This book was such a pleasant surprise!

The Darkest Star has been sitting on my kindle for AGES. Seriously, I've had this arc for so long I honestly thought I'd never read it. And then this morning I was looking through all my books and I just thought to myself: why not give this a try? I figured I'd try a chapter and if it wasn't calling to me I'd move on to a different book. But whoa, it was like the moment I started reading I couldn't stop.

It's not that the plot was all consuming or there was major action happening the entire time, because all things considered things moved kind of slow actually. I think what drew me in was the writing. She has this easy, light sort of way of writing that I forgot all about and it just drew me in and I couldn't stop reading even when I'd find myself thinking about the other things I had to do today. It's been so long since I've read a book by this author and I never even finished the Lux series but I'm so happy I read this book and honestly, I was hit with all the feels with returning characters making an appearance.

Evie was a very likable character. Albeit, a bit frustrating at times but really her reactions and thoughts were kind of expected so I didn't let myself stay annoyed at her for too long. I liked her feistiness, her strength and courage. I liked her group of friends (with the exception of one shady ass friend) and overall I think she's just a great protagonist. I also really liked Luc and his charming self and group of friends.

I will say that I felt like I figured out all the big plot twist pretty early on but that didn't hinder my reading experience. Plus there were one or two little surprises that I didn't expect. Also, while I did enjoy Luc and Evie as individuals and their romance was sweet I will say that it didn't make me swoon or anything. I think they have much room to grow (as individuals and together) and I'm excited to see that in the upcoming book.

Overall, I feel like an idiot for waiting so long to read this book but I'm so happy I finally gave this a chance. I think if you were a fan of the first series, Lux, you will absolutely love this book but honestly if you're a fan YA sci-fi/fantasy, then I think you would like this as well.

I was mostly happy to see old characters, and continue with Luke’s story. He was such an interesting part of the original Lux series, and it definitely felt like he often got screwed over. I knew the “twist”; it was fairly easy to guess. But I’m very interested to see where this series is going to go!

Fun for fans of the lux series but the plot of this wasn’t as intriguing. I won't be continuing with this series in the future.

This was my first book from this author and I am so glad I was given the chance to pick it up. What a great storyline. Held my interest and I could not put it down. Going to find more books from this author. Darkest Star is on my top 5 reads so far for 2019.

Jennifer L. Armentrout pulls out all the stops with The Darkest Star, making it a surefire hit for fans no matter how familiar they are with the books that came before.

First, I must admit something to you all. I, a Jennifer L. Armentrout fangirl, have never read the complete Lux series. *cue gasps of horror* I know. It’s one of my darkest reading secrets. I always intended to finish, but I’ve only read the first book, Obsidian.

So, do I know who Daemon Black is? Yes. Do I fully appreciate the complexity of the Luxen and know how the story escalates to the war mentioned in The Darkest Star? No, I do not. But I think that gives me a unique perspective with which to see what happens between Luc and Evie in this book.

Before I dive into all the greatness that is The Darkest Star, for those that haven’t read the Lux series, The Darkest Star is set in a world where aliens are one hundred percent real. They are called the Luxen, and they kept their presence here on Earth a secret for a long time. The Lux series goes in depth as to their abilities and backstories, but everything in this book’s universe stems from them.

The Darkest Star is all about Evie and Luc. She’s a pretty normal 17-year-old girl who steps out of her comfort zone to go to a club where both humans and Luxen are free to mingle. It’s not her usual gig, so she’s more surprised than anyone when a super sexy, possible-Luxen singles her out. Little does she know that her life is about to change. For better or worse, Evie Dasher is not prepared for Luc and the truth he brings with him.

I started The Darkest Star a little nervous about not having read the entire Lux series beforehand. I was apprehensive about going into this story without experiencing everything the world around it has to offer. I should have known that Jennifer Armentrout would find a way to make this new series accessible to everyone, though.

I quickly found myself invested in each and every moment as it unfolded. As Luc talks to Evie about how he experienced the war, readers who are entering this world for the first time learn everything they need to know. And for those that have been here all along, there are definitely easter eggs hidden along the way. Things that my limited knowledge recognized, and I’m sure, things I missed entirely.

The way the mystery was deftly woven into the fabric of Luc and Evie’s story is a testament to the genius mind constructing this world. I fell absolutely head over heels in love with both Luc and Evie separately, and then found myself hoping beyond hope that their stories would come together.

Evie is the perfect way to introduce this series to readers both old and new. Her unique perspective of the world she inhabits allows the reader to get used to her point-of-view, and experience each and every twist and turn right along with her.

