Synopsis:

In this breathless third installment to Victoria Aveyard’s bestselling Red Queen series, allegiances are tested on every side. And when the lightning girl’s spark is gone, who will light the way for the rebellion?

Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother’s web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continues organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare’s heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.

When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire—leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.

Favorite Lines:

“Monsters are most dangerous when they’re afraid.”

“Those who know what it’s like in the dark will do anything to stay in the light.”

“I thought I knew what heartbreak was…I know now, I didn’t know what love was. Or what even the echo of heartbreak felt like. To stand in front of a person who is your whole world and be told you are not enough. You are not the choice. You are the shadow to the person who is your sun.”

My Opinion:

Alright, Aveyard broke my heart in King’s Cage and she better pick up the pieces in the next book. Let’s start from the beginning. In the last book it was Mare with Cal. Because of her circumstances, Mare is forced to be around Maven and we get to see more behind what happened to him to make him who he is.

Aveyard graced us with different points of view just to keep us updated on what’s happening outside of Mare’s life; POV changes are something I always love. I like that she kept the other points of view shorter and contained to one chapter at a time while we got two or three chapters at a time of Mare. We got to see POV from Cameron and Evangeline. I’m sort of disappointed we didn’t see any from Cal; I would love to know what he is thinking. But like I said, a majority of the book is still from Mare’s POV. After all, she is the main character.

Throughout this book you will continue to see character development as Mare struggles to readjust (again) to her situation. Despite a difficult living situation (no spoilers) she is able to maintain hope and her determination. This was a breath of fresh air compared to the last book where she moped and was constantly questioning everything. It’s about time that she became comfortable with who she is and is able to own that. I hope her character continues to develop in the next book and she reaches where she is meant to be; she deserves to be happy.

I’m not going to spoil what happens in the end of the book. All I am going to say is that it hurt my heart. It wasn’t exactly a plot twist, Aveyard hints that it’s going to happen before hand. But there was no preparation for the actions of the characters in the books and therefore, I was not ready. I’m holding out hope that Aveyard will fix the mess she has made with my emotions. If not, I don’t know how I’ll recover (probably with another book).

Summary:

Overall, I liked this book a lot more than the last book. I think it might be my favorite book in the series but I can’t be sure until the next one comes out. Aveyard slowed down the pace a bit and put more thought and detail into the events rather than jumping from one to the next; which was a major complaint I had for the last book. Now we just wait for the next book to come out and fingers crossed everything will be okay.

 

King’s Cage

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Synopsis:

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.

Favorite Lines:

“She stalked towards me, like that freaky female terminator after John Connor. And I was so John Connor.”

“Simmer down, Kitten, before I have to get you a ball of yarn to play with.”

“If wishes were fishes, we’d all throw nets.”

My Opinion:

This book is full of a lot of angst, frustration, happiness, and sadness. It’s another part of the Lux journey as the characters continue to try to keep themselves a secret and to survive in the world. What I love about this book is that my ship is together. Daemon is a sweetheart and the love that is there is just the cutest thing ever. It makes me want a Daemon all to myself (totally lame, I know).

This book’s plot is all about an epic rescue mission and preparing for it while there are smaller events taking place around the plan to keep it interesting. What I really enjoyed about this book is that it doesn’t get boring. Throughout the story, not a lot of major action happens, it’s all about setting it up for a major plot point but there are enough minor events taking place that you’ll still be drawn into the book and have trouble putting it down.

One thing that did really bother me about this book is the ship is constantly interrupted during any alone time they may have. I totally get Armentrout wanted to have build up but it was to the point where you will sit there thinking “oh come on!!!”. That being said, the buildup makes it that much more worth it when they finally are alone. This is a young adult novel so don’t worry about too much rated R stuff, it’s all pretty pg-13; your virtues should be safe.

I will say fair warning, be ready for the ending. It will leave your heart hurting and make you want to rush to the next book to see what happens. If you’re just starting this book, DON’T BE ONE OF THOSE WHO READS THE BACK OF THE BOOK FIRST. Start from the beginning and enjoy the journey, that’s what makes it all the more better.

I’m well aware that this cover is one of the more cringy ones than the others. It’s funny and slightly ironic because Katy is always making fun of the romance novels with the lame covers, yet this cover is kind of lame. Also, on a total side note, this book series is the book series that kind of inspired me to blog. When I was thinking about making a blog, this series is what popped into mind and figured if Katy could be as enthusiastic about her book blog, so could I. (Forget that she is a fictional character for two seconds).

Summary:

Opal makes you fall in love even more with Daemon Black and envious of Katy. I say it all the time and I’ll say it again, Armentrout is an awesome author and could really do no wrong. This book is no exception to her awesomeness and is just a pit stop of the Lux series. So get out there and read some books kids!

 

 

Opal

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Synopsis:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there’s this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that’s possible. Against all common sense, I’m falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he 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…

Favorite Lines:

“Dog-eared pages were the Anti-Christ of book lovers everywhere.”

