Cover Reveal: "Origin" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Today I am excited to participate in the cover reveal of the fourth installment from one of my most favourite series- Jennifer L. Armentrout's "Origin"!

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?

What are your thoughts? It's the tagline that personally did me in! 

"Opal" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Entangled
Pages: 452

From Goodreads: "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."

Jennifer L. Armentrout has quickly raised in the ranks of my TOP AUTHORS OF ALL TIME, basically in my eyes I think that she can do no wrong. However, I must admit that I didn't quite enjoy this book, one of my most highly anticipated of 2012, as much as I had hoped to.

What I have come to understand after thinking about this book for quite some time is that when it comes to these two, Daemon and Katy, I enjoy the chase more so than the actual relationship- while in theory I had always wanted to see Daemon and Katy together, when it actually happened it didn't quite meet my expectations. I loved the banter and snarkiness that they tossed at one another pre-relationship and when they came together I found them to be far too domestic-y for my liking, bordering on predictable, or, dare I say it, boring. That being said, I did quite enjoy Katy's relationship with... Dawson. I liked that she was able to break through to him to the extent that no other was. Though I was somewhat disappointed with Katy's lack of relationship with Dee.

Furthermore, I did quite like the character development in this book, especially the physical character development- give her another book or two and I think that Katy can truly give the most kick-ass YA female characters, Katniss, Tris, and so on, a run for their money! Another aspect that I liked was the ending- while, in my opinion, it was entirely unexpected, coming completely out of left field, I wouldn't have it any other way (and despite it being a cliffhanger of sorts, I don't find it to be near as painful as JLA has written before- she truly knows how to write endings like no other ).

All in all, despite my complaints I still do believe that this book, not to mention series, is one of the best that I have read in the world of YA in a long time and you can bet that I will still be first in line at the bookstore to pick up the next book in the series, "Origin"!

Rating: 4/5

"Opal" Trailer Reveal

Today I am excited to be a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout's "Opal" trailer reveal- "Opal" is hands down my most highly anticipated book of winter 2012- I need my Daemon fix ASAP!

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.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

Cover Reveal: "Opal" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Today I am excited to be a part of the cover reveal of "Opal", the third book in Jennifer L. Armentrout's (and one of my most favourite) series, the "Lux" series. 

"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." 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Follow this link to an ~~~ EPIC CONTEST ~~~ Announcement. You will want to bookmark this page! 

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

ARC Review: "Onyx" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: August 14th, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 416

From Goodreads: "Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

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 when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until 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."

Expect the unexpected. Truer words have never been spoken that are applicable to this book- not once did I expect the outcome of Daemon healing Katy in "Obsidian" to be what it in in this book, not once did I expect to see Daemon being more than his douchy yet utterly swoon-worthy self, and not once did I expect to be introduced to the specific character that we are at the end of this book. What all of these surprises result in is this book being, without a doubt, the best sequel, if not the best book, that I have read this year (and what is truly exceptional is that this is only one of two sequels that I haven't been disappointed in some way, shape, or form by this year- this and "The Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead- Veronica Roth and Cassie Clare truly have nothing on JLA). 

Typically I am one who loathes things coming out of the left field in a book- for instance, something that is casually mentioned, with seemingly little thought, in the first book in a series which later plays a significant role in the second book (if not solely defines it). However, I didn't have a problem whatsoever with this book (in the case of the impact of Daemon healing Katy)- I thought that it was one of the best executed instances of this occurring I have ever seen before. As such the results of the healing almost seemed believable (I cannot wait to learn more about this revelation in "Opal") and it fit almost seamlessly with the overall feel of the series (seriously, just when you thought that a YA series about aliens, of all things, couldn't get more unique JLA does *that*).

