Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opposition

Series: Lux #5

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen Publishing

Date Published: August 5, 2014

Genre: YA fiction, sci-fi, supernatural, action

Pages: 306 (ebook - not the Special Collectors Edition)

Age Range: 13+



Summary


Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came. She can’t believe Daemon stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.


 Review


I think this cover is the least cheesy out of the series! My favorite cover is still from the first one (Obsidian) but this one is nice too. 

So many things happened in the last 50 pages of this book and it was...intense. Like, wow. Was not expecting some of them to happen and others were just flat out shocking and horrible. But, before I talk about the ending, let me start with the beginning and middle. There will be spoilers here and there.

We see a lot more Archer in this book and it's awesome! I love him as a character and I wish there was more of him! I want more Archer! He's a very reserved character that has a fantastic sense of humor. He shows up in the first few pages and pokes fun at Katy. He really strengthens as a character in this book and even ends up with one of the most important characters in the book!

Speaking of Archer ending up with one of the most important characters... Even though I knew Dee would be back to her normal-self before the book was over, I was really nervous about her. I was worried everything that happened would affect her badly. I think having a connection with Archer kept her grounded.

Again, I really liked being able to read from not only Katy's perspective but also Daemon's. It gave us a lot of insight for what was going on and to get an understanding for what both of them were feeling and thinking throughout the book.

Okay! So the ending.

I feel like we should have gotten more closure with Nancy. Her death was too said-and-done. I wanted more. After everything she did, I wanted more of a show-down or more of an actual death-scene.

DAEMON WAS SHOT! HE WAS SHOT AND KATY AND DAEMON AREN'T CONNECTED. KATY WOULD HAVE GONE ON IF HE HAD DIED AND THAT'S TERRIBLE!

I wasn't too worried but I was not expecting Daemon to get hurt. He doesn't really get hurt in the series so it was rather shocking when that happened. I was pretty sure he wouldn't die but I was worried that there would be some sort of harmful outcome other than death. 

What happened to Katy's mom was something I was not expecting. I really thought that she was okay. I thought there would be some sort of huge reunion, but as soon as everyone got out of the car and they sensed that there was a Luxen near by, I immediately knew that something was up. Although, I was not expecting what was actually waiting for Katy...

The ending to this series was nice! I was happy that Beth and Dawson finally got their "happy ending"--that they could relax and finally be together without struggle. I loved Katy's reference to Twilight. She was holding Dawson and Beth's little girl and said that she was tempted to call her Nessie. Aaaaahh! This series has been a lot like Twilight (in a good way. I felt that a lot of things were better) but to have Katy actually mention something from Twilight saga's Breaking Dawn was funny!

Very nice ending...BUT I WISH THERE WERE MORE!!

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Origin by Jenniger L. Armentrout

Title: Origin

Series: Lux Series #4

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Date Published: August 27, 2013

Genre: YA fiction, sci-fi, supernatural, action

Pages: 400 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+



Summary


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?

Review


Aaaand we're back to cheesy book covers *fake applause* This is a book cover Daemon would make fun of. I can picture him cracking jokes about the guy being shirtless, and--ironically--Daemon is on the cover...shirtless! I poke fun at the covers for this series but I really do feel like they go with the series. The covers are very fitting, in a good way!

Now, let's get down to it.

Let's get all of the boring stuff out of the way first. The writing was amazing, as usual! I think this book was more intense than the others! It was action-packed from beginning to the end! Once I started, I could not put it down! I can't believe I ever put this series on my "paused" shelf, but I'm glad I'm finishing it now! 

The last book (Opal) left off with a major cliff-hanger where Katy is captured by Daedalus. Things are intense from the moment you pick up this book. Katy is scared, fierce, and unsure of how exactly things are going to play out. She fights back against the people that are holding her there and refuses to cooperate from day-one!

Meanwhile, Daemon is locked up as well. But that only lasts for a few pages because he's awesome and manages to break out of the place so he can go find Kat. He ends up giving himself over to Daedalus and makes a deal with the groups evil leader, Nancy, in order to see Kat. As soon as he gets there, Kat is happy and relieved, but, at the same time, totally horrified that he's turned himself over and is deciding to go through this with her.

Not long after their little reunion, Daedalus start their experiments. A lot of things are revealed that I wasn't expecting and there's a lot of terrible deaths involved.

This book was fun even when things were supposed to be series. I feel like Daemon's sense of humor helped ease some of Katy's tension while they were in Daedalus. I think there were only 2 things that kept Kat from breaking down sooner.
1. Daemon's presence and not wanting him to see her lose it. She wanted to stay strong for him.
2. She didn't want to give Daedalus's the satisfaction of seeing her break down.

