Book Review: Obsidian (Lux Series Book 1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux Book 1
Pages: 335
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

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.

After a lengthy discussion with a girl in my Anatomy class, I decided I had to read Obsidian again. We talked about that book for a while, and I asked her if the rest of the series was good, and she said that it was pretty great. Over Christmas break my freshman year, I read both Obsidian, and the second book in the series, Onyx. I remembered that I really enjoyed it, it's just for some reason I never got around to finishing the series. And after talking to her about it, I knew that I had to. So, while I am still on hold for Just One Drop at the library, I decided to pick up and start Obsidian again.

Obsidian involves Katy, a girl who has just made the move from sunny Florida to some one stoplight town in West Virginia. Her mom decided that it was finally time to have a fresh start. After a very interesting encounter with one of her new neighbors, Katy is left fuming and decides that Daemon is practically the spawn of satan. As luck would have it though, he is one of the most attractive guys she has ever seen, and cannot help but become best friends with his sister, Dee. The more Katy gets to know them, the more she starts to think something is off about them. Turns out Katy is not as crazy as she thought, and they are actual aliens, from a galaxy far far away...

I cannot give enough praise for this book!! Armentrout created a very kick-ass character that is absolutely without a doubt one of my favorite characters...ever. Not only does Katy love books, but she is very witty and not afraid to put Daemon in his place. She stands up for what she believes in and will do whatever it takes to save the people she cares about. The tension between her and her favorite jerk, Daemon is undeniable. They have some major chemistry! I loved how they got under each other's skin and was often left laughing at their little arguments. I cannot be more disappointed in myself for not having this series as a priority and finishing it when I read Obsidian the first time. Oh well, I just had to re-read it again. Hmm, the things I do for good books...

"The day my internet was hooked up was better than having a hot guy check out my butt and ask for my phone number."

"Yeah, it's kind of a hobby. What's yours? Kicking puppies?"

"To Daemon, my arrival was the beginning of the end. The apocalypse. Kat-mageddon."

"Oh, you're an expert in crazy people now?"
"A month with you and I feel I have a master's degree in the subject."

Book Review: Blood Rites (Grey Wolves Series Book 2) by Quinn Loftis

Title: Blood Rites
Author: Quinn Loftis
Series: Grey Wolves #2
Pages: 223
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

With the challenge complete and the corrupt Alpha of Coldspring defeated Fane is now free to complete the mate bond with Jacque and perform the Blood Rites. Although the challenge is done, the affects are far reaching. Once it is known that Vasile one of the strongest Alphas in the world is in America, specifically Coldspring, TX, there is one Alpha who cannot over look the significance of this. An Alpha who happens to share Jacque's DNA, but is this the one she needs to fear?

With her mom driving and her two best friends, Jen and Sally in tow, Jacque set off for her happily ever after. She will soon realize a plan has been put in motion that will change her course and possibly tear her from Fane's grasp forever. It will take a wolf pack, her mother's love, her two best friend's unrelenting determination, her own will to survive and the undying love of her mate to bring her home. The question remains, if she fights, if she endures, who will she be, what will be left once she is back in her mates arms?

After what happened in the last book, Fane and Jacque are eager to complete the blood rites ceremony. The day of the ceremony Jacque, along with her loyal sidekicks and her mom, pack into their car and head of to where the ceremony will take place. On the way though, the unthinkable happens. Can Jacque and Fane not catch a break?

I liked how Loftis used the third person perspective in the first novel, but absolutely loved it in this one! The first book focused on Jacque and Fane, but Blood Rites expanded on the more minor characters, which actually became a lot less minor. The reader was able to find out a whole lot more about Jen, Sally, and even Decebel. Not only that, but there was even a focus on the "bad guy" and it was very cool to get to see what was going on in his mind.

I am very excited about the next installment in this series, Just One Drop. I have it on hold at the library and am currently numero uno in line! It will focus more on Jen and the bombshell she was told at the end of Blood Rites. Also included will be Jen's favorite snarky wolf...Decebel.

"What is your ETA?"
"My Beta says we will arrive in ten minutes."
"Ten minutes, how courteous of you to give ample notice of your arrival."

"I'm here to guard you. I mean guard all of you. Not just you, but each one of you at the same time, not alone..."

"If someone had told her last week that all this was going to happen she would have said something along the lines of, oh yeah, and George Strait is selling me his ocean front property in Arizona as well."