“That’s the funny thing about trying to escape. You never really can. Maybe temporarily, but not completely.”

“…I’m the captain of my own personal failboat.”

My Opinion:

Let me just take 2 seconds to say that I think the cover of this book is cheesy as can be and please don’t judge the book to be lame without reading it because it’s actually full of awesomeness.

Onyx is the second book of the Lux series and Katy is still trying to figure out where she stands in her new town. But she doesn’t stay the new girl for long when a new guy named Blake comes into town at a rather convenient time. We still see Daemon being his stubborn self and Dee wanting everyone to be happy while Katy is having to keep more and more secrets to protect everyone around her.

I’ll be honest and say I’m not a huge fan of how Katy acts for half of this book. She has doubts about why Daemon has feelings for her and rather than getting to the bottom of it, she drags it out and they keep having their love-hate relationship; that’s just me being picky though. It is totally understandable and reasonable as to why she feels that way and you can’t really blame her. I’m low key a sucker for struggles like this because it makes the characters stronger and it also brings out true feelings. That probably makes me sound twisted that I enjoy when characters go through hard times but the emotions are so much more raw that it just makes it all the more better.

In this book, Daemon officially decides he is going to try and woe Katy and I gotta give the boy credit, he does a pretty good job. Daemon is caught in an internal struggle between wanting to protect Katy and his family and letting them be their own people. Katy hates being controlled and told what to do, Daemon tries to control her and tell her what to do because he just wants to protect her and keep her safe (key word being tries). This leads to a lot of arguments and single finger salutes that ultimate just make you love the characters more.

This book introduces a love triangle between Katie, Daemon, and Blake so pick your ship carefully; but let’s be real, we all know who the winner should be. It also continues to open up the world of the Luxan and go into further detail about them. We get to find out more about Dawson and the conspiracies that surround the community as the story goes on. Towards the end of the book something happens to Katy (a few somethings) that I hope are reflected in the next book and add to how she handles events moving forward. I also hope Daemon continues his transformation from douche canoe to less douche canoe and becomes the potential sweetheart but tough guy we all know he can be.

Summary:

As always, Armentrout’s writing is sarcastic, witty, romantic, and adventurous. This book continues to expand upon the world we are coming to know and love that is the Lux series. It’s an easy read that flows with little to no confusion without leaving readers bored and worn out. Instead it makes you want to read the whole series in one go to find out what happens to all of the characters. I hope you enjoy it as you continue on your Lux series journey. Happy reading!

 

Onyx

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Synopsis:

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.

Favorite Lines:

“He was the kind of boy that broke hears and left a long line of them shattered behind him. He was trouble.”

“I’ve always found that the most beautiful people, truly beautiful inside and out, are the ones who are quietly unaware of their effect.”

“Holy Hawt Chemistry, Batman!”

“I’d break-checked him several times. He’d blown his horn. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

My Opinion:

Obsidian was a reread for me but this is my first time reviewing it. Let me start by saying, obviously I like this series otherwise I wouldn’t be rereading it and this review is just so I can share it with you all and hopefully get you interested in a series you will enjoy as well. (I know the cover is kinda lame but go with it).

If you have read any of my other reviews on Armentrout’s books, you will know that I love her work. I think the thing I love the most about Armentrout’s style of writing is that she is able to incorporate pop culture and humor into her books that make them relatable without overshadowing the serious events that take place; Obsidian is no exception to this.

The story follows Katy Swartz, a teenage girl moving o a small town (like, really small town) in West Virginia right before her senior year. She just so happened to move next door to twins Daemon and Dee who are gorgeous and not your typical neighbors. As you read the story, you will fall in love with Dee’s positive attitude and Daemon’s charming(?) personality. You will also fall further into the lives of the characters as Armentrout presents us with a whole world that isn’t seen by most.

Katy doesn’t take crap from anyone, especially Daemon, and I love that about her. She sticks up for herself and has a sense of morality that is admirable. Dee is such a sweetheart you can’t not love her and she makes you want to be her best friend. Daemon is a douche canoe but that’s just his exterior. In this book you will get the sense that he is actually protective and caring underneath his not-so-nice behavior. If you look closely, you can understand why he acts the way he does and maybe you’ll hate it less or at least try to.

Summary:

This is the start of a truly awesome series. This book is just the beginning and Armentrout does an amazing job at introducing us to all the characters and opening the story up slowly (but not in a boring way). In the books to come, there will character development as the plot thickens and hopefully your ship takes off. I have all the answers and I am trying my hardest not to spoil such an amazing series for you. All I can say is that I highly recommend this book series. It’s full of action, sarcasm, and romance with just the right amount of angst thrown in. It is definitely worth the read.

 

Obsidian

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Synopsis:

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

Favorite Lines:

“If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter.”

“I suppose I should get used to being alone too. Not in the world, but in here. In my heart.”

“I must freeze my heart to the one person who insists on setting it ablaze.”

