Opal

Warning: slight spoilers ahead for Obsidian, Onyx and Opal (Lux #1, #2 and #3) Since I've finished Onyx, the second book in the Lux series, it took a while for me to start the third book. It was not like I expected it to be, and that's what made me curious about what this one had to offer. Everything was left on a rather hectic point in the story. This one, however, was so much better! Though I did have little issues, Opal surprised me in a very good way. The romance has to be one of the best things out of the entire book. The relationship between Katy and Daemon first started off in a unusual way, you can't not admit that. Yet with each book you feel their connection growing, and it has reached perfection. They're finally accepted their love for each other and their passion is there.Their dates and sweet moments are to die for, everyone wants a relationship like that. At least, I do. Oh, I just loved how their relationship developed and all their sweet moments. They're both so caring for each other. The romance showed Daemon's soft side, and I loved it. I love it. I absolutely love it. What I also loved about Onyx was what it did to the characters. Some disappear for a while, as others come back as a whole new addition to the story. This definitely made the plot very interesting. I loved how the book built up to their big mission. It was something that kept me excited and at the edge of my chair, especially when I got closer to the end. I loved how their first attempt falls apart, and even the second one. It proves in what of a situation they're actually in. It's dangerous and full of suspense and mystery. However, talking about their big mission, I feel like something was off about that story line. One moment they're there to fix everything, and a few chapters later they're training again. The training and first try in general fell flat and were a little bit too easy too look over. I can't put my finger on it, I just, I feel like there's something missing with that story line. Talking about other crucial parts of the plot, I don't think there's anything that feels less well done. There's a really good balance between deeper scenes and other, more light-hearted ones. This book always had an amount of suspense, and I loved that. Despite what everyone else thought, I didn't feel like I was missing pages at the end. I don't have mixed feelings, because I thought it was so well done. It left on a perfect climax that doesn't make it impossible to not start Origin, the fourth book in the series, although she left it at a pretty difficult situation. It feels like I can jump right into it, without having that stupid pressure after a book with a cliffhanger. That is something I loved about this book. It opened up a whole new plot for the next book, and I can't wait what Armentrout has in store for her readers. Right now I'm in need to start typing like a crazy fangirl, but I'm just going to keep those feelings to myself and say that the ending was just heart-pounding and crazy. Be warned. Another issue that was noticeable while reading, was the pace. It has always been a little issue I had with this series, and after Onyx I must admit: I was scared for this in Opal. It seems like a pattern throughout the series: first the book starts off at a rather slow pace, but as it progresses it gets better and better until the end where it crushes your heart. This was the case with the previous two, and I'm kind of sad to admit that it was the same with this book. The only difference here was that the pace built up to the so-called climax, to completely fall and to start slow once again. It has always bothered me, and right now I'm crossing my fingers in the hope of a difference with Origin. There are quite a few new characters introduced in this book. An as I said earlier, every character brought along a story line. Looking at the overall crew of new characters, I like them all. They're all unique and have something to add to the story. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. The changes in the regular cast, however, are palpable. While Daemon was the most likeable character in Opal, Katy managed to annoy me at times. I'm not all too crazy for her new I don't care, I love it-attitude, because it brings along recklessness, and look at where she is now. I adored a certain death, but was sad about others. With others, I just mean the relationship between Katy and Dee. What happened? I really don't like where this is heading. I didn't like it because the sweet moments between the two just weren't there. At times I was in need of one of their moments, and instead I got a fight with arguments that made no sense. I don't understand why Dee is acting like this. Sure, blame it all on the grieving process, but I needed that girl. Opal was definitely a surprise for me in a really good way. Although my stupid little issues, I did love where it ended, I certainly loved the romance. and I can't wait to pick up the sequel!show more

I finally got my paperback of Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout from The Book Depository and as always this series did not disappoint. I loved this as much as I loved the first two books in the series. I did want to smack Katy from time to time but hey, there were a lot of Daemon and Dawson so yeah, you get the picture. *nomnomnom* To start with, I don't know if I still like Katy as much as I liked her during the first two novels. Seriously, this just refuses to listen and I just have no idea why. After everything that happened, she still refuses to listen. I don't know why but it kinda' ticked me off a bit. I know I like my female characters to be someone who could actually defend herself but sometimes I think she just has to accept the fact that she hold Daemon back in some ways. So yeah, it's really not that bad to sometimes know when you're just supposed to suck it up and just listen. Anyhoo, I still like their banter and the fact that she's managed to connect with both Daemon and Dawson in some ways. I mean not sexually or whatever with Dawson but in friendly kind of way. And my heart went out to her because of all the guilt that she felt. I still love Katy despite her flaws. And moving on to our yummy alien twins, Daemon and Dawson. These two were just so different it was just so easy to tell them apart. I love them both even if Dawson was just too gloomy for his own good. He did go through a lot of awful things and he just got back so yeah, he's excused. I like both brothers because of their devotion towards their partners. Every time Daemon opened his mouth just made me turn into mush. Seriously, it should be illegal to be that seductive and hot even for a fictional character. Anyhow, also love the fact that Dawson somehow also seemed protective of Katy. Not in the way that Daemon is but like someone who actually cares about his brother's girlfriend or something. I don't know. I just think it's really sweet. I don't even know if it's just me but whatever. Overall, I loved this novel as much as the first two in the series. Daemon still has that effect on the female species I guess. The fact that a fictional character actually made me feel like mush is definitely something. I did miss some characters like Adam and Dee. I think a part of Dee actually died along with Adam. I also love the fact that Matthew seems more open to Katy and Daemon now. He is the closest thing to a father that the Luxen have after all. The return and appearance of certain characters surprised me though. I think this novel is just as enjoyable as Obsidian and Onyx. The cliffhanger ending is such a doozy though. I was like WTF?! Nuuuuuu. That did not just happen! Anyway, it just made me want to read Origins more though. Rating: 4.5/5 starsshow more

