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blurrypetals's review
5.0
August 27, 2020
I think I sort of forgot between now and 2016, but this might be my favorite book in the trilogy when I had previously thought it was my least favorite. Oh, what a difference 4 years can make!
I think past-me didn't love the forced love triangle dynamics before, but because I now realize the entire point of this series was to dunk on love triangles while also being a send-up of them, I can appreciate this book for what it is.
It also serves as admittedly quite wonderful world building that the first book just didn't have time for, and, even though I really like the third book, it lacks direction and structure, basically acting as Roth and Layla faffing about until it's time to defeat Lilith.
This book, however, really digs into the relationships, setting up the stage perfectly for the juicy drama of the public vote Armentrout's fans took part in to choose for her whether Layla ended up with Roth or Zayne. It's really a fun idea, after years of Twilight fans arguing over whether Bella should end up with Edward or Jacob, Armentrout writes a series perfectly catered to those same people and gives them a voice they weren't really given before.
As a writer myself, I don't love the idea of giving readers agency over stories, but I think it is an interesting and captivating experiment for Armentrout to try, and it really works beautifully. Even though I didn't believe Layla would ever end up with Zayne, this book did a pretty great job of telling me it was possible, and I remember how nervous I was the first time I read this series, because I was worried all those Jacob fans of yore would have banded together and gotten Zayne the title.
However good this book makes Zayne look, though, Roth is just the absolute shining star. His vulnerability in his book is so much fun and really makes for some good tasty drama for Layla as she waffles over which one she cares most about.
It's a really fun romp and it sets the stage for, as I already mentioned, some really cute and fluffy faffing about for book three. Long live my trash.
February 19, 2016
I kind of hate myself for liking these books so much, but there you go. I'm starting the third one RIGHT NOW because I have zero self control.
(edit Oct. 6th 2016)
I love these books and I'm marking them up to 5's. The end.
I think I sort of forgot between now and 2016, but this might be my favorite book in the trilogy when I had previously thought it was my least favorite. Oh, what a difference 4 years can make!
I think past-me didn't love the forced love triangle dynamics before, but because I now realize the entire point of this series was to dunk on love triangles while also being a send-up of them, I can appreciate this book for what it is.
It also serves as admittedly quite wonderful world building that the first book just didn't have time for, and, even though I really like the third book, it lacks direction and structure, basically acting as Roth and Layla faffing about until it's time to defeat Lilith.
This book, however, really digs into the relationships, setting up the stage perfectly for the juicy drama of the public vote Armentrout's fans took part in to choose for her whether Layla ended up with Roth or Zayne. It's really a fun idea, after years of Twilight fans arguing over whether Bella should end up with Edward or Jacob, Armentrout writes a series perfectly catered to those same people and gives them a voice they weren't really given before.
As a writer myself, I don't love the idea of giving readers agency over stories, but I think it is an interesting and captivating experiment for Armentrout to try, and it really works beautifully. Even though I didn't believe Layla would ever end up with Zayne, this book did a pretty great job of telling me it was possible, and I remember how nervous I was the first time I read this series, because I was worried all those Jacob fans of yore would have banded together and gotten Zayne the title.
However good this book makes Zayne look, though, Roth is just the absolute shining star. His vulnerability in his book is so much fun and really makes for some good tasty drama for Layla as she waffles over which one she cares most about.
It's a really fun romp and it sets the stage for, as I already mentioned, some really cute and fluffy faffing about for book three. Long live my trash.
February 19, 2016
I kind of hate myself for liking these books so much, but there you go. I'm starting the third one RIGHT NOW because I have zero self control.
(edit Oct. 6th 2016)
I love these books and I'm marking them up to 5's. The end.
xdarlene's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
belle2022's review against another edition
4.0
Book 2! I just can’t help but love Roth and Layla. She is unapologetically herself around him. We know she can’t be herself completely around the other gargoyles and Zayne.
The start of the book has her adjusting to life without Roth:( after that ending in book 1. Lilin was annoying. My poor girl Layla just can’t seem to catch a break! When Roth returns it was definitely a shock because i believe the fact that he was stuck in Hell.
We see the relationship develop between Stoney and Layla. They get closer and intimate and I don’t hate it. In the back of my head I was thinking about Roth.
I just feel bad for Layla, she seems terribly alone even though she has so many people around her. The one person who I thought and she thought understood her wasn’t around but now is back doing other things.
Can’t wait for book 3!
The start of the book has her adjusting to life without Roth:( after that ending in book 1. Lilin was annoying. My poor girl Layla just can’t seem to catch a break! When Roth returns it was definitely a shock because i believe the fact that he was stuck in Hell.
We see the relationship develop between Stoney and Layla. They get closer and intimate and I don’t hate it. In the back of my head I was thinking about Roth.
I just feel bad for Layla, she seems terribly alone even though she has so many people around her. The one person who I thought and she thought understood her wasn’t around but now is back doing other things.
