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Secret Keepers #1
House of Darken
When Emma moves to Astoria, Oregon, she is given two rules:
#1 – Don’t cross to “their” side of the street.
#2 – Don’t mess with the elites, especially Lexen Darken, top elite and resident bad boy.
While she finds this both weird and insulting, Emma has no actual intention of breaking these rules - until her guardians go missing. Now all bets are off. Only a single line separates her side of the street from the elites', and she's crossing it.
Captured and held by Lexen and his brothers, she learns the rules are in place for a very good reason. There's a secret world hidden in this small town which goes far beyond the one she knows and understands.
A world not for humans.
** This is a full length (105,000 words) fantasy/paranormal romance story. It's Upper YA, with cursing and some non-detailed sex scenes/references.
#1 – Don’t cross to “their” side of the street.
#2 – Don’t mess with the elites, especially Lexen Darken, top elite and resident bad boy.
While she finds this both weird and insulting, Emma has no actual intention of breaking these rules - until her guardians go missing. Now all bets are off. Only a single line separates her side of the street from the elites', and she's crossing it.
Captured and held by Lexen and his brothers, she learns the rules are in place for a very good reason. There's a secret world hidden in this small town which goes far beyond the one she knows and understands.
A world not for humans.
** This is a full length (105,000 words) fantasy/paranormal romance story. It's Upper YA, with cursing and some non-detailed sex scenes/references.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2018
About the author
Jaymin Eve
84 books11.2k followersJaymin Eve is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and sci-fi novels filled with epic love stories, great adventures, and plenty of laughs. She lives in Australia with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and a couple of crazy pets. To date, she has sold over three million ebooks, and still can't believe that she gets to create fantasy worlds as a job.
For action, adventure, romance, and a guaranteed HEA, start one of her series today.
Reading order:
Secret Keepers series (Paranormal Romance) House of Darken. House of Imperial. House of Leights. House of Royale.
Storm Princess Saga (PNR/Fantasy)
The Princess Must Die. The Princess Must Strike. The Princess Must Reign.
Curse of the Gods (Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance series) UpperYA/NA
Trickery. Persuasion. Seduction. Strength. Neutral. Pain.
Supernatural Prison (UF/PNR romance -shifter, vampire, fae, magic user) Upper YA/NA
Dragon Marked. Dragon Mystics. Dragon Mated. Broken Compass. Magical Compass.
NYC Mecca Series (UF/PNR Romance - shifters) Upper YA
Queen Heir. Queen Alpha. Queen Fae. Queen Mecca.
Hive Trilogy (UF/PNR Romance - vampires) Upper YA
Ash. Anarchy. Annihilate.
Walker Saga (Fantasy/adventure/romance - gods, mermaids, dragons) YA
First World. Spurn. Crais. Regali. Nephilius. Dronish. Earth.
Stay updated:
http://www.jaymineve.com
https://www.facebook.com/JayminEve.Au...
For action, adventure, romance, and a guaranteed HEA, start one of her series today.
Reading order:
Secret Keepers series (Paranormal Romance) House of Darken. House of Imperial. House of Leights. House of Royale.
Storm Princess Saga (PNR/Fantasy)
The Princess Must Die. The Princess Must Strike. The Princess Must Reign.
Curse of the Gods (Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance series) UpperYA/NA
Trickery. Persuasion. Seduction. Strength. Neutral. Pain.
Supernatural Prison (UF/PNR romance -shifter, vampire, fae, magic user) Upper YA/NA
Dragon Marked. Dragon Mystics. Dragon Mated. Broken Compass. Magical Compass.
NYC Mecca Series (UF/PNR Romance - shifters) Upper YA
Queen Heir. Queen Alpha. Queen Fae. Queen Mecca.
Hive Trilogy (UF/PNR Romance - vampires) Upper YA
Ash. Anarchy. Annihilate.
Walker Saga (Fantasy/adventure/romance - gods, mermaids, dragons) YA
First World. Spurn. Crais. Regali. Nephilius. Dronish. Earth.
Stay updated:
http://www.jaymineve.com
https://www.facebook.com/JayminEve.Au...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 715 reviews
June 12, 2018
2.5 Struggling Stars
I struggled... like seriously struggled with chunks of this book.
To read this book you will need a very LARGE box of tissues….or a brick.
This review is going to make me look like a stand-up grade A bitch.
Guess what?
I have never highlighted so many things in a book before. The damn thing looks like a highlighter took a giant shit on every page.
Sigh.
To begin, Emma…. Emma….. Emma…. I don’t really know how to describe her. One minute she is confident, the next minute she is convulsing with ugly sobs. Before you pull out your pitchforks, hear me out. I have read a lot of books where the MCs parents were murder, decapitated and hung from rope and is blowing in the wind, and the MC cries for the first several chapters and then moves on to anger and vengeance. With this book, Emma does not appear to move forth from grief to the next grieving stage. She is literally stuck in perpetual meltdown mode. NOW, if her parents had died within the past 6-8 weeks, I would semi understand; however, they died 8 months prior. So above I said you would need a large box of tissues or a brick, they are not for you, they are specifically for Emma. You can either offer up something to snot all over, or throw a brick at her face.
I swear she cried from page one to page 331. It was endless. Honestly, I am amazed she has any tears left, or her tear ducts didn’t become obstructed and cause some kind of tear ductal issue.
She cried, non-stop. A slight wind would bring a woodsy fire smell, and she BURST into tears. She would eat a hamburger and again TEARs. Someone would ask her about her day and she would break down.
Hell, my tear ducts were hurting for her tear ducts, I might have slipped a sympathy tear out for them.
