Opal (Lux, #3) by Jennifer L. ArmentroutPublished: December 11th 2012 by Entangled Teen
Pages: 452
Rating: ★★★★☆
No one is like Daemon Black.
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn't fooling around. Doubting him isn't something I'll do again, and now that we've made it through the rough patches, well... There's a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can't protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I'm no longer the same Katy. I'm different... And I'm not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I'm capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won't turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we're stronger... and they know it.
A slow, wry smile teased Daemon's lips. "Simmer down, Kitten, before I have to get you a ball of yarn to play with."
Annoyance flared deep inside me. "Don't start with me, jerk-face."
-- Jennifer L. Armentrout, Opal
Warning: slight spoilers ahead for Obsidian, Onyx and Opal (Lux #1, #2 and #3)
Since I've finished Onyx, the second book in the Lux series, it took a while for me to start the third book. It was not like I expected it to be, and that's what made me curious about what this one had to offer. Everything was left on a rather hectic point in the story. This one, however, was so much better! Though I did have little issues, Opal surprised me in a very good way.
The romance has to be one of the best things out of the entire book. The relationship between Katy and Daemon first started off in a unusual way, you can't not admit that. Yet with each book you feel their connection growing, and it has reached perfection. They're finally accepted their love for each other and their passion is there.Their dates and sweet moments are to die for, everyone wants a relationship like that. At least, I do. Oh, I just loved how their relationship developed and all their sweet moments. They're both so caring for each other. The romance showed Daemon's soft side, and I loved it. I love it. I absolutely love it.
What I also loved about Onyx was what it did to the characters. Some disappear for a while, as others come back as a whole new addition to the story. This definitely made the plot very interesting. I loved how the book built up to their big mission. It was something that kept me excited and at the edge of my chair, especially when I got closer to the end. I loved how their first attempt falls apart, and even the second one. It proves in what of a situation they're actually in. It's dangerous and full of suspense and mystery. However, talking about their big mission, I feel like something was off about that story line. One moment they're there to fix everything, and a few chapters later they're training again. The training and first try in general fell flat and were a little bit too easy too look over. I can't put my finger on it, I just, I feel like there's something missing with that story line. Talking about other crucial parts of the plot, I don't think there's anything that feels less well done. There's a really good balance between deeper scenes and other, more light-hearted ones. This book always had an amount of suspense, and I loved that.
Despite what everyone else thought, I didn't feel like I was missing pages at the end. I don't have mixed feelings, because I thought it was so well done. It left on a perfect climax that doesn't make it impossible to not start Origin, the fourth book in the series, although she left it at a pretty difficult situation. It feels like I can jump right into it, without having that stupid pressure after a book with a cliffhanger. That is something I loved about this book. It opened up a whole new plot for the next book, and I can't wait what Armentrout has in store for her readers. Right now I'm in need to start typing like a crazy fangirl, but I'm just going to keep those feelings to myself and say that the ending was just heart-pounding and crazy. Be warned.
Another issue that was noticeable while reading, was the pace. It has always been a little issue I had with this series, and after Onyx I must admit: I was scared for this in Opal. It seems like a pattern throughout the series: first the book starts off at a rather slow pace, but as it progresses it gets better and better until the end where it crushes your heart. This was the case with the previous two, and I'm kind of sad to admit that it was the same with this book. The only difference here was that the pace built up to the so-called climax, to completely fall and to start slow once again. It has always bothered me, and right now I'm crossing my fingers in the hope of a difference with Origin.
There are quite a few new characters introduced in this book. An as I said earlier, every character brought along a story line. Looking at the overall crew of new characters, I like them all. They're all unique and have something to add to the story. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. The changes in the regular cast, however, are palpable. While Daemon was the most likeable character in Opal, Katy managed to annoy me at times. I'm not all too crazy for her new I don't care, I love it-attitude, because it brings along recklessness, and look at where she is now.
I adored a certain death, but was sad about others. With others, I just mean the relationship between Katy and Dee. What happened? I really don't like where this is heading. I didn't like it because the sweet moments between the two just weren't there. At times I was in need of one of their moments, and instead I got a fight with arguments that made no sense. I don't understand why Dee is acting like this. Sure, blame it all on the grieving process, but I needed that girl.
Opal was definitely a surprise for me in a really good way. Although my stupid little issues, I did love where it ended, I certainly loved the romance. and I can't wait to pick up the sequel!
