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dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4/5 stars
This is such a solid series - angst, smut that pushes the YA boundary, and an interesting plot. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading these and I can't put them down.
This is such a solid series - angst, smut that pushes the YA boundary, and an interesting plot. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading these and I can't put them down.
“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.”
“Roth…well, the more sticky the situation, the more of a smart-ass he became.”
This is the second book of The Darkest Elements series and it picks up 2 weeks after the events of White Hot Kiss. Roth is in the pits of Hell and Layla is trying to find a way to move on with her life. Then strange things begin happening at Layla’s school and all of a sudden Roth shows up with news. It seems that the ritual they were trying to stop in WHK wasn’t actually stopped and they believed that a Lilin had been created. What follows is shenanigans, angst, love, drama, heartbreak and a hell of cliffhanger.
I never bought into it when Roth was telling Layla that she had just been a way to pass the time when he had been topside before. It still hurt when he said the things that he did to Layla in the guise of pushing her away for her safety, but it didn’t feel like he meant it because of his body language. Layla, of course, totally bought it. But then again, she’s never been in a relationship, she’s naive and has no idea how to handle things. So, while I was frustrated that she didn’t see it, I also understand.
I wasn’t happy when Layla moved on and tried to have a relationship with Zayne. The fact that her feelings for Roth persisted and she had to continuously remind herself of Zayne whenever she was with Roth was a huge red flag to me. I know that Layla loves Zayne but I don’t believe that she was ever IN love with him. I think the same thing applies to Zayne’s feelings for Layla. I believe that he truly cares for and loves Layla but I don’t believe that he was ever actually IN love with her. And it will alway irritate me that he never showed his feelings until there was actually competition in the form of Roth. I still like Zayne, but as I’ve said before I don’t love him in this series. For me it’s always been Roth and Layla. They’ve been my OTP from the beginning and the events in this book were just a road block in the way of that relationship.
Now I want to bring up Abbott for a minute. I wasn’t thrilled with him in the first book and this one made me absolutely loathe him. He tries to come off as enlightened and accepting at the beginning but when it really comes down to it he’s just like most of the other Wardens. Seriously, I wanted to reach through the book and punch him. Dez and Nicolai really stepped up in this book and showed their true characters, which made me adore them.
The last 25% of this book is so fast paced and full of information that it floored me. And the ending! That was definitely an oh shit moment for me and made me want to dive right into the last book.
“Something else occurred to me then. Zayne would lock me in a room to keep me safe if he thought there was even a hint of danger in the air. Roth…yeah, he’d tried to get me out of the way, but he wouldn’t shelter me. He would… he would just let me be.”
“I love you, Layla. Do you hear me? I’ve loved you since the first moment I heard your voice and I will continue to love you. No matter what. I love you.”
“Roth…well, the more sticky the situation, the more of a smart-ass he became.”
This is the second book of The Darkest Elements series and it picks up 2 weeks after the events of White Hot Kiss. Roth is in the pits of Hell and Layla is trying to find a way to move on with her life. Then strange things begin happening at Layla’s school and all of a sudden Roth shows up with news. It seems that the ritual they were trying to stop in WHK wasn’t actually stopped and they believed that a Lilin had been created. What follows is shenanigans, angst, love, drama, heartbreak and a hell of cliffhanger.
I never bought into it when Roth was telling Layla that she had just been a way to pass the time when he had been topside before. It still hurt when he said the things that he did to Layla in the guise of pushing her away for her safety, but it didn’t feel like he meant it because of his body language. Layla, of course, totally bought it. But then again, she’s never been in a relationship, she’s naive and has no idea how to handle things. So, while I was frustrated that she didn’t see it, I also understand.
I wasn’t happy when Layla moved on and tried to have a relationship with Zayne. The fact that her feelings for Roth persisted and she had to continuously remind herself of Zayne whenever she was with Roth was a huge red flag to me. I know that Layla loves Zayne but I don’t believe that she was ever IN love with him. I think the same thing applies to Zayne’s feelings for Layla. I believe that he truly cares for and loves Layla but I don’t believe that he was ever actually IN love with her. And it will alway irritate me that he never showed his feelings until there was actually competition in the form of Roth. I still like Zayne, but as I’ve said before I don’t love him in this series. For me it’s always been Roth and Layla. They’ve been my OTP from the beginning and the events in this book were just a road block in the way of that relationship.
