Lux (3,5) / Arum (1) - Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Now that we had several Luxen Novels, let's get to the one and only Arum Novel – Obsession (not translated yet) by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It takes place at then end of Opal (Opal Schattenglanz) / the beginning of Origin (Origin Schattenfunke). I read the English kindle edition. I'd recommend it to girls (and boys) over 18 years old – definitely stuff for adults.
When Serena's best friend talks about light bulbs and is murdered in front of Serena's eyes, her life is thrown upside down. Not only does one of the “light bulbs” formerly known as Luxen demand her death, the Department of Defence also sends an Arum to protect her. Hunter is a lot – ruthless, cold, sexy and used to get what he wants – but a protector? He knows he can protect Serena from the Luxen – but he's pretty sure that his fascination with the human female will be her death.
To begin with, I don't like “adult books” - meaning erotic. So, there are several (some slightly disturbing) scenes in this book, but I knew what I was buying, so I'll shut up about it. The reason why I bought was to find out more about the Arum, by the way. Their side of the story and all that jazz. You actually don't find out that much – but what you do find out is kind of important. Now, to the characters.
Serena is nice, I like her. She's an open person who accepts and loves with all her heart. She also has a sense of right and wrong and fights for what she believes in.
Hunter on the other hand... well, he definitely has his priorities and morale isn't one of them. He's ruthless, dominant and everything you imagine of an Arum if you read one of the Luxen books. But he changes, and this is what I find so fascinating about that book. He has some issues with controlling himself around Serena, but once he begins to fall for her, he actually mutates into a semi-decent guy – at least around her. It's made clear from the beginning that Hunter is, in fact, not a good guy, but self-centred and cruel. These basic facets of his character stay the same, but they're intensity and “aim” shift due to his feelings for Serena.
The focus of the book lies on exactly this: the relationship and Hunter's personality. Through parallels between Hunter & Serena and Daemon & Katy, the differences between the good Luxen and the Arum are shown.
Spoiler:
To state an example: Katy finds out by seeing what Daemon can do, as does Serena by watching Hunter – in both cases the girls' lives were at stake. Only that Daemon talks to Kat and Hunter simply knocks Serena out and kidnapps her. Daemon likes Kat because she's feisty and doesn't let herself be treated like shit, he likes her because he can respect her and doesn't have to protect her like, let's say his sister. Hunter likes Serena because she's feisty (and throws things) as well, but he loves the challenge to dominate her.
Through these parallels and the different encounters with bad Luxen and good/evil Arum, their kinds are shown in a different light. I like Dex, and Hunter's sister reminds me a little of Dee, while Sin is definitely evil and Senator Vanderson like Ethan.
Through these devices, J.L. Armentrout manages to create a view of the Arum and Luxen, that differs slightly from what we could gather in the Luxen series, but still fits. Additionally she manages to make an evil character into a likeable good guy without changing his personality. This is one of the most difficult things to manage – and she did so perfectly.
In brief:
Okay, I give stars for characters, style (even though the amount of words connected to “fuck” is insanely high in Hunter's POV – which fits), ideas and content – and last but not least to the parallels. But I still don't like adult novels – just for the record.