Review: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opal (Lux, #3)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Published: Dec 11, 2012

Buy: The Book Depository

To say that I enjoy this series (or anything Jennifer L. Armentrout writes, for that matter) is an understatement. There is something about her writing that is reminiscent of ice-cream. I know I could do better elsewhere, find something more stimulating and thought-provoking elsewhere, but I don’t give a flying fish and never want to stop. Let’s call it an addiction.

With Opal we have ups and down, but for the vast majority of the novel, it is one big up. This book is everything I enjoyed about the previous instalments, amplified. There is sweltering romance, a somewhat asshole-ish alien next door, an enthusiastic book-blogger, and, best of all, entertainment. Armentrout recaps seamlessly enough to ensure there is no leaving the reader behind (thank you!) and doesn’t hesitate to take the story several steps further. With the prime focus being on Katy and the gang infiltrating the government group Daedalus – an under-the-radar organisation responsible for the torture of mutated human hybrids – there is a lingering tension and sense of foreboding that builds throughout the book. Plot-wise, the progression is appreciable but not overly complicated. Action is limited until the climax, but, for this book, it worked. I was happy to take the substitute – namely, Daemon and Katy scenes.

I think it’s time for a Daemon Black paragraph. Anyone who has met him will know he is too cocky for his own good…. But, let’s all admit it, arrogance looks good on him. I know I can’t get enough of his smart-assery (it’s a word) and the constant banter between him and Katy. In fact, the playful relationship they have is one of my favourite aspects of this whole series. Onyx gave us a fleeting and precious glance into the personality beneath the sarcasm and over-confident grin, and Opal pushes that into full momentum. Believe it or not, Daemon Black is a true darling. The change in him is surprising but welcomed, with moments of maddening teasing giving way to genuine sweetness. Though, for those of you who have a preference for Daemon number one, be reassured that he is not gone. Opal is not deprived of witty, swaggering comments from our favourite Luxen, and I am confident that this characteristic quality will never disappear.

Describing Katy in this book is a little more complicated. Her frustrating tendencies were fewer and far between here than in Onyx, but, at times, I failed to distinguish her from the sea of other protagonists floating around in my head. When with Daemon, it is easy to do so, but, when alone, it was a challenge. Nevertheless, I have always liked her and that much remained the same in this instalment. She constantly refuses to let Daemon have his way and is never slow to throw back a snarky response – which proves to be both admirable and entertaining. Together, these two nearly set my kindle on fire (and quite possibly me, too). There are quite a few sizzling scenes to keep us satisfied…

The ending, surprisingly, did not bother me at all. Here I was foreseeing an excruciating cliff-hanger with dead bodies, fried aliens and a Katy-Daemon break-up. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I have experienced lately (yes, Unspoken, I am looking at you) and I know I need not worry about what will happen next. Though, having said that, I would like to have Origin in my hands as soon as possible, please. Any time yesterday would be nice.   

Rating: 4 stars