Friday, September 7, 2012

Review: Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian (Lux #1) 
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 351
Genre: YA Aliens
Source: Kindle Won from Concise Reviews
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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.

I finally read this series the other weekend during the JLA Read-A-Thon so I decided to review them all in one post. This series has a lot of hype, especially Daemon, so I was a bit worried about reading it. Also because I'm not a fan of douchebags so I was worried I wouldn't like Daemon and then you all would stone me. While he is a bit rude at the beginning, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. "Beautiful face. Beautiful body. Horrible attitude. It was the holy trinity of hot boys." Katy said it best! But you could tell he was doing it for protection. He lost his brother Dawson, so he was very protective of his sister Dee. Katy just moved to town and Dee would love to have a "normal" friend. Katy wonders why Daemon wouldn't want Dee hanging out with "someone like her."

Katy was awesome! I think all of us book bloggers will appreciate her because she is a book blogger herself. I loved all the mentions of getting all excited for ARCs, comments, and posting her Waiting On Wednesday on her blog. I loved that she didn't put up with Daemon. She argued with him, flipped him off, and even dropped food on him! Katy is feisty and fun. I also loved Daemon's very perky sister Dee and that Daemon was so protective of her.

As a huge fan of the show Roswell I really love the alien aspect! They are big lights basically and when they use their powers they leave a mark. The human near them will look like a Christmas tree for awhile and be a beacon for the evil dark aliens called the arum. There is also the Department of Defense, DOD, that monitor the aliens and don't want humans to find out about them. Trouble all around for Katy but Daemon was there to protect her. All the time they spend together builds a lot of sexual tension that eventually had to explode. And what a great explosion!


 "My palms itched to have a close encounter of the bitch-slap kind with his face."

"Why are you such an ass?" The words came out before I could think twice.
"Everyone has to excel at something, right?"
"Well, you're doing a great job."

"You don't look like an alien!' It seemed important to point that out.
He arched a brow. 'And what do aliens look like?'
"Not...not like you," I sputtered. "They aren't gorgeous-"
"You think I'm gorgeous?" He smiled.

"I hurried upstairs and powered up my laptop. I checked on the review I'd posted last night. No comments. People sucked. But I did gain five new followers. People rocked."

"Doesn’t he own a shirt?” I asked, grabbing a spade.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think so. Not even in the winter. He’s always running around half-dressed.” She groaned. “Its disturbing that I have to see so much of his…skin. Yuck.”
Yuck for her. And hot damn for me.

Rating: 4/5


Onyx (Lux #2) 
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 376
Genre: YA Aliens
Source: Amazon Kindle
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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…

The first book was all about Daemon fighting his attraction to Katy because a human/alien relationship is trouble. In this book he is fully ready to make that sacrifice but Katy doesn't believe him. Daemon shows his sweet and romantic side trying to convince her his feelings are real. Katy is distracted by new boy Blake and her strange new abilities.

After Daemon healed Katy it changed her and gave her powers. Think Max and Liz from Roswell. Katy must get the powers under control or the DOD might find out about her. Daemon begin to remember Bethany coming home with Dawson covered in blood right before she disappeared. Did Dawson also heal Bethany and possibly that was why they disappeared? The DOD has different motives than we thought. Katy sees someone who shouldn't be alive so Daemon and her jump into detective mode unraveling lots of secrets.

Katy continues to hang out with Blake which makes Daemon jealous. Katy wants to move on because she doesn't really believe Daemon is in love with her. She thinks it might be an alien connection. This kind of drove me nuts. You are into him just give in already! I liked Blake though. He has some secrets and does something I was really upset about but I understood he was in an extremely difficult position. The ending has some crazy action and a tiny cliffhanger that leaves me dying to know what happened. 


 "Not in this lifetime, buddy,” I said finally.
“Resistance is futile, Kitten.”
“So is your charm.”
“We’ll see."

"Embarrassed someone would see you and think you’re capable of reading?”
“I do have a reputation to maintain.”
“And what a lovely reputation that is."

Crossing the room, he stopped in front of me. "I'm not going to bite."
"That's good."
"Unless you want me to," He said with a devilish grin

"Your mail could've waited." Daemon followed me into the kitchen. "What is it? Just books?"
Grabbing the OJ from the fridge, I sighed. People who didn't heart books didn't understand.

