REVIEW: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian (Lux #1)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Published: May 8, 2012 (re-release date)
Format: Second Edition Paperback; 400 pages

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.

My Review:
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout truly captured my heart and soul from the first sentence that I read and kept me hanging on every word long past the end of the book. True to every review I have read, Obsidian is one incredible and amazing book! The characters are beyond unforgettable, the storyline is engaging and the romance is gripping and heart pounding.

After the painful loss of her father three years ago, Katy and her mom move for a fresh start in a small town in West Virginia. The transition of moving to a new town is difficult for Katy, but she’s dealing with it the best she can. Katy’s always been one to keep to herself. She’s content with being in front of her laptop all day, reading and working on her blog. However, her mom encourages Katy to get out and make new friends, starting with the two teenagers who live next door. Despite her dismay, Katy goes ahead and takes her mother’s advice. Next door, she’s greeted by this beautiful boy with mesmerizing green eyes and one gorgeous bang-worthy body. All seems great until he speaks and turns out to be one big, (still sexy), jerk. From there, it’s nearly non-stop fighting for Daemon and Katy. They just can’t seem to get along and if that’s not troubling, Katy finds out that Daemon and his twin sister Dee are not from this world at all. 


Jennifer L. Armentrout is a freaking genius, a writer and story teller extraordinaire. (But you all knew that, right?) She’s a gift from the writing gods themselves because Obsidian is one explosive book. Her writing is outstanding, it’s clever and full of life. It’s the type of writing that sucks you in, grabs you, wraps around your heart and never ever lets you go no matter what you do. The words come off the page, it flows, it’s so smooth and fluid, it’s more than easy to read. Her writing is not only descriptive, it’s imaginative, it’s detailed yet simple, but oh so exuberant and you know, made of awesomesauce! The whole storyline and idea of Obsidian is more than unique and original, it’s innovative and well thought out. I’ve never really enjoyed aliens, but JLA sure changed my mind. Who knew aliens could be so cool, so hot, so damn infuriating all at once? The aliens that she brings into this story is not the usual type of aliens one conjures up in mind. These aliens are completely different and especially fascinating and not like anything I would have ever thought of. I knew that Daemon was an alien, but I just didn’t know what kind and slowly getting to know this side of him was pretty much astounding. The Luxen powers are mind blowing and so creatively developed. It’s supernatural, truly otherworldly and if I’m struck by lightening, it’s straight up dazzling. I wish I could talk more about it, but just know that JLA goes into depth about them and she’s very generous when it comes to Luxen background. I, for one, totally wouldn’t mind being a Luxen because having those type of powers described in the book makes me green with envy. I want to be able to do the things they do too! I hope to get to know more about the Luxen along with their Arum enemy counterparts in the next book because I just can’t get enough. 


I absolutely loved Katy. She was independent, intelligent, strong, fierce, and level-headed. I loved how she takes care of herself and she holds no grudge to the fact that her mom is not always around. She really holds her own and she has a wonderful relationship with her mom despite it all. I also love that she takes no crap from anyone, especially Daemon. Katy fights for what she wants and for what is right. I loved how understanding Katy was throughout the book. The revelations about Daemon and Dee were completely shocking for Katy and I thought the way she reacted was realistic. It was unbelievable to her, but she opened her mind and never once judged or turned away from Daemon or Dee. Her unwavering loyalty towards the two was inspiring. Katy had a big heart, she had morals, she was genuine and she was just one amazing character from the inside out. Not only was I able to relate to her, I connected with her on a whole other level, especially considering the fact that she is also a book blogger! I really enjoyed the blogging references that JLA added in the story. I also loved how quirky, witty and funny Katy was. The way JLA developed Katy’s character made her real; brought her to life. Katy wasn’t just any character in a book, she became like a friend that I got to know while reading Obsidian.

Katy’s relationship with Daemon is crazy and wild. They’re like cat and dog, racing around, always at war. It’s the type of love/hate relationship that kept me on edge. It’s full of tension and unwavering intensity that’s so passionate, something and somewhere is about to burst between the two. I absolutely loved how one minute they’re ready to just about kill each other and then the next, they are just so right, so perfect and so fitting for each other. Those sweet and lovely moments between Daemon and Katy are the moments that I continued to crave between the two. I loved the building tension between Daemon and Katy even if half the time I was frustrated because I wanted them to just kiss already! The anticipation of that moment was perfect and ultimately satisfying. JLA sure knows how to write a kissing scene because, oh sweet heaven, that was the best kissing scene I have ever read, ever.

The other characters in the book were also well developed, had unique personalities and were especially memorable. Of course, there is no denying my favoritism and adoration for one irritating, condescending, arrogant, pompous, self-righteous, but by god, sexy, seductive, gorgeous, devastatingly handsome and hilarious green-eyed alien named Daemon Black. I will admit it now and forevermore that I love Daemon. I love him, I love him, I love him. He sure got me all hot and bothered and I am not afraid to admit that! When he’s around, he lights up the whole room. Hell, he is the room. He’s stunning and he really brings in the attention. He has a big mouth for sure, but it’s the type of mouth that you want to kiss all day long. He’s so funny in that laugh-out-loud-clutch-your-stomach-in-pain kind of way. Sure, he’s annoyingly beautiful, but his strong personality is what makes him so damn lovable. He may be obnoxious, but he cares deeply for his sister and his overprotectiveness and willingness to sacrifice his life for his sister is breathtakingly admirable. It doesn’t hurt that Daemon is a walking, talking, breathing and living sex on a stick, oh-my-god *licks his face* type of guy. There is no reason NOT to love Daemon. He’s that bright light in all the darkness and he will definitely steal your heart and hold it hostage forever. 


Another character I surely loved was Daemon’s sister, Dee. She’s the first friend Katy makes in WV, and soon they become the best of friends. Although Daemon doesn’t approve of their friendship, I love how Dee tries her best to keep her friendship with Katy going and vice versa. Dee is wonderful all around and she’s a complete sweetheart. She’s so outgoing, talkative, kind, daring and full of energy, it’s so easy to love her. She’s the complete opposite of Daemon, but she’s awesome in many ways. I love her relationship with Daemon and even more so with Katy. She’s another reason why I loved this book and her the depth of care that she feels for Katy, a mere human, is astounding and heart-warming. I also liked Katy’s human friends, Lesa and Carissa, along with one other Luxen Adam. I hope they show up again in the next books to come. 


There is nothing that I don’t love about Obsidian. It’s one of the best books I have read and I cannot ever compare it to anything else in this world. I could go on and on about how page-gripping and extraordinary it really is, but my words could never do this book real justice. 


Obsidian is definitely a one-of-a-kind type of book. It’s fast-paced and full of never ending laughter. It’s more than fun and flirty, but entirely addicting. There is never a dull moment and there is nothing more intoxicating than this story. It’s very exciting and action-packed to the core. It’s no wonder that I am aching and dying and begging for the next book!

All in all, Obsidian is fan-freaking-tastic. <3



My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!


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