Now I want to bring up Abbott for a minute. I wasn’t thrilled with him in the first book and this one made me absolutely loathe him. He tries to come off as enlightened and accepting at the beginning but when it really comes down to it he’s just like most of the other Wardens. Seriously, I wanted to reach through the book and punch him. Dez and Nicolai really stepped up in this book and showed their true characters, which made me adore them.
The last 25% of this book is so fast paced and full of information that it floored me. And the ending! That was definitely an oh shit moment for me and made me want to dive right into the last book.
“Something else occurred to me then. Zayne would lock me in a room to keep me safe if he thought there was even a hint of danger in the air. Roth…yeah, he’d tried to get me out of the way, but he wouldn’t shelter me. He would… he would just let me be.”
“I love you, Layla. Do you hear me? I’ve loved you since the first moment I heard your voice and I will continue to love you. No matter what. I love you.”
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was bored for most of the book... Armentrout's writing is the only reason I didn't DNF this. Roth was being an ass, even if he had good reasons I just can't forgive him. I don't like Zayne, at all, and I definitely don't like how he doesn't accept Layla as she is (and at least Roth does do that sooo TEAM ROTH).
Kinda spoilery from here on out:
Layla is constantly defending herself and being torn down by the wardens but she won't leave that abusive home behind because of some sense of loyalty, they have to actually try to kill her for her to realize they never really loved her... Girllll OPEN YOUR EYES WOULD YA
God, I was so frustrated with her for most of the book.
Amd the reveal at the end? Didn't see it coming, didn't like it, it doesn't make any sense... It better be explained in the last book or this plot line has officially gone to Hell.
Kinda spoilery from here on out:
Layla is constantly defending herself and being torn down by the wardens but she won't leave that abusive home behind because of some sense of loyalty, they have to actually try to kill her for her to realize they never really loved her... Girllll OPEN YOUR EYES WOULD YA
God, I was so frustrated with her for most of the book.
Amd the reveal at the end? Didn't see it coming, didn't like it, it doesn't make any sense... It better be explained in the last book or this plot line has officially gone to Hell.
4.5/5 stars
Entertaining read. The characters were annoying me at points. Overall pretty good, excited to read the next book.
Entertaining read. The characters were annoying me at points. Overall pretty good, excited to read the next book.
I FUCKING CALLED IT (sort of).
Okay, so I should probably start at the beginning. This was such a super fast read (400+ pages in two days like what??) Pretty much the same issues I had with the last book transferred over to this one- namely the Wardens' treatment towards Layla. But I mean, whatever, they're assholes and I hate Abbott. Let's move on.
I gotta say, I liked Zayne more in this one than the last. Still prefer Roth, but I liked Zayne a lot more than before and if Layla ends up with him (not sure if I think that'll happen or not), I won't be super upset (maybe). I did feel he was a little too forgiving at times (hello, she cheated on him!), but his heart's in the right place and I like how he actually trusts her.
I also liked the blooming friendship between Layla and Danika. Female friendships, guys! It's a thing that should happen way more. And I hope we get to see more of it in the next book.
I didn't like how easily Layla went back and forth between Zayne and Roth, but I can't complain too much. (Also, am I the only one who thinks she's going to lose her virginity in the next book and it's gonna free Lilith??)
I also liked that Stacey and Sam were finally included in this world. I like main character's best friends so much better when they're not the "oblivious side characters". Though...
I FUCKING CALLED IT. Not totally, since I just thought the Lilin was taking Sam's soul slower than it took the others', but I knew something was up. I knew it. And damn, I was hollering at the end. I know what I'm spending the last of my Christmas Barnes and Noble giftcards on! (Spoiler: it's Every Last Breath).
