Review: Shadows, Obsidian, and Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I know I've totally slacked on my blog posting, what can I say, I've been in Nashville for work and the hotel had very slow internet connection.  Also, I've met someone.  No, I'm not cheating on my husband, technically.  Has anyone heard of Daemon Black? If so you know what I'm talking about.  While in Nashville, every waking moment that I could possibly steal, my nose was in my nook.  Let me tell you, those were some magical moments.  I read all four novels and a novella in The Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout in seven days. I never turned on the T.V. once and I don't regret a minute of it.  Since the internet was spotty I did stop reading long enough to write a review the old fashion way with my pen and paper.  Now I will share them with you.

I started reading this series because of a contest the author is holding.  Write a piece of fan fiction using one of the characters in her books and win a trip to New Orleans.  Deep dark secret, I've wanted to write a book for about a year now, but I've been too scared to try.  I thought that maybe I could try something like this and it would jump start my writing. Well, I hadn't read any of her books, which was a problem since how could I write a book about a character I knew nothing about.  So, I went on my nook, navigated to the store and bought all 5 books in this series, completely blind.  Problem solved.  Since I was traveling for work I knew I would need something to keep me busy in the airports right?  These kept me busy alright. I wrote these over a period of a week, and tried to keep it keep it so I wouldn't spoil anything for you.

Shadows (Lux, #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4 wine glasses

Dawson, a 16 year old boy trying to live a regular life in a small town in West Virginia.  Dawson has a secret unlike any other 16 year olds, he wasn't born here.  As in not on this planet.  Dawson and his siblings, Daemon, and Dee (they are triplets) are aliens from the planet Lux.  They have been here on Earth blending in after their planet was destroyed.  It's been engrained in them that Luxen are to blend in with humans, but it's forbidden for humans know about them or to fall in love with one.  Something that hasn't been a problem for Dawson, until he met Bethany.  A human, who Dawson is willing to bend all of the rules for.

This book is a must read before you start the series.  You will gain a deeper understanding of why it's forbidden to for a Luxen to fall in love with a Human.

I connected very deeply with this group of kids.  The story is probably one of the best I've ever read, simple, yet magical.  Jennifer L. Armentrout has transported into this amazing story and I've now reverted back to being a 16 year old girl and I love it!

Obsidian (Lux, 1)by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 5 wine glasses

Well, I read this book within two days.  I couldn't put it down.  Every waking moment I was thinking about this book.

So, in the last book we learned why Luxens and humans are not supposed to be together.  Dawson and Bethany have been *SPOILER* declared dead by the suspicious DOD (Department of Defense), or the Men in Black.  This book is from the new girl's point of view, Katy.  A year has past since the Dawson/Bethany incident when Katy moves in next door to the Blacks.  Honestly, in Shadows, I didn't care for Daemon at all, not even a little.  Before I started reading this I did question whether I would enjoyed it at all.  I had nothing else to do in the hotel so what the heck.  Thinking back I have no idea why I would have even thought that!

I love Katy.  She is a book blogger, like us, and a normal human teenager.  The banter and sexual tension between Katy and Daemon had me hooked right off the bat.  I heart Daemon, a lot, I mean A. LOT!  I almost don't want to post this review because I kind of don't want to share him with anyone else.  I know it's totally selfish.  I also need someone else to gush about him with.

You can only imagine what is going to happen and most likely you would be correct.  However, Katy and Daemon's love/hate relationship is so intriguing and entertaining you will be captivated.

You will be thanking me later for this.

Onyx (Lux, 2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 5 wine glasses

Book #2 of the Katy and Daemon relationship saga.   Daemon gets a little softer during this book, showing how sensitive he can be, *SIGH*, but don't worry he'll be back to his usual self.  This book is more about discovery.  We learn more about the new and improved Katy, the DOD, the Dawson/Bethany incident, and the one Luxen weakness.

Again, I read this book in less than two days, it's become my crack, I'm going to be going through some serious withdrawals when I have no more Daemon to read.  I'm torn between slowing down to savor each and every moment with this series and reading, reading, reading, to get that high.  Just like an addict, the addiction always wins.

More Daemon reviews to come....

Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon Update #4

I finished my book reading goal which means it is about time to tap out and study. Currently, I am trying to figure out what I want to read next since my better half has confiscated Silver Linings Playbook so I need to distract myself with something else until he finishes it.

So do I want to read ...
a distopia? Maze Runner
a love triangle? Tiger Lily
a coming of age novel? The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Looking for Alaska
a vampire novel? The Hunt

Hmmm.....tough call. Any suggestions?

Friday (The 13th)
Books currently reading: Oath of Servitude by C.E. Wilson
Total finished books: 1
Titles of finished books: Room

Sunday (The 15th)
Books currently reading: The Selection by Kiera Cass
Total finished books: 2 + a novella
Titles of finished books: Room, Oath of Servitude, The Transfer
 

Wednesday (The 18th)
Books currently reading: The Elite by Kiera Cass
Total finished books: 3 + a novella
Titles of finished books: Room, Oath of Servitude, The Transfer, The Selection

Thursday (The 19th)

Books currently reading: ????
Total finished books: 4 + a novella
Titles of finished books: Room, Oath of Servitude, The Transfer, The Selection, The Elite

Feature & Follow #3: Favorite Picture Books As a Kid

The Feature & Follow is hosted by Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. The goal is to get new followers, make friends and introduce yourself to new people. This is the meet and greet of the book blog world.

This Week's Questions:
What were some of your favorite picture books as a kid? 

My absolute favorite picture books growing up were Rose Petal Place. I still adore these books so much that I have been contemplating buying them off Amazon for quite some time, but I am trying to find these childhood treasures at a secondhand shop. There is just something more enchanting about stopping in a little book shop to see if by chance I will find them after years of searching. It would be serendipity.

If you have kids, what are your favorite to read to them?

I would read a little bit of everything but two books that would be most prominent in my children's lives would be Little Bear's Little Boat and Grace For President. My boyfriend actually found Little Bear's Little Boat in Target one day when we were shopping for a birthday gift for my friend's one year old. My boyfriend said we need to buy this book. I started reading it and literally started crying...in Target. It is the sweetest book about sharing. I have since bought a copy for my nieces.

Grace For President was a Christmas gift for my niece with a president barbie doll. In this book, the girl asks her teacher why there are no female presidents and decides to run for class president. As a political science graduate, I am very adamant  in the importance of voting and women's involvement in politics. This book actually teaches kids about the Electoral College in a cute and simple way.

Please follow by email, Boglovin,' GFC and/or Google +. Let me know all the ways you follow me so I can reciprocate the love and hit you back. :)

Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon Update #3

I finished The Selection on Wednesday and I LOVED it so much I am putting Silver Linings on standby until I finish The Elite. I thought I was over the whole love triangle mess, but I keep on going back and forth between Aspen and Maxon. Do I really need to pick a team on this one? Other than my indecisiveness on that the read-a-thon is going better this week and I swear I will start studying for my AAPA exam as soon as I finish The Elite...as long as no other fictitious guys distract me. Easier said than done.

Friday (The 13th)
Books currently reading: Oath of Servitude by C.E. Wilson
Total finished books: 1
Titles of finished books: Room

Sunday (The 15th)
Books currently reading: The Selection by Kiera Cass
Total finished books: 2 + a novella
Titles of finished books: Room, Oath of Servitude, The Transfer
 

Wednesday (The 18th)
Books currently reading: The Elite by Kiera Cass
Total finished books: 3 + a novella
Titles of finished books: Room, Oath of Servitude, The Transfer, The Selection

Waiting on Wednesday #7

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on. I know they say don't judge a book by its cover, but this cover is so gorgeous I hope this dark fairy tale lives up to it. From the reviews I read there is some disturbing scenes that introduce the discussion of a woman's right to control her own body, which is an appealing topic to me as political science graduate who loves warped fairy tales.

The Kingdom of Little Wounds
by Susann Cokal
Release Date: October 8th 2013

A young seamstress and a royal nursemaid find themselves at the center of an epic power struggle in this stunning young-adult debut.