“I stare at the polished metal, examining my reflection. The girl I see is both familiar and foreign, Mare, Mareena, the lightning girl, the Red Queen, and no one at all. She does not look afraid. She looks carved of stone, with severe features, hair braided right to her head, and a tangle of scars on her neck. She is not seventeen, but ageless, Silver but not, Red but not, human—but not. A banner of the Scarlet Guard, a face on a wanted poster, a prince’s downfall, a thief…a killer. A doll who can take any form but her own.”

“No one is born evil, just like no one is born alone. They become that way, through choice and circumstance.

My Opinion:

I must admit that I didn’t like this book as much as the last book. I feel like Aveyard tried to cram too many events into one book and didn’t spend as much time on the details of the thoughts and emotions of the characters. I felt like the book would jump from one important event to the next without giving both the characters and readers a bit of time to process the events that took place. Nonetheless, this was still a decent book and a must read to continue the series.

Mare is still developing in this book, being shaped by what took place in book one and what she knows she must face in the future. This book explores a darker side of Mare as she struggles with the delicate balance of survival and mercy. Mare has great power and a vendetta against a lot of people; she must figure out what type of person she wants to become. I hope that we get to see Mare figure out who she truly is in the next book and break out of the mold she is casting for herself.

We see a lot more of Cal’s struggle in this book as well. He must adjust to his new life after the plot twist from Red Queen. Again, I wish there was more romance here, but I also understand that the world they are in is not one that has much time for romance. Plus, this is a young adult novel not new adult; young adult sometimes stays away from romance in favor of action. Regardless, I still ship him and Mare and they better get it together in the next book or I will be very upset.

Summary:

Overall, I just wish that Aveyard had put more thought into writing about the characters thoughts and emotions and spent more time with how events unfolded; one big thing would happen right after another, never really giving readers a change to catch up. Honestly, I would consider this book a filler book. A book that has the events necessary to bridge two other books together but doesn’t have any of the main action in it. It was necessary to bridge events in the series together but did not amount to be nearly as interesting as the first book. With how this book finished, the third book could potentially make up for all of this and I am hoping that it really blows this series out of the water.

 

Glass Sword

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Synopsis:

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

Favorite Lines:

“In school, we learned about the world before ours, about the angels and the gods that lived in the sky, ruling the earth with kind and loving hands. Some say those are just stories, but I don’t believe that. The gods rule us still. They have come down from the stars. And they are no longer kind.”

“The world is Silver, but it is also gray. There is no black-and-white.”

“Anyone can betray anyone”

My Opinion:

This book will drive you crazy and leave you wanting more. I had to cut myself off at 2:30am one night because I had work the next day; that’s how addicting it is. It reminds me of Hunger Games or the Shatter Me series; if you liked either of those series then you will love this one. The series takes place in a society separated by the color of blood. Red bloods are normal people like we are, and Silver bloods have special powers. Red bloods are ruled by Silver bloods and looked down on as less. The story follows Mare Barrows, a seemingly regular red blood girl who turns out to be extraordinary. She is thrown into a world she doesn’t understand and has to figure out how to navigate in her dangerous new life.

What I really loved but also really hated about this book was that it doesn’t revolve around a relationship and love. While it is definitely a part of the story, most books make that the focus and characters sacrifice everything for that love. In Red Queen, the characters recognize their feelings, but they also recognize that there are more important things going on in their lives and that their feelings need to take a back seat. I loved this because its different than most stories that I read and more realistic, but I hated it because I’m a hopeless romantic.

Of course, there is a love triangle in this book and you’ll find yourself taking sides as to who you want Mare to end up with; I know I did. But it’s not a clear decision, I found myself picking the one that wasn’t the obvious choice. Both choices are good choices, one isn’t better than the other so it’s difficult to pick one over the other; I felt bad for the one I didn’t choose. You will fall in love with all the characters in this book (except for the bad ones, forget about them).

All I can say is…HOLY PLOT TWIST! I’m not kidding. Usually I am pretty good at seeing at what is going to happen in books, but I was blind-sided and heartbroken. My fingers are crossed that it’s somehow all a trick that will be revealed in a later book because I can’t take the betrayal (dramatic, I know). Aveyard does a really good job at steering the story in one direction and then hitting readers hard with a major twist that none of us saw coming. My advice to you as a reader is to prepare yourself and know that other readers have suffered through what you will suffer through.

Summary:

I highly recommend this book if you want a story centered around danger, action and adventure with some romance thrown in. Like I said in my opinion, love isn’t the focus (as much as I would love for it to be) but I am strangely okay with that. This book is about how much sacrifice is needed to better society. How much will the characters have to give to see change in the world? You’ll fall in love with all the characters and crave more of the series by the end of this book; I suggest you just buy them all at once so you don’t have to wait to buy the next one. I’m so sorry for what I am getting you into but I also don’t regret it at all. It’s an excellent, well written series and I can’t wait to see what else Aveyard is going to throw at us. Good luck with that plot twist and happy reading!

 

Red Queen

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