I could feel that Katy got stronger in this book. Physically and mentally, she grew as a character. I also loved reading from Daemon's perspective. I really enjoyed reading from both their point-of-views!

We had a bunch of new characters introduced but my favorite has to be Archer. I find Archer very intriguing and I can't wait to see what else he brings to the table. I feel like he will be a big asset in the next book. Which, I'm downloading to my iPad right now. As I type this. And I'm going to start reading it right after I finish this review...It's done downloading so.....BYE

4.5 STARS

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Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Oblivion

Series: Lux series #1.5

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Date Published: December 1, 2015

Genre: YA fiction, romance, sci-fi, action, supernatural

Pages: 352 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+


Summary

Experience the epic love story of OBSIDIAN as told by its hero, Daemon Black…
 
I knew the moment Katy Swartz moved in next door, there was going to be trouble. Lots of it.
And trouble’s the last thing I need, since I’m not exactly from around here. My people arrived on Earth from Lux, a planet thirteen billion light years away. Plus, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that humans can’t be trusted. We scare them. We can do things they only dream about, and honestly, we make them look weak as hell. ‘Cuz they are.

But Kat is getting to me in ways no one else has, and I can't stop myself from wanting her—or wanting to use my powers to protect her. She makes me weak, and I’m the strongest of our kind, tasked with protecting us all. So this one simple girl…she can mean the end for us. Because the Luxen have an even bigger enemy—the Arum, and I need to stay on my game.

Falling for Katy—a human—won't just place her in danger. It could get us all killed, and that’s one thing I’ll never let happen...


Review


This series is keeping to the cheesy/fun book cover theme and like it! The cover actually reminds me of one of the book covers Daemon was teasing Kat about.

It was great reading--basically--Obsidian from Daemon's perspective. It answered a lot of questions I had while reading Obsidian. Now I know he's not such a jerk. He did what he had to do, even though he had crazy mood swings. He really did like Kat from the start and tried to do right by her by trying to keep her away. He went about it the wrong way (by being a total jerk face half the time) but he felt like he needed to drive her away so I can understand to an extent. Yet he couldn't keep from being pulled toward her.

Reading from Daemon's POV was very steamy...and shocking a few times. I wasn't expecting a few things to happen but...it was good otherwise lol. I was reading from a guy's POV so I guess such things should be expected (totally kidding lol).

I still love Daemon and Katy's banter. It's cute and, now that I've read from Daemon's point-of-view, I know they both really did genuinely care about each other during the first book. It wasn't one-sided on Kat's side, and it almost happened immediately. Daemon was drawn to Katy just like Katy was drawn to Daemon.

Daemon's arrogance might aggravate you a few times (or possibly more than a few) and the way he reacts to Katy sometimes is upsetting because he's reacting the wrong way for the right reasons. 

This is a rather short review but it's because I've already reviewed Obsidian so I don't feel the need to talk about the characters. The writing was good, naturally. Armentrout always writes spunky-fun and steamy books and writes them beautifully. Daemon and Katy always make me laugh. If you're a fan of the Lux series, I would recommend picking up this book. It will answer any questions that you had while reading the first book from Katy's perspective and it was very enjoyable and fast read.

Though, I will admit that I was hoping for a little more action and insight to Daemon's life and the Luxen. Didn't really get much outside of what we originally read in Obsidian. 

So, I haven't finished the rest of the books in the Lux series BUT I'M GOING TO NOW. I have 2 books left to read but now I'm back into it and excited to get my hands on them!

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Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opal

Series: Lux Series #3

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Date Published: December 11, 2012

Genre: YA fiction, romance, sci-fi, supernatural, action

Pages: 452 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+




Summary

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. 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.


Review

  
Things are getting steamy with Daemon Black ;)

I would say this book definitely had more of a serious note than the last one. Onyx was more fun, witty and quirky and there were a lot more Daemon and Katy moments that I liked.

Though there was the scene for their date at the Italian restaurant. Again, all I could think about was Twilight! Yes, I liked the series. I wasn't a crazy fan but I found it interesting and enjoyably cheesy--just like how I find this series. There are just a lot of things in this series that reminds me of Twilight.

I didn't like how protective Daemon was in this book. Other times it was understandable and he didn't push that hard about Kat staying behind, but in this book it seemed a little overboard. They argued about it quite a lot and I felt like Kat didn't get angry enough about the fact that he wanted her to stay behind for her safety. She was just kind of like, "Oh, he's just being protective; it's sweet." I mean, they had the conversation/argument more than once in this book. I would've gotten furious if he tried to tell me what to do.

Katy's mom didn't find them in bed together in this book (thank goodness we averted from having that embarrassing/awkward moment, again) but Kat and Daemon weren't just catching some Z's in this book...if ya catch ma drift.