On the eve of Princess Sophia’s wedding, the Scandinavian city of Skyggehavn prepares to fete the occasion with a sumptuous display of riches: brocade and satin and jewels, feasts of sugar fruit and sweet spiced wine. Yet beneath the veneer of celebration, a shiver of darkness creeps through the palace halls. A mysterious illness plagues the royal family, threatening the lives of the throne’s heirs, and a courtier’s wolfish hunger for the king’s favors sets a devious plot in motion.

Here in the palace at Skyggehavn, things are seldom as they seem — and when a single errant prick of a needle sets off a series of events that will alter the course of history, the fates of seamstress Ava Bingen and mute nursemaid Midi Sorte become irrevocably intertwined with that of mad Queen Isabel. As they navigate a tangled web of palace intrigue, power-lust, and deception, Ava and Midi must carve out their own survival any way they can. - Goodreads

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Books on Our Fall 2013 TBR List

I know I'm a day late, I'm in Nashville traveling for work and my internet at the hotel isn't that great.  So, I trying to sneak this today.  Nashville, is amazing.  This city continues to amaze me.  This is the second time I've been blessed to come here for work.  Next time, I'm bringing my husband and I will not be working.  So much to see and do, a great place to have a great time, eat some great food, and see some great shows.  I have been working, seeing as much of the town as I possibly can, and getting in some great reading time.  I haven't even turned on the T.V. at all since arriving here.  As you know, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish. This week's top ten is the Top Ten Book on Our Fall 2013 TBR List.

Rachel is actually participating in a Read-a-thon to tackle her TBR list.  She is doing a great job and you can check out her progress on this blog!  I'm just reading, it's what I love to do, so most of these are mine, and I'm fairly confident that I can get these all read by winter.  I do love a challenge!

~ Onyx by Jennifer Armentrout- These are the books that I downloaded right before leaving for Nashville.  This is the second book in the series because I've already finished the 0.5 and the 1st book.  Opal and Origin are next!  I'm am so deep into this series right now that I'm not going to be able to leave these unread. I'm pretty sure they all will be done by the time I'm back home.

~The Rebel Within and Rebels Divided by Lance Erlick.  Rachel and I received these book to review.

~City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.  Rachel and I both have just read the first book in this series, getting pumped up for the movie, we will both continue with the series.

~Legend, Prodigy, and Champion by Marie Lu.  Champion is set to be released November 5th, therefore, I need to catch up on the other two as well.

~House of Hades by Rick Riordan.  Rachel and I have been waiting a year for this book!  Release date October 8th.

~The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.  This is my book club pick for this month and I'm super excited to read it!

~Seaborn by S.A. Bolich.  Soon to be released, no official date yet but sounds like within the next couple of weeks.  I discovered this series completely by random and was hooked!  I have been waiting over a year for this 3rd book in this series to be released.

~Maze Runner by James Dashner.  My sister has been nagging at me to read these books and at our last book club meeting so we all entered into a little agreement that we would have this book and my pick done for the next book club meeting.  I think I can do it.

~ Hunt by Andrew Fukuda. This one is on Rachel's TBR list.  I haven't even the slightest idea of what this is about.

~ Allegiant by Veronica Roth.  EEK!  Every time I think about this book I get all giddy!  I'm so excited for this release on October 22nd.

Any others on your TBR list?

Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon Update #2

Here is a quick update of my read-a-thon stats. I am hoping I can finish The Selection by Wednesday since that is when it is due back at the library.

Friday
Books currently reading: Oath of Servitude by C.E. Wilson
Total finished books: 1
Titles of finished books: Room

Sunday
Books currently reading: The Selection by Kiera Cass
Total finished books: 2 + a novella
Titles of finished books: Room, Oath of Servitude, The Transfer
 

Sunday Showcase #7

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you show what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc. We picked up a diversity of books this week. 

Borrowed:


The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma

For Review:

 

The Rebel Within (Rebel #1) by Lance Erlick

Rebels Divided (Rebel #2) by Lance Erlick

Won:

Warrior (Magio-Earth #2) by JoanneWadsworth -Thanks Holly from Part of That World.

Sweet Legacy (Medusa Girls #3) by Tera Lynn Childs - Thanks Mary from Mary Had a Little Book Blog.

Freebies: 

The Ultimate Sacrifice (The Gifted Teens #1) by Talia Jager 

Captured (The Captive #1) by Erica Stevens 

What did you pick up this week?