Review: Opal and Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

As promised, here are more Daemon reviews.  I figured that I needed spread these out a bit for two reason, first the post would get very lengthy.  I'm pretty sure I could go on and on and on about these books.  Second, I knew I would going through withdrawals, and writing reviews take me back into the books, briefly.

Opal (Lux, #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daemon and Katy are discovering more and more about themselves.  Their love/hate relationship is finally in full force commitment mode.  They start working together to finally start working against the system that has kept secrets from them this entire time.

Origin (Lux, #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Katy has been capture and Daemon will do everything in his power to save her, even if it means exposing all of his kind to the humans.

What can I say.  I really, really, really, love this series.  They are right up there with the Ancients of Light series by Heather Fleener as my favorite paranormal romance books.  I'm trying really hard not to spoil any part of the book, Rachel knows this is not easy for me to do.  I get really excited and then my mouth just doesn't stop talking.  I guess this is a benefit of writing, I get to proof read what I'm going to say, edit and delete.  Too bad I can't do that in real life, that would have saved me some pretty embarrassing moments.  Anyways, I really hope everyone takes some time to check these books out.  I promise you won't be disappointed, how can you not fall in love with a strong opinionated book blogger like Katy and a sexy and moody alien like Daemon.

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....

Review: Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne

This book takes you on a journey of passion, pain and the quest for power. The story follows Forest, a Shape Shifter/Elf hybrid who is an outcast of society as mixing between factions (Vampires, Elves, Shape Shifters and Werewolves) is taboo. Forest works as a portal patroller keeping supernatural creatures that aren’t authorized to visit Earth out. She especially loves kicking out scum suckers, who she has a personal vendetta against after being marked by a vampire so he can have complete dominance and control over her.

Due to her special set of skills, Forest is assigned a secret mission to escort the presumed to be dead, Vampire Prince Syrus across Regia safely as the realm is on the verge of war. This odd duo of a volatile hybrid and charming ladies’ man make for an entertaining pair especially when they discover a strange attraction for each other. Their love is forbidden and as the journey progresses, the forbidden temptations and desires become undeniable. 

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Forbidden Forest (Legends of Regia #1) by Tenaya Jayne

Rating: 5 wine glasses 

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Forest is a rough character and a loner around the edges, but is someone you can’t help but cheer on and wish happiness for. She reminded me of Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Tenaya Jayne doesn't go too in-depth with the intimate details of Forest’s devastating encounter with the vampire who marked her, but gives the reader enough information to figure out what caused her to be so guarded and damaged.

I found the book’s concept of mating fascinating. As a shifter only Forest’s destined mate can see her true appearance, no matter how she shifts. You fully bond with your mate upon making eye contact.

This is the third book I have read where the heroine’s love interest is blind. It makes Syrus more vulnerable in some aspects and more realistic in an unrealistic, fantasy world. I adore Syrus’ ability to smell her tears when she is crying and sense other things about Forest’s demeanor.

The scenes at Forest’s house were my favorite. My emotions were swirling – my stomach would clench in anticipation during the heated scenes and then I would catch myself laughing out loud at the comical banter between Syrus and Forest.

I found this book on Amazon for free and purchased it based on the memorizing cover and alluring synopsis. Forbidden Forest grabbed me and kept me wanting more. I will definitely be checking out the sequel, Forest Fire.

Source

My Playlist for Forbidden Forest:
I Need Your Love by Calvin Harris Featuring Ellie Goulding
Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey

photo credit: photosteve101 via photopin cc

Review: The Arena Wars by Samantha Hoffman

The Arena Wars (Arena Wars #1) 

by Samantha Hoffman
Rating: 3 out of 5 wine glasses

Samantha Hoffman combines the paranormal world with really life dilemmas - such as physical handicaps and Alzheimer's. I see some reoccurring themes between her novels - The Arena Wars and Zombieland. The protagonist's love interest is never perfect and deals with a physical determent somewhere in the novel. The love interest always teases the protagonist about hot he is.

