Lux (0,5) - Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The prequel to the Lux Series - Shadows (not tranlated click here to read German review). DO NOT read before Obsidian (Obsidian Schattendunkel) too many spoilers. I read it in English in the Opposition Collector's Edition containing Opposition (Opposition Schattenblitz) and Shadows on 533 pages.
The new girl again... And in such a small town. If Bethany didn't have something she wanted to leave behind, it would have been a torture. That's until... she goes to school.
Beth Williams blows Dawson's mind away. And he sure as hell won't let the stupid rules of his species keep him from her... But these rules have a reason and this relationship will not turn out well.
The love story in this book is even cuter than the relationship between Katy and Daemon. Dawson doesn't try to push Beth away, but wants to win her heart from the very beginning. And she doesn't fight against her feelings either. They accept the other from the very beginning, the relationship is about harmony rather than word wars – I actually would prefer this one over the one of Dawson's brother, at least for myself. All these cute moments. Like the “Little butt” thing, or how they stay up all night to telephone. And there are some funny ones as well – it's kind of a shame Daemon didn't do that like this when he and Katy were making out. It would have been so, so gorgeous if she found out like this instead of walking in front of a truck.
Spoiler:
Imagine you kiss a boy and he suddenly turns into a light bulb! No “princess and the frog”, but “princess and the light bulb in reverse”! I'd probably not survive: Either I'd have a heart attack or I'd kill myself through suffocating on my laughter.
Well. These cute scenes make the book all the more sad. Because you know that it won't end well, but you still hope that the story changes, somehow. I'm glad I know the ultimate ending. Even though I hate how much both of them had to go through, I love that they have a chance to find inner peace. I've really fallen in love with the two of them.
This is the first JLA in which I ever found a mistake that's actually a real mistake: The connection and the trace. Daemon finds out what exactly triggers it, even though he doesn't know in Obsidian (Obsidian Schattendunkel). And one other thing: Remember how it's possible for Daemon to talk with Katy even if he's all Luxen? Even before Halloween? Why is it impossible for Dawson and Beth to do the same?
By the way, it's fascinating how Daemon is seen by his siblings. It's so different than what we know from him! Even from what Katy observes in the first part. You wouldn't recognise him any more. It's still Daemon, as he lives and jokes. But it's another facet of him – and, of course, Daemon changed through Dawson's “death” - a lot. And I think that Dawson can't see through him like Katy does (which makes that couple even cuter, even though Katy doesn't show up in this book). And all the hints and commentaries of Ash. She was right in the end.
The Dee-Dawson-relationship is sooooo great! "Do NOT finish that sentence!" - gorgeous. They really are like best friends and siblings in one!
In brief:
I give it stars for the relationship, ideas, content, style and characters.