Moving on from her overactive tear ducts, let’s talk about the Daelight Crescent Community. From what I can tell, the community is stuck in the 1940s where you were not allowed to cross the street and walk on “the others” side of the street. Though, I found it odd, it didn’t bother me as much as Emma talking about being poor in between each one of her cryfests. I get that the author was setting a tone, however, when Emma started school it was the same shit. I guess what I am getting at, is I didn’t see how any of that was relevant.
Cara, Ben and Ace. Unless a book will eventually come out about them, they were pointless fillers to me.
As for the rest of the book and crew, I enjoyed it. If Emma would have been eaten by a Dragon on the first page, I probably would have loved the book a bit more. The not-twins, Jero and Marsil Darken, along with Daniel Minor, kept it entertaining with their nicknames, while the older Darken, Lexen, gave the broody assholeness that is a requirement for PNR.
One great thing about this series? The next book comes out in July, the 3rd comes out in August and the last, you might ask. SEPTEMPBER. I love, LOVE, LOVE when a series is released like that. It means I will not have to go back, after 76 years have passed, to reread the first just so I can keep up with the second.
February 4, 2019
UPDATE 2
Not bad, but the romance better improves or I'll snap.
Update 1
In case you haven't noticed Curse of gods series is over now and I need more Jaymin Eve in my life!!!!
Finally returning to Kindle Unlimited books after a manga-reading break
*kisses kindle
Original
I'm purposely boycotting myself. No more Jaymin Eve books until I get my hands on Strength.
#WeNeedStrength
Not bad, but the romance better improves or I'll snap.
Update 1
In case you haven't noticed Curse of gods series is over now and I need more Jaymin Eve in my life!!!!
Finally returning to Kindle Unlimited books after a manga-reading break
*kisses kindle
Original
I'm purposely boycotting myself. No more Jaymin Eve books until I get my hands on Strength.
#WeNeedStrength
October 13, 2021
Hello everyone, I would like to introduce you all to your new book boyfriend: Lexen Darken.
Read this book. Please. You might hate the main character, but you will love Lexen.
Your welcome.
Love Zoe
But I will be back with more reasons you should read this. I will not give up!!
Read this book. Please. You might hate the main character, but you will love Lexen.
Your welcome.
Love Zoe
But I will be back with more reasons you should read this. I will not give up!!
October 5, 2020
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Might Contains Spoilers*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
The first book in this series centers around human Emma ‘Em’ Walters (17, turns 18) and Lexen ‘Lex’ Draken (65), a Daelight aka alien. Emma is dealing with the death of her parents just eight months ago, and starting a new school doesn't exactly help, but it's a distraction. However, she hadn't anticipated getting the attention of the Elites at the school. When her guardians disappear, the only ones who can help are the Drakens, even if they sorta kidnapped her. Overall, I had this goal of trying each one of Jaymin Eve 's series, which I now how. This was the last one so far. I like her writing and I love her male characters - though not when they become sidelined as just the female lead's love. They deserve more than that.
Anyways, this time that wasn't the problem for me, my problem here was the timeline - which is also another problem I have with this author. If you know me, you know I hate insta-love. I mean, from what I understand, the timeline was a week. But apparently a went month by?! I mean, was she in the prison for three weeks? Or did I miss something? Or was the timeline truly just a week? Which is what it felt like. Because if it was then the insta-love was too much. Also Emma was a bit doormat - I mean not once did she panic about there being an entirely new world out there... I wanted more depth from her. But at least Lex was hot....?
The book has potential though. I liked the characters, and I liked that Emma wasn't so "I'm an independent woman who can do things on my own" and actually let people help her and acknowledge that she was out of her dept. I like a woman who knows she's still a strong independent woman even though she lets her man take care of her. I want more of that though. Overall, I like the book and it was an interesting concept. Though the alien part felt more like fae... That said, I enjoyed it but I'm still unsure if I want to continue with the series. I have a feeling the rest of the series will also have insta-love relationship and I need depth in my relationships and I feel like insta-love doesn't give me that.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Upper YA) Fantasy Romance.
Series: - Series, Book One.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Sebastian ‘Beck’ Roman Becket.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - Don't think so.
Rating - 3 (weak) / 2.5 stars.
May 10, 2022
"Somehow my childhood wish had come true and I’d stumbled into a fantasy book world. I told my parents all that reading was going to come in handy one day.
Look how prepared I was for this situation…"
This book made me feel warm and fuzzy all over again. At first, like the first 3 or 4 chapters, I was kind of confused, waiting for the story to become catchy, but after that it was a definite page turner. Special thanks to Zoe Carstairs-Herondale-Blackford for the recommendation and enthusiasm - honestly, this is why I love GoodReads: it helps you find great books and people.
It's a nice and easy to follow contemporary fantasy novel, part of a series of 4 books, each one focused on a different MC. It has plenty of romance and teasing, involves traveling to magical worlds and it has dragons (now honestly, do you think that a book with hot, dark and brooding males and dragons isn't something worth reading ?!?!). Before you ask: there's no spice and no love triangle, in case anything from my review might wrongfully point in that direction.
"I wanted to ask what the big deal was with the Darkens, besides the fact that they were blessed with money and great genetics."
》》The Plot《《
After the tragic deaths of her parents, Emma Walters is left with their best friends who become her guardians and keep changing towns, having and obsession with the paranormal. Moving to Astoria, Oregon, Emma is forced to face something she has been dismissing for the past 8 months: maybe not everything is as it seems. Especially when the new town and high-school seem to be ruled by the Elite, gorgeous people who seem far to perfect for this world. And when her guardians go missing, Emma is decided to break all the rules to find and bring them back.
“Are they real?” I finally said, wrenching my eyes from the view and turning to Cara.
She wore a knowing smirk. “I’ve touched them once or twice, accidentally on purpose. They’re definitely real.”
》》Characters and Relationships《《
👩🏻🦰 Emma Walters
She's easy to follow through the story and definitely willing to do whatever it takes for those she loves. Emma wasn't one of my favorite main characters, but she wasn't as annoying as I've been warned she'll be, so maybe my expectations simply weren't very high for her. Her relationships throughout the story were definitely interesting though and I enjoyed her rebellious side.
🧑🏻💼🧑🏻🧖🏻 The Darkens
“I’m on to you, buddy. You’re the suave one. Marsil is the nice one. Lexen is the—”
“Asshole,” the man in question interrupted me. I hadn’t even realized he had stopped and was waiting for us by the front door. “I’m the asshole.”
Hot, dark, mysterious and perfect for your list of book boyfriends would be a pretty accurate way to describe them. My point? You can fangirl over them a lot and even though Lexen was obviously meant to be the one we would swoon over, Jero stole the show sometimes. I liked them and I'm really looking forward to see more of them in the next books.
👩🏻🦰🧑🏻💼 Emma and Lexen
'I stuck my tongue out at him. I hadn’t meant to, but somehow it slipped out.
He growled, getting in close to my face. “Don’t. Push. Me.”
I pushed him. Literally.
Shit. What was wrong with me?'
I might have a soft spot for Jero, but their relationship is definitely the only way to go. The banter and honestly their entire interaction was goals; sort of enemies to lovers but not exactly that, with plenty scenes that made me grin like an idiot while reading them.
👦🏼 Daniel Imperial
"His lips twisted into a grin and I realized there was a deep dimple carved into his cheeks. Jesus … Lexen had hot friends."
I'm guessing he's gonna be the love interest in the next book, because the way I'm expecting this is to see each new keeper with one of the Heirs from each House and I honestly can't wait to see that. Here, Daniel was the perfect side character and I'm really looking forward to his love story.
A shout-out for Star Darken, Cara and Ben - I really liked them as side characters and I think they gave a nice touch to the story.
》》Favorite Scenes 《《
👩🏻🦰👩🏽 Cara sharing with Emma all the gossip about the Elite
👩🏻🦰🧑🏻💼 Emma breaking down in front of Lexen
"He let out a low curse and dropped my arm. I expected him to run away – hello, crying teenage girl was boy kryptonite – but he didn’t. He stepped forward and wrapped me up in both of his arms, pulling me close to his body. Holy crap. He might be an asshole, but he gave good hugs."
🐉 the dragons
👨👩👧👧 meeting Mommy and Daddy Darken
👩🏻🦰🧑🏻💼 Emma making Lexen jealous
'His gaze lowered to my hands, which were still flat against Jero’s chest. I lifted one brow, narrowing my eyes on him. What? my expression said.
He opened his mouth, but at the same time Roland said something and Lexen had to turn away to answer his father. All breath rushed out of me.
Jero chuckled again. “As much as I enjoy your hands on me,” he drawled, “making Lexen jealous is a bad idea. You’re playing with fire.” '
💋 the kiss
👦🏼 Daniel showing up
❓ the ending that sets up perfectly the narrative for the next book
》》Conclusion《《
I liked it and I want more. Do I recommend it? Yes.
It gave me a bit of Twilight vibes, even though I've never read the books. The beginning kind of reminded me of Bella meeting the Cullens as that friend of hers (she was played by Anna Kendrick and I honestly don't remember her name) was spilling the tea about them and their intriguing family.
“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?” he asked me.
I grinned and winked. “Mostly for kidnapping me.”
His laughter joined mine. “Now that I’ve got you, I’m never letting you go.”
“Goddamn Stockholm syndrome.”
Look how prepared I was for this situation…"
This book made me feel warm and fuzzy all over again. At first, like the first 3 or 4 chapters, I was kind of confused, waiting for the story to become catchy, but after that it was a definite page turner. Special thanks to Zoe Carstairs-Herondale-Blackford for the recommendation and enthusiasm - honestly, this is why I love GoodReads: it helps you find great books and people.
It's a nice and easy to follow contemporary fantasy novel, part of a series of 4 books, each one focused on a different MC. It has plenty of romance and teasing, involves traveling to magical worlds and it has dragons (now honestly, do you think that a book with hot, dark and brooding males and dragons isn't something worth reading ?!?!). Before you ask: there's no spice and no love triangle, in case anything from my review might wrongfully point in that direction.
"I wanted to ask what the big deal was with the Darkens, besides the fact that they were blessed with money and great genetics."
》》The Plot《《
After the tragic deaths of her parents, Emma Walters is left with their best friends who become her guardians and keep changing towns, having and obsession with the paranormal. Moving to Astoria, Oregon, Emma is forced to face something she has been dismissing for the past 8 months: maybe not everything is as it seems. Especially when the new town and high-school seem to be ruled by the Elite, gorgeous people who seem far to perfect for this world. And when her guardians go missing, Emma is decided to break all the rules to find and bring them back.
“Are they real?” I finally said, wrenching my eyes from the view and turning to Cara.
She wore a knowing smirk. “I’ve touched them once or twice, accidentally on purpose. They’re definitely real.”
》》Characters and Relationships《《
👩🏻🦰 Emma Walters
She's easy to follow through the story and definitely willing to do whatever it takes for those she loves. Emma wasn't one of my favorite main characters, but she wasn't as annoying as I've been warned she'll be, so maybe my expectations simply weren't very high for her. Her relationships throughout the story were definitely interesting though and I enjoyed her rebellious side.
