Saturday, April 21, 2012

Review: LUX 02 - Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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.

Expected publication: August 14th 2012 by Entangled Teen

My thoughts: Although I loved Obsidian, I’ve decided not to write a review after finishing it. That was because it already had a lot of awesome reviews, with quotes and all…I couldn’t find anything new to top all that was already said. So I suffered in silence – well, not quite, because I started bugging my blog friends and my real ones to read it too, which I did (and plan to do from now on) with all of Jenn’s books I put my hands on – and waited for the sequel.
Onyx came a whole lot earlier for me, thanks to the extraordinary people at Entangle Publishing.
Katy and Daemon – I will refer to them both at the same time because I can’t find it in me to speak about them separately – they’re growing right in front of you. You can actually SEE them maturing. Although this might be a heartbreaking process sometimes, the book is still full of their teasing lines, those I can’t seem to get enough of.
 “Not in this lifetime, buddy,” I said finally. “Resistance is futile, Kitten.” “So is your charm.” “We’ll see.”
Daemon was a total babe, but he was stab-worthy, which, at times, zeroed out the babe part. Not always, though.
“Embarrassed someone would see you and think you’re capable of reading?” “I do have a reputation to maintain.” “And what a lovely reputation that is.”
I didn’t like Daemon— I didn’t. He could make out with the Pope for all I cared.
Daemon poked me once in class to remind me of our lunch plans, and then one more time because he felt like it.
But somewhere along this installment, a deeper part of Daemon is revealed. There were glimpses of this part in Obsidian as well, so for the people who are wondering, YES! There is a lot more of Daemon to see! And I totally loved what I found!
“You would’ve liked Dawson. Looked just like me but a much better guy. Not a douchebag, in other words.” A lump formed in my throat. “I’m sure I would’ve, but you’re not bad.” He arched a brow. “Okay, you’re prone to moments of great dickdom, but you’re not bad.”
“How can you still want me?” I said. Daemon pressed his forehead against mine. “Oh, I still want to strangle you. But I’m insane. You’re crazy. Maybe that’s why. We just make crazy together.”
“I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring, what a year from now is going to be like. Hell, we may end up killing each other over something stupid next week. It’s a possibility. But all I do know is what I feel for you isn’t going anywhere.”
Tingles spread over my neck. Without thinking, I spun around and raced across the room. Throwing open the door, I rushed out into the cold night air. I didn’t even think. Daemon had reached the top step when I rushed him, wrapping my arms around his neck, squeezing him tight. He seemed stunned for a second, and then his arms swept around my waist. For several moments, neither of us spoke. We didn’t need to. I just wanted to hold him—for him to hold me. Maybe it was the connection wrapping us together. Maybe it was something infinitely deeper. At that moment, I didn’t care.
There’s a new boy at school, Blake. I’m sure you’ll like him because he actually stands his ground in front of Daemon – a big WOW here – who can’t (or won’t) remember his name at all. And he might like Katy…just a little bit. Are we dealing with a love triangle? No way! Katy doesn’t even like Daemon, does she? I’ll wait for your opinion on this fact.
“What were you planning to do after dinner? Was Biff taking you to a movie?” Blake’s easy grin started to falter. “Blake. And that would be the plan.”
“Well, anyway, I’m actually here for a reason.” Daemon picked up my glass and took a drink. “You’re needed at home.” Blake halted his movements. “Excuse me?” “Did I speak too fast, Bart?” “His name is Blake,” I snapped. “And why am I needed at home? Right now, at this very moment?” Daemon met my eyes, his stare heavy and intense with meaning. “Something has come up and you need to check it out now.”
Blake opened the storm door and stepped inside. “Sorry it took me so long to get over here.” “Too bad it didn’t take longer.” Daemon stretched idly, like a cat. “And too bad you didn’t get lost or—” “Eaten by wild boars or killed in a horrific ten-car pileup. I get it.”