Prior to reading this book I was already head over heels for Daemon and therefore I didn't believe it possible to fall even more so for him- was I ever wrong (seriously, Jace, Four, Adrian, and the likes of, y'all really need to step your game up because Daemon Black is here to stay). While there was admittedly many douchy Daemon moments in this book there were even better moments- many of which took my breath away- romantic Daemon moments (Did y'all think that Daemon could dish out the romance as easily as he can dish out the snark? Because I sure as heck didn't). It becomes clear in this book that there is so much more to Daemon than a pretty face.

That being said, while I LOVED Daemon more so in this book than I did in "Obsidian" I was admittedly a bit on the fence about Katy. On the one hand I think that it was great that we saw actual character growth, on the other I thought that she was far too pigheaded for much of the book (I mean, how many times does a boy have to apologize for you to get it through your thick skull that HE IS SORRY?!?). That being said, I am happy to say that, like Daemon being able to hold his own with the likes of Jace and Four, Katy would also be able to hold her own against Clary, Tris, and Rose by the end of this.

All in all, it becomes evident that JLA grows as an author with each passing book as this one is hands down her best book to date. This book is the epitome of a pageturner/ jam-packed action and adventure/ will keep you on the edge of your seat/ all of those other cliche-ish book-related sayings. I truly cannot stress to you how good it is, all I can do is recommend that you rush out and purchase a copy. I very highly doubt that you will regret doing so!

Rating: 5/5

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review. 

Memorable lines from the book: 

"I don't want you." 
"Uh, now is not the time to get into *that* conversation."
[...] "But I do want you." 
Daemon's arms tightened around me. "I know, Kitten. You aren't fooling anyone" (pg. 17). 

"New Year's Day? Wasn't going to happen" (pg. 43). 

"If you keep lying, I think I will have to leave," he threatened halfheartedly. "I don't feel that my virtue is safe." 
"Your virtue?" I huffed. "Whatever." 
"I know how you get" (pg. 114).  

"I've thought about the repercussions- it's all I've thought about" (pg. 139). 

"And you're mine" (pg. 336).

"Oh, I still want to strangle you. But I'm insane. You're crazy. Maybe that's why. We just make crazy together" (pg. 380).

"Shadows" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: Entangled Publishing
Publisher: February 21, 2012
Pages: 179

From Goodreads: "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."

Random note: For some unexplainable reason I ended up reading "Oynx", the second book in Jennifer's "Lux" series before I read this, a novella that takes place before the events in both "Obsidian" and "Onyx". In all honesty, I am very glad that I did- had I read this first, I don't think that I would have had been taken by surprise and experienced all of those feelings (those heart-pounding and rip-your-heart-out-and-stomp-on-it-feelings) that I did while reading "Onyx". Therefore, in my personal opinion I do recommend that you read "Obsidian", then "Onyx", then this book, "Shadows" (otherwise I feel like little in "Onyx" will take you by surprise as you will most likely be able to foreshadow at least 87.3% of it).

In all honesty prior to reading this book I thought that I would have a difficult time discerning Daemon/ Dawson's voices from one another and Katy/ Bethany's voices from one another, however that wasn't the case whatsoever. That being said, while Dawson and Bethany did have their own voices, Bethany being an the epitome of the 'girl-next-door', Dawson being the black sheep of the family of sorts, wanting more out of the Luxen life, I didn't think that they were quite as developed as I hoped that they were, especially when compared to Daemon and Katy (then again, I have to understand that this *is* a novella and therefore there are time/ length constrictions when compared to a full length novel). 

Furthermore, I really quite disliked Daemon in this book- I seem to recall that in "Obsidian" and "Onyx" other characters, such as Dee and Adam, had said that prior to Dawson's death Daemon had been A LOT more easygoing/ friendly, however that wasn't the case whatsoever- he was even more of a jerk in this, when his brother was still alive, than he was in "Obsidian" (I mean, if this is Daemon being *nice* I'd hate to see what he is like when he is REALLY trying to be a jerk).

All in all, I must admit that I am a tad disappointed with this novella (it is unfortunately my least favourite thing that Jennifer has written to date). That is not to say that it is bad, it isn't, but I just wish that there had been more to it- whether it be more developed characters or more to the storyline (I mean, after having read "Obsidian" we basically know what happens in this novella, it doesn't deviate from it whatsoever or gives us anything new).

