ARC Review--Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY and internationally bestselling author of the fantastical Dark Elements and the Lux series comes a new novel set in a world of gargoyle protectors, rising demons and one girl with an explosive secret.

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

I was beyond elated to receive an advance copy of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Storm and Fury! Not only was it a JLA novel, but it was the start to a spinoff series from one of my favorite series from her, The Dark Elements trilogy! In this one we meet a new character, Trinity, who will play a very big role in the events to come. Alongside her is a very familiar face too, one that about half of us were rooting for when it came to Layla’s “big decision” and of course I am referring to Zayne!

While the story is told through Trinity’s point of view, I couldn’t help but want more of Zayne’s perspective when it came to certain scenes! But that’s a minor thing to wish from an already amazing novel! Trinity isn’t your average girl; she’s not like Layla, she’s something entirely different. I won’t go into details as to what she is because I felt like it came on as a surprise when it was revealed, but it was something I was starting to suspect to be perfectly honest! Nothing wrong with that either, because Jennifer only ever gave just the slightest hints and then BAM! We get confirmation!

Trinity has always been protected by her Warden family after her mother passed, waiting for the day when her father would had need of her. Then one day a trio of Wardens come to visit her family/clan and among them is Zayne. They have a problems involving some big bad that is killing demons and Wardens alike. They need reinforcements. It’s not long before horror strikes the compound and Misha, Trinity’s best friend and Protector is kidnapped and she is more determined than ever to find him and bring him back home.

I have to be honest, when it came to The Dark Elements trilogy, I was totally TEAM ROTH! That didn’t mean I didn’t like Zayne though! I did, though there were times I hated the things that he did, but I would’ve liked to see him find happiness at some point! And this is finally his chance at happiness, though Zayne is still a little broken from everything that happened in that first series. You don’t really have to have read that one to enjoy this one. You will miss out on little tiny moments and references, but nothing that would confuse you to the story on the pages here.

Zayne and Trinity…what a complicated love match they are going to be! Trinity is a force to be reckoned with! While she may be half human, she half other too and isn’t a delicate flower to say the least. She happens to have retinitis pigmentosa, which means she’s slowly losing her eyesight. It was a bit refreshing to have a heroine who wasn’t all perfect and powerful. That she has this problem made her very relatable in some ways. While I don’t share her condition, I do have my own health issues but sight isn’t really one of them. I guess it was just that Jennifer gave her heroine a condition that she herself has, just made things seem more realistic in this paranormal-fantasy read. That even your supernatural heroes can have their health issues too.

And let me also just say kudos to Jennifer for the Supernatural references! I have always enjoyed the modern day references she throws into the story, most of which I totally get because I know which fandom she refers to! Lol!

The pacing to this was pretty amazing! It does have somewhat of a slow opening as about half the time is spent at the compound getting things set for the events to come. It might be a tad slow for some, but since I love Jennifer’s books I knew there were uber good things to come! Plus there’s a great deal of flirting and swoony moments between Trinity and Zayne in these early moments there were just adorable!

Jennifer excels at romance, no matter which age range she’s writing for! This is YA, so things are PG compared to her adult books, but it’s still rather intense and hot! I love the slowly developing romance between Trinity and Zayne. He has his issues to work through, as we all (might) know and yet, there’s definitely a spark happening between them!

One last added bonus that I was ecstatic to see were the cameo appearances of Roth and Layla! Even though this isn’t their story, I’m happy to see them again! Roth hasn’t changed a bit! Lol!!

If you’re a fan of good old fashion paranormal reads or gargoyles this is a series you’re going to want to read! Storm and Fury was mesmerizing from start to finish and the ending leaves you just a touch satisfied, yet craving ravenously for more!!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars


Storm and Fury releases June 11, 2019