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blurrypetals's review against another edition
4.0
Luc was always one of the best parts about the later Lux books so the fact that he got his own spinoff is a huge win for Team Sara here. His sense of humor, his charm, his whole demeanor always left me grinning whenever we were blessed with his presence in Lux and that extends to this book as well. I loved hearing more about the other Origins and Luc's past with Daedalus and I really liked seeing him all growed up, running his own business, trafficking Luxen to safe places, just being a professional badass.
I have to say, though, I kind of wish this book had been told from Luc's POV. Evie had an interesting enough story, especially with that little twist thrown in there; you know, the one we all guessed the moment the first hints were dropped at it. Yeah, that one. I just couldn't help but feel, after five whole books with Katy learning about the Luxen and their magic (or whatever you want to call their abilities), it would have benefitted to hand the spinoff to someone who already knew about the world. They could have also done a similar reveal about Evie's past, but it could have been more sneaky and tactful, rather than blunt and obvious.
That said, I did really love Evie and Luc's chemistry. Armentrout continued her admittedly quite fun tradition of making me constantly wonder, "Was that a Twilight reference?" here and adds her even more fun tradition of having some of the most fun, quippy banter between love interests ever. Just like the Lux and The Dark Elements, this is junk food fun in its purest forms and I am always here for it when Armentrout is writing the fun stuff.
All in all, even though I was a little disappointed with the focus on Evie instead of Luc, I really really enjoyed this. I am the trash queen, returning home after a two year break from the Lux books. I'm back, I'm here for the long haul. Give me book two sooner rather than later, please, Ms. Armentrout. Please and thank you.
Unrelated addendum: It finally seems as though Almentrout's marketing team decided to stop designing the fugliest covers in existence because this cover is gorgeous. Can they please redesign the Lux books and The Dark Elements books in this style? Please?
daciow0w's review against another edition
4.0
czytałam te książkę jak jeszcze byłam nastolatką i uwielbiałam tego typu serie
super było wrócić i odświeżyć sobie te historie, tym bardziej że jej nie dokończyłam, więc teraz mam okazję
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
4.0
When I first read this book I was in a weird mood and I ended up not liking it as much. So now there are a few months ( almost a year lol) in between and I’m in a better overall place thought I try this book again since I like all her other books, and see what I think the second time around.
And yes I liked it much better this time, maybe because I knew what to expect in some areas. I still thought Evie was annoying most of the time and felt overly trying to be funny, though some parts I did feel a tad bad for her. Some of her stuff with Luc still seemed a bit too immature even for YA. Even Luc himself which made no sense in the overall story given his character what he does and his past.
I think last time my mood and annoyance with Evie made skim a lot of parts and with that the overall story was washed out. I’m so glad I re-read this book because I really enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read the second book. I’m hoping Evie and Luc , but mostly Evie will grow a bit next book. I can’t wait to figure out what is happening, I have some ideas but we shall see.
Overall... I’m happy with it and give it 4★ this time around.
Initial Review
*I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley and chose to leave a voluntary review. Thank you!*
I love Jennifer L. Armentrout’s work and I loved the Lux series. So this book was a must read for me. I was super excited excited to dive back into the lux world.
You don’t have to have read the Lux books in order to read this one but I would recommend it, not only are they great but it will help you with past events and or people. But again, it is not necessary in order to read this book.
That being said, sadly I didn’t love as much as I thought I would, it was not horrible by any means, but it also was not the best she has written.
The good, it had plenty of action and humor, we get from her books. Loved the banter we got between Luc and Evie, most of the time, there were a few times it just seemed forced or over the top. It also had its suspense and defiantly kept you asking for more and wanting to find out, who ,what and why….And of course there is the romance, which also had its up and downs.
We see some lovely and familiar faces again and it was great. But also meet some pretty great new people.
Luc, it has been a few years since we saw him last but he is still the funny dude we met way back when. Just all grown up. Or well almost …….
And for the most part I liked him, funny, cocky and willing protect those around him. Now that includes Evie. Sometime now with Evie he had his moments, that more than anything made me roll my eye, not so much him as them together.
Evie, it is clear from the beginning that there is more to her and it takes a bit before we get there but I must say I was just like “ oh okay…..” not shocked or anything it was just hmm okay. Maybe that was because, I was not her biggest fan and she annoyed me a lot of times. She often just came over as whiny more than anything.
The romance sometimes seemed to be taking over the story but it all came back around.
For me, the whole narrative came over as very young or naiveish ?! IF that is a word lol. I know it is YA, but so was the Lux series but that by any means did not seem that young/ and or teen angst written as this book.
So overall, we get a teen angst insta love/lust teen drama but that is also wonderfully connected to the world we read and loved.
In a weird way I couldn’t quit. I was often annoyed with it but also couldn’t put it down.
So the verdict. I give it 3★, I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate, it was just in the middle somewhere. That being said though I most likely will get book two to see how it continues.
fallingwings's review against another edition
3.0
thebooksuccubus's review against another edition
5.0
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
The world after the Lux series is not an easy gentle one, things are tough, fear prevails, memories are good and hate is strong. The fear is real when dead bodies start showing up. The government has taken control and neutralized the Luxen, giving humans a chance to feel equal. When Evie goes against the rules, and puts everyone in danger her and Luc are then on path that will change everything. The secrets that unravel in all this mess open her eyes to a past she will never know.
I didn't give this a five star, I just wasn't believing in some of the characters, Evie and Luc. Their actions/thoughts fit their age but not their life experiences. I think that was the problem, all that happened in that world would have aged them mentally and emotionally. They acted like stereotypical early high school kids not 17 and 18 year old raised in a world of alien wars and death.
The end ! ARGUH Way to leave me hanging JLA ! I can't wait to read book 2 in this series, hopefully they grew up a bit.
shes_book_obsessed's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I regret my hesitation towards this book, I was scared of being disappointed with this spin-off series as I really enjoyed the lux series. But I loved this book!
I´ll tell you this; Jennifer L. Armentrout writes some of the best banter between the main character and the love interest.
I'm usually not fond of the whole memory loss trope, but I think the author really did a good job of it. This is the light and easy book I needed while my lazy ass struggles through school before winter break.
What a masterpiece, I am shooketh!
magencorrie's review against another edition
5.0
Having a story about Luc, well, it was incredible! I loved him in the Lux series and I love him even more. Being able to see more sides of him, seeing him grown up, and seeing who he is now was something I didn't know I wanted. He is A LOT like Daemon and it was a close tie between them. Luc is definitely a strong second when it comes to my favorite book boys. His attitude and some of the things he said where things Daemon did. Though Luc is definitely less of a jerk. I loved that boy. And Evie definitely reminded me of Katy here and there as well. As her story unfolded, I really connected to her. She's got that fire that I always admire in characters.
I loved the story that JLA crafted for the next step in the Lux world. She has given us a glimpse four years later after the events of the Lux series. I loved getting to see where all the characters were and what they have been up to. I loved getting to see Daemon and Archer, and to hear about the rest of the gang.
The way Jen spun this story, how she delivered it, the twists and the pacing kept me glued to it. Me saying I loved how she merged this new series with the previous one is a lame attempt to explain how much I truly enjoyed it. Because I freaking loved it! So bring on the next book!
books_tea_and_fantasy's review against another edition
3.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can tell this was written a few years after the original Lux series. The story and plot were stronger and the characters had more depth.
Definitely a bit of a slow start but the plot twists made it worthwhile. I expect there’ll be far more action in the sequel.
This was a quick and fun read. It was nice to return to the world of Luxen and Origins.
TW: blood depiction, bullying, death of a child, kidnapping
6/75