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Blurb

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the world of the Lux with The Burning Shadow, the steamy, shocking second installment of the Origin series that will leave readers reeling.

When Evelyn Dasher crossed paths with Luc, she was thrown headfirst into the world of the Lux―only to discover that she was already far more involved in their world than she ever suspected.

Because the Luxen aren’t the only ones with a hidden past. There’s a gap in Evie’s memory, lost months of her life and a lingering sense that something happened, something she can’t remember and nobody is willing to tell her. She needs to find out the truth about who she is―and who she was. But every answer she finds only brings up more questions.

Her search for the truth brings her ever closer to Luc, the Origin at the center of it all. He’s powerful, arrogant, inhumanly beautiful, extremely dangerous…and possibly in love with her. But even as Evie falls for him, she can’t help but wonder if his attraction is to her, or to the memory of a girl who no longer exists.

And all the while, a new threat looms: reports of a flu-like, fatal virus that the government insists is being spread by Luxen. A horrifying illness that changes whoever it touches, spreading panic across a country already at its breaking point.

 

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Review

4.5 stars

The second book in the Origin series is another exciting and twisty paranormal story with all of the humour, banter and mystery/suspense that I loved from the first book, as well a beautiful YA romance that had my heart swooning. A fantastically fun read, I loved it!

I can’t say a whole lot without spoiling the story because this book picks up right where The Darkest Star left off, diving back into all of the action and intrigue as Luc and Evie deal with the fallout of everything that happened and all that was revealed in the first book. Just a note – if it’s been a while since you’ve read the first book, I would suggest a reread because with so much happening and only minimal rehash given, you may find yourself a bit lost.

In the post-Luxen-invasion-world, Evie Dasher is searching to fill the gaps in her memory, and uncover the truth about her past. Following a series of shocking reveals in the first book, Evie learned so much about herself, and this book builds on that as she continues to search for answers as to who – and what – she is.

By her side through it all is Origin, Luc, who is 100% devoted to Evie, and just as wonderfully confident, sarcastic and flirtatious as always.

“By the way, just going to remind you that you told me last night you missed me.”
I had. “I must’ve been high.”
“On my presence.”

And I love how deeply he cares for her! Of course he is fiercely, violently, protective, but we also get to see his softer, vulnerable side as he helps and supports her, and lays his heart wide open for her.

“You lost me,” I whispered. “I lost you.”
“Did we lose each other?” he asked, and then I felt his fingers on my cheeks, chasing a tear that had sneaked free. “You and I are here right now, aren’t we? Somehow, you found me, and I’m not someone who believes in happenstance. I don’t think it was a fluke … I think it was something that was bound to happen and I…”
I opened my eyes, finding his. “What?”
“I was just waiting.”

The set-up is there for an intense and all-consuming friends-to-lovers romance, and it’s so, so beautiful to watch it all happen!

“I am not walking away again. If I kiss you, if I touch you again, I will not be able to go back to the way things are now.” The next breath he took trembled as much as I was. “I won’t be able to pretend that you aren’t my everything”.

*dreamy sigh*

But as their romance is developing, the danger is ramping up. This book has a whole lot more action than the first one, with Luc and his crew having ample opportunity to go all badass in scenes that play out like an action movie, and that had my adrenaline pumping with excitement. And with people dying, a new threat emerging, and Evie directly in the firing line, the answers that she is searching for may hold the key to more than one mystery.

It’s an exciting ride full of shocks, surprises, twists and turns as secrets are revealed and Luc and Evie are forced to fight for their very lives. The gang from the Lux series are back to help out which adds all kinds of awesomeness (Daemon… squee!), and the mystery and reveals build right up until the final few pages, leaving us on yet another hideous cliffhanger that has me desperate to see where it’s all going to go from here.

This is a really entertaining read. It’s a long one (possibly a bit longer than it needed to be), but there’s a lot going on and we get to see a lot of detail rather than rushing through it. Plus, I love these characters so much, I love their strengths and their vulnerabilities, their humour, banter and teasing, the flirting and all of the little moments that build the love story so beautifully.

“Tell me what you want.” His lips brushed mine in the darkness. “You need to say the words, Evie.”
“You,” I whispered into the space between our mouths, while my heart beat so fast I didn’t understand how it could keep going. “I want you.”
He shook his head, and a lock of hair brushed my forehead. “You already have me.”

Another great read from the queen of YA PNR. I loved it!

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Origin series

 

The Lux series

 

Check out our Jennifer L. Armentrout / J. Lynn Author Spotlight page
for more great reads from this author.