Review: Stone Cold Touch {Dark Elements #2} by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

For the review of the first book: White Hot Kiss

What to say, what to say. I have to admit writing the following books in series is not easy. I mean I’ve already established thoughts on the writing style and characters. What I can easily state right now are the problems I had.

The plot was dissolving beneath my fingertips. I could easily see the relationship triangle starring Layla with Roth and Zayne becoming the for-point of a book that could easily be action and adventure. Excuse me, should  be action/adventure packed because it’s demons for fuck’s sake. Yes I like, no love Roth and Layla, but I want to know about Layla! I want to see her develop and adjust and survive! Sighhh, didn’t really happen.

Anyways, as the middle book and as the cover page we can easily guess that this one will focus on Layla and Zayne’s relationship. I mean, stone-cold touch, gargoyle? Not hard dots to connect. That makes someone wonder what exactly the last book means with a title like Every Last Breath. 

Oops?

So we get to see more of Zayne’s perspective in this book which honestly would’ve made this a whole lot more boring if it weren’t for Roth. I thought Zayne was something Layla needed to move on from and was never interested in their relationship due to platonic boringness.

With that being mentioned, I have to be honest for the true reason I made it through this book. Roth. It’s always Roth. From quotes like this,

“You’re an ass,” I spat, picking up the shirt.
He chuckled. “And it’s a fine ass, I’m told.”

To,

Zayne drew back, anger flashing across his features.
“Yeah go screw yourself.”
He grinned “Well, about that—”
“Don’t even finish that sentence” I snapped.

Roth was a smartass, badass, creative, witty and a pain in the ass through and through. I loved him for it every minute. Oh yea, did I forget sexy? I had no complaints about him and the humour he adds to the book is phenomenal. Probably one of the only books actually that have me full on laughing and snorting with the things Armentrout came up for him to say. Time and time again, he came through to pull me back into the book and rekindle my interest.

Otherwise though this book is just thoroughly entertaining with a plot moving slow and steady. An attempt at a plot twist a saw coming from a mile away. And some stupid characters mingling with amazing ones.

Until next time,

Shayla