Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Series: Lux #1
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Entangled Publishing
December 6, 2011

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Synopsis:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

I read more this weekend than I have in my entire life. Okay, so maybe that is an exaggeration but there were just so many great books that released this week, I couldn't wait. Honestly, I became disillusioned by several of the books I read, though I loved them all. Picking up Obsidian was a breath of fresh air. A story completely unique to all that is Paranormal YA...aliens. Oh, and not just any aliens...super sexy aliens with attitude. Did you see the guy on the cover...I have a few things he could cover...oops, did I say that? Gosh *blushing*.

Katy and her mom are starting over in a new town in a new state after the death of Katy's father leaves them both broken and hurting. Katy is a book review blogger who spends a lot of time reading and writing...about boys with a killer touch. Anyone you know read that book. I have. Sensational. Anyway...back to Katy. Her mom pushes her to get out and meet the "hottie" neighbor boy next door. I give Katy much earned credit because she marches right up to the door and knocks...I would have never had that kind of nerve. Ever. Of course, Daemon being the kind and loving neighbor he is, welcomes Katy into his and his sister's life with open arms...NOT. This guy has some freaking nerve and apparently a chest to to match. He is snide, rude, hateful, demeaning, belittling, sarcastic, and fiercely charming. Protecting his sister is his only concern. His sister's concern...making "normal" friends and she wants Katy as that "normal" friend.

Katy is not a girl to be jacked with. She is filled with fire - matching Daemon's animosity act for awe-inspiring act. Seriously...I want to be her when I grow up. LOL. Knowing what she wants is easy, getting what she wants...the way she wants is a completely different story. Katy is truly a force not to be reckoned with.

Dee is completely amazing and knows how to handle her brother...it seems blackmail is just the motivation he needs to play nice, or maybe pretend to play nice is more accurate. One thing leads to another and he finds himself protecting Katy from lions and bears and tigers...oh my. Okay...so maybe just bears and trucks, oh, and those pesky Arum who are out to steel his powers. Tragedy lands Katy right smack in the middle of danger and Daemon just isn't going to have it.

The chemistry between Katy and Daemon is palpable even through the pages. They hate each other with a passion that can only be caused by intense attraction. I swore the pages were catching on fire during those rare times they connected on a completely physical level.

A couple of completely awesome quotes:

"Is that so?" He blinked. "You look like you're twelve. No. Maybe thirteen, but my sister has this doll that kinda reminds me of you. All big-eyed and vacant." - Page 7

Hands clenching the edges of the plastic tray, I leaned over the table and turned my plate upside down over Daemon's and Ash's heads. Chunks of noodles and spaghetti sauce fell. Most of the red gunk hit Ash and the noodles covered Daemon's broad shoulder. One long, stringy noodle slid over Daemon's ear and hung there, flopping around. - Page 105

"I'm not even attracted to you." Lie. Ding! Ding! Lie. "Not even a little bit. You're-"..."Arrogant. Controlling." I took another step back, but he was still in my personal space and then some. "And you're a jerk." - Page 233

Ah...I almost forgot...the first chapter from Daemon's point of view. Wow. Who would have ever guessed?

I also read Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout and will be reviewing it later this week. Ms. Armentrout is a master at her craft. Creating worlds of intrigue, danger, and humor. Her knack for creating unique and intriguing storylines is a great credit to the reading and writing world. Obsidian had me laughing, cringing on the edge of my seat, and falling deeply in love with this world. This book was exactly what I needed to restore faith in the world of all that is YA this weekend.