Book Review: Stone Cold Touch

Stone Cold Touch
(The Dark Elements #2)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published By:  Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: October 21st, 2014

Page Count: 446 pages

Buy it at:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound

Source:  Purchased by Reviewer

Audience:  Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy

Goodness...I love this story so far.  It's decadent.  It's sinful.  It's delicious.  It's like OD'ing on chocolate.   I found myself clamouring for any smidgeon of reading time I could muster for this sweet and sexy tale.  There is just something very addictive about Jenn Armentrout's story-telling…they are not so profound nor deep but there were still some important messages about loyalty, betrayal and the blurred lines between good and evil that were not lost on me.

SO MUCH happened in this book...some things I anticipated and some things that blind-sided me.  I assumed Roth would come back at some point but I did not foresee the  air of change that would accompany him.  Don’t get me wrong, he’s still ROTH…but I wanted to smack him sometimes.  Why?  Why?  Why?  I knew all along in the back of my mind there were reasons for this change of pace that we eventually would find out about.  Roth still had my heart soaring though every time he let his guard down with Layla and showed some of that vulnerability he hid behind his cocky, confident exterior.  He may just be one of my favourite leading men.

I also anticipated that this would be Zayne’s book, and by golly, he really stepped it up.  I did not anticipate, however, how much he would win me over.  I did like him quite a lot in the previous book, but he was holding back and was quite reserved, unlike in this installment.  His feelings for Layla have become much more demonstrative (passionate) in this part of the story.  I will give Zayne props for his loyalty to Layla (where I questioned it a bit in White Hot Kiss).  Despite the growing disdain that some members of the Warden clan were feeling for Layla, Zayne was always by her side.  He revered her in their tender moments…that was, indeed, very swoon-worthy.  Can he and Layla overcome that literal physical wall between them?  You’ll just have to see for yourself.  But I advise you…be prepared for some serious toe-curling.

I definitely wanted some more Roth and Layla time, and there were some heated exchanges that kept him firmly in the picture.

These two boys are so very different but their common ground is Layla…and she is literally split down the middle.  My head felt like a ping-pong ball between the two camps…Team Roth…Team Zayne…Team Roth…Yeah, I’m still Team Roth.

Not only does Layla have some difficult choices when it comes to her heart, but trouble seems to find her at every turn.  Her powers are evolving, leaving her feeling like she is wholly responsible for all that bad stuff going on.  She obviously does not want to believe it, but when the people she has trusted in seem to question her culpability, what else is she to think?  My heart went out to her.  Despite having two amazing boys taking up room in her mind, and heart, she still felt quite alone at times.  She is an anomaly…unique…not truly fitting in with any world...a Warden's, a Demon's, or a Human's.  Combine this with having a legendary parent…one you wouldn’t be so proud to call mom…it frightens those who don’t really KNOW her...and those worries can turn into betrayals.

Having said that, Layla could still be kick-ass.  Despite her diminutive size, she was never one to sit on the sidelines and let others fight her battles.  She threw herself into the fray knowing she wouldn’t come out unscathed.  But when it came to protecting those she cared about, she would never hesitate.  And she still managed to keep her sense of humour, even when times were pretty dire.   It was her go-to emotion when things got too intense, both inside and outside her head.  One of the many things I loved about her.

I was so happy to see some characters in particular remained on MY (and Layla’s) good side; however, it was quite disappointing about those who did abandon her.  Having said all this…I know how I would like to see the story end…we’ll just have to see if the author feels the same way.

So…bring on Every Last Breath!  I’m so ready to find out how it all plays out.

Synopsis

Every touch has its price

 Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

My review for Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements #0.5)

My review for White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1)