Book Review: Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements Book 3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Every Last Breath
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: The Dark Elements #3
Pages: 378
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

Ms. Armentrout absolutely blew me away with the last installment of her Dark Elements series!! It was hilarious, beautiful, action-packed, and full of love!!! Seriously, I only thought the second book was my favorite...it's quickly been surpassed by Every Last Breath!

As always, I definitely do not want to give too much away. There is no way I want to ruin the magic for everyone else. I will say however, that this book has hands-down one of the most hilariously amazing scenes I have ever read...and believe me, I have read a ton! I will say that it involves someone partaking a bit too much and several empty beer cans. That's all I'm giving you in that department...you'll just have to find out the rest for yourself!

The story of Layla and crew had me sucked in from the very beginning. I laughed with them, cried with them, and threw my book down thinking "what are you doing?" Armentrout did not let me down as she wrapped up the story. I absolutely loved how everything played out. Yes, there are some things I wish would have happened differently, but if certain events did not happen, then our wonderful story would not have played out the way it did. We would not have been able to see some amazing character development happen, especially with my favorite demon! 

Every Last Breath was one crazy emotional ride and I enjoyed every minute of it! Also, I appreciated how the story delved into how sometimes the "purest" souls are capable of the most evil or that those we may deem "evil" can be capable of some really compassionate actions. Moral of the story, do not judge a book by it's cover! I cannot wait to get my hands on some more books by Ms. Armentrout! 

"You talk a lot," Roth growled, stepping forward. "And I mean a lot. Why is it that the bad guys always have to give disgustingly long and boring monologues? Let's just get to the killing part, all right?"

"When is there ever a right time to fully give your heart to another? There are always going to be obstacles. You just have to decide which ones are worth it."

"I was the corniest cornball in a cornfield of popcorn."

"There is nothing more useful than leather pants. They'll protect your ass while making it look fine."

Book Review: Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements Book 2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Stone Cold Touch
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: The Dark Elements #2
Pages: 447
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that 

could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Although I really enjoyed reading White Hot Kiss, I was in no way prepared for the awesomeness that is Stone Cold Touch. I absolutely LOVED it!! Seriously, to me it was even better than the first, and how often is that actually true?! I thought the first book was good, but this one had me talking out loud, yelling at some of the characters, and giggling uncontrollably! It was fantastic and everything I didn't know I needed. At times I literally could not put the book down, and that, along with a thunderstorm, is how I found myself staying up until 4 am (yes 4am!) to finish this book!

In this installment, our characters are dealing with the same concepts that they have been, plus a few new ones; however, everything is ramped up even more! The way Armentrout had me feeling all the characters' feelings had me so emotionally invested in what was occurring. Usually, when there is a bit of a love triangle involved, I know exactly who I like best. But, with me feeling all of these feelings I found myself in the same predicament as Layla, not knowing who is the ultimate endgame. At times I'd find myself totally rooting for our resident wickedly terrific demon, while others I'd be swooning over the caring protective warden. Seriously, what's a girl to do?

Not only was I caught up in the little love triangle we had going on, but I was wrapped up in Layla's own conflict about who she is and what she is capable of. The problem is, Layla has no idea what she is capable of...no one really does. She feels so alone and like she doesn't belong anywhere, and it is truly heartbreaking. Her DNA doesn't make her evil, and I refuse to believe that she is evil. 

So, we had all this emotional conflict going on in addition to some craziness and mystery. Strange things were happening in D.C....like demonically strange. Literally, so much was happening, and I was all about it! There were twists, intrigue, and deception! I totally called one of the twists and was still shocked when it happened, it was that crazily good! Holy cow! I absolutely cannot wait to start the next one after all this amazing goodness!

"You think you're cute?" 

"Nah, I think I'm sexy." The smirk spread, but it didn't reach his cool ocher eyes. "And I also think I'm hilarious."

"I busied myself picking out a pen from my horde, settling on a purple one that looked as though it had taken a bath in glitter...or with Ke$ha."

"But how? Have you been wandering around kissing people? Because if so, I'm pretty pissed off that I wasn't included in that."

