[Lisa’s Review]: The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the world of the Lux with The Burning Shadow, the steamy, shocking second installment of the Origin series that will leave readers reeling.

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.

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Burning Shadow was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019. I loved the Lux Series; I loved the Darkest Star and couldn’t wait to dive back into the world of the Luxen, Origins, and Arum.

While I never doubted that Jen would deliver – we’re talking about Jen here – she really outdid herself with this one. Not only did she fulfill all my expectations for the sequel of the Darkest Star, but she also surpassed every hope and dream I had for this book. I had to read it twice before I was able to write this review and put the awesomeness of this book into words.

“It was like a switch being flipped somewhere deep inside my subconscious. Fear turned into rage, and it was red hot and powerful as it surged through me and then outward, a shock wave that rippled out.”

We dive back into the story exactly where the Darkest Star left off, and from there on out follow Evie as she deals with the massive bomb that was dropped on her during the final chapters of the last book. Her name wasn’t always Evie; she was actually Nadia before she lost her memory to the serum that saved her life almost half a decade ago.

Once Evie has a closer look at her so-called memories, and some of the memories from her previous life resurface, she realizes that some things don’t add up. Unable to shake the feeling that there were more consequences to her miracle cure than her mother lets on, Evie sets out to hunt down the missing puzzle pieces. Meanwhile, the situation with the anti-luxen activities takes a turn for the worse, as a fatal virus supposedly being spread by the Luxen throws the entire country into a state of panic.

“I would beg, plead, barter, and kill to protect Kat.”
{…}
“Nothing in this world would stop me and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do, and it’s the same for Luc when it comes to you.”

I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book. Jen had me hooked from the first page to the very last. The writing was on point – as usual. I cried, I hoped, I laughed, and absolutely refused to sleep until I was finished because it was simply that good.

The romance was everything I hoped for and more. I was already in love with Luc and Evie as a couple before this book, but this one sealed my fate irrevocably. I loved how, despite the apparent interest on both sides, the relationship continues to develop slowly and naturally. While Evie struggles with her growing feelings for Luc, not knowing whether or not his interest in her is based on the memory of the girl he loved and lost; we also discover a new, more vulnerable side of Luc as he slowly opens up to Evie about his, and their past.

In addition to the excellent plot, fantastic characters, and the earth-shattering romance, the book also addresses how fear of the different and the unknown, can so easily take away our ability to reason. It was beautifully weaved into the plot – and, for me, added a little extra to the story.

By now you can probably tell, I’m a huge fan of this series and this book, and would recommend it to literally everyone who loves good old sci-fi.

Lisa

Hi! I’m Lisa. I’m twenty-three, a college student and a book lover. I spend every free minute, and most of my lectures, reading all kinds of books, which is how I ended up here. While I particularly enjoy books of the young and new adult variety, I also love historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, all things romance, and one or the other classic as well. If I’m not reading, I’m either working, sleeping, binge-watching my newest obsession on Netflix, or on my way to Starbucks, to satisfy my slight caffeine addiction.