Review: Onyx - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Onyx (Lux #2)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: August 14th 2012

Publisher: Entangled

Pages: 446

Source: ARC (provided by the publisher)

~ No (big)  spoilers for Obsidian and Onyx ~

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.

When I read Obsidian last year, I wasn't planning on liking it (hello! Aliens), let alone loving it enough for it to be my NUMBER 1 favourite read of 2011, surpassing Divergent. Now that I’ve read Onyx, the second book in the Lux series, I still honestly don’t know what to say. It’s THAT good. I was contemplating with myself whether I can just write a review saying ITS SO GOOD, GO BUY IT KNOW over and over again, because that is exactly how I feel. 

As some of you already know from GR, I was DYING to get my hands on this. Seriously. I'm such a big fan of Jennifer and *cough*Daemon*cough* that I would move heaven and earth to get this book. I'd like to think I did just that, but the truth was I probably annoyed Misa (Entangled's amazing publicity super woman) so much that she gave in. Hee hee. My face last night was priceless, when I heard that my name got picked out of a hat yesterday. I know. I couldn’t believe it either, I NEVER win these things.  You probably heard my happy screams last night when I got the email. Yeah, that was me. 

Honestly? I thought it was impossible to top Obsidian, but Jennifer never fails to wow me with her action-packed, unpredictable plot and the oozing amount of romance. Onyx in three words? Riveting, provocative and heart-wrenching. 

Daemon....Daemon....Daemon…. *squeals* He is officially my book boyfriend and therefore needs his own large paragraph dedicated to him. I loved him so much more in this than in Obsidian (GASP I know, I can’t believe he got even hotter). And you know what surprised me the most in this book? It’s that Daemon managed to not make me want to hit him upside the head. Whereas he acted like such a cocky douche-bag in Obsidian, in Onyx you get to see the many different sides and layers to him. If you're wondering what Daemon is like when he's jealous, well you’ll get your answer in Onyx. I found myself laughing out loud in his scenes with a certain new guy who’s name Daemon suspiciously can never seem to remember. You’ll see him protective, jealous, caring, even a tiny bit sweet. But never fear! Cuz the arrogant and smug Daemon is always around. He's the most developed character in this series and my favourite. Hell, he’s everyone’s favourite. I think even Katy can agree on that. 

Katy sits at the throne of my favourite female heroines. Witty, determined, brave and fiercely loyal, she’s an example of what other heroines should aspire to be! And I love that she's a book blogger! (Psst. Daemon did an IMM with Katy for her blog, and now you know why she got like 20 comments on it :P) Katy and Daemon as a couple ...well… let's just say you haven't seen nothing yet. If you thought their scenes in Obsidian were sizzling and oh-so-hot, wait till you read Onyx. Their chemistry and sexual tension (holy cow) just jumps out of the page! If you’re big on romance like me, you’ll fall in love with this couple and root for them, sometimes you might even want to be like JUST GET ON IT ALREADY. KISS, GODDAMNIT and when they’re having their little repetitive fights you might just want to bang their heads together. BUT STILL LOVE THEM ALL THE SAME. 

I love character driven novels, and this series is exactly that. Everyone that you loved (and hated) in Obsidian returned in this sequel. I love how we got to hang out with the Thompson family a lot more, her relationship with her mum was highlighted, her normal school friends incorporated a sense of normality.

There was not one single boring moment, every page was important; every page was significant, enthralling and spellbinding. I gotta say that while I love her Covenant series (come on, it’s got Aiden AND Seth), I have to say I would die for the Lux series LOL.

You know when you guessed a little plot twist right? And you're grinning to yourself like an idiot chanting I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT and then several pages next, Jennifer manages to shock you when you thought that you knew everything that's going to happen and it makes you look really stupid. But you still love her. I won't be going into details with the plot, because I think it's better to go into this not knowing anything.

Have I told you already how jealous I am of Jennifer’s writing? It’s addicting and seductive – I literally couldn’t put this book down. Katy’s narration was very compelling, sarcastic and humorous. This book will pull at your heartstrings one minute, then the next you’re on your butt laughing. 

My jaw dropped 20 feet onto the ground at the final page. I was like WHAT?!?!?! She couldn't do that to us! Be warned: cliffhanger at the end, you'd be like me right now tearing my hair out waiting for Opal (December).  I REALLY DO NOT KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO MAKE IT UNTIL THEN.

I think you know it peeps, but I would read ANYTHING by Jennifer. Even if it’s about horses. I love horses.

Oh, just a tip; if you haven't read Shadows yet (but have read Obsidian), read Shadows first before Onyx. I think it's a lot better and you would appreciate Onyx more. Just saying. :P

After some of you guys read this, email/tweet me cuz I really want someone to discuss this book with and it’ll make our wait for Opal a little less painful!

Also, since I've started it last night and finished it this early morning, I think I want a re-read. It exceeded all my high expectations!

Definitely my TOP BOOK OF 2012 so far (and I've read 50 books). 

 

(Thank you SO much to ENTANGLED (and especially to Misa) for the ARC)