I love that Evie has friends that she loves dearly and friends that she doesn’t always understand. It’s refreshingly honest and realistic. We all have a friend or two who sees the world in myopic ways that we just can’t comprehend. It’s the nature of who we are and how we live. Seeing that truth reflected in the people around Evie makes the whole world of The Darkest Star feel unidealized.

It’s equally important to see that Evie isn’t afraid to oppose those same friends when she feels they’re wrong. It’s the nature of the beast and reminds us all that we need to choose how we want to live for ourselves, not just follow along blindly behind people we care about.

And then there’s Luc. He’s a bit of a pill when we first meet him. He’s confusing, he’s confrontational, and he’s, well, rude. It all makes sense as Evie gets to know him and the mystery regarding some of those thinly veiled comments starts to unravel, but he can be a little alienating at first (pun absolutely intended).

Luc is a very interesting lead character for this book. He’s not the most likable male character. He’s not necessarily the funniest or the most charming, especially when it comes to Evie. But there’s just something about him that keeps you hoping that she goes back. That she won’t be able to stay away. That quality is what makes or breaks a mysterious leading man, and it makes Luc seriously captivating.

Not to mention that it informs so much of what makes the dynamic between Luc and Evie so fascinating. This story is more than just their relationship, but so much of the heart of the book is tied to how well they understand and relate to each other.

The Darkest Star sets up a thrilling world that I can’t wait to get back to. It’s layered and complicated in all the best ways and you can tell that this is just the beginning. The antagonist in this story isn’t the biggest bad guy out there. He’s a formidable foe for sure, but you can feel the stakes escalating as each chapter flashes past as well as with the threads left unknotted at the end of the book.

Whether YA, romance, stand alone, or series, I’ve never met a Jennifer L. Armentrout book I didn’t like and The Darkest Star is no different. She is masterful with weaving threads of plot together, and I am beyond eager to see the bigger picture of what those threads create in the rest of the Origin series.

The Darkest Star is available now! Get your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Indiebound, and add it to your Goodreads, too!

This was my first foray in Jennifer L. Armentrout's books and I immediately wanted to read all of the others!
The story pulls you in and she has such a way of writing that makes you want to read straight through until the story is finished. And then of course you're left wanting more!
I absolutely plan on pick up the Lux series, though I would like to point out that this book is a perfect starting point. You don't *have* to have read the Lux series to enjoy and understand everything happening in this book, but once you finish The Darkest Star you will definitely *want* to learn more about this world.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

This review contains spoilers.

The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a spin-off novel or "sequel" to the Lux series, and it gave us a deeper dive in the offsprings of "special" humans with Luxens.

This book was really hyped up in the Lux community - not only do we get to know Luc better, but we are also getting a glimpse of our former protagonists' lives after the events of the original series.

This book managed to pull off a really entertaining hate-love relationship along with the classic (arguably cliche) "discovery of a new scenario" storyline, but this book gave a nice refreshing twist to these cliches (the fact that Evelyn was actually Nadine made it so that the cliche storyline is not as cliche). I kind of foresaw Nadine's "plot-twist", but I also can at least applaud Armentrout to doing at least a decent job had keeping hints and foreshadowings throughout to the book, preparing for the ultimate reveal.

Like basically every other Armentrout book I have read, I enjoyed this book greatly. The thing Armentrout's books for me is that I can also count on her to have entertaining YA books that I can just read for fun. Her books are constant and reliable because the storylines are never that original but are always decently well-written enough that is enjoyable to read - the characters are likable and the storyline is extremely fun. To me, that is what makes her books so appealing to me, and this book is no different.

This is a fun and exciting sci-fi romance. There are lots of twists and intrigue to be found between these pages.

I have never read a Jennifer L. Armentrout book before. She has written lots of books that are on my TBR list but I have never actually gotten around to reading one. With this said, I know that Luc appeared in the Lux series and I feel like I’m missing the excitement of having read the Lux series first. However, this book on its own was exciting, fun and so adorable.

Evie is a great main character. She is very realistic and relatable. There are so many funny and awkward moments. I also loved Luc’s character and getting to know him through Evie’s eyes.

I must say that the concepts and the plot really made the book. The whole book was fast-paced and exciting. I didn’t put it down once I picked it up. This was also very unique and different than my usual fantasy read and thus made for a fun and unexpected story.

I really enjoyed this and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good alien romance.

“Maybe sometimes it took a little stupidity to be brave.”

Happy Reading !