🧑🏻💼🧑🏻🧖🏻 The Darkens
“I’m on to you, buddy. You’re the suave one. Marsil is the nice one. Lexen is the—”
“Asshole,” the man in question interrupted me. I hadn’t even realized he had stopped and was waiting for us by the front door. “I’m the asshole.”
Hot, dark, mysterious and perfect for your list of book boyfriends would be a pretty accurate way to describe them. My point? You can fangirl over them a lot and even though Lexen was obviously meant to be the one we would swoon over, Jero stole the show sometimes. I liked them and I'm really looking forward to see more of them in the next books.
👩🏻🦰🧑🏻💼 Emma and Lexen
'I stuck my tongue out at him. I hadn’t meant to, but somehow it slipped out.
He growled, getting in close to my face. “Don’t. Push. Me.”
I pushed him. Literally.
Shit. What was wrong with me?'
I might have a soft spot for Jero, but their relationship is definitely the only way to go. The banter and honestly their entire interaction was goals; sort of enemies to lovers but not exactly that, with plenty scenes that made me grin like an idiot while reading them.
👦🏼 Daniel Imperial
"His lips twisted into a grin and I realized there was a deep dimple carved into his cheeks. Jesus … Lexen had hot friends."
I'm guessing he's gonna be the love interest in the next book, because the way I'm expecting this is to see each new keeper with one of the Heirs from each House and I honestly can't wait to see that. Here, Daniel was the perfect side character and I'm really looking forward to his love story.
A shout-out for Star Darken, Cara and Ben - I really liked them as side characters and I think they gave a nice touch to the story.
》》Favorite Scenes 《《
👩🏻🦰👩🏽 Cara sharing with Emma all the gossip about the Elite
👩🏻🦰🧑🏻💼 Emma breaking down in front of Lexen
"He let out a low curse and dropped my arm. I expected him to run away – hello, crying teenage girl was boy kryptonite – but he didn’t. He stepped forward and wrapped me up in both of his arms, pulling me close to his body. Holy crap. He might be an asshole, but he gave good hugs."
🐉 the dragons
👨👩👧👧 meeting Mommy and Daddy Darken
👩🏻🦰🧑🏻💼 Emma making Lexen jealous
'His gaze lowered to my hands, which were still flat against Jero’s chest. I lifted one brow, narrowing my eyes on him. What? my expression said.
He opened his mouth, but at the same time Roland said something and Lexen had to turn away to answer his father. All breath rushed out of me.
Jero chuckled again. “As much as I enjoy your hands on me,” he drawled, “making Lexen jealous is a bad idea. You’re playing with fire.” '
💋 the kiss
👦🏼 Daniel showing up
❓ the ending that sets up perfectly the narrative for the next book
》》Conclusion《《
I liked it and I want more. Do I recommend it? Yes.
It gave me a bit of Twilight vibes, even though I've never read the books. The beginning kind of reminded me of Bella meeting the Cullens as that friend of hers (she was played by Anna Kendrick and I honestly don't remember her name) was spilling the tea about them and their intriguing family.
“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?” he asked me.
I grinned and winked. “Mostly for kidnapping me.”
His laughter joined mine. “Now that I’ve got you, I’m never letting you go.”
“Goddamn Stockholm syndrome.”
June 3, 2018
Everything about this book intrigued me - from its cover and title to its description. Plus, you know, Jaymin Eve wrote it, so I had expectations from the start. And... some of them payed out, some didn't.
The whole book was like something between the Lux series and Twilight, with a few Judgment of the six elements here and there. There was a lot to focus on and many things did not make sense to me (mainly some of the characters actions). But I liked it. I liked the history and the other world (even though I wouldn't have minded a better description of it) and I liked the characters and I liked the humor. I just wished we spend more time actually interacting and bonding with the guys and getting to know everyone. I didn't get enough of that basic communication between the characters.
And the relationship, I just didn't feel it. Again, maybe if more time was spent on forming the bond between Emma and Lexen, I would've founded it easier to believe in their feelings. But as it is, the whole thing just felt kind of forced.
Anyway, the overall impression I got from the story is a good one and I'm looking forward to reading more. But I do hope that the future books are a little better than this one was.
The whole book was like something between the Lux series and Twilight, with a few Judgment of the six elements here and there. There was a lot to focus on and many things did not make sense to me (mainly some of the characters actions). But I liked it. I liked the history and the other world (even though I wouldn't have minded a better description of it) and I liked the characters and I liked the humor. I just wished we spend more time actually interacting and bonding with the guys and getting to know everyone. I didn't get enough of that basic communication between the characters.
And the relationship, I just didn't feel it. Again, maybe if more time was spent on forming the bond between Emma and Lexen, I would've founded it easier to believe in their feelings. But as it is, the whole thing just felt kind of forced.
Anyway, the overall impression I got from the story is a good one and I'm looking forward to reading more. But I do hope that the future books are a little better than this one was.
June 7, 2018
I had no idea what to expect going into this book but I really loved it.
1) There’s a Roswell (TV show) feel to it. And I loved Roswell.
2) One word: dragons.
3) Gruff, alpha, protective and sweet hero.
4) Spunky, brave, and funny heroine.
5) Great secondary cast of characters.
6) A fantastic storyline with a good pace, thrilling scenes, humor and feels.
Man, oh man! I cannot wait to read the next book!
1) There’s a Roswell (TV show) feel to it. And I loved Roswell.
2) One word: dragons.
3) Gruff, alpha, protective and sweet hero.
4) Spunky, brave, and funny heroine.
5) Great secondary cast of characters.
6) A fantastic storyline with a good pace, thrilling scenes, humor and feels.
Man, oh man! I cannot wait to read the next book!
November 6, 2022
Such fun trash, I don’t know what to tell you! I reread sections of this all the time just for amusement and entertainment. So great :)
December 25, 2020
DNF @ 28% 1.5 stars
I really need to start picking up better books- this is my 3rd DNF in a row. I should have known, as I also DNF'd one of Jaymin Eve's other books, Trickery. I decided to try this one as a light YA paranormal adventure/romance but I couldn't do it. This book features the all-too-common dumbass heroine with a dash of meh writing and a side of characterization whiplash.
First I want to say that it isn't all bad. I actually enjoyed the beginning of this book- Eve did a good job of setting an eerie and mysterious tone which, if the rest of the book was executed properly, could have been something that sets this book apart (in a good way) from other YA books. Also
I enjoyed how we didn't know what the Darkens were which just added to the intrigue and mystery. Unfortunately it seems like so many YA authors have issues writing female main characters and this is no exception.
Eight months after her biological parents died in a house fire, Emma is moving with her guardians to Astoria, Oregon and upon arrival, weird things start to happen. Her new neighborhood is filled with mansions on one side of the street and shacks on the other, and she's ordered not to cross to the "rich side" of her street. She got a scholarship to the local private school which so happens to be the place where her rich neighbors go to school as well. Stuff is weirdly segregated and no one really knows whats going on, least of all, Emma.
Okay so first I want to say that the writing is not fabulous, and there are many aspects of it that feel forced. Whenever diversity is mentioned it feels like it's more of a checklist for brownie points instead of just being normal about it. It felt like diversity was used as a way to say "hey! look! This book is extra super diverse and I'm going to make a big deal about it even though it doesn't have anything to do with the plot." It felt a bit like tokenization.
My next issue was that the FMC, Emma, was just a classic immature heroine whose actions don't make a ton of sense. Once she's captured by the Darkens, she goes from reckless to scared to angry to crying to sassy to flirting to pissy all in the matter of 5 minutes. I really, really hate this. She experiences freaky paranormal shenanigans for the first time in her life and instead of freaking out, the next thing I know she's flirting with her captor. Lmao NO. This is the kind of stuff I really hate. Authors: please make your characters make sense. I'm so over wacky FMCs that have the emotional maturity of a 5 year old.
I hate when authors try to justify something that a character does by saying "I don't know why, but I trusted him." or "Why was I acting so weird?" in the narrative. As if admitting that the character's actions are strange or without a sound rationale somehow justifies the character's wack behavior.
I've just read a bunch of books in a row with crappy characters so I have a pretty low tolerance for this kind of stuff now.
I really need to start picking up better books- this is my 3rd DNF in a row. I should have known, as I also DNF'd one of Jaymin Eve's other books, Trickery. I decided to try this one as a light YA paranormal adventure/romance but I couldn't do it. This book features the all-too-common dumbass heroine with a dash of meh writing and a side of characterization whiplash.
First I want to say that it isn't all bad. I actually enjoyed the beginning of this book- Eve did a good job of setting an eerie and mysterious tone which, if the rest of the book was executed properly, could have been something that sets this book apart (in a good way) from other YA books. Also
I enjoyed how we didn't know what the Darkens were which just added to the intrigue and mystery. Unfortunately it seems like so many YA authors have issues writing female main characters and this is no exception.
Eight months after her biological parents died in a house fire, Emma is moving with her guardians to Astoria, Oregon and upon arrival, weird things start to happen. Her new neighborhood is filled with mansions on one side of the street and shacks on the other, and she's ordered not to cross to the "rich side" of her street. She got a scholarship to the local private school which so happens to be the place where her rich neighbors go to school as well. Stuff is weirdly segregated and no one really knows whats going on, least of all, Emma.
Okay so first I want to say that the writing is not fabulous, and there are many aspects of it that feel forced. Whenever diversity is mentioned it feels like it's more of a checklist for brownie points instead of just being normal about it. It felt like diversity was used as a way to say "hey! look! This book is extra super diverse and I'm going to make a big deal about it even though it doesn't have anything to do with the plot." It felt a bit like tokenization.
My next issue was that the FMC, Emma, was just a classic immature heroine whose actions don't make a ton of sense. Once she's captured by the Darkens, she goes from reckless to scared to angry to crying to sassy to flirting to pissy all in the matter of 5 minutes. I really, really hate this. She experiences freaky paranormal shenanigans for the first time in her life and instead of freaking out, the next thing I know she's flirting with her captor. Lmao NO. This is the kind of stuff I really hate. Authors: please make your characters make sense. I'm so over wacky FMCs that have the emotional maturity of a 5 year old.
I hate when authors try to justify something that a character does by saying "I don't know why, but I trusted him." or "Why was I acting so weird?" in the narrative. As if admitting that the character's actions are strange or without a sound rationale somehow justifies the character's wack behavior.
I've just read a bunch of books in a row with crappy characters so I have a pretty low tolerance for this kind of stuff now.
June 12, 2018
Sweet and a natural progression of a relationship instead of insta-bonding stuff. The story was inventive enough with the supernatural world (don't want to spoil what they actually turn out being for those who haven't read it, it takes a bit to reveal). Looks like the second book goes with someone new from the existing group with a new girl, as each find their match. All ties into an overlying plot that's decently creative on tying the four girls together with the four males. Snarky humor and a heroine who is clumsy and flawed made it work better than falling into the traditional too-good-to-be-true mary sue types. Full review to come.
June 13, 2018
2-2.5 Stars.
