Book: White Hot Kiss, #1 of 3
Series: The Dark Elements
Author: Jennifer Armentrout
Publisher and Publication Date: Harlequin Teen, 02/25/14
Pages: 388
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy
Rating: 
My Review in a Nutshell:
“Gargoyles?” I asked my friend, “like Hunchback of Notre Dame, short-stubby gargoyles?” She laughed at me. A) Gargoyles are hot, B) I’m an idiot. I should NEVER doubt Jennifer Armentrout. White Hot Kiss is a sizzling HOT HOT HOT romance with a heroine climbing an uphill battle filled with anguish, action and perfectly placed humor; polar opposite concepts, yet flawlessly done.
What’s It All About?
Seventeen year old Layla lives with her adopted family, who are also Wardens: AKA a Gargoyle species that protect humans from Demons. Layla is half Warden, half Demon, and unaccepted by both species, including her adopted father. The only Warden who doesn’t despise her is Zayne, who she has been in love with her entire life. But due to Layla’s Demon side, one kiss from her could suck his soul right out of ‘em. That makes life a tad difficult. Then low and behold, a hot Demon walks into her science class. Demons she can kiss, and it wouldn’t hurt a fly. But if she falls for this delectable Demon boy, she will be succumbing to her dark side, ultimately losing Zayne and her family forever.
My Thoughts?
White Hot Kiss is fast moving with twist and turns I could not have guessed. Same goes for the inevitable love triangle, usually there’s an obvious front-runner, but not this time. All characters, side and main, are well-developed and intriguing *star studded cast*. My favorite? Obviously Layla. I felt devoted and sympathetic towards her character to the point that I cried. Even with her heartbreaking predicament, she is still kick-ass when need be. She’s romantically naïve in an adorably hilarious way.
The world building rocked my socks off: magic, demons, fallen angels, gargoyles- it’s the Holy Grail of paranormal. Not to mention, the public is aware of certain aspects of the Gargoyle world, this element always intrigues me. Paranormal worlds are typically ‘good or bad’, ‘black or white’ but Layla is gray, the ultimate in-between. Dark or Light, Roth or Zayne. Oh, to be a teenager again.
White Hot Kiss was a fun read with a refreshing plot! It’ll enrage you, pull at your heart strings, but above all, have you rooting for a character like you’ve never before. In this book, anything can happen. And there’s a good moral to the story, too, but you have to read it to find out!
My Favorite Quotes:
“People with the purest souls are capable of the greatest evils.”
“Your life isn’t about all you can’t do. It’s about what you can do.”
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