Gizelle ✨

I think I am one of those few book lovers who haven't read the Lux series. Shocking, I know! Well now I want to read all the Lux books to learn more about these hybrid and alien race. An alien race you say, what? Just so you know you don't need to read Lux to follow this book, but should you read Lux? I'm taking a wild guess and say YES! At least that is what I plan to do shortly. So back to The Darkest Star, which has the best cover ever, am I right? This book talks about Evie who goes to a club that she really shouldn't be at because her mom would kill her. But it is not for the reason you are thinking. Can you say PLOT TWIST! Read the book to find out what I mean. Anyway...Evie meets Luc who she 100% believes is a Lux (alien race). But surprise, he isn't. What? Read to find out...sorry but no spoilers! Together Evie and Luc find out about Evies not so distant past and the role her father played in the Lux war against humans. The book has many twists and turns that leave you waiting and begging for more. Like can I have book two already? *searches Netgalley everyday* If you want a cute YA romance with an alien, family secrets, and massive twists, then this is the book for you! Enjoy!

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Evie is 17 and isn't really the clubbing type, but she goes out with a friend one night -- and is caught up in a raid. The club is one of the few places where humans and Luxen (aliens) can mingle freely, and she is drawn to a gorgeous male specimen that she is sure must be a Luxen -- but he's actually something much different, and much more powerful. The more she learns about Luc, the more she unlocks about her own past (and that of her parents).

My Notes: I have heard so many wonderful things about this author that I couldn't wait to read this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't do anything for me. With glamorous aliens and family secrets, I thought I'd love it, but it was -- dare I say, boring?

I'm pretty obsessed with Jennifer L. Armentrout. I love everything she's ever written and this book is a companion to her Lux world which is where many of us started our love affair with her writing. She was the first author I read when, exhausted with a baby / toddler who never slept, I finally relented and downloaded the kindle app to my tablet. Obsidian was being offered for free, so I gave it a shot and the rest is history. It was extra fun for me that the publishing house was located in Ft. Collins, CO, a city I know quite well as I attended college there and lived in the area most of my life.

Returning to the world of the Luxen and Origins and aliens among us was actually kind of a relief. That sounds odd, but really I felt like I had been holding my breath and waiting for a continuation of the adventures there. We finally get more about Luc in TDS - the great and powerful Origin we met along the way in Kat and Daemon's stories. There's a splash of our old favorites as well, a pinch of Archer, a dash of Daemon, but really this is Evie's story and so we have to step away from them to fall into her reality. But Luc is there, so it's mostly okay.

Secrets and lies are common threads that can't be avoided in the Luxen world. Evie finds herself completely submerged in both very quickly after simply going to a club with a friend. I don't love spoilers, so I can't say much except nothing is really as it seems (ain't that always the way?) and what you think you know you probably don't. This cast is fantastic, and I'm excited for the next one. I'll ALWAYS be excited for the next one. Always. Jennifer gives me all the feels every time I read her stuff and I find her entirely re-readable which just adds to the appeal,

You want to read this one. If you haven't read the Lux series, no worries - you can jump right into this and won't be lost at all. I will highly recommend that if you read this first you then go back and pick up Lux. Naturally. Start with Obsidian. You won't regret it!

I haven't read many of JLA's books, but I've enjoyed the ones I have. This was pretty good and stirred my interest in the original series.

It is SO good to be back in the world with Luxen and Origins and all the other things that go bump in the night. The Darkest Star picks up a little while after the events of the final Lux book and things are still adjusting after the events of the final Lux book (if you don't want to be spoiled for the Lux books please pick those up first, they're fun and fast reads and I highly recommend!). Things are of course not always as they seem and Luxen are struggling to fit into a society that is unsure if it should be so welcoming or not.

This grown-up version of Luc we see is even more intimidating, mysterious and also HOT. We get to see a whole other side of the origin to end all origins and I am so here for it. Evie is also great and also a surprisingly refreshing character. She gives us a sort've outside yet inside view of living in a Luxen world and her strange ties to the Luxen/Origins are complicated and delicious. For fans of the Lux series have no fear we do get to see some familiar faces and it is SO GOOD.

I think this book is proof Jen is back in her element in this world that she's created that all her fans will love and enjoy. Her writing has grown so much since the Lux series that it's amazing and adds so much depth to the book! The Darkest Star is by one of my new all-time favorite books of the year and I can honestly say I cannot wait for the next book in the series, I need more Luc in my life!