But prepare yourself to be surprised! Clean the carpet, because your jaw might hit it several times while you’re reading (you have plenty of time until the book is out). There are some things you won’t understand if you haven’t read Shadows, in fact I recommend re-reading all the series before starting this installment. Nothing in Onyx is as it seems, and the drop of mystery/thriller provides it with even more awesomeness.
Onyx is an outstanding story and a huge roller-coaster of emotions! I was like…laughing all the time in the first half of the story, only to find myself swooning on the edge of my seat on the second part. I couldn’t stop my tears from falling at some point. Jennifer outdone herself again! It’s funny how any of her books can make me forget about house, husband, grandmother, cats, EVERYTHING! If you haven’t read them yet, make sure you search them all, read them and force everyone else you know to do the same - just like me – because they’re just that awesome!
Many, many thanks to Entangled Publishing for entrusting me with this early ARC.

Happy Reading!




Translation for my Romanian readers: Deşi mi-a plăcut extrem de mult Obsidian, am evitat să-i scriu o recenzie pentru că existau déjà o mulțime de păreri extraordinare despre ea, citate şi tot ce se mai putea şi nu am mai găsit nimic în plus care să merite adăugat. Aşa că am preferat să sufăr în tăcere – ei bine nu chiar aşa, pentru că am început să îmi bat la cap toți prietenii de blog dar şi reali, ceea ce am făcut (şi intenționez să fac în continuare) cu toate cărțile lui Jenn – şi să aştept continuarea.
Onyx a ajuns la mine mult mai devreme decât aş fi sperat, datorită echipei minunate de la Entangled Publishing.
Katy şi Daemon – am să vorbesc despre ei împreună, deoarece nu mă lasă inima să îi despart – se dezvoltă văzând cu ochii. Efectiv îi puteți VEDEA maturizându-se. Chiar dacă uneori acesta va fi un proces anevoios, poate chiar trist, cartea e totuşi plină de replicile şi tachinarile lor, de care eu una, sincer, nu pot să mă satur.
- „Nu în viața asta, amice, am spus într-un târziu.
- Rezistențele sunt în zadar, Kitten.
- La fel e şi farmecul tău.
- Vom vedea.”
„Daemon era un frumuşel total, dar era bun de înjunghiat, ceea ce, uneori, anihila partea frumoasă. Totuşi, nu mereu.”
- „Eşti ruşinat că ar putea cineva să te vadă şi să se prindă că eşti în stare să citeşti?
- Am totuşi o reputație de menținut.
- Şi ce reputație fermecătoare mai e!”
 
„ Nu-l plăceam pe Daemon – deloc. Putea să se sărute şi cu Papa, că nu mi-ar fi păsat.” 
„Daemon m-a înghiontit o dată în oră pentru a-mi aminti de planurile noastre de la prânz, şi încă o dată pentru că aşa a avut chef.”
Dar pe parcurs, în acest al doilea volum, este înfățişată o latură mai profundă a lui Daemon. Am întâlnit frânturi din ea şi în Obsidian, deci pentru cei care se întrebau, DA! Daemon are multe de oferit! Şi pot să spun că am fost încântată de ceea ce am descoperit.
- „Ți-ar fi plăcut de Dawson. Arăta exact ca mine, dar era un tip mult mai bun. Nu un nesimțit, cu alte cuvinte.
Mi se formă un nod în gât.
- Sunt sigură că mi-ar fi plăcut, dar nici tu nu eşti de lepădat.
Ridică o sprânceană.
- Bine, eşti înclinat spre momente de acută nesimțire, dar nu eşti atât de rău.”
- „Cum poți să mă mai doreşti? Am spus.
Daemon îşi apăsă fruntea de a mea.
- O, înc
ă vreau să te strâng de gât. Dar sunt nebun. Tu eşti smintită. Poate de asta. Ne înnebunim unul pe altul”
- „Nu ştiu ce ne va aduce ziua de mâine, sau ce va fi peste un an. La naiba, am putea sfârşi omorându-ne unul pe altul pentru o prostie săptămâna viitoare. E o posibilitate. Dar tot ce ştiu cu adevărat e ca ceea ce simt pentru tine nu se stinge.”
„Fiori mi s-au răspândit pe gât. Fără să mă gândesc, m-am răsucit şi am străbătut camera. Smucind uşa deschisă, m-am grăbit afară în aerul rece al nopții. Daemon ajunsese pe treapa de sus când m-am avântat către el, aruncându-mi brațele în jurul gâtului lui, strângându-l puternic. Păru mirat pentru o clipă, iar apoi brațele lui îmi înconjurară talia. Câteva momente niciunul dintre noi nu vorbi, nu era nevoie. Nu vroiam decat să-l strâng în brațe şi el să mă strângă pe mine. Poate era legătura care ne apropia, poate era ceva infinit mai profund. În acel moment nu îmi păsa.”
Apare un băiat nou în liceu, Blake. Sunt convinsă că o să vă placă: poate să îi țină piept lui Daemon - ceea ce e mare lucru! WOW! – care nu poate (sau nu vrea) să îi rețină numele sub nicio formă. În plus s-ar putea să o placă pe Katy...doar un pic. Oare avem de-a face cu un triunghi amoros? Nicio şansă! Katy nici măcar nu îl place pe Daemon, nu-i aşa? Sunt curioasă să aflu părerea voastră.
- „Ce plănuiai să faci după cină? Te ducea Biff la un film?
Surâsul lui Blake se clătină.
- Blake. Şi asta avem de gând.”
- „ În orice caz, am venit aici cu un motiv.
Daemon îmi ridică paharul şi luă o înghițitură.
- Este nevoie de tine acasă.
Blake înțepeni.
- Poftim?
- Am vorbit cumva cu tine, Bart?
- Îl cheamă Blake, m-am răstit. Şi de ce e nevoie de mine acasă? Acum, în momentul ăsta?
Daemon se uită în ochii mei, privirea lui profundă, plină de înțeles.
- A intervenit ceva şi trebuie să vezi imediat ”
„Blake deschise uşa şi intră.
- Îmi pare rău că mi-a luat atât de mult să ajung aici.
- Păcat că nu ți-a luat mai mult.
Daemon se întinse leneş, ca o pisică.
- Şi păcat că nu te-ai rătăcit sau –
- N-am fost mâncat de un mistreț, sau ucis într-un accident oribil cu 10 maşini. M-am prins.”