Can’t wait for book 3!
enchanted_reading's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rsf086's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
miaruthdp's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this better than the first one. I love Zayne with ever last strand of my being! I've gotten so emotional reading this bc I am so rooting for Zayne and I want him to be happy. Gosh, his heart is so big, it's overwhelming. His devotion and trust and love and care is ridiculously unbelievable. HE IS PERFECTION. And I hope he is more appreciated bc he deserves every damn thing. Freaking loved this book bc of him.
There are a few times when I want to hurt Layla. She is so naive, it's a bit infuriating. She can't make up her mind and she sucks in making decisions. I hope she understands that she has to choose one and she can't have all choices. I really dislike female heroine that seems so weak. I mean, girls can be strong, can make right decisions and sometimes can be selfish. Nevertheless, at some point of the story, I started sympathizing with Layla and I've understand her certain behaviors. But she really need to make up her mind about certain things.
I am not drawn to Roth as I am with Zayne but he's okay... Well, he's too much for me sometimes but he's likeable enough. Maybe. I don't know.
Things have gotten big in this book and I am so looking forward to more action and epic plot twists. And JLA writes so beautifully!
There are a few times when I want to hurt Layla. She is so naive, it's a bit infuriating. She can't make up her mind and she sucks in making decisions. I hope she understands that she has to choose one and she can't have all choices. I really dislike female heroine that seems so weak. I mean, girls can be strong, can make right decisions and sometimes can be selfish. Nevertheless, at some point of the story, I started sympathizing with Layla and I've understand her certain behaviors. But she really need to make up her mind about certain things.
I am not drawn to Roth as I am with Zayne but he's okay... Well, he's too much for me sometimes but he's likeable enough. Maybe. I don't know.
Things have gotten big in this book and I am so looking forward to more action and epic plot twists. And JLA writes so beautifully!
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
5.0
This book picks up a couple weeks after the last one. Layla still struggles with the loss of Roth for a few pages before he reappears of course. It’s not a spoiler since we have a love triangle and it wouldn’t be much of one without one guy missing. Most know I’m not a fan of love tringles but these books are great and it’s much more than your normal who should she choose. It’s about, should she choose good or evil. This is kind of hard for her, since she still sees herself more evil than good.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/stone-cold-touch-dark-elements-2-jennifer-l-armentrout/
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/stone-cold-touch-dark-elements-2-jennifer-l-armentrout/
allyminnie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
annakuenstler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars because holy shit! this book pissed me off something fierce. It took every once of patience (which I don't have in the first place) to continue reading it and not skip ahead.
The plot wasn't much of a problem. It's just that there wasn't much of it there. Half the book including the Lilin situation, the Wraiths, finding out more about the world, the Abbot situation, any fighting, Layla's abilities and basically everything relevent, while the other half was the Love Triangle.
This is the third series by Jennifer L. Armentrout that I'm reading and each one that I've read has included a love triangle. One series I hated. The second one's love triangle kinda made sense and this one, while I don't hate the series, is infuriating.
Seriously, a 450 freaking pages book and all you do is find out who the lilin is?! What the fuck were you doing the entire time, Layla?! Oh wait! you were trying to decide which guy to bone.
I apologise if I'm being crass (no, I don't), but very I'm angry.
Moving on...
I liked Zayne in the previous book. He was a nice guy and a cool characters. But in this one, he wouldn't stop being a jealous prick. And then we found out what we did near the end and his likability was blown to bits. Now, I'm not even sure I'd care if he died. Well, I don't think I would had a problem with him dying before a certain revelation if it would just get rid of the STUPID LOVE TRIANGLE!
By the end, the only two people I like were Roth (because he's fun and because of what happened near the end) and Sam (because he's cute and spouts unusual facts and because of what happened in the end).
So yeah, if it wasn't for the laser focus on the Love Triangle, this could have been a really good book. I would even have liked Layla. But that did not happen. Hopefully, the next book will be better...
The plot wasn't much of a problem. It's just that there wasn't much of it there. Half the book including the Lilin situation, the Wraiths, finding out more about the world, the Abbot situation, any fighting, Layla's abilities and basically everything relevent, while the other half was the Love Triangle.
This is the third series by Jennifer L. Armentrout that I'm reading and each one that I've read has included a love triangle. One series I hated. The second one's love triangle kinda made sense and this one, while I don't hate the series, is infuriating.
Seriously, a 450 freaking pages book and all you do is find out who the lilin is?! What the fuck were you doing the entire time, Layla?! Oh wait! you were trying to decide which guy to bone.
I apologise if I'm being crass (no, I don't), but very I'm angry.
Moving on...
I liked Zayne in the previous book. He was a nice guy and a cool characters. But in this one, he wouldn't stop being a jealous prick. And then we found out what we did near the end and his likability was blown to bits. Now, I'm not even sure I'd care if he died. Well, I don't think I would had a problem with him dying before a certain revelation if it would just get rid of the STUPID LOVE TRIANGLE!
By the end, the only two people I like were Roth (because he's fun and because of what happened near the end) and Sam (because he's cute and spouts unusual facts and because of what happened in the end).
So yeah, if it wasn't for the laser focus on the Love Triangle, this could have been a really good book. I would even have liked Layla. But that did not happen. Hopefully, the next book will be better...