Lux (2) - Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The second part of the wonderful series: Onyx (in German Onyx Schattenschimmer). I read it in English in the 2-in-1 Collector's Edition Lux Beginnings, containing Obsidian (Obsidian Schattendunkel), Onyx and bonus material on 801 pages.
Katy and Daemon managed to end up with a mysterious connection. While Katy is intend on ignoring it, Daemon is determined to do the exact opposite. But how can Katy trust him with her heart, after all he has done? When she develops alien-like abilities, the little bit of trust between Daemon and her is under a lot of strain – because the only one who can help her is the mysterious Blake, who knows too much, tells too less and goes to extremes. But Katy must learn how to control her powers! Because otherwise the others will find out about her, and she will be on the death list of the Luxen, Arum and the DOD. But the government has already begun to put together the pieces... As Katy sees a dead person alive, a series of event is set into motion that will cost more lives and trust than she's willing to give.
Very very well done. The story is so tense you forget to eat, work, feed your children etc. I'm a great fan of Katy's new powers. It's nicely described how this starts and she is just overwhelmed. I love all these little details, how it starts with ice tea and how she struggles with her closet, the shower and with doors – and how it gets worse and worse. I like her illness, by the way, how Daemon stays with her, it was so sweet! Oh, and the talk in the library afterwards. It wasn't exactly sweet, but... well, it was something for sure.
The characters are astonishingly deep in the first part and it they're even better in this part. That shows from the very first page, from Dee's distraction and Daemon's change of personality – at least it seems like this to Katy – to the ending.
Spoiler:
Where Adam dies – oh my god, that was so so sad – and, even more important, Beth. God, that poor, poor girl! I was so sorry for her and for Dawson.
I love how Daemon reacted to the news, and Matthew. He knows far too much for my taste.
Daemon himself reveals this whole new side of his character, the one you caught glimpses of in the first book. I was absolutely smitten by how cute Daemon can be if he wants to (and awed by Katy's powerful will).
I love how he tries to win her heart, and I felt frustrated for him because Katy behaved so badly. I understand her, I really do, I get why she acts how she does – it makes absolute sense. Everything. I love Daemon, but he has to get his payback for how he treated her. He hurt her and she needs a lot of time and such in order to get over that. But I was so, so sorry! I wanted to hit her sometimes, especially after Blake showed up. And why, why, why didn't she tell Daemon why she went to that restaurant in the first place? Because she didn't use him, she never wanted to, all she wanted was to give them a chance!
Spoiler:
I didn't trust Blake from the beginning, by the way. And it so fits that Katy wanted to be with him because he was human – and that he turns out to not be human at all. The irony of life. But he's way to calculative for my taste – and for Daemon's – and he really went to extremes.
And Dr. Michaels... first of all, how can Katy's Mom invite him for Katy's eighteenth birthday?? Seriously, especially since it's the first time she meets him outside of the clinic! You don't do that as a mother. And then, that she basically makes him a second father figure for her. Especially how she yells at Katy when she caught her with Daemon – after she herself has pent the night with “Will” in the very same house! And all in front of the boys. Good God, that's so not okay!
But I love that you have hints about them being “the bad guys”, but that it was still very hard to find out what exactly was off. And I didn't get all of it. Besides, they have their reasons for being bad and all of that. Even though that's no excuse, they went too far. The torture?! He deserved what he got. He seriously did.
To continue: You get to know a whole lot more about what it means to be a Luxen, you get to know the community – everything, basically.
But what's really fascinating is the depth in this book. The relationships change, and I'm not only talking about Katy and Daemon or Dee and Adam. Katy's and Dee's friendship suffers, but, strangely, her relationship towards Ash gets a little better – probably because Ash can be a bitch, but she has given up on trying to hate her. Well, until Adam, that is. Additionally, there's a lot of development for Katy, as I already pointed out. But she doesn't only change physically, or only in Daemon's presence or something. It's not only her relationships. The ethical questions she asks herself and the absolute honest answers she gives... wow. Usually, characters don't think that much about right and wrong. And Katy doesn't try to excuse herself or something. She knows when she did something wrong and where her weaknesses are. And she's honest and strong enough to admit that. I like how she and Daemon finally explain each other, about how far and why they're willing to go. Again, they get each other. So, this isn't a cliché and sappy romance they have going on, but instead it's a real tight emotional bond, that has nothing to do with aliens. And this bond is strong enough to survive, even though it seems impossible at some point. Especially because Katy has problems explaining herself to others.
This bond I just described as well as the honesty and the ethical question are really well done. It makes the book special.
I give it stars for ideas, content, characters and style.
Prequel:
Extra:
Sequel: