Shadows (A Lux Novella)

I loved this view into Dawson and Bethany's love. I knew it would be insta-love from the Lux series, but I felt it was just too immediate. But, that being said it didn't change my enjoyment of the book. I get choked up at the end.

I read this book at the second most perfect time one could. Of course, the obvious best time is at the very beginning before diving into the other books of the series. I knew it was about Daemon's brother and I honestly didn't see Dawson playing more of a roll than just some back story. I figured I would just read it once I finished with the series as a fun side story. Well, Opal features a LOT about Dawson and I chose to read Shadows right before I jumped into Opal. Wise choice, really. A wiser choice would have been to stay with Shadows and go through the books in order but... I digress.

Shadows starts with Dawson and Bethany meeting and falling in love. Their relationship almost seems too easy when you compare it to the relationship between Kat and Daemon. I almost like the teasing insults between Kat and Daemon to the confessions of love and devotion from Dawson and Bethany. Bethany is the first human to form a relationship with the mysterious Luxen people. Her relationship with Dawson causes the Luxen to be completely up in arms and resentful of Dawson rocking the boat, so to speak. Why can't he just fall for a nice Luxen girl, they demand, instead of essentially mixed species dating?

I see Daemon's hatred of humans in Shadows and it really makes me want to go back through the first two books I have read and watch how his opinion slowly changes. How ALL the Luxen change due to Dawson's romance with Bethany. Do they become more accepting? More resentful? More cautious? I seem to remember some of these changes when they were made obvious but not with the same fine-toothed comb analysis that I could possibly do after reading this prequel.

Of course, I liked Shadows. Was there any doubt? While it didn't feature my favorite book blogger character, Kat, it still had some Daemon snippets and I got to acquaint myself with a new book boyfriend, Dawson. It was very similar to Obsidian but Kat and Daemon definitely have more fire between them that is irresistible. There were some sexual innuendo in the book that made me choke on my drink once or twice. All in all, another A+ for Jennifer L. Armentrout's witty and robust writing.

Shadows is the perfect beginning to a perfect series. It sheds light on situations in the sequential novels that the reader may not have gotten without it. It features a less than prominent character and shows how significant his appearance in the books truly was. Masterful.

Review Posted on: http://www.ladybugliterature.blogspot.com

Steph's Review:
Hmmm. I think the only reason this novella didn't get a complete 5 stars is because I read it after Obsidian and Onyx (Its okay, you may berate me I know its a crime).

well lets do a checklist:
Good Plot: check
Good narrator: check
Romance?: check
Original?: check

So Why? I just don't think Dawson was as hot as Daemon!!! LOL. You may kill me over that reason, but seriously I have a thing for that jerk sexy hot alien Daemon that I don't think I will ever get over.

JLA is really good at writing novellas I think. Usually when I read a novella I look so forward to it and then I'm just so disappointed afterwards because it was just a bunch of fluff to earn cash off of
JLA is not that way. Her novellas have lots of sufficient plot and can help you understand her series better!

Shadows follows the story of Dawson, Daemon and Dee's triplet, meeting and falling in love with Beth. It follows through all the way to his demise with the DOD. Dawson is a lot sweeter than Daemon, and yeah I can see why girls would like him...:) but I go for my bad boys ;)
Beth was pretty cool too, but I don't exactly understand why she was just so special to Dawson. She was pretty average to me, but she was nice and funny I guess. I really feel bad for her towards the end because she really didn't deserve what she had to go through (and continues to go through).

This is a full, complete part of the Lux series, and not just some novella you can just throw out the window like you can with other series's. Read it, Love it, and gush lux about it!

I knew what to expect going into this, but in the end I was still like “OMG?!?! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” (in a good way). Oh Jen, you sure know how to stir up some crazy emotions with your suspense, drama, romance, and fantasy-filled books.

In this prequel, you get to meet Dawson, Daemon & Dee’s brother who is quite the swoon-worthy piece. You get to revel in the romance of Dawson and Bethany, seeing how fall for each other and risk everything in the name of love. Their love was very pure and sweet, but also intense and intimate and I think Jen did a stellar job at creating such a memorable love story. This was truly a touching and sad one, but I loved every minute of it. You also get to know Daemon a little more and realize why he’s so protective of his siblings. There were a ton of hilarious parts, with some important characters showing up, always adding depth and intrigue to the scene.

All in all, it was a quick read and definitely worth your time. Like I always say, anything Jen writes is pure genius and a “must-read” and Shadows isn’t any different. A perfect companion novella to the series and an amazing story on its own. Loved it!

I also have this review posted at my blog, check it out, and also see some more experts and teasers I have there along with Obsidian. Concise Book Reviews by Michelle. You can find my blog link in profile

AMAZING BOOK!!

I am one of the few people who did NOT read Obsidian before reading this book, since I had not read any of the Lux books, I decided to start with the Prequel, many people suggested this. I am glad I did. But I will say, I LOVE Dawson, much more than I will ever love Daemon ( I will admit now I just finished Obsidian, he is pretty hot and cool too, as I see through his abrasive personality). Come on, Dawson has the same hot looks, but with an amazing personality to go with the great looks. Where Daemon, is harsh, and rude. Though I do understand WHY he tries to keep the humans at an arm’s length, still, he is just rude. But I was also saddened by the fact I heard the talk, that Dawson does not have a good end. BUT I do have hope for him and Bethany, I have this feeling there is more to their story, and will make a return, just a gut feeling, but we shall see in Onyx (I finished Obsidian about 3 hours after I finished this one, watch for that review too)

As for this book, I loved Bethany; she is such a good person, sweet girl. Not all timid and boring before the boy comes along, that is common in YA today, she is a strong girl on her own, and love that she is an artist, and gives those artist descriptions of things, and people. I loved how she said that she would never be able to get the sparkling green color right on the painting she did of Dawson.

Another thing I really liked about this book, is that Dawson and Bethany liked each other, and took the time to get to know one another, and it progressed nicely, without all kinds of 2 boys, one girl drama that I get sick of. It was refreshing, it really was. I love Jennifer’s writing, and am a big fan. I am hooked on her Covenant series too, now this one too.

I will say, this series so far has that same feel as a very much favorite tv show I used to watch, called Roswell (late 90’s I think it was on tv). Has the 3 teenage alien hybrids, they have the powers, one of them to heal, and they manipulate molecules, of course the whole story is different, but same in the way, they are hiding from being discovered, but like I said, it’s still different. I knew I would like this book, as I loved that show, and love the Lorien Legacies books too (by Pitticus Lore, first book was a movie too, called I am Number Four, book is better) anyway, I love these kind of books.

I do not want to do too much spoilery, as I know there will be plenty of people who have not read Obsidian yet before reading this.

In this book, we get to know more about the triplets, Dawson, Daemon, and Dee, this story is told mostly from Bethany, and Dawson’s POV, but do get some glimpses in Daemon, and even Dee, who I love by the way.

Trouble starts when Dawson accidently marks Bethany with a “trace” it’s a slight glow that only other Lux can see, and their enemy the Arum. He lost some control when he…… I will let you go find that out, lol.

The rocks around where they live hide the Lux, but it won’t hide a human with a trace, so it puts all Luxen in danger. So, we get the hatefulness from other Lux like Ash and Andrew (2 of the other set of triplets), not Adam, he is as sweet as Dee is.

I was crying at one part, when Dawson thought he lost Bethany, won’t say more about that, you will find out, but I will tell you, I thought the worst, then was happy, then I was devastated again. Man, this book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. Have those tissues ready.

Here is a fun quote:

“Your girl is going to turn into one huge, mother—”
“Finish that sentence and I will stab you in the eye with the spork Bethany’s about to pull out of her bag for her apple sauce.” He smiled gamely. “And she’d be very upset if I got her spork all messed up. She’s rather fond of the thing.”

I also love this part

“I want you two to listen, because I swear this will be the last time I say this. I want both of you to leave Bethany alone. Don’t talk to her. Don’t approach her. Hell, don’t even consider thinking about her.”
Andrew raised himself fluidly, his blue eyes starting to glow like diamonds. “Or what?”
The back of Dawson’s neck started to burn. Screw the whole telling him part. He shed his human form in an instant and shot down the narrow aisle, slamming into a still-human Andrew. Over the roar in his ears, he heard Ash’s surprised shriek. The force of his impact took them both all the way to the screen and when they hit, it ripped right over the dickhead’s face.
Wrapping his hand around Andrew’s throat, he rose off the ground, dragging the struggling boy with him. Andrew had switched forms, but he couldn’t break Dawson’s hold. Dawson took him all the way to the vaulted ceiling, pinning him there.
Or what? Dawson spoke directly into Andrew’s thoughts, driving the point home. You threaten Bethany again, in any way, and I’ll make sure you can’t talk again. To anyone. Ever. Do you understand me?
“Dawson!” Ash yelled from below. “What are you doing? Stop! Do something, Adam!”
Adam’s laugh followed. “Someone needed to put Andrew in his place. I always figured it would be Daemon. Who knew.”

How can we not LOVE Dawson, at least as much as we love Daemon, I don’t know about you all, but I have plenty of room to love both hot twins! I will say, now that I have read Obsidian, I can understand his behavior and actions more, I can see through them now, as I got to understand him better by reading Shadows. I think it’s BEST to read Shadows first, before Obsidian, that’s my take on it. And FOR sure read it before Onyx, its necessary, I read from many friends who got Onyx early, that Shadows is full of info we need for Onyx.

It took me awhile to figure out who the DOD was, I know in real life it means Department of Defense, but I did not know that is also what it meant in this book. It does not clarify that for at least halfway through the book. Drove me nuts, guess that’s one thing you just KNOW if you read the other book first. Anyway, I hate that they are involved, and act like the Men In Black, making sure they all behave and stay put. Seems they are prisoners to me. That really sucks.
Here is a steamy teaser for you

Lowering her slowly against his chest, he grinned as her cheeks flushed. Her whiskey-colored eyes heated seconds before he kissed her. When he settled her on her feet again, she swayed a little.
“That’s the kind of greeting I like,” she said, touching her lips.
His eyes followed her movements to those pink lips. There was green paint on her pinkie, and seeing that, his heart expanded. As he wrapped his hand around the one on her mouth, he realized he was absolutely crazy about her. Pulling her into the living room, he kept going until the backs of his legs hit the couch and he sat. Bethany climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Dawson stopped breathing as he tilted his head back, and she lowered her mouth to his. The kiss was deep and scorching, endless. Not breaking contact, she unzipped her hoodie and he pushed it off her shoulders. Running his fingers up her bare arms, he grinned against her mouth when she shivered.

That scene get you going? I will leave you with that steamy thought, go get Shadows, you won’t be disappointed!
I highly recommend this book if you like paranormal romance, or sci/fi with some romance. The writing is beautiful and if you never read a book by Jennifer yet, this is a good one to start with. If you reads and liked her Covenant series, I promise you will also love this series too.