Pregătiți-vă să fiți surprinşi. Curățați-vă covorul pentru că maxilarul ar putea să vă ajungă până la el de câteva ori pe parcursul lecturii. Sunt anumite lucruri pe care nu le veți înțelege dacă nu ați citit Shadows, de fapt sugerez citirea întregii serii înainte să vă apucați de această carte. Nimic în Onyx nu este ceea ce pare a fi, iar stropul de mystery/thriller îi conferă şi mai multă savoare.
Onyx este o poveste nemaipomenită, un imens carusel de sentimente. Am râs tot timpul în prima parte, pentru că în a doua să supin mereu, într-un suspans continuu. Nu am putut să îmi stăpânesc o lacrimă la un moment dat. Din nou, Jennifer s-a întrecut pe sine! E amuzant cum o carte de-a ei mă poate face să uit de casă, soț, bunică, pisici, DE TOATE! Dacă încă nu le-ați citit, căutați-le, citiți-le şi convingeți pe toată lumea să facă la fel – ca mine – atât de grozave sunt!
Multe mulțumiri editurii Entangled Publishing pentru încredințarea acestul ARC.

Lectură plăcută!

15 comments:

Crina|| booktwist_ said...

Imi place coperta si daca-mi aduc aminte la fel de draguta e si celalalt volum. Sunt curioasa cum este seria si poate o voi citit si eu. Imi plac citatele si din punctul meu de vedere recenzia este una tare reusita:)

Christyna_BM said...

Merci, ii pregatesc o traducere pentru voi. Poti reveni peste 30 minute in caz ca nu ai inteles tot :P

Geo. said...

Again, I think you made a great job. I know you love this series a lot, I think I`ll love it too. But that will have to wait. Just as the other hundred of books.
As it seems, they're constantly teasing each other – and I love that, because love without sparks can never be - but I like that Daemon teases Blake too. I think he knows his name very well but he's doing that only because he wants some extra-attention from Katy. Which is good. I like the bad-boy type. I already love Daemon and I didn't even read the series. D`oh.
If Blake only tries to get close to Katy, Daemon will broke his neck. I mean....that’s how I see it! I told you I love the bad-boy type. So there’s NO triangle. Of course, if the guy wants to be dead, let him try, but I wouldn’t do that! I NEED to read this series. And The Covenant series too. The review you made on Pure left me breathless. Senseless. Blind and anxious, with thousands of rainbows and unicorns crossing my mind. And that’s how my imagination flew away. Who said you can’t get insane from books you haven’t read yet, didn’t know what life means.
Do you see what you're doing to me? Can you have some merci, Criss? PLEASE?? At least, stop telling me about REALLY good books, that’ll give me some extra years. I don’t want to die young. Or spend the rest of my life in an asylum for easy minded people.
Ha! God saw what you did to me! He made you cry when you read the last part – and He’ll make me laugh too when I`m going to read the first part (geez, I`m so nuts)! HURRAY! Now I`m happy. I got my revenge!
Like a broken disk, I`ll repeat: Do I want to read the series? D`oh, of course I want. And that’s because of you. You did it! You made me freaking obsessed.

