Obsidian

Lux, Book 1

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

When 17-year-old Katy Swartz moved to West Virginia right before her senior year, she'd pretty much resigned herself to thick accents, dodgy Internet access, and a whole lot of boring, but then she spotted her hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up...until he opened his mouth.

Daemon Black is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. It's hate at first sight, but when a stranger attacks her and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. The hot guy next door? Well, he's an alien.

Turns out that Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities and Katy is caught in the crosshairs. Daemon's touch has lit her up like the Vegas Strip and the only way she's getting out of this alive is by sticking close to him until her alien mojo fades. That is, if she doesn't kill him first.

©2011 Jennifer L. Armentrout (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The beginning of Armentrout's new Lux series is a thrilling ride from start to finish. A cross between Roswell and Dawson's Creek, this series is guaranteed to hold your attention and have you begging for more." ( Romantic Times)

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

What a great start to this Young Adult series. I loved how this world is like nothing I've read before. Katy was an awesome character. She was strong and didn't put up with any BS. Daemon was your typical hero who is dark and growly in the beginning but can't resist the attraction. I loved their banter and how she didn't let let him push her around. Can't wait to start the next book!

The narration is just ok for me, I like Justine Eyre, she is a good narrator but I think she sounds way to old for these teenagers. Although this didn't effect the story for me at all, I just would have chosen someone with a younger voice.

Awesome series

Any additional comments?

I am only half way through this book and I don't want it to end! Amazing series, way better than her vampire series.

Fun twists and turns...sizzling sexual tension!

What made the experience of listening to Obsidian the most enjoyable?

The narrator is AWESOME. She does the male and female voices so well.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Obsidian?

I love how the main characters have so much tension between them!

Which character – as performed by Justine Eyre – was your favorite?

Katy

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

tenderness of Daemon

Any additional comments?

sweet book!

Yummy

Excellent story!!!! It takes the form of several other alien love and romance stories, but there is another layer here that is developing. I like the twist that the DoD knows about the aliens... it gives it a different flow than you'd expect.

This story has been done before.

This book reminds me of Twilight with aliens, only I like the main character more and it doesn't have the creepy bonding thing that happens between werewolves and children. With that said if you can get over how much Daemon is an asshole, the story is not too bad for a Twilight rip off. Luckily Katy didn't just let Daemon get away with his crap. Of course that being the most compelling part of the story, is the hot and cold chemistry between the main characters. It is an easy listen and I am curious to find out what is going to happen. Although I am on the line about whether or not to get the next book, but defiantly only if there is a sale. The narrator does a good job.

Very good start to the series :)

4 stars

This was a very good story. I liked Katy very much. Daemon was a jerk most of the time so it was hard to like him but I can see him being a good hero once he pulls his head out of his butt.

Katy is a senior in high school who just moved to West Virginia with her mother. Katy used to live in Florida but her father died a few years ago due to cancer and her mother decided to move to make a new start. Katy loves to read and garden and writes a blog in her spare time.

Daemon is an alien from the planet Lux. Daemon is one of triplets consisting of him, his sister Dee and their brother Dawson. Unfortunately, Dawson was killed about a year ago by an alien known as the Arun, who are enemies of the Luxen and kill them for their powers. Dawson was involved with a human girl at the time and Daemon is convinced that Dawson wouldn't have gotten killed if not for that involvement.

Katy is unpacking in the new house when her mother convinces her to go next door to ask directions to the store. She convinced Katy by telling her that she saw two kids Katy's age next door and maybe they can be friends. Unfortunately, Katy encounters Daemon first and he's a major jerk to her, making his dislike for her quite clear. Dee on the other hand, hears about Katy and is really excited about being friends with her. Dee and Katy start hanging out but Daemon constantly tries to break up their friendship. His attitude confuses Katy and she can't figure out why he is so insistent that she's a bad influence and should stay away from Dee since he doesn't know anything about Katy. What she doesn't realize until later, is that Daemon is hating on her just because she's human.

Daemon's attitude is enough to piss Katy off but she doesn't let it block her friendship with Dee. For a couple of different reasons, Daemon and Katy end up spending some time together but Daemon's attitude makes sure that Katy ends her time with him more pissed off than anything else. Katy is attracted to Daemon (majorly) but she hates his attitude and tries to hide away any attraction because she knows it'll just make Daemon more insufferable if he finds out. Katy actually finds out about Dee and Daemon's secret pretty early in the book and has to deal with a lot of flack from the other aliens in the area who don't trust her. There's drama and danger but in the end, the Arun have been taken care of (at least the current group of Arun) and Katy and Daemon are discussing the possibility of dating (Daemon's now all for it while Katy is leery) in the future.

I enjoyed this story very much. I liked Katy and how she handled everything. She was very mature for a high school student and handled herself well considering the situation she found herself in. TBH, while I look forward to Daemon convincing her to change her mind, I can totally understand her reluctance to date Daemon considering how he'd been treating her for most of the book. Daemon I was alright with but I'm sure I'll like him better once he's not acting like a jerk constantly. Overall, this was a very good start to the series and I'd recommend it. :)

* note - I will say that I noted a few times in the story where it seemed like the wrong name was used...like once someone asked where Adam was and then the continuing convo indicated that the question was actually about Daemon (and Adam was actually there and part of that convo). I'm not sure these were from a mistake in the narration or if it was how it was written since I haven't read the written version.

Excellent book. This is YA but it is good

I really enjoyed this book. I normally read more adult books but this was great even without the spice. I found myself wanting them together but the fact that they didn't .... Did not spoil it for me.... I guess I will have to read the next one..

Better Every Time

I have read the entire series 3 times and I’m reading it again to prepare for The Darkest Star. Somehow, it keeps getting better.

There is nothing sexier than Daemon Black

There is nothing sexier than Daemon Black. The love/hate relationship of Katie and Daemon is perfect.

My Favorite Jennifer Armentrout Series!

Although this is a YA book in a series of five, I have read the series several times. As an older adult I don't read/listen to much YA, but I love this one! Daemon Black and Katy Swartz are the best couple! Katy and her mom move from Florida to West Virginia in her last year of high school and live next door to some very strange neighbors who turn out to be aliens. Katy is a book reviewer in her spare time and Daemon is, well he just arrogant and hot!

I could listen to this again!