Review: Really good book :D
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 23, 2013
4-4.5 starsI will preface this review by saying that I've never read any of the books from the Lux series so I came in to this world new. As a matter of fact, I've never read anything by Armentrout before.This was a very good story. I really liked Hunter and Serena was pretty cool too. I don't think you have to read the Lux series to get in to this book (obviously I didn't) but now that I'm done I am finding myself wanting to read the Lux series because I really liked this story and am curious. On the down side, Hunter is an Arum and most of the Luxen in the story are bad guys so I'm afraid that I might not have a good opinion of the Luxen when I do read the series.Serena is a good woman and is trying to help out a friend when she gets sucked in to a horrible mess. Her friend saw aliens (in their true form) and hears things she shouldn't have and is killed for the knowledge. Then the aliens (the Luxen) start trying to kill Serena thinking she knows all their nefarious plans. The DoD knows all about the Luxen and has some Arum (the Luxen's mortal enemies) working for them to try to keep control of the Luxen population on Earth. To protect Serena, the DoD brings in Hunter as a bodyguard.Hunter is an Arum. He hates the Luxen (the two races have been at war for generations) and is satisfied to work for the DoD for the time being. He isn't happy to be saddled with a human woman to protect. Arum aren't protectors, they hunt and kill. He's not even sure if he'll be able to restrain his desires (for feeding or sex) and it could be deadly for her if he doesn't. He is able to but it's hard. Fortunately it gets easier the longer he's around her because he finds unexpected feelings coming over him. Ones that make him want to protect and cherish Serena.Hunter is rather uncomfortable with the new feelings that Serena brings out in him. It's funny to hear his inner dialog as he's trying to figure out where these strange instincts and thoughts are coming from. I just loved seeing him grow warmer (personality wise) and more caring towards Serena.Serena doesn't always make things easy as they deal with their situation. While Hunter doesn't mind her spirit (even liked it at times) there are a few times in the book when she should have reined it in....like when she runs towards danger instead of away from it. But, other than a few TSTL moments on her part I thought that she did pretty good. She has a strong core and it certainly helped with all she had to deal with. She didn't let Hunter intimidate her and dealt with all the crap that was thrust at her without loosing it.Hunter and Serena do have a good amount to deal with which makes things interesting. She's hunted by Luxen that the big, bad Luxen is sending to kill her and that's not even the worst of her issues. There is a point where Hunter (alien or not all men suffer from it) suffers from a bout of relationship stupidity and I wondered how badly he would mess things up but fortunately he fixes things with Serena.I wont go in to details but there is a pretty good ending. There's action and danger that make a very good dramatic ending. I was very happy for Serena and Hunter but wish things had been a little more settled at the end. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was really good and I liked the characters quite a bit. Based on this book I will have to read the Lux series...it just looks too good regardless of who is the bad and/or good guys. I'd recommend this book. :D