Book Review: White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements Book 1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: White Hot Kiss
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: The Dark Elements #1
Pages: 388
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Layla just wants to fit in at school and go on a date with Zayne, whom she's crushed on since forever. Trouble is, Zayne treats Layla like a sister—and Layla is a half demon, half gargoyle with abilities no one else possesses. And even though Zayne is a Warden, part of the race of gargoyles tasked with keeping humanity safe, Layla's kiss will kill anything with a soul—including him.

Then she meets Roth—a demon who claims to know her secrets. Though Layla knows she should stay away, it's tough when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue. Trusting Roth could ruin her chances with Zayne, but as Layla discovers she's the reason for a violent demon uprising, kissing the enemy suddenly pales in comparison to the looming end of the world.

Armentrout kicks off her Dark Elements series with a great start! I thoroughly enjoyed her fresh take on the demon and angel trope. She introduces us to a world where wardens, some crazy gargoyle-like creatures serve as the world's protectors, who have actually come out to the world. As with all things that are new, unknown, or different, the existence of wardens is very controversial. Some people love them, while others have banned them from their businesses. Layla, a seventeen year-old is under the guardianship of a clan of wardens. Due to her unique DNA, she doesn't feel as if she fully fits in with the people who have cared for her throughout her whole life. She's trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs. How can she protect others as a warden when part of her is the same as the very creatures wardens must protect people from? 

Now, this is where Roth comes in, the totally delectable demon. Seriously, just one look at him will have you swooning and wanting to move on over to the dark side. He is extremely arrogant and always entertaining. Once he pops up onto Layla's radar, her life will never be the same. He offers her more insight into her own demon side, the same side she's been trying to deny her entire life. One thing is for sure, he knows how to keep things interesting...

I loved seeing Layla become more relaxed when she started to grow and become just slightly more comfortable with herself. For far too long she has been trying to deny the demon side of her life and it makes her feel like she is unwanted and doesn't belong...anywhere. Seeing her being able to truly open up with someone was heartwarming. It's true Roth is totally arrogant and cocky, but he is super sweet and caring in his own way. He really means well. He's not just your average demon...

Also, I can't forget about Zayne, the one person that has always been there for her, who also happens to be a warden. The relationship between them is adorable; however, Layla might just want it to be more. But, can she truly be herself around the guy? 

Anyways, I cannot wait to dive into the second book to see what's in store next for Layla. The ending of this book kind of threw me for a loop, but I know Armentrout will come in clutch with some great twists and action in the next installment! I just really want to see Layla find where she belongs! She is a great snarky character and I can't help but want the best for her!

P.S. this book was full of amazing quotes that I couldn't help but love!!!! Also, there was a The Princess Bride shout-out, so of course I'm in love!

"I don't know what it was with demons and the Golden Arches, but man, they loved the place."

"Biting can be a lot of fun, but only when it's appropriate. And that wasn't appropriate."

"See, I was raised in Hell. You could say I'm socially awkward."

"Roth as in the retirement account?"......."Is that what you're named after?"

"People with the purest souls are capable of the greatest evils. No one is perfect, no matter what they are or what side they fight for."

Book Review: Origin (Lux Series Book 4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Origin
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux Book 4
Pages: 364 
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together? 

Okay, so I know I said I already had a favorite Lux book, but I may have spoken too soon. Origin is amazing!!! This was one of my favorite ones yet! Origin switches back and forth between Daemon's and Katy's point of view, and you can clearly tell which point of view you are reading.

The last book, Opal ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and Origin picks up right where it left off. At first the book was a bit slow, but it picked up fairly quickly. There is so much that Katy or even Daemon don't know about, but are a big part of it all nonetheless. So many things were brought to light in this book, but it left me with way more questions than answers. I just kept coming to one bombshell after another, and I loved it!!

I recently saw a post from Jennifer L. Armentrout saying how Obsidian made it on the top young adult books of all time list, and it without a doubt deserves to be on there! This is a great series, and I am so glad that she has decided to write a book completely in Daemon's point of view!!