Rating: 3/5

30 Days of Daemon: "Onyx" Blog Tour

 As some of you may know, I am a HUGE fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout's "Lux" series Daemon Black (I recently had the opportunity to read "Onyx" which comes out this August, and let me tell you, y'all are in for a treat- it is BY FAR the best sequel I have read this year!) and therefore I am super excited to be a part of Entangled Publishing's 30 Days of Daemon Blog Tour.

Today I am partaking in part 2 (of 4) of 'Couples Questions'. Couples Questions is based off a game show in the UK. Katy and Daemon have each been asked questions about each other, then brought back together to hear each others answers.  

Welcome back, Katy

So Katy, what is your favourite thing to do? Is it a) Reading b) Swimming c) School or d) Something else?
Katy: Reading, but I’m sure if you asked Daemon this question he probably answered spending time with him.

Katy, if your house was on fire and you could save only one thing, what would that be?
My laptop

If you were to describe Daemon in 3 words, what words would you chose?
Incredibly sexy & infuriating.

What is your favourite food Katy?
Anything with meat in it.

And finally Katy, if you could design your own prom dress, how would you make it look?
Ha. I would never design my own dress. I can’t even answer that. 

So Daemon seems like you know Katy pretty well, huh? Let’s see how well you know Daemon now, Katy! Daemon, if you could leave the room for us?

To see Daemon’s answers, check out yesterday’s post at Eleusinian Mysteries.

And to see how well Katy does answering questions about Daemon, go to Books Complete Me tomorrow!

E-ARC Review: "Obsidian" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From Goodreads: "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."

When I first read this book synopsis way back when, while I found the premise to be intriguing, I can't lie, I scoffed at the idea of the paranormal beings of this book being aliens (I totally pictured little green aliens with tiny bodies and gigantic heads running around with lasers and other technologies that my mere human mind would be unable to wrap my head around). Therefore you can imagine my surprise when I read this book and learn that the aliens are in fact SUPER gorgeous looking humans (and even when they are in their 'natural' forms they are still pretty gorgeous sounding- think Lend from Kiersten White's "Paranormalcy" series) and when the book didn't follow the stereotypical alien plotline (ie. "We have come to take over your planet", "Take us to your leader", and whatnot).

I don't know if I have ever seen so much sexual tension in a YA book before than I did in this book, sexual tension that was extremely reminiscent of an adult UF/ PNR (don't get me wrong, I am by no means complaining, sexual tension= fun times)- what does this mean? That this book successfully bridges the gap between YA and adult- a thirty year old will be as satisfied with this book as a 16 year old.

Both Daemon and Katy are such well-developed characters and probably the snarkiest pairing I have ever read in a YA book before. Seriously, neither one could not out-do the other (nor could they allow the other to have the last word). I am convinced that if they were to become a legitimate couple they could rule the world (with him being totally swoon-worthy,  possessive- in a not-creepy-but-cute-possessive way, and a genuinely nice guy despite his tough exterior and her being a strong female not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and who never backs down).

All in all, once you start this book you won't be able to set it down, not only because of the sexytimes, but also the fast-paced and unique plotline and dynamic characters. I am totally kicking myself for this being the first book by Jennifer that I have read before (guess who is adding her other series to the top of their TBR pile?)! I need a sequel ASAP!

Rating: 5/5

I received this book from the Publisher/ NetGalley to read and honestly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Memorable lines from the book: 

"Yeah, it's kind of a hobby. What's yours? Kicking puppies?" (7%)

"Yeah, people call me Kitten all the time. But you make it sound so... I don't know, like it's an insult... Or something sexually deviant" (19%). 

"They were googly-eyed in class on Friday. It was pretty steamy, the while 'I'm screwing you with my eyes' thing they had going on" (64%). 

"We could take her out to a field and chase her around in our cars" (82%).