If you’ve been following the blog you’ll know I’m a big fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout. There are only a few of her books I haven’t read yet and plan to do so eventually. The Darkest Star is a book I was lucky to get as eARC, but if I’m honest I loved my re-read the second time around even more.

After that re-read, I finally had the chance to read the second book in the Origin series, The Burning Shadow. So I finally want to tell you what I thought of this book. I’ll do my best to keep out spoilers, so it may be a shorter or a bit of a vague review! Keep on reading to find out more!

When Evelyn Dasher crossed paths with Luc, she was thrown headfirst into the world of the Lux—only to discover that she was already far more involved in their world than she ever suspected.

Because the Luxen aren’t the only ones with a hidden past. There’s a gap in Evie’s memory, lost months of her life and a lingering sense that something happened, something she can’t remember and nobody is willing to tell her. She needs to find out the truth about who she is—and who she was. But every answer she finds only brings up more questions.

Her search for the truth brings her ever closer to Luc, the Origin at the center of it all. He’s powerful, arrogant, inhumanly beautiful, extremely dangerous…and possibly in love with her. But even as Evie falls for him, she can’t help but wonder if his attraction is to her, or to the memory of a girl who no longer exists.

And all the while, a new threat looms: reports of a flu-like, fatal virus that the government insists is being spread by Luxen. A horrifying illness that changes whoever it touches, spreading panic across a country already at its breaking point.

Review

Even though this book has been on my shelf for awhile, I was a bit afraid to pick this one up. I mean the summary states there is some flu-like fatal virus going around and with the world the way it is that wasn’t something I was looking for. Luckily, it was nothing like our world at the moment and The Burning Shadow took me on one heck of a ride.

This book starts off right where the first book ends and that was already a moment that left you hanging. The Burning Shadow is action packed and while it answers a lot of questions it definitely left me with a lot as well (let’s just say I’m grateful the third book was already out in the world when I finished this). I was reading this as a buddyread and let’s just say it got so intense neither of us stuck to the daily chapters after a certain point, haha.

“I’m that special.” Luc led me down the step and into his living room. “Like a snowflake, unique and pure.”

Our main characters Evie and Luc really make this story. Evie goes through a lot and her world is really flipped upside down by the things she learns and what’s revealed. I’m amazed by her strength. I would’ve curled up in a corner rocking and she just keeps on going and fighting. Yeah, she’s definitely a typical teenager at times, but it fits the story! Luc is definitely a favorite of mine. He’s arrogant and sarcastic, but come near the one he loves and he won’t stand down. He knows he’s done things that aren’t always okay, but sometimes it’s for the better. Luc has seen a lot of bad things and suffered loss, but still fights for the world to be a better place for all. And yes, their relationship is intense and fast, but there’s so much more behind there. It’s interesting seeing them gravitate towards each other and their pasts definitely make this interesting.

Also, it wouldn’t be Jennifer L. Armentrout without amazing side characters. Again, she delivers with this. I love most of them, but Kent is definitely my favorite. These characters know how to leave a smile on my face. And as a major fan of LUX, I loved seeing the characters we grew to love from those books. Reading this book definitely encouraged my re-read that will be happening shortly!

If you’re looking for an action-packed book with lots of twists and turns, humor, romance and amazing characters I really recommend this series. Only be warned that the fourth and final book isn’t out there yet and I have a feeling the wait is going to be excruciating!

The Burning Shadow was definitely a ride! When this comes online I’ve already finished the third book, The Brightest Night. This is definitely the perfect moment to re-read LUX as well, so keep an eye out in then near future for reviews of those books. Have you read anything by this author? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!