Book Review: Wicked
Wicked
Published By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: December 8, 2014
Page Count: 300
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound
Source: Purchased by Reviewer
Audience: New Adult - Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
So, I have a confession to make. This is my first experience reading a novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I know, I know. I'm way behind, but other Larks have been reviewing her stuff for ages. Typically if I'm not reviewing a title it has to wait patiently for a lengthy amount of time for me to somehow work it in to my reading schedule. I decided it was time to change that and read an Armentrout title sooner rather than later. I was swayed by the gorgeous cover and decided Wicked would be my introduction into the written world of Armentrout.
Aside from the cover, I was attracted to this one because of the New Orleans setting and the paranormal aspects. While I'm not a fey girl (that title is reserved for another Lark - Michele), I do enjoy a good southern paranormal novel. Armentrout delivers on that front in spades. She perfectly captures New Orleans - right down to the humidity and beignets. I could see the French Quarter and the Garden District as I read. I always find novels more enjoyable when I can immerse myself in the setting. It also helps that I have visited New Orleans and could easily conjure up images of the city from my own travels.
While I don't typically clamor for fey stories, I enjoyed Armentrout's take on these supernatural beings. Her fey do not walk the line between black and white. They are evil beings who suck out the souls of humans. The main character, Ivy, works for The Order, a group bent on riding the human realm of the fey menace. Ivy soon realizes that the streets of the Big Easy are populated with more than the average, run of the mill fey. She must learn to trust a handsome stranger, Ren, who comes to town hunting the Ancients.
The banter between Ren and Ivy was one of my favorite aspects of the novel. The chemistry between these two is palpable and sultry. Both characters were likable and kept me flipping pages. I wanted to know what was in store for these two.
My biggest complaint with this one was pacing. There were moments when the action was fast paced and intense while other segments didn't hold my attention. I found that I preferred the moments when Ivy and Ren were together. The second half of the novel held my attention a lot more than the beginning.
I would recommend this one to fans of Urban Fantasy and New Adult fiction. I'll be looking forward to the next installment in this series.
One Last Gripe: There were moments when Ivy seemed immature and shallow. This bothered me because she also has moments were she is a strong, focused female lead.
Favorite Thing About This Book: I love the snark and humor.
First Sentence: Sweat dotted my brow.
Favorite Character: Tink - LOVE him!
Least Favorite Character: It's a secret.
Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.
Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.
Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.
But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.
Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.
Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.
But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.
I have heard a lot about this series and JLA's writing included, and it seems like you loved this one just as much as anyone else! I should really try one of her books for myself.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my discussion post: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2015/02/olivias-catastrophe-romeo-juliet.html