For this final Friday Reads of this week I have a review of an ARC of a book that I got at the same time than the finished book. So it's as such part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge and it'll be also another book off my NetGalley list! I'm really hoping I can reach my 80% ratio on NetGalley soon!
White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had White Hot Kiss preordered since it was announce and available for preorder, but when I saw it on NetGalley, I thought I'd request it and see if I could get lucky to read it before release day, but as fate would have it... I got approved for it on release day! So I had both copies to read, the ARC and the final book! Thank you Harlequin Teen for the approval!
I'm a bit of in two minds about this book, and that's because even though I liked it well enough as a whole, I kept on being meh about some things and enthusiastic about others. Hence the 3 star rating, that could be a 3.5, but I think will remain a 3 star.
As far as the plot and the originality of the paranormal creatures, the unexpected revelations and the twists in the story, this book would get a 4 to 4.5 stars no questions asked, but the characters seemed too formulaic to me, a bit too Armentrout typical if you may, so I'd give them a 2 to 2.5 stars.
Roth was a bit too much of the typical Armentrout bad boy, with a forward sexual presence and cheeky self bad boy. But it also felt a bit tame for a demon? I'm not sure. Layla was lacking a bit of the usual spunk female Armentrout characters usually have, and though I could see where her issues would come from and she wasn't entirely a whiner, she got on my nerves a bit. And then we got Zayne, good boy, fighter and friend-with-hints-at-more and apparently unrequited crush of Layla's aaaaand we get a maybe love triangle... And I'm so NOT a fan of love triangles!
The redeeming qualities of the plot and the mythology that the author presents us here was more than enough for me to want to continue reading and manage to enjoy the book and also look forward to the next book (I have actually already preordered it) and I have high hopes that the characters will continue to grow in the next book and won't be as cookie cutter as they seemed in this one.
I'd say if you really like Jennifer L Armentrout books and characters or if you are looking for a new twist on paranormal creatures (because gargoyles & demons, not seen very often out there!) with an interesting and engaging plot that leaves you wondering and hoping for more revelations, do give this one a chance. Even if it's only a 3 star for me, it was still a good enough read!
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White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. ArmentroutMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had White Hot Kiss preordered since it was announce and available for preorder, but when I saw it on NetGalley, I thought I'd request it and see if I could get lucky to read it before release day, but as fate would have it... I got approved for it on release day! So I had both copies to read, the ARC and the final book! Thank you Harlequin Teen for the approval!
I'm a bit of in two minds about this book, and that's because even though I liked it well enough as a whole, I kept on being meh about some things and enthusiastic about others. Hence the 3 star rating, that could be a 3.5, but I think will remain a 3 star.
As far as the plot and the originality of the paranormal creatures, the unexpected revelations and the twists in the story, this book would get a 4 to 4.5 stars no questions asked, but the characters seemed too formulaic to me, a bit too Armentrout typical if you may, so I'd give them a 2 to 2.5 stars.
Roth was a bit too much of the typical Armentrout bad boy, with a forward sexual presence and cheeky self bad boy. But it also felt a bit tame for a demon? I'm not sure. Layla was lacking a bit of the usual spunk female Armentrout characters usually have, and though I could see where her issues would come from and she wasn't entirely a whiner, she got on my nerves a bit. And then we got Zayne, good boy, fighter and friend-with-hints-at-more and apparently unrequited crush of Layla's aaaaand we get a maybe love triangle... And I'm so NOT a fan of love triangles!
The redeeming qualities of the plot and the mythology that the author presents us here was more than enough for me to want to continue reading and manage to enjoy the book and also look forward to the next book (I have actually already preordered it) and I have high hopes that the characters will continue to grow in the next book and won't be as cookie cutter as they seemed in this one.
I'd say if you really like Jennifer L Armentrout books and characters or if you are looking for a new twist on paranormal creatures (because gargoyles & demons, not seen very often out there!) with an interesting and engaging plot that leaves you wondering and hoping for more revelations, do give this one a chance. Even if it's only a 3 star for me, it was still a good enough read!
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I've yet to read an Armentrout book and I feel like I'm falling behind, especially with the number of books she already has published. I didn't really think this book had any paranormal in it because of it's cover, but now that I know it does, it's definitely more appealing. Too bad that the characters disappointed you though. Great review.
ReplyDelete-Mari
Thank you, Mari! JLA has a bit of everything for everyone. Take your pick of any of the books! And if you want to start with this one, maybe you'll like the characters more than I did.
DeleteAwh, shame you didn't enjoy it as much. I haven't read it myself yet, but I'm reading Don't Look Back at the moment and loving it. It definitely has the same spark as the other characters, so it's a shame that Layla seemed to not have it. :( But I get where you're coming from when they seem a bit typical of her characters, I mean, I love JLA, and the characters are amazing, but they do seem to all have the same...charm, I guess. You can tell who the author is, if you know what I mean. Hope you enjoy the next a lot better! :)
ReplyDeleteKirsty @ StudioReads
I completely agree with you, Kirsty! I still have Don't Look Back and Stone Cold Touch preordered, so I trust JLA to make me love her characters again! ;)
DeleteI love JLA, and I have love all her books, but right now I don't feel like I'm dying to read this one, exactly because I'm starting to feel like all her characters are typical, as you say.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, even though I haven't read this one, I think I agree with you!
Happy reading!
Thank you, Lis!
DeleteJLA's books are always hit or miss for me, but unfortunately lately there have been far more misses. She writes excellent dialogue, but everything else, I often find lacking.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I'll be picking this one up. Somehow it just doesn's sound appealing.
Great review, my friend.
Thank you, Maja!
DeleteI liked the plot and mythology of the books, but the characters just didn't work as well for me...
I hate the cover on this book - I would never carry it with me anywhere! - but I am intrigued by the plot. I still haven't read anything by JLA, and I'd love to check this one out, but I don't want my first JLA book to be a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteMy main disappointment were the characters, but that was mostly cause I've read almost all the previous JLA books and the characters seemed too similar to other characters, if you haven't read any other books, you won't have that problem! Also, the plot was great!
DeleteYeah I did find they were Armentrout typical, too, but I kind of figured that it would be. I mean Roth and Daemon are basically the same but a different creature >.< I did find the triangle wasn't so bad though bc one was more of a... confidant I guess. I mean obv they were attracted to each other but not being physically possible to be together kind of put a halt on the cliché triangle of being completely torn I guess. It just didn't give me that annoying vibe, thankfully. I did find the plot was the best part in this one, too. I loved the whole world with the twist regarding her history. I also don't true the gargoyles at all! I'm curious to see what's going to come in book 2!
ReplyDeleteAgreed 100%, Giselle! I'm super intrigued to see what's to come in book 2, so I'll tolerate the typical characters for the promising plot!
DeleteGreat review Pili! I think you just highlighted to me why JLA books don't do it for me, because i'm not into those bad boy types. I have heard many good reviews on this book though and it's intriguing, hmm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeann! The plot and mythology were great, so maybe you should give it a try?
DeleteI really need to read this author. I see so many people that like them, but haven't really been sure about them. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! JLA has written many series now, so I'm sure she has something for everyone!
DeleteGAH! Love triangle! Grrrr. I am not okay with that. Very glad I did not buy this book, lol (A) but yeah. I have yet to read anything by this author (A) but one day. As I own a lot of books by her.. hmm. Anyway. Amazing review Pili :) I'm glad you enjoyed it, even if you didn't love it. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweetie! I think you should start with her soon to be released Don't Look Back, it's thriller and I've heard some great reviews for it!
Delete