This was an emotional and at times hard to deal with book only because I have come to care so much about these characters that it is very hard to see them in pain and struggling ). Dawson is so broken, and I can totally understand where Katy and Daemon are coming from wanting to do anything to make things right. I also appreciate the empathy that Katy has for Dawson, and imagining that she would do the exact same thing if not more if it were Daemon. It is also so hard to see the friendship between Katy and Dee so broken. I miss their easy and fun way about them and I hated seeing them not getting along. I also long for them to be able to talk about their love life as well a everything else going on with each other. Though if there is ever any blameless motivation for a broken relationship, Dee and her feelings of loss and that Katy didn't trust her and confide in her, they are founded, though I also understand that Katy was trying to protect her. As usual, Jennifer kept me on the edge of my seat, only guessing at what would come next, and being completely blown away by where she takes the plot. I love these characters, this series, and Jennifer as an author. But oh man, talk about one helluva cliff hanger. Sweet alien babies... I mean, really? You're gonna leave my girl like that? But alas, I shall have to suffer with the other fangirls until the next book comes out. Bottom line: Must read series. Opal is hot, fast paced, with amazing characters.show more

Opal by Jennifer Armentrout is the third book in the Lux series. If you haven't read any of these books yet you really need to get on that. If sci-fi and aliens aren't your thing, trust me, these aliens will make you change your mind. Daemon Black just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. He's still a jerk from time to time, but he doesn't do anything to purposefully hurt Kady. Mostly he's just entertaining during his jerky moments. With the return of Dawson comes a whole lot of emotions for Daemon. Dawson isn't how he used to be and Daemon is both happy to have his brother back, but sad that he's not the same brother from before. I really enjoyed the Dawson/Daemon relationship throughout this book. I also loved the way Dawson and Katy got along. The events Katy went through in Onyx played a huge role in Dawson feeling comfortable around her and they were able to form a really nice friendship that was thoroughly amusing at times. Especially when they were around Daemon. Katy was the one character I felt lost some of her original appeal. There was just something missing from her. She was still feisty and hilarious, but there were times when she seemed to take on the plain-girl-who-all-the-boys-love role. Maybe it was because her and Daemon weren't fighting as much (though they did get in a few good ones) or maybe it was because she was so down on herself after the way Onyx ended, but I just felt like there was something off about her. I was so in love with these characters after reading Obsidian. And Onyx was by far one of my favorite books (probably ever). Honestly, Onyx so far exceeded my expectations that I might be judging Opal a little harshly, but it just wasn't as good as I was hoping. Don't get me wrong, it was still really good. It was full of action and romance and Daemon Black! But it was more predictable that Obsidian and Onyx and fell a little flat in comparison. There were also a few things that left me thinking "What?", but I'm sure they will all be addressed in the next book. If you're a lover of the Lux series than you'll obviously want to read this one. And you'll probably have so many emotions you'll have screamed at your book more than once by the end. You'll also have laughed and cried too, probably. But, being totally honest, as enjoyable as Opal was, it just didn't have the same spark the first two books did.show more

Favourite Quote: "Hey, Mom, our neighbours are aliens. One of them accidentally mutated me, and Will is a psycho. Any questions?" I was so excited to read this book because the last two (Obsidian & Onyx) were awesome but unfortunately I was disappointed in this book. The plot was the biggest things, I felt that nothing major happened until the last 50 pages and before that the plot just keep going round in circles. Though I did still like it, I felt the plot was slower than the previous books and that annoyed me. The ending though I guessed it would happen still ended on a major cliff-hanger which means I cannot wait until the fourth book! One thing I did really like about this book was the character development that took place. Katy completely transformed for the better in my opinion, a very good heroine. Dee's grief was written very realistically and we show a completely different side to her, very dark and angry. Dawson was a very dull character in my opinion, I think the only emotion we saw was at the end of the book so I'm excited to see how the changes in book 4. Surprisingly Ash and Andrew grew on me so now the only character I don't like is Blake for obvious reasons. Overall this was my least favourite book of the series so far but I still highly recommend this series to everyone! I give this book a 3/5!show more