Review: Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Steph's Rating: 4.5 stars

Dani's Rating: 4 stars

Overall Rating: 4.25 stars

Format: ebook

Publisher: Entangled Covet LLC

Publication Date: May 31th, 2013

Pages: 370 

*New Adult Book--NOT a YA book review*

Goodreads Synopsis:

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?

Steph's Review:

I am dying for Origin (Lux 4). But you know what? Obsession has successfully kept me alive and then some, and I am happy to say that it is making the wait for more Daemon and Katy just a little more bearable. This is an absolute must-read for Lux fans! (But older teens and adults only! It's New Adult, not YA!)

Serena didn't believe her best friend Mel when she told her that her boyfriend and son of a senator turn into a blazing figure of light. But after the devastating and life-changing tragedy of Mel's death at the hands of something that could not be human, Serena has no choice but to start believing. Her witnessing of a Luxen man incinerating Mel for seeing the Luxen form of the senator's son makes her a target for the Daedalus group, but the Department of Defense has ever so kindly given her protection--through the hands of an Arum that is. She's on the run now: without a real home, job, or life. But if Serena wants to survive, she has to stay off the radar. And somewhat compliant to Hunter.

Hunter didn't want to take on the job of protecting Serena, not that he has a choice now that he's become a lapdog of the D.O.D. in return for some semblance of stability. But after meeting Serena and that feisty attitude of hers...he starts to question the rules he's set for his own life. And he wonders if it really is possible for an Arum to love a human. The stability he wanted is knocked right out of balance with the introduction of this human woman into his life.

Obsession is a spin off of the Lux series, from the standpoint of the Arum. I think Jen did a wonderful job of creating the same Lux world from a completely different view point: an Arum. The big, bad enemies of the Luxen who have been considered nothing more than monsters and murderers up until now. No one could possibly be an Arum fan after reading Obsidian to Opal (especially Opal), but after Obsession, I definitely can say that I don't hate the Arum at all as a whole: they are really just like the Luxen. The Arum have lost their home planet and their families as well, and I just empathize with them a lot more now. Sure, they aren't fluffy blobs of light, just the opposite in fact, but how could you possibly label them love/hate when really at heart they are exactly the same? The Arum lost to the Luxen in their planetary war and have been oppressed by the "superior race", and I can't bring myself to blame them anymore because I'd feel pretty bitter if I were on the losing side too. From reading Obsidian and on, we didn't like the Arum since they were killing the Luxen, but the Luxen have been killing the Arum too and aren't completely faultless. I don't despise the Arum anymore, but I can't say I am head over heels in love with Luxen anymore either (Except Daemon. He's perfect).

The romance in this is blistering. This is not exactly my idea of "New Adult", more like just "Adult". There is so much sexual tension throughout this entire book, meaning a whole lot of awkward :), and a whole lot of fun ;). Serena was basically Team Arum after a Luxen killed her best friend, and she couldn't help but feel drawn to Hunter's tormented heart and luminous eyes (and muscly body, don't forget that. And please, who wouldn't be?). Hunter pretty much detested Serena and her little attitude, but couldn't help finding it endearing after a while as well. While Hunter puts on the tough guy display pretty much everywhere he goes, he has a sweet side hiding in a little corner of himself that comes out every now and then just for Serena without him even realizing it sometimes. Obsession definitely shows that Arum can feel and aren't just cold blocks of stone they are painted out to be in the rest of the series. I love Hunter so ridiculously much, and the story of his past is truly heartbreaking. He ranks somewhere up there with the other "best of Jen's guys". 

I have to give it to Serena. I really love her and that attitude I've been talking about. She's a talk-backer, and has a short temper. Not exactly a nice description in words, but you just have to read the book. But watching her fuse explode were probably the most hilarious parts of the book. She gets so flustered when she's angry, and it's hard not to laugh at sometimes. 

While this book is set apart from Daemon and Katy's plot line, we do have a few cameos from certain much-loved Luxen ;) (Jen already revealed to the public that one of them is Daemon). Daemon's agony made me so sad to read about even though it was just a short instance. The Arum are even feeling bad for him too. I wish there was an Arum sequel after this, because I want to know more about how Serena and Hunter are going to spend their lives after defying rules and living in hiding. Unfortunately it's just a standalone (for now--*crosses fingers*), so I will have to do with my imagination. Can't wait for the end of August to roll around with Origin in tow; Obsession has done nothing but reinforce my love for the Lux world!