I thought this was just an okay read, it was too short to have so much going on. The romance was hard to believe, it went from zero feelings to 100% in love, in maybe like two days. There were not enough of time spent on developing the characters, nor the relationships. Even the friendships felt superficial, and not believable. Also, sometime Emma has really bizarre, illogical train of thoughts which I just can't understand.
Overall, the concept and the plot of the book were both interesting, but the execution of the book falls short for me.
I thought this was just an okay read, it was too short to have so much going on. The romance was hard to believe, it went from zero feelings to 100% in love, in maybe like two days. There were not enough of time spent on developing the characters, nor the relationships. Even the friendships felt superficial, and not believable. Also, sometime Emma has really bizarre, illogical train of thoughts which I just can't understand.
Overall, the concept and the plot of the book were both interesting, but the execution of the book falls short for me.
July 20, 2018
Hahaha, this has to be a joke! How does a book like this even get published? This is what happens when authors push out 5 books a year! DO NOT LET ALL THE 5 STAR REVIEWS FOOL YOU! THIS IS SHIT! This book is really bad.
The plot is as if someone mashed up Meyer's Twilight with Armentrout's Obsidian and shat on it.
I would say something about the structure ... but that's not possible considering there was no structure to be found. I had to go back pages to re-read parts because it just didn't make any sense.
This book was a mess and thank God I did not have to pay for it.
The plot is as if someone mashed up Meyer's Twilight with Armentrout's Obsidian and shat on it.
I would say something about the structure ... but that's not possible considering there was no structure to be found. I had to go back pages to re-read parts because it just didn't make any sense.
This book was a mess and thank God I did not have to pay for it.
June 4, 2018
2.5 Stars.
Meh is pretty much the word to describe this. I finished it and I'll probably check out the next book in the series because I dug the world building but I sincerely hope the next leads are much more interesting.
Meh is pretty much the word to describe this. I finished it and I'll probably check out the next book in the series because I dug the world building but I sincerely hope the next leads are much more interesting.
May 30, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is an amazing start to a new series! Every time one of my favourite authors starts a new series I get nervous that I'm not going to like it but every time I get reminded why they are are a favourite - they know how to write, create characters you love or hate, and build a world so real that you feel like you are there with the characters as they go through various life challenges and events, and Jaymin is an author that always delivers. I love this new world that Jaymin has created for readers to explore and immerse themselves in. I can't wait for future books but I also have so many questions that I hope get answered from book 1...
This is an amazing start to a new series! Every time one of my favourite authors starts a new series I get nervous that I'm not going to like it but every time I get reminded why they are are a favourite - they know how to write, create characters you love or hate, and build a world so real that you feel like you are there with the characters as they go through various life challenges and events, and Jaymin is an author that always delivers. I love this new world that Jaymin has created for readers to explore and immerse themselves in. I can't wait for future books but I also have so many questions that I hope get answered from book 1...
July 21, 2018
4.5 stars
Really enjoyed this. Definitely got me out of my book slump. I am excited to read the rest of the series.
HEA
Cheating/OW/OM
Any push/pull
Any couple separation
Instant Love:
Angst Level: Medium
Heat Level: Low
Really enjoyed this. Definitely got me out of my book slump. I am excited to read the rest of the series.
HEA
Cheating/OW/OM
Any push/pull
Any couple separation
Instant Love:
Angst Level: Medium
Heat Level: Low
December 2, 2018
This had so much potential but it was overshadowed by the heroine's constant thoughts and grief. If the balance between her grief, growth, the plot and romance had been handled better this could have been nearer 5 stars, but as it stands everything was just okay for me and no doubt by next week I would have forgotten it altogether.
June 11, 2018
3.5 Stars
I borrowed this book with kindle unlimited and as I was reading I kept thinking this reminds me so much of that reverse harem series Trickery. It was so much so that I got on here to see if it was a reverse harem story. It’s not, but then I realized it is the same author 🤦🏼♀️
All that to say, if you like Jaymin Eve, you’ll like this book. It’s a similar style, in fact I thought man this author is ripping off that other series. Whoops.
It takes a while for the plot to get going. When it finally does, it really doesn’t slow down. There’s not a lot of development in the romance of the book. I didn’t really feel either character knew each other well enough to have a romance. The time was spent with world building and laying the foundation for the new series.
It seems like each book will have a different main character and love interest from each of the Houses. The preview for the next book looks interesting, I’ll read it when it comes out.
3.5 Stars - free on kindle unlimited
I borrowed this book with kindle unlimited and as I was reading I kept thinking this reminds me so much of that reverse harem series Trickery. It was so much so that I got on here to see if it was a reverse harem story. It’s not, but then I realized it is the same author 🤦🏼♀️
All that to say, if you like Jaymin Eve, you’ll like this book. It’s a similar style, in fact I thought man this author is ripping off that other series. Whoops.
It takes a while for the plot to get going. When it finally does, it really doesn’t slow down. There’s not a lot of development in the romance of the book. I didn’t really feel either character knew each other well enough to have a romance. The time was spent with world building and laying the foundation for the new series.
It seems like each book will have a different main character and love interest from each of the Houses. The preview for the next book looks interesting, I’ll read it when it comes out.
3.5 Stars - free on kindle unlimited
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
October 23, 2022Dnf @ page 85
This is litetally like Twilight's twin but if it were like the younger less gifted child and it tried to copy everything the eldest and more popular twin did but it turned out wrong
This is litetally like Twilight's twin but if it were like the younger less gifted child and it tried to copy everything the eldest and more popular twin did but it turned out wrong
November 5, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5stars
July 22, 2018
If you've read the blurb and still not sure what this is all about (like me) then read on!
