Friday, January 9, 2015

Wicked (A Wicked Saga #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout ~ Review


Source: Paperback copy gifted from Val!

Wicked (A Wicked Saga #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.





Review...


When it comes to books about faeries, I approach them with caution. Sometimes they work so, so well for me, and other times they just...don't. I have no idea what it is about the fae, but that's how it goes. I don't avoid faerie books (because I'm always open to something potentially awesome), but as I said--I'm cautious. 

But then Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote a book with fae.

And my grabby hands for the book were SO INTENSE, you have no idea.

So yeah. I got this book, and fit it into my TBR as soon as possible. It was so worth it.

JLA is an author who brightens my days with her stories on a regular basis. Her Lux series is my favorite thing ever, and all of her books make my heart feel happy. Wicked is another great book by this amazing author.

The main character of this one is Ivy, who is stubborn and independent. Her past is sad and that affects the decisions she makes in the present. For some reason, I worried these traits would turn me to not liking Ivy, but I actually ended up liking her just fine. I enjoyed how independent she was. I also enjoyed her snark and humor. Being inside her head for this whole story was entertaining.

Ren is the main guy, and I love him so hard. He's kind. He's funny. He's sweet. He's protective. He says so many of the right things. He also says thing rashly (I'm thinking of the part where he was like "Yeah, walk away," and I was like "This is something I can seriously picture a person saying. For real.") and realistically. He has his own demons he deals with, but that does not in any way take away from how fantastic he is. I really, really freaking heart him. 

The romance was fun to watch. It took some time to build, particularly because Ivy is her wonderfully stubborn self, but it was still sweet even as it grew. I loved watching this relationship grow. Ren and Ivy had such great moments. Some of those moments were funny, some were sweet, some were sexy as hell, and some were a mix of things--and I loved them all. 

The writing was woven with Jen's fabulous humor, and the story was built in a comprehensive and enthralling way. I finished this book on Christmas, and I spent a good amount of time sitting at my brother's house responding verbally to this book and the events within it. My people think I'm kinda crazy, but goodness gracious this book was so worth it.

As far as the fae aspect, the way Jen approached it was different than I'm used to seeing it done. It was interesting and I enjoyed it. As Jen said, "It's not your mama's fae." It's really not and that's really fantastic.

The plot was predictable at times, but what makes me love this book even more was that this didn't turn me off from the book. It didn't make me bored. I was still completely taken by this story and these characters, and I still ended the novel wondering WHEN--whenwhenwheeeen?!?!--will I get my hands on boook 2?!! I NEEEEEEED IIIIIIIIT. 


*heavy breathing*

BUT ANYWAY.

The book was awesome sauce, is pretty much what I'm trying to say.

Oh, and Tink. Tink Tink Tink Tink TINK! That guy is so freaking hilarious. Tink and his troll dolls and books-to-movies research and baking and all the funny. I love him so much and I'm seriously looking forward to more of him in the next two books. Just thinking of him right now makes me smile.

Overall, Jennifer L. Armentrout's Wicked is a fabulous novel with marvelous characters, an interesting take on the fae, and an enthralling story with the best balance of humor, romance, and badassery. As I said, I'm already Jonesing for the next book, Torn. I NEEEEED IT. (But I guess I can hold myself over with all the other JLA books that bridge the gap between then and now...and a re-read or ten.)


5 stars - An enthralling story with the best balance of humor, romance, and badassery. So excited for the next book! 


5 comments:

  1. Great review! I loved Wicked and Ivy and Ren. AND OMG TINK! I need more of him in my life!

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    1. I know, I so want a Brownie now! But he's not getting my passwords ;)

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  2. I love fae, so I'm really excited for this one! I just got it the other day, but I'm doing a ebook challenge so I can't get to it quite yet! Aah!!!

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  3. I loved this too! Can't wait for book two!

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  4. Great review :) and a super gorgeous cover ;)

    Aparajita @Le' Grande Codex

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