"Daemon Black could be as prickly as a hedgehog having a really bad day, but underneath all that spindly armor, he was sweet, protective, and incredibly selfless."

"I don't have all day, guys. I have things to do. A nap I want to take this afternoon. There's a new movie out on Netflix I want to watch, and a goddamn coupon for a free Whopper Jr. that's calling my name."

"We're stuck between a mountain and a volcano about to explode."

"While you're deep in something, you never say or do what you need to. It's always after the fact, when it's too late, that you realize what you should've said or done."

Book Review: Opal (The Lux Series Book 3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opal
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux Book 3
Pages: 382
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn't fooling around. Doubting him isn't something I'll do again, and now that we've made it through the rough patches, well... There's a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can't protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I'm no longer the same Katy. I'm different... And I'm not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I'm capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won't turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we're stronger...and they know it.

What if I told you that Daemon gets even better? You're probably thinking no way that's impossible. But, in Opal, Daemon does just that. He is full of surprises that make you wish you had your very own Daemon more and more.

In Opal, Katy learns even more about the secret organization that has interest in the Luxen and their healing abilities. She has to learn all she can and prepare herself for what is to come to truly protect those she cares about. Along the way, she, Daemon, and the other Luxen finds themselves working alongside an unlikely character. The stakes are high and everyone is on edge, but Katy is no longer the timid person she used to be.

Usually when I read a series, the first book automatically becomes my favorite, but while reading Opal, I discovered that when it comes to the Lux series, that is definitely not the case. The things that Katy has went through have left their mark and she is no longer the same person that she previously was. She now knows that she will do anything to keep her loved ones safe, which actually kind of frightens her. So, in addition to seeing this new fierce Katy, you also get to see a different side of Daemon. He still has his jerk moments, but he has this gentler side that only those he truly cares about gets to see. I loved how much depth this gave his character. There is so much more to him than just the protective jerk you have come to know and love. He has a huge heart that only a select few get to see.

The fact that Armentrout made a reference to Dean Winchester just solidified Opal as my favorite. When I saw that name in the book I had to put the book down, pick it back up, do a double take, and then proceed to just repeat "Oh my God!" over and over again. Until I get my hands on Origin (the next book in this awesome series) I can only wonder how Armentrout is even going to top this book!

"Daemon was beautiful but prickly, like a Christmas cactus."

"Andrew never liked me. I don't even think he liked people in general. Or puppies. Or bacon."
"I preferred ones with cute kittens and llamas. And Dean Winchester." (there was no way I was not putting the Dean Winchester sentence on here!)

"Thought she said to leave the door open."
"It is. It's cracked. That's Open."

Book Review: Onyx (Lux Series Book 2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux Book 2
Pages: 366
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

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 is 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…

If all aliens were easy on the eyes, and strangely both arrogant and caring, then I really don't think that I would object to an invasion. In other words if there is a group of aliens that are exactly like Daemon, then I would say come on in!

In Obsidian, Daemon was mostly the jerk that we all loved, and we rarely (just like Katy) got to see the more caring/sweeter side of him. But now, Daemon and Katy have some alien connection that Katy thinks could explain certain feelings. Daemon does like a challenge though, and will just have to prove Katy wrong!

Then a new guy with surfer good looks comes to town, and Katy thinks he may just have the normalcy that she craves, much to the dismay of our favorite jerk alien. But, normal may be just what Katy needs, because the big bad DOD has come to town, and their black Expeditions are everywhere.

There is no way you can go wrong with such a great plot, and Armentrout certainly does not. She instead goes one step further and completely knocks it out of the park! In addition to the great book that is Onyx, I was surprisingly blessed with a bonus scene! It's not really an extra scene, but at the end of the book, one of my favorite parts was retold...in Daemon's view! That right there only made me love this book that much more!

"Dog-eared pages were Antichrist of book lovers everywhere."

"Are you cold? Where's your jacket?"
"I don't like jackets."
"Did they do something terrible and unforgivable to you, too?"

"You have anger management problems. It's like a disease."
"There's a cure and it's called kicking your ass."

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."