Emma (orphaned and living with guardians) moves to a new town where the gated community they are renting in is split between the ordinary people and the "elite". Emma is told not to cross onto the other side of the road. This segregation is continued through to the new school she attends. The school is super wealthy and very modern boarding on futuristic. Scholarship students like Emma and the Elite are worlds apart and it all very discriminatory and prejudiced against the lower class.
When Emma's guardians go missing she attempts to find them by crossing the line to the other side of the road Dun Dun DUNNNNNN
Well Mr chicken for starters you could be discovered by the Elites and taken hostige
The blurb says she gets kidnapped but its a weak kidnapping at best.
If you have every read any other series by Jaymin then I can tell you, this is all of Jaymins novels rolled into one. Its got elements of all her series- Curse of the Gods, Walker series, Dragon Marked. With a little bit of a "twilight" feel thrown in for luck.
So its safe to say of you enjoyed any or all of those then you'll dig this.
Its standalone so its pretty packed and moves swiftly along. I can even forgive the instalove because it is standalone and Emma was a very likeable MC. Usually the teenager heroines can be annoying but I thought she was very rational in the circumstances.
It's a crime its not a RH Its totally perfect for it.
Book 2 will move along to the next of the 4 main "houses" of the elites. I'm sure Emma will feature in more of the series but her main story is finished. The Imperial guy seemed cool so I'll probably pick up the next at some stage but I'm not rushing for it. It was a good read but I'm not jumping for joy either.
Emma (orphaned and living with guardians) moves to a new town where the gated community they are renting in is split between the ordinary people and the "elite". Emma is told not to cross onto the other side of the road. This segregation is continued through to the new school she attends. The school is super wealthy and very modern boarding on futuristic. Scholarship students like Emma and the Elite are worlds apart and it all very discriminatory and prejudiced against the lower class.
When Emma's guardians go missing she attempts to find them by crossing the line to the other side of the road Dun Dun DUNNNNNN
Well Mr chicken for starters you could be discovered by the Elites and taken hostige
The blurb says she gets kidnapped but its a weak kidnapping at best.
If you have every read any other series by Jaymin then I can tell you, this is all of Jaymins novels rolled into one. Its got elements of all her series- Curse of the Gods, Walker series, Dragon Marked. With a little bit of a "twilight" feel thrown in for luck.
So its safe to say of you enjoyed any or all of those then you'll dig this.
Its standalone so its pretty packed and moves swiftly along. I can even forgive the instalove because it is standalone and Emma was a very likeable MC. Usually the teenager heroines can be annoying but I thought she was very rational in the circumstances.
It's a crime its not a RH Its totally perfect for it.
Book 2 will move along to the next of the 4 main "houses" of the elites. I'm sure Emma will feature in more of the series but her main story is finished. The Imperial guy seemed cool so I'll probably pick up the next at some stage but I'm not rushing for it. It was a good read but I'm not jumping for joy either.
August 9, 2019
This was actually a ton of fun to read. I got a lot of twilight vibes. Okay, Bella vibes to be clear.
You know, from California, moved to this new place that basically doesn't really exist on maps it's that small.
Unpredictable, cold, rainy weather.
The "too good to be human" siblings that rule the school.
The chirpy friend who loves to hate but secretly can't stop herself from "fantasizing" and gossiping about said "too good to be human" people.
h being a misfit, athletically challenged, y'all get the picture!
I wished the series centred on just one couple instead of each book being a standalone or even varying POVs throughout the series so every couple gets screen time with ample exploration. Cramming it all into one just made it so rushed, stunted character development and honestly, it made the "romance" hilarious! I mean laugh out loud at these kids and their cliches hilarious.
But as always, I enjoy everything Jaymin Eve puts out and this was no exception.
June 1, 2018
3 stars
House of Darken by Jaymin Eve is a book I've been looking forward to reading - I really enjoy reading this author's books, with paranormal/fantasy reads definitely a favourite of mine.
I did find it a little slow initially, but the pace picked up and I was more interested in the storyline in the second half of the book. Same with Emma and Lexen - I wasn't really feeling the chemistry between them for the majority of the story, but the story interested me enough by the end that I will definitely continue with the series. Overall I did like the story ( not loved - hence the 3 stars ).
What I did love was the sneak peek for the next book that was included at the end of this one - Callie appears to be a lot more prepared than Emma was ( physically at least ). She's definitely a lot more co-ordinated than Emma!!
House of Darken by Jaymin Eve is a book I've been looking forward to reading - I really enjoy reading this author's books, with paranormal/fantasy reads definitely a favourite of mine.
I did find it a little slow initially, but the pace picked up and I was more interested in the storyline in the second half of the book. Same with Emma and Lexen - I wasn't really feeling the chemistry between them for the majority of the story, but the story interested me enough by the end that I will definitely continue with the series. Overall I did like the story ( not loved - hence the 3 stars ).
What I did love was the sneak peek for the next book that was included at the end of this one - Callie appears to be a lot more prepared than Emma was ( physically at least ). She's definitely a lot more co-ordinated than Emma!!
May 10, 2018
Amazing start of this series!!!... I'm already a fan of Jaymin, so it's not a surprise I loved this new book... It's so well written, good pace and fluent... I like the story line a lot, the mystery around "the elites" is so good, you don't expect what they really are once you find out... Emma is a strong, intelligent, really good person, who values every single person despite their origin... The elites are so arrogant and offensive to them, but she is so drawn into their world, that ends in her breaking the simple rule of no crossing to their side... And so it begins this amazing story, where mystery, new friendships, adventure, danger, struggle and, of course, love, will keep you reading and wanting for more... Jaymin did it again!!! ❤️🤗
May 31, 2018
This one misses the mark for me....