Okay, so I should probably start at the beginning. This was such a super fast read (400+ pages in two days like what??) Pretty much the same issues I had with the last book transferred over to this one- namely the Wardens' treatment towards Layla. But I mean, whatever, they're assholes and I hate Abbott. Let's move on.
I gotta say, I liked Zayne more in this one than the last. Still prefer Roth, but I liked Zayne a lot more than before and if Layla ends up with him (not sure if I think that'll happen or not), I won't be super upset (maybe). I did feel he was a little too forgiving at times (hello, she cheated on him!), but his heart's in the right place and I like how he actually trusts her.
I also liked the blooming friendship between Layla and Danika. Female friendships, guys! It's a thing that should happen way more. And I hope we get to see more of it in the next book.
I didn't like how easily Layla went back and forth between Zayne and Roth, but I can't complain too much. (Also, am I the only one who thinks she's going to lose her virginity in the next book and it's gonna free Lilith??)
I also liked that Stacey and Sam were finally included in this world. I like main character's best friends so much better when they're not the "oblivious side characters". Though...
I FUCKING CALLED IT. Not totally, since I just thought the Lilin was taking Sam's soul slower than it took the others', but I knew something was up. I knew it. And damn, I was hollering at the end. I know what I'm spending the last of my Christmas Barnes and Noble giftcards on! (Spoiler: it's Every Last Breath).
I FUCKING CALLED IT (sort of).
Okay, so I should probably start at the beginning. This was such a super fast read (400+ pages in two days like what??) Pretty much the same issues I had with the last book transferred over to this one- namely the Wardens' treatment towards Layla. But I mean, whatever, they're assholes and I hate Abbott. Let's move on.
I gotta say, I liked Zayne more in this one than the last. Still prefer Roth, but I liked Zayne a lot more than before and if Layla ends up with him (not sure if I think that'll happen or not), I won't be super upset (maybe). I did feel he was a little too forgiving at times (hello, she cheated on him!), but his heart's in the right place and I like how he actually trusts her.
I also liked the blooming friendship between Layla and Danika. Female friendships, guys! It's a thing that should happen way more. And I hope we get to see more of it in the next book.
I didn't like how easily Layla went back and forth between Zayne and Roth, but I can't complain too much. (Also, am I the only one who thinks she's going to lose her virginity in the next book and it's gonna free Lilith??)
I also liked that Stacey and Sam were finally included in this world. I like main character's best friends so much better when they're not the "oblivious side characters". Though...
I FUCKING CALLED IT. Not totally, since I just thought the Lilin was taking Sam's soul slower than it took the others', but I knew something was up. I knew it. And damn, I was hollering at the end. I know what I'm spending the last of my Christmas Barnes and Noble giftcards on! (Spoiler: it's Every Last Breath).
Okay, so I should probably start at the beginning. This was such a super fast read (400+ pages in two days like what??) Pretty much the same issues I had with the last book transferred over to this one- namely the Wardens' treatment towards Layla. But I mean, whatever, they're assholes and I hate Abbott. Let's move on.
I gotta say, I liked Zayne more in this one than the last. Still prefer Roth, but I liked Zayne a lot more than before and if Layla ends up with him (not sure if I think that'll happen or not), I won't be super upset (maybe). I did feel he was a little too forgiving at times (hello, she cheated on him!), but his heart's in the right place and I like how he actually trusts her.
I also liked the blooming friendship between Layla and Danika. Female friendships, guys! It's a thing that should happen way more. And I hope we get to see more of it in the next book.
I didn't like how easily Layla went back and forth between Zayne and Roth, but I can't complain too much. (Also, am I the only one who thinks she's going to lose her virginity in the next book and it's gonna free Lilith??)
I also liked that Stacey and Sam were finally included in this world. I like main character's best friends so much better when they're not the "oblivious side characters". Though...
I FUCKING CALLED IT. Not totally, since I just thought the Lilin was taking Sam's soul slower than it took the others', but I knew something was up. I knew it. And damn, I was hollering at the end. I know what I'm spending the last of my Christmas Barnes and Noble giftcards on! (Spoiler: it's Every Last Breath).