Book Review: Prince of Wolves (Grey Wolves Series Book 1) by Quinn Loftis

Title: Prince of Wolves
Author: Quinn Loftis
Series: Grey Wolves #1
Pages: 230
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Jacque Pierce was just an ordinary 17 year old girl getting ready to start her senior year in high school in Coldspring, Texas. When a mysterious foreign exchange student from Romania moves in across the street, Jacque and her two best friends, Sally and Jen, don't realize the last two weeks of their summer was going to get a lot more interesting. From the moment Jacque sets eyes on Fane she feels an instant connection, a pull like a moth to a flame. Little does she know that the flame she is drawn to is actually a Canis Lupus, werewolf, and she just happens to be his mate; the other half of his soul. The problem is Fane is not the only wolf in Coldspring, Texas. Just as Fane and Jacque are getting to know each other, another wolf steps out to try and claim Jacque as his mate. Fane will now have to fight for the right to complete the mating bond, something that is his right by birth but is being denied him by a crazed Alpha. Will the love Fane has for Jacque be enough to give him the strength to defeat his enemy, will Jacque accept that she is Fane's mate and complete the bond between them?

I read Prince of Wolves a few years ago and remembered that I had enjoyed it. So, after seeing that the public library actually had the rest of the series, I decided to re-read Prince of Wolves, because I had no idea what happened. I mean I'm good at remembering things, but not that good!

Jacque lives in the small town of Coldspring, TX where there is not always a whole lot of excitement. When she learns that her neighbors are getting a foreign exchange student, she is immediately intrigued. She camps out by her window waiting for him to arrive, and is in for a surprise.

Fane arrives at the house that is to be his home for the next year, and feels something different. He looks around and sees a girl staring at him from a window. As soon as he realizes what is going on, he cannot wait to meet her. Fane belongs to the Romanian pack of Canis lupus, and believes that the girl in the window is his true mate.

As soon as Jacque lays eyes on the gorgeous guy that will be staying across the street, she starts to hear voices in her head. She thinks she is going crazy, but voices are not even the half of it, things get even crazier...

This story is told in third person, which I found really refreshing. I am used to books in first person, but I found this different point of view very enjoyable. In addition to this point of view, the author tends to switch between focusing on Jacque and Fane. This was very interesting, because you were able to see one scene from both perspectives. Also, since Fane is Romanian, Loftis included a lot of Romanian words. Now I couldn't pronounce them, but I enjoyed seeing them nonetheless. As a side note, I already checked out book 2, Blood Rites and will probably be starting it later tonight.

"It was someone real, tangible, and well, hot! Not that him being hot is important, Jacque thought to herself, but, seriously it didn't hurt, right?"

"Do yourself a favor, Jac and get a Kit Kat and give yourself a break."

"Where on earth do you come up with these ideas? Is there like a website called vindictive.com or cruel-mean-ideas.org?"

"Well, you are a wolf, I don't think it's a good idea to start the habit of you sleeping in the bed, you know, with all the shedding and what-not."

 

Book Review: Falling into the White (The Ancients Book 2) by Christine M. Butler

Title: Falling into the White
Author: Christine M. Butler
Series: The Ancients Book 2
Pages: 264
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Jessica St. Marks has come to grips with being the stuff of legends. She is destined to be the leader of her kind, the werewolves.

While she dreams of uniting the two breeds of werewolves, the Ancients and the Lesser, she must first put a stop to the tyrannical rule of the current werewolf king, Antoine De’Lune.

Jessica must come into her full power in order to take her rightful place as the white wolf ruler. She cannot do that without first accepting a mate.

A choice must be made between Evan, the wolf whose claim she has already accepted once; and his brother, Mikael, whom she was forced to get to know. One will help her embrace her destiny, while the other is fated to destroy her.

I could not help myself when I finished the first book in this series and automatically had to purchase the second one. Butler did not let me down! This book was to me even better than the first!

Falling into the White picks up right where the first book left off. Jess has been left with a choice that she has to make thanks to Antoine, the king. This whole thing that is going on brings out a whole different side to some of the characters. I personally went from rooting for Evan to almost becoming the president of Mikael's campaign to win Jess' heart!

Butler does include some twists and turns that threw me for a loop. Once we got to know Mikael a little bit better, I couldn't help but want to already re-read the first one to meet Mikael once again. So far I have restrained myself, because I have so many books I want to read. Before starting this series I had never heard of Butler, but now, I am looking forward to more of her books!

Book Review: Shadows of the Ancients (The Ancients Book 1) by Christine M. Butler

Title: Shadows of the Ancients
Author: Christine M. Butler
Series: The Ancients Book 1
Pages: 225
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

No one ever questions the pairings their pack-master chooses for them. No one, except Jessica St. Marks, who can't stand the thought of being bonded for life to Zach Brighton, douchebag extraordinaire.

