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Thursday, June 11, 2015

BBReview: "The Dark Elements 1: White Hot Kiss" By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal/Romance
Publishing Date: February 25, 2014
Page Count: 392
Source: Bought from bookstore
Format: Paperback

Description from Goodreads.com:
One kiss could be the last

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Review:
I am honestly so mad that I waited so long to start this series! Just like the other JLA books/series I have read, I LOVED this! The number one thing that I loved before even starting to read it is that it is about Gargoyles (Wardens) and Demons. JLA really knows how to find a subject that nobody, or few, are writing about and make it flawless. I thought the idea was so new and refreshing, and it only took me a day to read it. I would have read it all in one sitting, but I had to stop and go to my fiance's house. I immediately picked it back up once I got there, though. It was seriously that good.

I think my favorite part is the world building. I found it so interesting to learn about the Gargoyle's, Demon's, and Layla's worlds. The second thing I loved was the love interest. I have always loved Gargoyles, but Zayne's got nothing on Roth. I was hoping to root for Zayne, but I absolutely love Roth. Love triangles are a hit and miss with me and I liked that the first book wasn't too triangle-y. White Hot Kiss is all about Roth for the most part. I mean, he's on the cover. With what happens at the end, and looking at the cover for Stone Cold Touch, I know that Zayne will be the focus in book two. I really think the whole love triangle won't happen until book three, Every Last Breath. For now I am in the clear, but I feel that JLA will do a good job with it. I will say that I seriously hope Roth wins in the end, because I really don't think Zayne can do anything in book two to change my mind but we shall see.

Another thing I loved is that Layla really starts to find herself in this book. She is half Warden/half Demon. Wardens and Demons are mortal enemies, and Layla has been raised by Wardens. She has been taught that the other half of her is evil and that she must never give in to that side of her. When Roth comes into the picture he really shows her that when it comes to Demons, it's a pretty big gray area. It's not all black and white, and Layla learns that is true on both sides. Not all Demons are bad, and not all Wardens are good. She begins to learn who her mother is and becomes aware of her real power. I think it was so cool to learn with Layla, to figure things out together, and that it wasn't all just a love story.

Overall:
I cannot wait to begin book two: Stone Cold Touch! I absolutely loved White Hot Kiss and I just wish I would have started it sooner. Layla was such an awesome and interesting main character. I loved that we got to learn who/what she was with her. I also love the two love interests, but I love Roth more. Sorry to any Zayne fans out there, but I'll take the tattooed, Demon, bad boy! I cannot wait to learn more about the Warden/Demon worlds and I can't wait to see what is going to happen next in Layla's life. More importantly I wish I was reading book three already so that I could know who she is going to end up picking! If you haven't started this series yet, GET ON IT, because it is awesome!

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5


**The books cover, description, and info was all found on Goodreads. A link back has been provided. All other work and ideas are of my own creation. This book was bought from a local bookstore.**