My favorite part of the book is the story about how werewolves are created. First to turn into a werewolf you have to first have werewolf genes. Second you must get bit by a vampire and if your werewolf genes fight off the vampire infection successfully then you can transform into a werewolf at your own discretion. If your body can't fight off the vampire infection then you die. Also once you become a werewolf you no longer age so werewolves are all different ages depending on when they turned -so a child could stay a child forever if that is when the change takes affect.

I think this novel would be a good teen read since reader's get to experience the heroine's internal conflicts on life, love and between what is wrong and right.

The Goodreads' book synopsis gives too much of the story line away but I liked the unexpected twist at the end. I was a little confused on why Roger and Elias had scars if they could completely heal, but I got over this discrepancy. Hopefully, there will be more background on Elias' plan with Alanna and devolve the vampire encounter that turned  Alanna into a werewolf in the next book, War of Hearts.

Review: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Warm Bodies by Issac Marion
Rating: 2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

This is the second zombie book I have ever read. The first was Zombie Island which doesn't have the beautiful cover, clever title or interesting chapter illustrations as this book has however what is gained in the external beauty of Warm Bodies is lost in content.

Throughout the book the characters remained dry as did my eyes. R is forgiven to fast for killing and eating Perry. I think it is strange that Julie couldn't forgive her boyfriend for having drunk sex with another girl but can forgive her "new" boyfriend for eating her ex-boyfriend brains. What the ....? I would have liked it more if Julie stayed mad at him or at least had some conflict about her feelings toward R. I wish she exhibited a greater dimension of emotions - denial, confusion, anger, fear of R, emotional trauma, ect.

The strangest part is that this book is based on Romeo and Juliet however I didn't long for the romance that this book presented since it felt fabricated and the relationship progression was unrealistic.

R experiences emotions and love through Perry memories and lingering thoughts similar to the way the Wandered forms an emotional bond with humans from Melanie remaining essence in The Host.

Each character in Warm Bodies has their own issues but the author only gives a bit of the information here or there so it is hard for me to care deeply about the fate of any of the characters. It is more like the author is telling why they have these issues - the majority of issues center around abandonment - versus giving me a background. Nora's parents kicked her out during the zombie apocalypse because they were drug addicts and couldn't feed her. End of that story. So much potential lost.

I liked the first part of the book when they were in the airport - then it went downhill for me. The ending felt like the author ran out of time so he just slathered it together without explaining the obvious questions. Why did her eyes turn yellow? Why did the Boneys retreat and become slow - the explanation given doesn't make sense. I am not sure if I want to read the second book just to find out these answer IF the author chooses to work them out.

 

Review: Forsaken by Heather Fleener

Forsaken (Ancients of Light, #2) by Heather Fleener
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 wine glasses

The first 17 chapters are set primarily in Chicago where you meet Ella, a non-practicing Fire Caste witch with a fiery personality and Nicholas (aka Cole), a dark vampire warrior. The storyline slows down a little in the middle of this first part as the romance heats up. This section reminded me a little bit of Pretty Woman minus the stripper.

The following 30 chapters are mostly set in the Realm. Ella and Nicholas' story becomes intertwined with Lorcan and Kaitriana. This is where I had trouble putting the book down until I finished it.

I must confess I am getting a little addicted to this series. When I read the first book I didn't realize these were paranormal romance novels so I was a little taken back by the "romance" aspect. I am not a huge romance novel reader, but this is one of the best ones I have read.

I usually associate romance novel with not having much of a storyline outside the romance, but this book is so much more than just your typical romance.

This book has witty dialogue, lovable characters (I love Dunkirk) and a captivating plot. This author creates a world that I can't wait to get sucked into.

I really hope I am not going to have to wait a year till book 3, Broken is released. The main protagonists in Broken are Kylie and Sayer.