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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
This is the first book in the trilogy that takes place before [b:Storm and Fury|40291564|Storm and Fury (The Harbinger, #1)|Jennifer L. Armentrout|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540397329l/40291564._SY75_.jpg|61809884]. I really wanted to like it as much as I liked Storm and Fury, and well I just didn't. I don't like that the title is so far from what the book is about, there is so much more to this book than just a ya supernatural romance.
I also just didn't really connect with Layla the way I did with Trinity though it was nice to get a bit more of Zayne's history. It might also just be that I read this book in an audio format and I read the other as an actual book. Usually audio is better but perhaps not this time.
Not sure if I will finish the trilogy. Only time will tell.
I also just didn't really connect with Layla the way I did with Trinity though it was nice to get a bit more of Zayne's history. It might also just be that I read this book in an audio format and I read the other as an actual book. Usually audio is better but perhaps not this time.
Not sure if I will finish the trilogy. Only time will tell.
First of all, because this has to be said, I'm totally Team Roth... Half because of this:
I lost myself the moment I found you. (Pile on the cheese, I know.)
And the other half because of this:
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but I'm going to demolish you.
*sighs* Oh, Roth.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am wholeheartedly a JLA fan. I've seen so many people criticize her for being too formulaic or whatever, but I find that I really don't care. When I go to read JLA's books, I'm not necessarily looking for originality (not to say that her books aren't original, I think they definitely can be). What I'm looking for is fun.
This book was exactly what I wanted: loads and loads of FUN.
I always whip through JLA's books, half because they're just so fast paced, making it easy to fly through them, and also because they're in general highly addictive. Charming, sexy boys, sassy narrators, interesting concepts, snappy action scenes. What's not to love? I mean, sure, the ancient battle between demons and mankind's protectors isn't all that original, but gargoyles are a new twist. There's probably some sort of mythology surrounding them in the Bible or something that I'm not aware of (I know that the gargoyles on churches and stuff are meant to scare off evil spirits), but I'm pretty sure that particular mythology hasn't been seen much in the YA world.
When it comes down to it, I want to be entertained when I read a book. There are probably some of you out there who don't find formulaic stuff entertaining (and I will admit, JLA's stuff is a little formulaic), but I don't mind it. You never find the exact same story twice (because that would be plagiarism). It's those new elements to mix it up that are so exciting. And when it comes down to it, JLA's just going with what works. She's discovered her audience and now she's writing for them. I'm sure she's having loads of fun writing these stories and coming up with these characters and ideas, and the fact that people read them is probably pretty dang amazing to her. Why fix what isn't broken?
Now that I've said my bit on JLA's formula, let's talk about the actual book. Which I loved. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I really am not a fan of the title or the cover. It looks like a trashy romance novel. I mean, it doesn't have to look intellectual or something, but I would probably never read this out in public.
Moving on, my favorite thing about JLA is, without a doubt, her characters and relationships. JLA, in my humble opinion, has mastered the art of relationships between characters. And dialogue. Oh, man, her dialogue. As an aspiring writer, I consider myself pretty good at dialogue and characters, though not necessarily relationships. (I tend to get too excited about where the relationship is going and then rush it too quickly.) JLA's dialogue- and relationship-writing skills are definitely an inspiration.
She knows how to make you love a character. For instance, I love Roth. But I also love Zayne (not as much, but still). And I also love Layla. Why? Mostly because of the conversations they have with each other (and in Layla's case, her awesome, sassy first person narrator voice). Dialogue and mannerisms while speaking are the indicator of character in my opinion. You get to know someone by talking with them and observing their behavior, mostly towards other people. It's the same in books. We get to know characters through how they interact with each other. JLA is amazing at this.
As for relationships, she knows how to show instant attraction without it being too instalovey. She's mastered the whole enemies to friends to lovers thing. She's amazing at flustering banter and frustrating almost-kiss scenes. She knows how to flesh out a relationship and nurture it until it becomes your OTP. Then, what's even better, is she knows how to keep it adorable and interesting. There isn't necessarily a great example of this in White Hot Kiss, because it's the first book and we've got a love triangle going on, but I definitely see it in the Lux series, one of my favorites. Daemon and Katy are together for nearly three out of the five books. Why was I so invested in their relationship the entire time? Because they're so freaking adorable together as a couple. I'm really excited to see Roth and Layla as an adorable couple.
Yes, she's going to choose Roth...
Because, let's be real here, YA heroines tend to choose the "bad" boys. Love triangles also usually represent two different sides of the girl's personality (usually wild and safe, or something along those lines), and in White Hot Kiss, it literally represents Layla's two halves: demon and Warden. Personally, I would choose demon. I think she's going to, too, mostly because the demons have, so far, been far more accepting than the Wardens. But we'll see what happens in Stone Cold Touch (which, by the way, literally just arrived in the mail two seconds ago).
I'm very excited to see where JLA takes this story, and even more excited for more of Roth. For all you Zayne lovers out there (which I kind of think are few and far between), I apologize in advance. Because Layla's going to choose Roth. She'd better...
I lost myself the moment I found you. (Pile on the cheese, I know.)
And the other half because of this:
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but I'm going to demolish you.