Damon Laughed. “I’m only at the service of one person in particular.”
My cheeks flamed as I scooted my chair over. “You are not servicing me in any way.”
He leaned in, closing my newly gained distance. “Not yet."

Rating: 4/5


Shadows (Lux #0.5) 
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 179
Genre: YA Aliens
Source: Kindle Won from Concise Reviews
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable. Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved. Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

This is a prequel that can be read any time really but I read it after Onyx and it did leave more surprises that way. This is the story of Dawson and Bethany and how they met leading right up until they disappear. Dawson is very different than Daemon. He fell for Bethany the minute he saw her and didn't care at all that she was human. It was funny to see the before Daemon. He was sooo against Dawson getting involved with a human but of course in his future he will get involved with Katy.

I see why Daemon said Dawson is the more likable brother. Dawson was very romantic with Bethany and I enjoyed getting to know how Bethany moved to town and found out he was an alien while making out with Dawson. Very awkward. I also grew to understand why Daemon acted as he did in Obsidian. He loved his brother and always felt like a protector for the family and losing Dawson made him feel like a failure. Daemon was so upset that a human got Dawson killed and Daemon should have stopped Dawson from seeing her and will make sure nothing like that happens to Dee. But of course we know Katy will come to town and change all that.


"Finish that sentence and I will stab you in the eye with the spork Bethany's about to pull out of her bag for her apple sauce. And she'd be very upset if I got her spork all messed up. She's rather fond of the thing."
"A spork,” Dee said, grabbing her bag. “What is a spork?”
Bethany’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve never seen one?”
“Dee doesn’t get out much,” Dawson replied, grinning.
“Shut up.” Dee pulled out the fork and spoon in one and smiled. “I’ve never seen one of these! Ha. This is so handy.” She looked over at Daemon, eyes dancing. “We could get rid of over half of our silverware and get like ten of these and we’d be set for life."

Rating: 4/5

36 comments:

  1. Great Reviews, Chicky! Your quotes make me want to read them all over again! I'm so glad you enjoyed Daemon and all his douchiness! ;) I love that boy! *sigh*

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    1. I love the quotes! The bickering between Daemon and Katy is the most entertaining part.

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  2. I have heard SO much about this series, I must be one of the last to read it and like you, I'm not sure if I should - I'm never a fan of the bad boy, I prefer the good ones ;)

    Nevertheless, I enjoyed your review!

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    1. I prefer the good boys too! Daemon was okay I liked him but didn't love him quite as much as everyone else. Still a fun read!

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  3. Glad you've finally read the serie!! :) And so happy that you liked it! :) ;) <3

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    1. I feel like I was the last one but I finally read them! They were fun!

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  4. Hooray! I LOVED these books. The sassy reparte between Daemon & Katy is just so fun! You're way more sympathetic to Blake than I was especially after what happened with that one character...vague much? SHeesh. Ahh well, no spoilers, right?

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    1. Loved Katy & Daemon and their bickering. Yeah I was trying to stay spoiler free with Blake and it was hard! I am really really sad for Dee but I felt for Blake as well. It is just a bad position all around that the DOD is putting everyone in.

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  5. Right? Everytime Katy posted on her blog or went to the post office I got so excited! LOL I think it was awesome of JLA to write that aspect into the novel. I was a HUGE fan of Obsidian but to me Shadows just felt like a mini regurgitation of Obsidian with two different names at the forefront. I do seem to be the only one in the world who feels that way though LOL Great reviews!

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    1. I loved Katy posting on her blog! That was such an awesome dedication to book bloggers. Shadows was a little similar but it was nice to see what happened with Beth and Dawson.

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  6. yeah, I need to read Onyx. I enjoyed Obsidian when I read it last fall and of course I loved the book blogging referemces amd e alien angle. I have read some mixed reviews on Onyx, mostly everyone is complaining about the changes in Katy. I agre that whole he doesn't love me sucks!

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    1. I read them one after the other and I didn't mind Katy's changes too much. I was glad she wanted to make sure things with Daemon were real but it did go a bit annoyingly far.

