character and this series was turned on its head in Onyx, and in a good way.  JLA added character growth to Katy, who became so much more than she was in Obsidian.  Daemon surprised me so many times, with his affection and respect for Katy, with how he encouraged her to grow, with his need to protect her.  I lost count of the number of times I swooned over him!  And then there were several new characters who I'd think had one agenda, then realize really had an entirely different one.  JLA kept me guessing, and I liked that!

I loved so much about Onyx: Daemon's trademark one-liners, all the unexpected humor, and especially the changing relationships.  I wondered how long Katy could resist Daemon, because - I - couldn't resist him.  And I have to say, JLA masterfully handled the various plot lines, weaving them seamlessly into one another.  Not many authors could have a white-hot romance simmering to a burning point while the DOD circles, endangering all the characters we love - but JLA does it.  And yet even admidst the peril, these characters retain what makes them all so lovable, and their voices still seem genuine.  

I ran the gamut of emotions with Onyx: I laughed, so often.  I cried.  I screamed.  I wanted to hit something, then hug everyone.  I can't even begin to express my relief at some points, and my frustration at others.   JLA has penned a game-changer with Onyx: nothing will be the same for Katy or Daemon after this, and I for one, cannot wait to get my hands on Opal to see what comes next.  

Book Trailer

 

 
 Other books by this author:

Obsidian (Lux #1)
Half-Blood (Covenant #1)

You're sure to fall for:

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins 
 
 

ARC Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout

Pages: 266

Published: 12.06.2011 (Entangled)

Series: Lux (1)

Final rating: 4 of 5 stars

Further info: Goodreads | Amazon

Find the author online: Twitter | Blog

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.

My Review

Obsidian, the first book in Jennifer L Armentrout's new Lux series, introduces us to Katy; the lead character was someone I immediately adored.  Katy is intelligent, self-aware, and feisty, when provoked.  She's also a book worm and a book blogger, so for me, reading this book and seeing terms like "Waiting on Wednesday" and "In My Mailbox" dotting the pages was a real thrill.   I was drawn to Katy right off the bat, for her good nature and that level below her surface that, once scratched, reveals a character with a ton of potential and a girl after my own heart.  Jennifer did a fantastic job of creating a lead female who is both identifiable and at times, unpredictable.  

The plot of Obsidian moved along fairly well.  There were a few moments where, for me, the pacing felt off, but for the most part I read this book always wishing I could read it a bit faster, because I had to know what happened next.  I've read a great deal more fantasy than sci-fi, so discovering this book was a treat for me.  I love the whole idea behind the Luxen, as well as how Katy takes the revelation that her neighbors are aliens in stride.   She isn't squeamish; nor is she rushing to get involved in their business - how she ends up involved is equal parts frightening, amusing, promising, and sexy all at once. 

I can't review Obsidian without mentioning Daemon.  Oh, Daemon.  He is THAT character, that I apparently love to fall for - the bad boy with a secret, good heart.  Snarky on the surface, but sink a deeper and you'll discover the boy who will do anything to keep his family safe, and who, when he does care about others, cares so much, but struggles to admit he does.  I fell pretty hard for him, although there were times when I wanted to slap him.  I feel like although Jennifer Armentrout gave us an awesome character in Daemon, and although yes, the sparks were off the charts between Daemon and Katy, that at times it was a bit much.  If there was one thing I'd have craved more of between them, it was more slow-burning scenes, and less snark.  (Though that was highly amusing, don't get me wrong.) However for the most part, when it comes to Daemon and Katy, I am STILL fanning myself. 

I really love Jennifer's writing style, too.  She captures the teen voice very well, but more than that, her characters are all people you can relate to, the type of girl or guys we've all known - some we were friends with, broke up with, or loved to hate.  Bravo to Jennifer for being able to reach out and not only tell a story, but draw me in and make me care about the characters I'm reading about.

My only other two complaints (and they're teeny tiny!) is that I wish the book had been longer, so I could have had more time with these characters, and that I wanted to know more about some of the secondary characters.  There were one or two who I hope in the sequel, ONYX, we get to see more of, since they didn't have very many redeeming qualities.  Overall, I am VERY excited for ONYX, and to give y'all a peek at the cover below!  So if you don't have Obsidian yet...run, don't walk to go snag a copy, because it is steamy, heart-pounding, and unforgettable.  

Memorable Quote

Our kisses slowed, becoming tender, and infinitely more.  It was like we were getting to know each other on an intimate level.  I was breathless and dazed, unprepared for all of this, but my body ached for more than just kissing and touching- for more of him.  And I know he did, too.  His powerful body shook, like mine.  It was easy to get lost in him, lost in this connection between us.  The world - the universe - ceased to exist. 

Disclaimer

In accordance with FTC guidelines, I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  No money or compensation of any sort exchanged hands.   I review books with no intention of monetary gain; rather, I review books out of my love of reading.

ONYX COVER

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

In the meantime... purchase OBSIDIAN at Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Teaser Tuesday - #16: Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout

{ ++ } Miz B over at Should Be Reading hosts this weekly meme, where us book lovers get a chance to spotlight our currently-reading and basically...do a little teasing.  : ) The rules are simple: 

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.  (Full disclosure: I actually go hunting for a good teaser.  heehee.)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.  (Um.  Sometimes I post more than 2 sentences.  hee.)
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their to-reads if they like your teaser.

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout

Expected publication: 12.06.2011 (Entangled)

Further info: Goodreads | Amazon

"I think and talk better when I walk."  He held out a hand to me.  "If not, I turn into the dickhead Damon you're not very fond of."

"Ha. Ha."  I stared at his hand.  There was a fluttering in my stomach. "Yeah, I'm not holding your hand."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not going to hold hands with you when I don't even like you."

"Ouch."  Daemon placed a hand over his chest, wincing.  "That was harsh."

Yeah, he needed better acting classes.

 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.



{ ++ } So what's YOUR teaser this week?