Throwback Thursday Review: Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Wicked #1

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

Release Date: December 8, 2014

Format: Trade Paperback

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon


Synopsis

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

My Thoughts

A badass redhead + smoking hot guy (with dimples) + snarky brownie + evil Fae bent on world domination = a really good time.

Ivy is a 22 year old college student and part of the Order - a secret organization that kills/banishes the Fae. She lives and works in New Orleans where there's no shortage of Fae. Enter Ren, aforementioned smoking hot guy, Order member who is new to New Orleans, and seems to be there for a specific purpose. When it seems that the Fae are preparing for something that could be catastrophic for all humankind, Ivy and Ren work together to find answers. And find each other in the process.

Wicked started slow for me. I don't know if that's because I was feeling book slump-ish or because of the story but it did take me some time to get into it. I also wish Ivy's background wasn't so slow to reveal. It was obvious there was a story there and it was hinted at so often that I was starting to think 'come on already!' And overall I just wasn't fully immersed in the plot. Again, that could have been me being book slump-ish or maybe this story of the Fae just wasn't my favorite.

That being said, Wicked was still plenty of fun. Ivy was a strong character with a sassy attitude. And I loved Ren's charm and openness with Ivy. He was so upfront with his feelings for her and I really liked that about him. But it was Tink who stole the show. That little brownie was total comic relief and had so many lines that made me laugh out loud. Armentrout does banter and snarky humor *so* well and it was in abundance here.

I was distrustful of a certain character from almost the very beginning and I was pleased to learn I had called it so early on. But the twist at the end...? Nope. Did *not* see that coming! I read the last page and sat there holding the book in utter disbelief - crushed by the turn things had just taken. I need the next book like yesterday and will be snagging it just as soon as it's released.

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Armentrout. Her Lux series is one of my favorite series ever and The Dark Elements series isn't far behind. While Wicked wasn't on that level for me and didn't hook me quite like the others, I still enjoyed it a lot and am definitely excited to see where the story goes from here!

4/5 Stars 
Have you read Wicked? Do you have a favorite paranormal series?


20 comments

  1. I own this one and still haven't gotten to it. I think I had to take a break from JLA for a bit. I read too many of hers too fast! First up is the conclusion to the Dark Elements series though. I so need to finish that first. Glad to hear this one is good even if a bit slow though! Great review!

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    1. Sometimes you just get author overload and need a break. And I would say absolutely read the final Dark Elements book before this one. Loved the trilogy ending! Team Roth! :)

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  2. I haven't read Wicked yet, Tanya, but the first sentence of your review caught me! A brownie?? *haha* You thought I meant the dimples, didn't you? ;) *haha* It's interesting that it had such a slow start. That seems atypical of JLA. But I'm happy you enjoyed the story anyway. Lovely review, my dear!

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    1. I really think the slow start was me - not the book. When I started it I was feeling kind of slumpy so if I were to read it now I probably wouldn't have the same issue. And Tink, the brownie, is the star of the show! I would read some of his lines out loud to my husband because there were hilarious! :)

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  3. This is definitely on my radar as well as the rest of the Lux series. I can't wait to get them--at some point lol.

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    1. The problem we all seem to share - too many books and not enough time. But anything by JLA is worth finding the time. :)

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  4. Before I could even gather my thoughts and write a comment on this review Tanya I logged onto my public library's website to see if they have a copy. of ALL the Armentrout books you've posted reviews on I have to say THIS ONE sounds like the best one yet (at least to me)! One of my favorite shows is the Originals and it's set in New Orleans and I'm currently stashing away money when I have extra so that I can go to New Orleans next year over springbreak before I graduate with my undergrad. So i was SO excited to read the setting for this one!

    At first when I read the description I automatically assumed vampires but then I saw you mention the Fae and I am actually more excited now! Fae are my favorite to read about (have you read ACOTAR?) in terms of mystical creatures and i'm even more excited to see that this one's a series!
    Ren sounds ADORABLE (was he the distrustful one? i'm getting nervous!) and I LOVE his name! Future baby boy name??? maybe! I'm stashing that one away for saving!
    Great review! Sad note: my library doesn't have it so when I replace my broken kindle i'm going to order this on Amazon!
    Emily @ www.rabbitholereviews.com

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    1. I think you will love this one, Emily! I will say that it doesn't focus a whole lot on the Fae. It's set in the human world and is about the humans fighting the Fae. Of course it mentions the Fae world and their powers, etc but the focus is this world and the fight against them. Maybe it will delve more into the Fae world as the series progresses.

      Ren is awesome and very swoonworthy! (Like all JLA guys.) There are some questions regarding why he's there but he's definitely not distrustful. What's funny is that for me the real stand out was Tink, the brownie. Loved him! I remember reading some of his lines out loud to my husband because he is sooo hilarious. :) Oh, and if you love NOLA you'll love the setting here!

      Yes I have read ACOTAR! Which is surprising because I read contemporary almost exclusively and rarely pick up fantasy. But the synopsis (and that cover!) hooked me last year and I gave it a try. So glad I did because I loved it and it became one of my favorites of the year! Now I can't wait for A Court of Mist and Fury!

      I hope you'll be able to get a copy of Wicked soon! I'e been seeing JLA post that she's just finished writing Torn, the second book, so I'm super excited for that one!

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  5. Oh my goodness, I totally forgot that I own this book and have never read it! Definitely need to get on that because I love JLA's paranormal stuff! Thanks for reminding me Tanya and great throw-back review!!

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    1. Same here, Eva! As much as I'm a total contemporary girl, JLA's paranormal stuff does it for me every time. This one was a lot of fun and I'm excited for the second book.

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  6. Hey, this is the first time I'm visiting your blog & I absolutely am loving your posts! Definitely going to follow you on Bloglovin :)

    Also, I REALLY NEED THIS BOOK. I mean, a swoon-worthy love interest AND a strong MC AND Fae?? (And not to mention that gorgeous cover) This book sounds incredible. <3

    -Cari @ myaddictionbooks.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Cari! What a nice thing to say. :)

      This one definitely does have a lot going for it. Tink (the brownie) really steals the show, but then there's Ren and Fae and a New Orleans setting... good stuff! I hope you'll enjoy it if you decide to give it a try. And now I'm off to check out your blog! :)

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  7. I haven't read this one yet. It's just sitting there on my Kindle waiting for me. Hopefully I can get around to it in April.

    Great review Tanya :)

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    1. I hope you have time for it soon, Andie! It's a lot of fun with action and intrigue and romance... what more can a girl want, right? lol

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  8. I haven't read any of Armentrout's books after The Lux series and I really need to! I love books about badass redheads lol. Great review, Tanya! I gotta get my hands on this.

    Danica @ A Redheaded Bookworm

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    1. Hey Danica! This one was fun but I love the Dark Elements trilogy even better. When you're in the mood to jump into another JLA series I'd definitely go for that one. But then again, maybe the redhead thing is a sign this is the book for you. lol

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  9. This makes me sad because WHERE IS TORN?! Gimmie now. It better arrive this summer or I'll do something I swear.

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    1. I know, right??!!! It has been over a year since Wicked came out. We need answers!

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  10. Great review Tanya :)
    I have not read this one yet. It's waiting for me on my kindle. Maybe I will get to it in April.

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    1. I know the feeling, Andie... so many books that I *really* do want to read just sitting on my Kindle or on my bookshelf. I hope you'll enjoy Wicked when you do get around to it! :)

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