Oh wow when Katy found out that Blake was sneaking into her room!! At first, I thought it was Dawson, did anyone else think that? I thought Dawson was having some weird feelings about Kat because he missed Beth, and Katy reminded him of her. Plus, she had that dream about Daemon sleeping next to her.

OMG THE ENDING!! THE ENDING!! Holy cow I was totally expecting Katy to get trapped somehow but I was NOT expecting Blake to betray them! They trusted him and he just....OHMYGOSH and then the scene with Daemon trying to get to Katy as the doors were closing and she was holding him back with the Source so he wouldn't get hurt from the lasers! It was SO SAD! I sat there when I finished the book for a good ten minutes just like "OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED! BLAKE, YOU BASTARD!" Yeah....things might have gotten just a little intense...just a teensy weensy bit.

What's with these titles? Like, we have Obsidian, then we have Onyx, now Opal and then the next book is Origin! They all start with the latter "O". The cover is still pretty cheesy but it's loads better than the first two in the series.

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Onyx

Series: Lux Series #2

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Date Published: August 14, 2012

Genre: YA fiction, romance, sci-fi, action, supernatural

Pages: 416 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+




Summary

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…


Review


This series is cursed with cheesy book covers. The writing is also sort of cheesy at certain points, but I still enjoyed this book. I'm not huge on sci-fi but I find this series interesting and different from other things I've read. The characters are really great in this series! Though, who wouldn't love Daemon?

Oh my gosh, soooo much happened in this book. It felt like I was on a rollercoaster. I don't even know where to start for this post...Warning: I will be jumping from one thing to another in this post...I've had caffeine.

Why don't we start out with an "HA! I totally called it! In yo face!"? I totally called it about Blake! I knew he was up to no good! I knew it! I texted my co-blogger, Nadia, as soon as he came into the picture. Something was just off about him and I didn't trust him, at all. And then when he started training with Katy? Nope. Nope! Warning bells were going off.

Okay, about the onyx thing: I couldn't take the whole thing seriously....all I was picturing was Superman and kryptonite. I was just like, "Really? We had to rip-off Superman? I already think this book is pretty high on the ridiculously-cheesy list but now it's pretty high up there."
But I kept reading and thought it was neat how the author used it in the book anyway. This book also reminded me of Twilight in a lot of places...

One of my favorite parts in the book is when Katy's mom finds Daemon and Katy in bed together (they were legit just catching some Z's). It was hilarious and perfect. I couldn't stop smiling lol.

And ohmygosh when they did the book vlog post together! *sigh* It was very swoon worthy. He couldn't keep quiet as Kat talked--needless to say, it was adorable! He was totally charming, and totally into it.

Oh, and then earlier when Daemon said, "Maybe they're getting some bow-chicka-pow-wow" I was cracking up! All I could picture was this really hot guy (who almost always keeps a calm demeanor) using a high pitched voice to make this sound. It was priceless!!

The ending totally had me. The ending was like giving an addict cocaine or something, except I'm a book addict so it's a little different (I don't do cocaine...). I bought Opal the second after I finished this book. I don't care if I have eight unread books on my shelf, I'm reading the third book. Right. Now.

Okay, I think I've spoiled this book for you enough. Go read it!

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian

Series: Lux Series #1

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Date Published: December 6, 2011

Genre: YA fiction, romance, science fiction, action, supernatural)

Pages: 292 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+ (language and a few jokes about sex)



Summary


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.


Review 


I don't normally read sci-fi, because I'm not into aliens or robots, or really anything else that has to do with most sci-fi. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

The cover is cheesy, though the color is eye-catching. Green really stands out, ya know? I kind of like the title. It doesn't give away what the book is about. You don't even really understand the purpose of the title until you read the book, then it makes sense.

The writing is good; not too descriptive in detail, leaving it to your imagination. The characters are great, witty, snippy, and funny. I loved how Katy and Daemon went back and forth with witty comments and insults.

Deamon is snarky. Dee is perky and fun. Katy is witty aaaand taking to the aliens well...better than I ever would have, regardless of how smoking hot they might be (in human form, of course).

I like the relationship Daemon and Katy have. There's this jokey-insulting tension between them that continues through the book. They go back and forth, but you can tell they both care about what the other thinks, and that they like each other regardless of how much they say they don't.

I also like how these two characters just like each other (for now). They're kind of friends, but at the same time there's an attraction. Though, they still deny that there's anything happening between them. Katy knows she's attracted to him (and so does Daemon, as he likes to point out more than once) but continues to deny it. While Daemon is attracted to Katy, even admits it, but she doesn't believe it!

Like I said, I can't wait to read the sequel but I have 2 other books to read first, so keep an eye out for more reviews ;)