Series: First book in The Dark Elements
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format: ebook
Review: 5/5 stars
Goodreads description:
One kiss could be the last.
Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she’s anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.
Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden, she’s crushed on since forever.
Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she’s not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn’t an issue, considering Roth has no soul.
But when Layla discovers she’s the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.
“With this first title in her new Dark Elements series, powerhouse author Armentrout delivers another action-packed, believably narrated ride… Intense, well-plotted, and very readable, this title should fly into the hands of every paranormal reader out there.”
—Booklist
My Review:
“The narrative sizzles with as much tension as romance… Totally entertaining.”
—Kirkus Reviews
We met Layla in Bitter Sweet Love as the girl with white-blonde hair and large, gray eyes. She’s half Warden, half Demon and last we saw her, she was crushing big-time on her forever friend and sorta-kinda-not brother, Zayne. He’s a Warden with a big heart that has a giant soft spot for Layla. It’s obvious he cares for her and while others in the clan see her, at minimum, as a menace and at worst, as a treasonous outsider, he sees her as someone he must protect. She’s grown up with the Wardens and despite her best efforts to deny the demon side within, she feels she is never fully accepted.
“I would never truly be a part of the Wardens. And no matter how badly I wanted it, I’d never really been their family.”
The clan uses Layla to tag demons, a single touch from her is lighting them up in order for the Wardens to hunt them at night. But one day it all changes when she runs into a demon who was looking for her. Never had she expected to encounter yet another demon – an upper-level one – to help her get out of such a dangerous situation.Roth is a great character. As we learn later, he’s multi-dimensional with a lot more than meets the eye. He’s witty and self-assured and all up in Layla’s business. Their chemistry is undeniable… a promise of things to come. I found his unique charm funny and intriguing.
“For the love of all unholy things, why must you be so difficult? I apologized for calling you a prude. I’ll even apologize for yesterday. I scared you. I threw your cell in a toilet. See, I was raised in Hell. You could say I’m socially awkward.”
“Well-paced and peppered with intriguing details that allow both Romeo-and-Juliet swoons and a zombie apocalypse to have their turns.”—Publishers Weekly
With Roth not leaving Layla alone, they end up spending more time with each other. With Roth encouraging her to try new things she becomes who she really is, not being so scared of her insecurities anymore.
“Your life is so much more than what you can’t do. What about all that you can do?”
As the truth comes out, Layla starts doubting what she was told and she becomes uncertain of who she truly is. Roth seems to have some answers and unlike the clan, he doesn’t hide the facts. Roth seems to treat her not as a child, but as someone who is beautiful, independent and perfect.“There was something about Roth that spoke to me, all of me. Something I wasn’t sure I’d felt before.”
“A must-read for fans of…Armentrout’s and for those wanting an exciting book that leaves you wanting more.”—San Francisco Book Review (5 stars)
“I lost myself the moment I found you.”
“Armentrout…pairs a fast-moving plot with a colorful cast and a strong-willed heroine. Fans and newbies alike will definitely love this.”
—RT Book Reviews
Overall: Nothing seems clear. Nothing is certain. Exciting with the magic that only Jennifer L. Armentrout can cast, captivating me from beginning to the shocking end. How the story developed kept me guessing and the cliff-hanger from the end was mind-blowing. I love Jennifer's way of writing and I love how she can turn the story at 180 degrees so fast. I truly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy book. It's exciting and intriguing and is going to catch your attention super fast. Love this book!