Oh, don't get scared about the comment. This was a short way to let you know that my insanity grew because of you. The long part will come when you expect less! *evil laugh*

Christyna_BM said...

@Geo. =)) oh you're awesome!

Unknown said...

@Geo, mi-a luat mai mult sa citesc comm-ul tau decat recenzia facuta :)) Glumeam.

'Dar sunt nebum.Tu esti smintita.Poate de asta.'

Serios? :)) Se pare ca seria asta depaseste aseptarile mele; e superba. :))

Cristinab said...

frumoasa recenzia! pe mine m-ai convins sa citesc cartile!
ma bucur mult ca postati si citate :)
coperta, evident e suuper !

Bonnie Ithil said...

I love your review !!! :xI got gossebumps from it and the quotes made me laugh so hard. If only this review and some quotes did this to me, what will the whole book do?!? :)
I love Jenn's books very much!!! *hugs*

Geo. said...

@Christyna, @Cristina, I know! I`m an endangered species and I need to be protected! That's what makes me so special. I`m proud of that! And modest, by the way. b-)

@Bonnie Ithil, there's two of us. I don't know either what the book's effect gonna be but I guess we'll have to live to see it.

Unknown said...

@Geo, we know that you are such a modest person. You don't have to tell us. :)).

andra lavander said...

superb! de la recenrzie, la descriere, coperta si citate. e tot ce am avut de spus!

ioana alexandra said...

ador citatele:X recenzia este foarte reusita (mai trebuia sa o spun?:D)
seria asta imi place din ce in ce mai mult!!

Bonnie Ithil said...

Am citit citatele astea ieri de 4 ori azi de doua, cred ca le stiu pe de rost :))

Unknown said...

I was just thinking: "What if I will see you next to never.." and then you just started to say something about this new Blacky guy or whatever! And I was like: Whaaat!! No way! Katy loves Daemon, I love him and his beautiful lips and awesome body and his perfect skin and his super-powers and, oh! Damn! I forgot! It wasn't about Daemon was it?

Alright, getting back to the point: you've done an amazing job and you've just made me more curious than I was already! Loved the first book too, even read it twice [evil laugh], waiting for something new to be written at the end of it saying that because I've read it again there is an extra chapter, but there was none and I was waiting and waiting! I truly want to read this magnificent piece of art and [for me] some good art de la seduction!

Watching Daemon at first was painfully because he was always trying to be the big - scary boy, but he wasn't! He was just some lost soul with a lot of grief spent on nothing, but after some time I understood. His minor mistakes that he made unconsciously or not, made HER understand him! His true form and not freak out.. too much :D

Alright, alight, I will put an end to this little prelude I've just put myself into and start talking about how curious and excited you made me with your words! I love Jennifer's work too and because you were capable of reading it first and telling us about it, you just made me even more proud of you, if that's even possible!

Lots of hugs and you did an outstanding work!
Jennifer, you are stunning!

mayabijoux said...

@Christyna, de ce ne faci asta?! ;( ce noroc pe tine ca poti citi cartile astea oricand vrei! ma poti adauga si pe mine pe lista obsedatelor de carti, si, implicit, pe lista celor care vor cu cea mai mare convingere (asta datorita tie) sa citeasca cartea/seria.

Madalina said...

Am adorat citatele din recenzie si sunt convinsa ca am sa mor de nerabdare pana apare Onyx :))).
Recenzia ta imi face asteptarea si mai grea pentru ca ma convinge ca Onyx e pur si simplu superb :).

Si soarele e o stea

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