Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian 

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen 
Publishing Date:   November 23rd 2011

Pages:  335
Genre:  YA Paranormal Romance

Series: Lux #1
Source: Audio

  

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.

This book spent forever, well 2 years, on my TBR list. I saw tons of great reviews, ravings, and obsession over this book. I was weary, very weary. I didn't want to go in ready to love it and be disappointed. I so was not disappointed. I loved it. So many things to love about this book. I loved the characters, the story was fresh, and the romance was just right. It was just all goodness. 

Katy moves to a new town, her next door neighbor is hot but strange and a real jerk. The neighbor jerk's twin sister is not a jerk. Katy and Dee become best friends which forces Daemon into Katy's life. Since they are not human, everything turns into a mess and danger lurks around every corner and of course Katy has to be saved on multiple occasions by Dee and the jerk Daemon. Katy returns the favor a couple of times too. Its a story about friendship and a jerk. I think most people have read this book already so that's all I need to say.

I am so completely overjoyed that this book was as good as I hoped. The beginning was a bit iffy for me. About the first 2-3 hours. Once Daemon and Dee's secrets were spilled the book took off and I couldn't or wouldn't put it down. I usually can say the characters were the best part, or the romance, or the story, or the writing. In this book it was all of it. I think every bit of this book worked amazingly together to create something fun and addicting. I know I am already going to be addicted to this series. 

The main character, Katy, is just killer. She is tough, snarky, smart, and a book blogger. Yea pretty cool. I loved hearing her bring up her Waiting on Wednesday posts, comments, and followers. It was fun. What I liked about her most was her ability to stand up for herself, do what she felt was right, and not second guess her every decision. She wasn't the helpless maiden that needed saving. All though she did need saving a couple of times, she also did the saving. It was a pretty equal saving relationship. She just rocked. 

I also loved Dee and Daemon. Dee was spunky, sweet, and a great friend to have in your corner. She was beautiful and smart, but its a bit hard to make friends when doing so puts them in danger. So when Katy and Dee became friends, it made Dee's world. She was always in Katy's corner and made Katy have fun. Daemon on the other hand was a jerk, but had his moments where I couldn't help but like him. He angered me, but he also made me smile, blush, and giggle. Yes like a school girl. The ultimate bad boy. He loved to mess with Katy but never crossed the line, well not totally, into the bad guy. I couldn't help but love him. 

So there were great characters. I loved them. BUT, it doesn't stop there. I liked the romance. Well what there was of it. There wasn't much because simply put.... Daemon and Katy do not get along. Of course this causes issues because they are very much attracted to each other and things keep happening forcing them to spend time together. So there is bickering then there is kissing.... and some pretty steamy scenes. Never love though. It's headed that way for sure but not there yet.....not even like just hate and lust. 

The story was original for me because it was aliens and not vampires or ghosts or werewolves or witches or fae..... It did lack in total creativeness.... there is still the cliche of ya in the story... but there is enough newness that kept me going. I loved the alien origins, the natural forms, the abilities, it was well written and very exciting.

The writing style was great. There were many times I found myself laughing out loud as well as times I am sure I was blushing, I know I felt the heat. There was plenty of emotional moments, playful moments, and intense moments. It was a full ride for me. Everything I love in my stories was included and I felt the story and saw the story as I listened. I was never bored and I am left needing more. 

Very satisfied, very impressed, and I need more. I will be getting more as soon as I can. 

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.