Review: Shadows, by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Shadows

Series: Lux (#0.5)

ISBN: 9781620610084

Publisher: Entangled Publishing (February 21^st 2012)

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.

Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.” GoodReads’ blurb

This book was terribly difficult to rate because I actually had some issues about the end, but... Yeah. I guess that it’s good on account of it being able to piss me off so much!

Anyway, let’s go step by step.

I borrowed this book from my friend Dani, who knew I’d like the series... and oh yes. The style got me hooked from the very beginning!

Perhaps the central conflict was not too original – guy sees girl, realizes he’s destined for her, they struggle for their happily ever after. Still, it was original, in the way it flowed. I’ve not read many books where the change between the POV characters is so dramatic. Dawson’s voice was unique, more so in the YA world, and Bethany’s own voice offered a sharp contrast that just captivated me.

Since I still haven’t read Obsidian, Shadows also served to get me into Lux universe: meet the aliens! And their deadly enemies. And their government-issued caretakers... In spite of Shadows being short, I completely bought the idea, and I’ve to say that everything clicked into place without apparent effort: I just... discovered the world, as if it was mine to begin with. That takes talent!

As I said, the only possible complaint I might have is the ending. I downright refuse to accept it! It just cannot be. So I’ve proceeded to fix it, based on certain events that take place a bit earlier and that, in my head, justify my doubts and validate my wild imaginations.

I don’t know if I’m right. I know my answers won’t come when I read Obsidian (which I will do as soon as I possibly can *eyes her reading pile*, and that I’ll have to wait for Onyx at the very least... But I don’t care. I still enjoyed this book thoroughly, and I’m still going to stick to my makeshift ending as long as I possibly can (and possibly beyond).

So, recommended read? If you like YA paranormal romance at all, then heck, yes! Aliens are an original way to go about it, too!