Review: The Dark Elements Trilogy

Jennifer Armentrout’s young adult series involves a half demon, half gargoyle teenage girl risking the wrath of her adoptive clan and the trust of a boy she’s loved forever by partnering up with a sexy, dangerous demon who claims he can protect her from dark elements.

Title:  White Hot Kiss / Stone Cold Touch / Every Last Breath

Author: Jennifer Armentrout

Publisher:  Harlequin Australia

Genre: fantasy, paranormal, young adult, romance

Book One: White Hot Kiss

Synopsis: 

Layla just wants to fit in at school and go on a date with Zayne, whom she's crushed on since forever. Trouble is, Zayne treats Layla like a sister--and Layla is a half demon, half gargoyle with abilities no one else possesses. And even though Zayne is a Warden, part of the race of gargoyles tasked with keeping humanity safe, Layla's kiss will kill anything with a soul--including him.

Then she meets Roth--a demon who claims to know her secrets. Though Layla knows she should stay away, it's tough when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue. Trusting Roth could ruin her chances with Zayne, but as Layla discovers she's the reason for a violent demon uprising, kissing the enemy suddenly pales in comparison to the looming end of the world.

Book Two: Stone Cold Touch

Synopsis: 

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Book Three: Every Last Breath

Synopsis: 

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

Thoughts

Jennifer L. Armentrout's iconic series is revamped with brand-new covers! Fans of her writing will enjoy this series as it has all her notable appealing elements - paranormal shapeshifter stories of good versus evil with a love triangle. It is the kind of read that needs to fit your mood - cliched, cheesy at times, YA drama, yet good action scenes - just pure escapism packed full of action, romance and steam. 

‘There were so many risks, but as my heartbeat skipped, I realized that half demon or not, life was full of risks and I was tired of not living—of not trying.’

Gargoyles, angels, demons, and witches. A cast of stellar characters, solid world building, and steamy romance. What more could you want from a young adult fantasy? I still have issues with the pacing - slow and fast - but it’s an easy read, if somewhat predictable (and repeatable), these books are always just for fun! Not so much the plot but the character interactions are what you come for. At times books can be silly (insert eye rolling and cheese right about now), however, soon you are moved and engaged. Jennifer is a master at making silly into sassy.

‘Love is a strange creature one thinks one has a grasp on and understanding of, only to discover later that it was only the barest taste of the real thing.’

Overall, a solid paranormal series - a must read for YA readers who enjoy stories about angels, demons, gargoyles and supernatural references.If you are a fan of her other series you are sure to love The Dark Elements. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Harbinger Series

 

Title: The Harbinger Series

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: young adult, fantasy, romance

Book 1: Storm and Fury

Pages: 519

Publisher: June 2019 by HQ Young Adult Australia (Harlequin)

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

My Thoughts

“Rise up … for what  has begun a millennium ago is now at the door. The Harbinger has arrived.” His voice deepened, booming like thunder, and the words he spoke sent a cold chill straight to my core. “The end is upon us. Stop it, or all mankind is lost.”

This is the first book in a series spinoff from the Dark Element, however, I don’t believe you need to read it to enjoy this tale. This book was packed full of action, romance, sass, and steam.

The beginning was slow, then it would pick up, then slow down again. So a little uneven pacing and drawn out at times. However, JLA's writing by the end was captivating with intense action fight scenes. If you enjoyed Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters series this is sure to please you with similar aspects.

Gargoyles, angels, demons, and witches. A cast of stellar characters, solid world building, and steamy romance. What more could you want from a young adult fantasy?

‘I summoned the sword and felt it respond, hot and heavy in my grasp. I was nothing more than storm and fury as I stepped forward.’

Book 2: Rage and Ruin

Pages: 503

Publisher: June 2020 by HQ Young Adult Australia (Harlequin)

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming…but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can’t win the race against time as dark forces gather.

As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help—the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led…herded…played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all.

My Thoughts

Rage and Ruin picks up right where Storm and Fury finished. Trinity is dealing with the aftermath of the book one ending and the plot gets more involved.  The mystery evolves and murders occur, what does it mean that Trinity is a True Born? 

JLA’s writing has loads of fun banter and contemporary references eg. Game of Thrones. I did find, however, Trinity to become somewhat annoying. Yes, this is YA but she is 18 not 8. JLA even describes her as ‘selfish, petty and not a great friend’. The greater part of this book focuses on emotions and relationships and I was missing more of the bigger picture action to progress the story. The ending, however, is a quintessential cliffhanger. Beware! You will be reaching for book three immediately. 

If you love JLA and are a fan of YA paranormal/urban fantasy this series is for you: kick-ass heroines, swoony heroes, sassy humour, action and plot twists to keep you turning the pages.

‘All that rage … (He) sighed as if it pleasured him. “It will be your ruin”.

Book 3: Grace and Glory

Pages: 494

Publisher: 7th July 2020 by HQ Young Adult Australia (Harlequin) 

My Rating: 3 cups

Synopsis:

Trinity Marrow has lost the battle and her beloved Protector. Even with both demons and Wardens on her side, Trin may not win the war against the Harbinger.

Bringing Lucifer back to the world to fight the Harbinger is probably a really, really bad idea, but they’re out of options—and the world’s ultimate fallen angel is the only being powerful enough to impact the outcome.

As Trin and Zayne form a new and more dangerous bond and Lucifer unleashes Hell on earth, the apocalypse looms and the world teeters on the end of forever. Win or lose, one thing is certain—nothing will ever be the same.

My Thoughts

Grace and Glory is the final novel in The Harbinger trilogy. It picks up immediately after the events of Rage and Ruin with all the characters returning. Overall, this was a solid conclusion to the trilogy, maybe not as compelling as I had hoped, but still so much for YA readers to love. All the  paranormal elements of angels and demons with stories revolving around heaven and hell were present. 

This book is full of JLA’s signature sass, romance, and battle scenes. I wanted more from this book in terms of the overall harbinger ending which is the main reason why I didn't rate it higher. To me, it didn’t feel like enough happened plot-wise until the end of the book. However, JLA is a great YA storyteller  (if somewhat cheesy at times) with a good combination of action and drama, fun and romance angst.

The Harbinger trilogy is an easy entertaining read (especially in this world of lockdown). Overall, a satisfactory finale to this paranormal series - a must read for YA readers who enjoy stories about angels, demons and supernatural references.

‘What is inside you is the gift. It is both grace and Glory, a power that is beyond what your mind can comprehend and yet a power owned by you. Use it to strike through the heart encased in chaos.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.