Highlights / Lowlights: OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: OBSIDIAN
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout (@JLArmentrout)
Published: November 2011
Series: Lux #1
Genre: YA Sci-fi
Publisher: Entangled Publishing POV: 1st person Pages: 294  Format: Kindle eBook Source: Bought Rating: The Great Hall

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.

Highlights: New town, new school, new friends, and a few new problems – Katy is off to quite a start. Katy is an amusing narrator, not to mention a book blogger, so it was easy enough to enjoy and relate to her character. OBSIDIAN is an entertaining story to read, and I can see why so many readers love this book. I was grinning, laughing out loud, scoffing, and utterly unable to contain my wide variety of reactions once I began this novel. While I found the romance to be underwhelming, I highly enjoyed character interactions and Armentrout's type of humor. 

Lowlights: Predictable, with an overall plot that is reminiscent of other stories, and some clichés are thrown in as well. Daemon was a frustrating love interest, what with his constant need to act like a jerk. The summary states that there are aliens, but it took what felt like an eternity for Katy to figure it out¹. The alien "reveal" had too much info-dumping, too. 

Rating: The Great Hall (high 3 out of 5). OBSIDIAN was very likable, but honestly, the only reason I bought this book was because it was on sale for Kindle. While there are some flaws, I do think I would read it again, but I'm not sure if I'll ever read the rest of this series. But, anyone who is interested in OBSIDIAN should definitely check it out, because it is a humorous and fun story. 
1 Which sucks, because then you're all "Katy, they're aliens! ALIENS!!" until she finally figures it out. And then once the alien reveal happens, you're like "Duh, I've only been been telling you that they're aliens for how many pages?"² 2 Umm, I mean, there was no talking to fictional characters. I would never do that, because that would be crazy. *walks away innocently*

Waiting on Wednesday (136): RUIN & RISING

WOW is hosted by Breaking the Spine

RUIN AND RISING by LEIGH BARDUGO

June 17th, 2014 from Henry Holt & Co. 

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Excuse me while I freak out. SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK!!

*waits impatiently for June 17th*

*glares at calendar*

Well, I'm sure the wait will be worth it!

What are you waiting on? 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Top Ten Favorite YA Contemporary Novels

1.  The Truth About Forever: My favorite Dessen book! READ IT.
2.  The Fault in our Stars: This book. So much more than I expected.
3.  Jellicoe Road: Have tissues handy. Trust me.
4.  The Book of Broken Hearts: Beautiful story about family and first loves.
5.  Everybody Sees the Ants: A stark portrayal of bullying, coming of age, and family.
6.  Just One Day: Romantic and plenty of traveling!
7.  Wanderlove: Very fun, and the artwork is fabulous.
8.  The Sky Is Everywhere: This is a touching story about falling in love and family.
9.  Speak: An emotional read.
10.  Before I Fall: A bit outside of contemporary, but still amazing.

Bonus!! Two More Excellent Stories

We Were Liars (a very surprising and wonderfully written novel) and Split (gripping, emotional, and uncomfortable, this book is an important story).


What's your favorite YA contemporary novel?