*sighs* Oh, Roth.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am wholeheartedly a JLA fan. I've seen so many people criticize her for being too formulaic or whatever, but I find that I really don't care. When I go to read JLA's books, I'm not necessarily looking for originality (not to say that her books aren't original, I think they definitely can be). What I'm looking for is fun.
This book was exactly what I wanted: loads and loads of FUN.
I always whip through JLA's books, half because they're just so fast paced, making it easy to fly through them, and also because they're in general highly addictive. Charming, sexy boys, sassy narrators, interesting concepts, snappy action scenes. What's not to love? I mean, sure, the ancient battle between demons and mankind's protectors isn't all that original, but gargoyles are a new twist. There's probably some sort of mythology surrounding them in the Bible or something that I'm not aware of (I know that the gargoyles on churches and stuff are meant to scare off evil spirits), but I'm pretty sure that particular mythology hasn't been seen much in the YA world.
When it comes down to it, I want to be entertained when I read a book. There are probably some of you out there who don't find formulaic stuff entertaining (and I will admit, JLA's stuff is a little formulaic), but I don't mind it. You never find the exact same story twice (because that would be plagiarism). It's those new elements to mix it up that are so exciting. And when it comes down to it, JLA's just going with what works. She's discovered her audience and now she's writing for them. I'm sure she's having loads of fun writing these stories and coming up with these characters and ideas, and the fact that people read them is probably pretty dang amazing to her. Why fix what isn't broken?
Now that I've said my bit on JLA's formula, let's talk about the actual book. Which I loved. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I really am not a fan of the title or the cover. It looks like a trashy romance novel. I mean, it doesn't have to look intellectual or something, but I would probably never read this out in public.
Moving on, my favorite thing about JLA is, without a doubt, her characters and relationships. JLA, in my humble opinion, has mastered the art of relationships between characters. And dialogue. Oh, man, her dialogue. As an aspiring writer, I consider myself pretty good at dialogue and characters, though not necessarily relationships. (I tend to get too excited about where the relationship is going and then rush it too quickly.) JLA's dialogue- and relationship-writing skills are definitely an inspiration.
She knows how to make you love a character. For instance, I love Roth. But I also love Zayne (not as much, but still). And I also love Layla. Why? Mostly because of the conversations they have with each other (and in Layla's case, her awesome, sassy first person narrator voice). Dialogue and mannerisms while speaking are the indicator of character in my opinion. You get to know someone by talking with them and observing their behavior, mostly towards other people. It's the same in books. We get to know characters through how they interact with each other. JLA is amazing at this.
As for relationships, she knows how to show instant attraction without it being too instalovey. She's mastered the whole enemies to friends to lovers thing. She's amazing at flustering banter and frustrating almost-kiss scenes. She knows how to flesh out a relationship and nurture it until it becomes your OTP. Then, what's even better, is she knows how to keep it adorable and interesting. There isn't necessarily a great example of this in White Hot Kiss, because it's the first book and we've got a love triangle going on, but I definitely see it in the Lux series, one of my favorites. Daemon and Katy are together for nearly three out of the five books. Why was I so invested in their relationship the entire time? Because they're so freaking adorable together as a couple. I'm really excited to see Roth and Layla as an adorable couple.
Yes, she's going to choose Roth...
Because, let's be real here, YA heroines tend to choose the "bad" boys. Love triangles also usually represent two different sides of the girl's personality (usually wild and safe, or something along those lines), and in White Hot Kiss, it literally represents Layla's two halves: demon and Warden. Personally, I would choose demon. I think she's going to, too, mostly because the demons have, so far, been far more accepting than the Wardens. But we'll see what happens in Stone Cold Touch (which, by the way, literally just arrived in the mail two seconds ago).
I'm very excited to see where JLA takes this story, and even more excited for more of Roth. For all you Zayne lovers out there (which I kind of think are few and far between), I apologize in advance. Because Layla's going to choose Roth. She'd better...
5/5 stars !
This book was so good. Like it blew my freaking fangirl brain! I didn't expect to love it as much as I did! Like seriously I read it in two days. That's it. It was so mind blowing and fantastic and so so badass. This was my first book that I've read by Jennifer L. Armentrout and I am definitely not disappointed. I can't wait until the second book. This has definitely been one of the best books I've read this year.
This book was so good. Like it blew my freaking fangirl brain! I didn't expect to love it as much as I did! Like seriously I read it in two days. That's it. It was so mind blowing and fantastic and so so badass. This was my first book that I've read by Jennifer L. Armentrout and I am definitely not disappointed. I can't wait until the second book. This has definitely been one of the best books I've read this year.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
oh roth ohhh my god.
this book is undoubtedly GOOD
(it is 2 am I can't be anymore eloquent than this)
this book is undoubtedly GOOD
(it is 2 am I can't be anymore eloquent than this)
medium-paced
definitiv paar coole elemente (z.b. die tattoos), aber auch paar arschige (z.b. der ganze plot ist eigentlich nur ein fettes love triangle RIP)
Loved Loved Loved!! Easy to read, fun characters, good story and a whole lot of swoon. exactly the type of book I needed.