~Unchained
Between the pissed off creatures that want demon-hunter Lily Marks dead and the fallen angel who just...wants her, Lily is about ready to trade in forever for a comfy job in a cubicle farm.
The fact that she and Julian are civil to one another is enough to have her thrown out of the Sanctuary, but she can't shake her not-so-angelic stalker or how he brings her dangerously close to ecstasy.
Her forbidden relationship with Julian provides the perfect fuel for suspicion when a traitor is discovered to be working within the Sanctuary. Lily quickly finds herself hunted by well, everyone.
Her only hope is to discover the real traitor before she loses everything--and she'll need Julian's help. That is, if Julian is really there to help her...and not destroy her.
Yeah, being a Nephilim isn't everything it's cracked up to be.
Arya: As I have always said, I've read pretty much everything by Jennifer L. Armentrout, who takes on her saucier, older alter-ego in the first instalment of the Nephilim Rising series. And may I say, it certainly took off with a bang! It had all the elements that makes a good book (or at least a good book in Arya's world): a kick-butt heroine, the crazy best friend/older brother, villains that make you tremble in fear, and the every-present sexy-as-death male lead. However, there was something about this book that disappointed me a little. Perhaps it was the lack in any real, shall we say, factors that make it stand out. It was far too plain, not adding anything new that would make it excel. A lot of the book was rather predictable, and so it fell just a bit short of my expectations.
Let's start with Lily. An awesome monster fighting heroine who likes to play arrogant prick. She's a good character; very funny, very strong, and a girl who loves to be the midst of fights. Her love for weapons is amazing, and her intellect in a fight is astounding, proving to be far more into details than perhaps Alex of the Covenant series. We also see that she's very secure in what she is, but not who she is, something that Julian points out to her later, a scene that frankly made my heart swell. She's a good heroine, I don't doubt that, but it seems to me in a few parts that her character is perhaps a bit... unrealistic. I mean, wishing the man who just told you you couldn't do what you've been doing for years good luck and telling him to stay safe? A bit odd. Truly, with her character, I expected her to be screaming and shouting, not holding her tongue. It's clear that she matures throughout the story, but there're so few scenes of it that it made it a bit iffy.
Luke: Luke I like! I really liked Luke in the story, the way he's protective over her, but really, there were so many hints of what he did that it was hard to be surprised at all when it was revealed. But it did surprise me after that! What he did after we found out his reasoning was awesome! Mostly because it was unpredictable. I love books where I can't guess what's going to happen, so it keeps me on my toes!
Julian: Ahhh, the male lead, always a fun character to write about. It still strikes me as odd, how a being even several millennia old, could possibly be so patient! Really, to let a girl hit you so many times and accuse you for a crime you didn't commit? It's hard to see that being plausible, but hey, some guys are like that, so who am I to accuse? Julian is really a great character; I liked him a lot, but again he lacked that extra oomph that made a lot of other books such a success. He's sweet, and charming, and gives pretty great sex from what it says, but really, there weren't as many touchy-feely scenes as I would have liked.
Over all, a pretty decent book, but not one recommended to an audience who likes a bit of mash up in their books. If you like the typical love story, this is definitely the one for you!
A lot of you may not like me anymore after that review, but here it is anyway!
8 stars out of 10!
Until next time! Much love!
~Arya