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  7. Great reviews hun! I'm glad you finally gave these books a go and ended up enjoying them. I agree about Katy! I love that she was a blogger, but I sometimes wonder what non-bloggers, especially those completely unaware of the community, think of that aspect. It's all really fun though. :) Can't wait for Opal!

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    1. I was wondering that too. If someone who has never blogged would get it at all. I think any reader will hopefully appreciate her love for books.

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  8. Great reviews! I should really pick up this series :)

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  9. Yay, you finally read these! Glad you liked them. Not a fan of douchebags, you are too funny. Great reviews and I of course love all of the quotes.

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    1. haha I hate douchebags! Will is my nemesis! There are a lot of witty quotes in the series. Had some good laughs!

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  10. I was very curious about your opinion of Daemon. He was much more tolerable in Onyx. And I didn't hate Blake either. Glad you enjoyed the series. Nice review!

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    1. Daemon was much better in Onyx. He was way douchebagy in Obsidian but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I wouldn't put him in my top 10 or anything but it was a good read!

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  11. Only read the Obsidian review, just in case there were spoilers in the rest. Want to read it! Pronto! It's so cool that they mention book bloggers! I've never seen something like it in a book! I'll most definitely read this series soon. :) Great Review!

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    1. I don't think I have read anything where the book has gotten so in depth about book blogging. She talks about making a mailbox vlog and waiting on Wednesday and ARCs and everything! I kept Onyx pretty spoiler free but it is nice to be completely surprised. I worked really hard to avoid spoilers of this series.

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  12. OOoh very nice! I too just read Obsidian since I haven't gotten to reading it yet! But I cannot wait! Katy sounds freaking awesome, snarky, book blogger and all! And Daemon sounds awesome too! Cannot wait to read this one! I loved Roswell the tv show and spin off books as well, so really excited to start this--hopefully soon!

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    1. I never read the Roswell books but I have the series on DVD! Loved it! Katy was awesome. Got to love a book blogger.

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  13. Like you, I liked Katy far more in the first, then in the second book, even though I think book 2 was considerably better. Everything she did in Onyx made me go insane. She just insisted on being stubborn and making all these idiotic choices, and all the while, Daemon was completely different. Hopefully they'll find their balance in book 3.
    Wonderful reviews, Jennifer!

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    1. Katy was really stubborn. I understood she wanted to be independent but she took it a bit far. When will book characters ever learn that you should not keep secrets or trust strangers lol

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  14. I love your reviews!! I am glad that you finally read the series and enjoyed it. This is one of my favorite series and I am dying for Opal to come out!!

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    1. After that Onyx ending I am really excited for Opal!

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  15. GAHHHH.....I LOVE THIS SERIES, I LOVE JENN AND I LOVE LOVE LOOOVVVEEE DAEMON!! Although, I have to say I also liked Katy in the first book much more than in the second book. And Daemon is always in my heart...so no bad talk about him! LOL ;p But, I just ate up his sweet side in Onyx...that was a once in a blue moon kind of thing! And I can't wait for Opal. That should be one interesting book...especially with all that happens! AWESOMESAUCE REVIEWS!! :)

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair 

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    1. I'll try not to talk badly about Daemon. He did improve but he was a big douche at first ;-)

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  16. So happy you like this series :D I LOVE it! So freaking much! DAEMON <3 I can't wait for book 3! Awesome reviews Jenn :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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    1. With so much love I had to give it a try! Very addicting!

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  17. amazing review!! I think i wouldnt have liked Damon either, because like you said, pretty but rude boy :/ meh. But im REALLY glad he didnt bother you, so hopefully he wont bother me either! haha!
    - Farah @MajiBookshelf

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    1. Yeah I'm not really into excuses for rudeness but he grows and is way sweeter in the second book. So I was able to look past it. Still prefer the sweet good guys ;-)

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  18. OMG, SHE'S A BOOK-BLOGGER?! We book-bloggers get to read a YA book about a book-blogger girl? That. is. fantastic. beyond. words. I really am so out of the loop for this series, and to be honest, I'm feeling exactly like how you felt before reading this series, but I'm really glad that it all worked out well for you! Great quotes too! Thanks for the lovely reviews!!

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    1. Yes I was really shocked she was a book blogger. And the author really put honest details into it. Like her filming a vlog for her mailbox post lol and getting super excited for comments and ARCs. Reminded me of myself hehe

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