Book

Obsidian

📖 Overview

Katy Swartz moves to rural West Virginia with her mother for a fresh start before her senior year. Her new next-door neighbor Daemon Black is equal parts attractive and hostile, leading to immediate tension between them. The story centers on Katy's discovery that Daemon and his twin sister Dee are not human, but rather aliens called Luxen who can control light. This revelation pulls Katy into a dangerous world of government agents, enemy aliens, and supernatural abilities. As Katy and Daemon navigate their complex relationship, they must also deal with threats from multiple sides and the consequences of their interactions. Their dynamic shifts between antagonism and undeniable attraction while they face escalating dangers. The novel explores themes of trust, identity, and the price of belonging through the lens of paranormal romance. Through Katy's experiences, the story examines how unexpected connections can fundamentally change one's place in the world.

👀 Reviews

Readers highlight the chemistry between main characters Katy and Daemon, with many noting their banter and tension as highlights. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic resonates with young adult romance fans. Multiple reviews praise Armentrout's pacing and ability to blend supernatural elements with contemporary high school life. Common criticisms focus on similarities to Twilight, with some readers calling it "derivative." Others mention the male lead's behavior crossing from arrogant to cruel at times. Several reviews note predictable plot elements and romance tropes. What readers liked: - Fast-paced action scenes - Humor and witty dialogue - Strong female protagonist - Compelling alien mythology What readers disliked: - Familiar paranormal romance setup - Some found Daemon too aggressive - Repetitive internal monologue - Secondary characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 4.15/5 (199,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (3,800+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (1,200+ ratings)

📚 Similar books

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout A forbidden romance between a duty-bound maiden and her guard unfolds in a fantasy world of gods, vampires, and supernatural powers.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas A mortal huntress enters a dangerous faerie realm and forms a connection with a powerful High Lord who helps her fight for survival and freedom.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo A soldier discovers her rare power to summon light and joins an elite magical army while navigating political intrigue and dark forces.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black A human girl raised in the treacherous High Court of Faerie must outmaneuver the fae prince who despises her to claim her rightful place.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard In a world divided by blood status, a girl with hidden powers infiltrates the royal court and becomes entangled in revolution and romance.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔮 Author Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote Obsidian in just 20 days, making it one of her fastest-completed novels. 💎 The book's main character, Katy, is a book blogger - a detail inspired by Armentrout's own connections with the book blogging community. 👽 The Luxen (alien race) in Obsidian were originally conceived as vampires before Armentrout decided to take the story in a different direction. 🌟 The series has been translated into over 15 languages and has sold more than one million copies worldwide. 📚 The fictional town of Ketterman, West Virginia, where Obsidian is set, was based on several small towns near where Armentrout grew up in the Appalachian Mountains.