Usually I like the authors work but something here just was off. The MC never heard of Snapchat but was in regular high school a year ago?
Her guardians were missing how long before she was ready to call the cops?
Few other things that just didn’t make sense.
I just didn’t get the relationship at all. What drew Lex in? All her crying?
Gave a star for the interesting world and plot, another for editing.
Usually I like the authors work but something here just was off. The MC never heard of Snapchat but was in regular high school a year ago?
Her guardians were missing how long before she was ready to call the cops?
Few other things that just didn’t make sense.
I just didn’t get the relationship at all. What drew Lex in? All her crying?
Gave a star for the interesting world and plot, another for editing.
June 15, 2018
**** 4.5 AWESOME STARS ****
I really enjoyed Jaymin's paranormal tale. The male characters are all great to read, one, in particular, is a bit mischievous. I enjoyed discovering the world Jaymin created.
I'm very much looking forward to House of Imperial which releases 15th June. Oh, it's live now!
Off I go to one click. :)
I really enjoyed Jaymin's paranormal tale. The male characters are all great to read, one, in particular, is a bit mischievous. I enjoyed discovering the world Jaymin created.
I'm very much looking forward to House of Imperial which releases 15th June. Oh, it's live now!
Off I go to one click. :)
May 30, 2018
3.5 - 3.75. Haven't really decided - rounding up for now.
June 17, 2018
I enjoyed it more then I thought I would. 4 colour me surprise stars
September 27, 2018
Wow what a fantastic book! Jaymin always delivers in every way possible 😍😍😍
I don’t even know how to start... its just wow! 🙌🙌🙌
I love the House of Darken!
The main family is just so likable and Lexen is so sexy! Yes he was an asshole at 1st but Emma just gives it right back from the moment they met.
I was worried Emma would be a weak human with no back bone... but I loved her badass attitude, and really enjoyed her as a main character!
I love the slow build up of romance... not to fast and did not drag out either!
I love Lexen’s Alpha personally, pushy, dominating, and stubborn... but also allows Emma to push back with out sounded like a cock or her sounding bitchy like some books I read!
I like the ending and how Jaymin slowly brings in the the start of a new book with new main characters... and I just want to read more!
If you love Paranormal, Fantasy, Alpha men,
And Romance you shall love this new series!
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t even know how to start... its just wow! 🙌🙌🙌
I love the House of Darken!
The main family is just so likable and Lexen is so sexy! Yes he was an asshole at 1st but Emma just gives it right back from the moment they met.
I was worried Emma would be a weak human with no back bone... but I loved her badass attitude, and really enjoyed her as a main character!
I love the slow build up of romance... not to fast and did not drag out either!
I love Lexen’s Alpha personally, pushy, dominating, and stubborn... but also allows Emma to push back with out sounded like a cock or her sounding bitchy like some books I read!
I like the ending and how Jaymin slowly brings in the the start of a new book with new main characters... and I just want to read more!
If you love Paranormal, Fantasy, Alpha men,
And Romance you shall love this new series!
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 12, 2018
The book House of Darken by Jaymin Eve was not worth it at all.
One quote from the heroine, in her beloved role of commenting her own spoken words like an idiot, stood out to me in the end and described the book perfectly for me.
...”My stuttered exclamation would make no sense to anyone, mostly because the jumbled thoughts in my head made no sense to me.”...
The writing style was a disaster, I couldn’t imagine one described surrounding really clearly, besides the inside of a house. That is not a goal in a fantasy book.
The heroine commented in her inner monologues on almost every single word she said out loud. Not to mention the silly repetitions. Useless, boring and uncreative. It isn’t enough we get to be told how unathletic the main female character is once or twice, no it is on repeat like a broken record. Over and over again. Not to mention the crying and sobbing, over and over again. There was little to no substance to this book at all. Awful writing to be exact.
The side characters didn’t play any significant role or were very memorable. All characters were stereotypical and superficial, despite insisting they weren’t.
The main protagonists didn’t had real developed characters at all. The author actually managed on one page to make the heroine cry in desperation, from getting numb of all feelings, to grief in support and back to happy and passionate. Idiotic. This was absolutely not thought through or authentic or in any way a professional performance at all.
Then there is the ridiculousness of all Aliens looking like supermodels. Why can’t they just look like an interesting species, with distinct features of their own and habitual evolutions?!? Are we “humans” so focused on outer beauty and superficiality that it is necessary to do that? Does it sell more books? Or is it just easier to write like that?
The world building was lustreless, as if the author just put ideas from various already existing books and genres together, to build something, I still have no clue what, it was loveless and with no effort or professionalism. The world building and the plot had so many holes, inconsistencies and unanswered questions, how could that have passed an editor or let alone be published at all.
The book took place in a time span of a couple of weeks, we had underdeveloped and eye rolling insta love with a soppy profession of endless love at the end of it. With convenient plot changes, and info dumping with nothing to back that up, nothing substantial at all. Only the fact to make the storyline work.
I am sorry, but I expect more from a book.
One quote from the heroine, in her beloved role of commenting her own spoken words like an idiot, stood out to me in the end and described the book perfectly for me.
...”My stuttered exclamation would make no sense to anyone, mostly because the jumbled thoughts in my head made no sense to me.”...
The writing style was a disaster, I couldn’t imagine one described surrounding really clearly, besides the inside of a house. That is not a goal in a fantasy book.
The heroine commented in her inner monologues on almost every single word she said out loud. Not to mention the silly repetitions. Useless, boring and uncreative. It isn’t enough we get to be told how unathletic the main female character is once or twice, no it is on repeat like a broken record. Over and over again. