Emily May's Reviews > Obsidian
Obsidian (Lux, #1)
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Not long ago, someone I know got into a really bad relationship. It was the kind of relationship where the guy was a pretty-faced douchebag who would tell her he loved her one minute and the next he would be making snide remarks about her weight and about her career, or standing her up when they were supposed to be going somewhere. But the worst part of this relationship wasn't him, it was my friend.
Everyone she knew, including me, warned her away from him, told her he was bad and that she deserved better... you know, the usual. And she knew exactly who he was, knew that he was playing constant mind games. But she honestly believed that what she put up with was a worthy sacrifice for love. And she honestly believed she could change him. She would say "he's just an immature guy" as we sat with her while she cried because he'd made her feel like shit again. We subtly tried to remind her that there was such a thing as self respect and she was rapidly losing grip on it.
I sat there and wondered how someone so pretty, smart and full of fiery personality could truly believe this was something normal that she had to accept and get through. But it's when I read books like Obsidian that I receive a painful reminder that this kind of psychology is not only way too frequent, but also constantly reinforced by books selling such relationships as romantic and passionate. Do I need to point out the obvious example?
Some people said this book was another Twilight - complete with sappy heroine, paranormal love interest and a shit ton of angst. Honestly, they insulted Twilight with that one. Give me that creepy creeper called Edward Cullen any day over this rude, arrogant piece of work. I'm pretty sure Edward was actually kinda nice to Bella in his weird archaic "I won't shag you before marriage but I will sneak into your room and watch you sleep because that is totally acceptable and normal" way.
Daemon, on the other hand, is an arrogant and downright RUDE dickwad. I'm not even going to pretend to understand the attraction because I don't see it. 'kay, he's beautiful, whatever. He also talks to the MC like she's crap he just stepped in, whilst interspersing the abuse with heated kisses and whatnot. There is nothing, NOTHING attractive to me about making out with a guy who insults me and acts like I'm worth less than nothing. I don't get it.
The heroine - Katy - isn't terrible. She has high points where she pulls out some well-placed snark AND she's a book blogger - woohoo! But she has plenty of eye roll-worthy Mary Sue moments where she frets about her obvious beauty. In the first chapter (I think) she describes herself in a way that is supposed to imply she is somehow plain - with "curvy hips, puffy lips and huge eyes". So... she has big eyes, full lips and curves. Yeah, we really feel your pain, Katy.
I realise I just basically trashed a book that tops a lot of people's favourite lists - sorry. I am currently working my way through some popular YA that I always meant to read but never did, so that's how I crossed paths with this book after avoiding it for so long. But yeah, guess you figured out this one wasn't for me :)
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Everyone she knew, including me, warned her away from him, told her he was bad and that she deserved better... you know, the usual. And she knew exactly who he was, knew that he was playing constant mind games. But she honestly believed that what she put up with was a worthy sacrifice for love. And she honestly believed she could change him. She would say "he's just an immature guy" as we sat with her while she cried because he'd made her feel like shit again. We subtly tried to remind her that there was such a thing as self respect and she was rapidly losing grip on it.
I sat there and wondered how someone so pretty, smart and full of fiery personality could truly believe this was something normal that she had to accept and get through. But it's when I read books like Obsidian that I receive a painful reminder that this kind of psychology is not only way too frequent, but also constantly reinforced by books selling such relationships as romantic and passionate. Do I need to point out the obvious example?
Some people said this book was another Twilight - complete with sappy heroine, paranormal love interest and a shit ton of angst. Honestly, they insulted Twilight with that one. Give me that creepy creeper called Edward Cullen any day over this rude, arrogant piece of work. I'm pretty sure Edward was actually kinda nice to Bella in his weird archaic "I won't shag you before marriage but I will sneak into your room and watch you sleep because that is totally acceptable and normal" way.
Daemon, on the other hand, is an arrogant and downright RUDE dickwad. I'm not even going to pretend to understand the attraction because I don't see it. 'kay, he's beautiful, whatever. He also talks to the MC like she's crap he just stepped in, whilst interspersing the abuse with heated kisses and whatnot. There is nothing, NOTHING attractive to me about making out with a guy who insults me and acts like I'm worth less than nothing. I don't get it.
The heroine - Katy - isn't terrible. She has high points where she pulls out some well-placed snark AND she's a book blogger - woohoo! But she has plenty of eye roll-worthy Mary Sue moments where she frets about her obvious beauty. In the first chapter (I think) she describes herself in a way that is supposed to imply she is somehow plain - with "curvy hips, puffy lips and huge eyes". So... she has big eyes, full lips and curves. Yeah, we really feel your pain, Katy.
I realise I just basically trashed a book that tops a lot of people's favourite lists - sorry. I am currently working my way through some popular YA that I always meant to read but never did, so that's how I crossed paths with this book after avoiding it for so long. But yeah, guess you figured out this one wasn't for me :)
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Reading Progress
November 17, 2013
– Shelved
May 31, 2014
–
Started Reading
May 31, 2014
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 180 (180 new)
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Jennifer
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 03, 2014 03:53AM
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Yeah, it sounds really cool from the blurb :) You can email me at emily@thebookgeek.co.uk - thanks!
Thanks, Mykia! It's good to see more people feel a similar way :)
The aliens were just stupid to me in the first place. I mean if you're trying to keep a low profile then why project yourselves as hot models and live in a small town where everyone knows you're business!?
Logic = FAIL
Logic = FAIL
I don't care if he's the most handsome man/alien in the entire galaxy, he's a bipolar douchebag.
Thanks for your review. It's nice to know there are more people out there who would take Edward over Daemon. (But only if you forced me to choose one.)
That reminds me. I need to charge my kindle. x_e
Armentrout's writing is really flawed but I used to find it quite fun to read at the same time. I gave up after her second NA though. That was just really awful.
So much worse than Twilight, IMO :/
The thing is, I probably will end up reading this book sooner or later probably out of sheer curiosity and because of its hype. But I have a feeling I won't end up liking it. Lovely review :)
Don't want to relive that in book format!
Ah.. books like this one just make me sad. :/
I do confess that I have author chemistry with Jennifer Armentrout. She's not the best writer ever, her plots aren't the most amazing I've come across, but I tend to devour her books.
Do you think we ask to much when we expect realistic relationships from fictional characters? Or do you think there is an additional responsibility in works that are directed towards young people?
Personally, I feel there is an additional responsibility in works directed to a YA audience (and younger). There's nothing wrong with adults enjoying a good escape fantasy, but for me at least, I feel the problem is that these particular books aren't targeted and marketed toward adult women, but rather teen girls who are still in a very transistional state of growth and maturity. And media influences young people. Maybe not completely consciously, but it is there. As adults we can, hopefully, distingush between healthy and unhealthy relationships and make the distinction between reality and fantasy, but it's much easier for young people to not fully be able to draw that line especially when, at such a young age, their experiences and relationships are limited. But that's just my two cents on the matter.
Thank you for your respectful comment even though we felt differently :) I understand not wanting realism from books - most of us love a bit of escapism and the opportunity to get lost in fantastical situations and relationships. However, I do think the way girls and young women view relationships with men is a very real problem and it's a personal hate of mine when YA books portray borderline abusive relationships as romantic and passionate.
I would like to say, as a young woman, I completely love the "bad boy" notion too, but my definition of it seems to be completely different from the majority of YA and NA authors. Many women love the idea of a man who's wild, exciting and promises rebellion and adventure... but the idea that this somehow includes being treated in a disrespectful way is so strange to me.