What an engrossing novel. The Darkest Star follows Evie Dasher as she is swept up in a world she doesn’t quite understand. The Darkest Star is a post-invasion lit story. The invasion has come and gone, and now the reader is following the aftermath, the way the world has found a way to move past it on fragile peace. It’s a fragile world that Evie lives in, one where her protective mother who happens to work for the Government, seeks to shield her from. However, for Evie, the past is coming back to haunt, and her connection to Luc is more than the typical young adult romance. That’s one of the effective elements that captivates the reader. Armentrout wrote the characters not only so that they jumped off the pages, but also so that they connect in a powerful even humorous way. The way their relationship unfolds is enjoyable because there’s so much chemistry between the two and their personalities balance each other out very well.

As for the story, it’s interesting to see it how it unfolds and how Armentrout has decided to move the story past the invasion and show the aftermath years later. She takes on that genre and by focusing the novel towards a younger audience allows the pace of the book to unfold in a gripping way. At times the story is slow, but it does not feel that way. It moves gracefully, using those measured moments to build the tension as well as the character narratives. Things happen in the novel that Evie doesn’t understand, and despite herself, she is looking for answers. She knows the event somehow connect to her, but she doesn’t understand why. This almost haunting atmosphere lets the mystery and intrigue rise in the plot, creating a compelling plot.

There’s also something to be said about the storytelling. Armentrout uses this foundation to address serious topics such as segregation and xenophobia. Using this medium and genre’s Armentrout highlights the dangers of spreading hate and fear and judging an entire culture by the awful actions of the few. The idea of forcing the Luxen into separate schools and separate living situations is dangerous because it breeds fear and hate instead of acceptance and peace. It’s a powerful underlining element that Armentrout has decided to include in her story and a powerful way to make it resonate with audiences regardless of race and culture.

I was not able to get to this book in time. I had some family issues arise and now it feels too late to add anything new to the conversation.

Thank you for the opportunity to review. I greatly appreciate the chance to review any advanced copies that I receive.

I came into this one at a bit of a disadvantage, having never read the Lux series. I think that may be a good thing because I didn't have any expectations for the characters. I loved it! Reading the original series is something I plan on doing after this is complete. Can't wait for the next installment!

I really enjoyed it!! It was so much fun being back in this world. I can't wait to read the next book! Thank you so much for the chance to read this book!

I’m not even sure where to start! We finally get Luc’s story! And it all starts with a broken promise…

Evie Dasher is probably one of the best friends you can ever have. Not wanting to let her friend, Heidi, go clubbing alone. What she did not anticipate was the club getting raided and meeting Luc, the club owner. Evie can’t explain it, but she is drawn to Luc, not realizing there was something special about her. She makes all types of assumptions about Luc, some are close, but others are way more than even she can imagine. As she gets closer to Luc, danger lurks and she’s closer to finding out the truth. Is it a truth she can handle?

OMG… I loved this story! You get updates from some of your favorite characters of the Luxen series, kinda like a “Where are they now?” situation. Luc is an awesome character. He’s witty, highly intelligent, literally has the best collection of t-shirts, and has a depth to him you don’t get in previous books. It’s interesting how close to reality some of the actions in this story are. You get to meet some interesting characters and some you will just out and out hate. The story doesn’t end with a cliffhanger, but I can’t wait for book 2!

I read this book ages ago, and I'm not really sure why I never posted a review. Please accept my apologies on this crazy delay!

This was my first Jennifer Armentrout book, so I was unfamiliar with the universe. I may have enjoyed it more if I had read her other books first...so take this with a grain of salt.

I thought the book was OK. I got a bit of background from things that had happened in other books. There was a lot of instant love and beating around the bush here. Many things that would have been cleared up if people JUST TALKED, which is a YA pet peeve of mine. Overall, fun (ish) book, that is likely a better fit for people who've read the other series.

I absolutely ADORE the Lux series and my #1 book boyfriend, Daemon Black, and I was so freaking excited when I found out Luc was getting his own spin-off series! I could NOT wait to see him all grown up. And man—oh man, did Luc grow up… swoooon. I just want a Luc of my own!

That said, The Darkest Star was literally EVERYTHING. It was fast-paced, funny and sweet, emotional and sooo swoony. I loved Luc and Evie. Their interactions and banter were freaking fantastic and I always looked forward to it.

Once I started The Darkest Star, I was totally sucked back into the Lux universe, and I could NOT put it down. I loved every minute of this book and I need mooooore. Being able to see Daemon again was just the icing on the cake!

JLA did an amazing job with the first book in the spin-off series. I’m SO looking forward to seeing what happens next with Luc and Evie!