Jessica plans a night out with her human friend, Ashley, to have a little fun before she's forced to settle for the loser her pack has chosen to be her mate. Little does she know, her fate is about to change when she runs into a mystery wolf who takes her breath away, and marks her as his own.

Evan De'Lune may be new and exciting, but he has secrets that threaten to not only put Jessica's life in danger, but his ability to keep his claim on her as well!

You never know what you are going to get into with a free book, but this one in particular had a 4 1/2 star rating and an interesting little synopsis. It also had werewolves, which is something I am totally loving at the moment! I thought hey I'll give it a shot...

I was definitely not disappointed!! Jess is a great strong female character, and I absolutely love her best friend Ashley!! Whenever Ashley opens her mouth, or even sends a text to Jess, it is almost 100% guaranteed to make you smile or even laugh out loud! So, not only does the book have that going for it, but it also has some pretty great eye candy, which is always a plus in my book!

I thought that the overall story was very entertaining. The book follows Jessica, a wolf shifter that has been promised to a complete douche named Zach. She goes out one night to a club with her friend Ashley to get her mind off her predicament. She probably did not expect to just get herself in an even deeper pile of crap though. She inadvertently gets herself marked by strong powerful wolf, that she does not even know the name of. She just knows that there is this intense attraction that she cannot deny and is just drawn to him. She does find out the name of the one who has staked a claim on her, and **spoiler** it's Evan.

Evan seems like the perfect guy for her. Jess has never been attracted to anyone or even shown an interest in anyone before now. He seems to do everything right, the problem is he comes with a lot of problems...and danger.

Butler does a FANTASTIC job of throwing in surprises and keeping lots of humor in a story filled with looming danger and consequences. Right after I finished this book, I immediately went to the kindle store and bought the second installment. Now be aware I never do this unless I absolutely love a book and just feel compelled and excited to keep reading! I am not kidding around, I am serious, this book was fantastic and had me staying up all night, and buying and starting the second book at three in the morning! I just couldn't help myself!!

Book Review: Everlasting (The Night Watchmen Series Book 1) by Candace Knoebel

Title: Everlasting
Author: Candace Knoebel
Series: Night Watchmen Book 1
Pages: 428
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

What if your destiny lay on the other side of death?

The annual Culling ceremony is a day every coming-of-age novice looks forward to within the Primeval Coven. It’s the start to being initiated into the Night Watchmen, humankind’s protectors, and it’s the long-awaited day when novices discover if they’re a Hunter or a Witch.

But this day is not a happy one for Faye Middleton. Not when she’s known her whole life that she’s a Defect and is about to face banishment in front of her fellow novices. She’s forced to attend the Culling with little hope for her future, but what she discovers about herself is far worse than she could’ve imagined. And far more dangerous.

Thrown into training and separated from her friends, Faye must learn to adjust. She struggles to find her place within the Coven, and with Jaxen Gramm, the darkly handsome and extremely unnerving man assigned to watch and protect her. Emotions run high, and when she discovers a deadly secret about him, her struggles deepen. As corruption within the Coven begins to unravel, Faye pieces together her role in saving the future of her people, and within Jaxen’s life...but will the truth save her, or be her undoing?

I know you have probably heard me say this already, but I love free books!! I got Everlasting on my kindle, along with several other free books. I just cannot help myself, I see a free book in a genre I like and immediately click purchase! Sometimes I try to stick to the 4 1/2 or 5 star ratings, but Everlasting sounded pretty interesting, but had a 4 star rating. I also loved that it had 428 pages!!

Everlasting follows Faye, a girl who is dreading the Culling ceremony. In this ceremony, it is decided whether you will be a Hunter or a Witch. This ceremony also gives you an affinity mark. This mark will be shared with one other person, who in turn will be your partner for life. I know scary right? This is not what Faye is worried about though. Her whole life she has suspected or known that she is a defect. She believes that she will be forced to leave the Coven and have a normal human life. She already has her college acceptance letter and everything.

As like any paranormal book, we all know that things do not always go the way that the main character thinks it will. For Faye, circumstances really throw her for a loop. Not only is she a myth (you'll understand later), but she is somehow linked to the moody Jaxen Gramm, her best friend isn't having as good a time as she thought she would, and something has happened to her parents!!

This book is full of action! I thought that there was no way there could be another fight scene, but Knoebel would surprise me and throw another one in. Knoebel uses all of those 428 pages, they are not just fluff!!