“One day I would look up and I wouldn’t be able to see a star, and that would be it. I’d never be able to see something so beautiful and simple again.”
– Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: June 11, 2019
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for and ARC of this novel
So before I get to my actual review I wanted to throw in a few disclaimers. When I requested this ARC on NetGalley I had mistaken it for another book, but I’m glad I did! The first few chapters reminded me of another series called the Covenant but better written. Well it wasn’t until halfway through the book that I looked up the author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and realized that she had in fact written the Covenant series. Her writing has improved since that series was released and it was so easy to get sucked into this new world. This series is also a spinoff to a previous trilogy called The Dark Elements, and it is suggested that it is read before Storm and Fury. I did not read that series, but after meeting Roth and Layla I might have to pick it up. Even without reading any of those books first though I think Armentrout does a good job of catching us up and explaining the world so thoroughly that this series can be read on its own.
The opening of the book was a tad confusing, like I should have already known what a Warden was and what they did. That makes sense since it’s a spin-off though. Even being a bit confused I was quickly caught up, and not in an infodump kind of way. When we are first introduced to Trinity she is in a bit of a situation with a boy but she took care of it herself and her protector Misha showed up to help her out. It immediately becomes clear that Trinity is different, even from the Wardens. She is half human and half something else which was really fun to try and figure out. I guessed wrong initially but after a few subtle clues it was easy to pick up on. Misha was not the best protector but it would kind of suck binding your life to some else and having them be your entire life. Mistakes were made but thank goodness for Zayne always seeming to be at the right place at the right time to protect Trinity.
Zayne and his friends are from another Warden compound in DC and came to the compound to request backup for something killing both demons and Wardens. There was an instant connection between Zayne and Trinity. It was very apparent and kind of insta-lovey and of course Trinity’s secret comes to light after being kept under wraps for years. But then Misha is taken by a demon and a deal is struck, Zayne will help get Misha back and Trinity will help find whatever is killing the demons and Wardens in DC.
My favorite character was an apparently bisexual, snoopy, annoying ghost. Any scene he was in had me cracking a smile and instantly trying to reenact the scene going on for my sister. He had such spunk and was such a good friend to Trinity. I also really liked Trinity herself. She wasn’t just this super uber special beautiful snowflake that had everything handed to her or men just falling all over her. She worked, HARD and loved her friends fiercely. It was a nice change from some of the female protagonists I’ve been introduced to before by Armentrout.
The pop culture references were also really good. I’m a huge Supernatural fan so it was funny to have the character make comparisons of their lives to the show. The language used was also relevant to what I use to/still say with some older references thrown in by Peanut (“What’s the 411?”). It also was not done in a cringe-worthy, eyeball-rolling kind of way; It flowed nicely.
I am not a fan of insta-love or love triangles at all. In fact, I started writing my review halfway through reading the book and thought that’s exactly what I was getting with Trinity and Zayne and that there would be a triangle with Misha, but boy was I wrong. Zayne was so awkward though. He was not one of my favorite love-interests just because of how closed off he came across and he didn’t seem to share anything personal with Trinity. Their relationship was slow going. I wanted action to happen like now. I thought they were cute together though and loved that he accepted her for who she was, annoying questions 24/7 and all. I do want to see their relationship progress though, I just hope he becomes a bit more open towards Trinity.
So besides the slightly awkward smut scene I thought the book flowed nicely and I was definitely reading it at work because I was so caught up in the story. The plot twist at the end gutted me. This book was not what I expected at all. Even halfway through I thought I had it all figured out but the two plot twists at the end really threw me. I loved Trinity and Roth was hilarious. Even Zayne is starting to grow on me.
I would highly recommend this book if you’re into the whole angels, demons, end times thing and if not it was still a good read. I’m not sure how I’ll wait over a year for the sequel which is definitely going on my highly anticipated release list for next year.
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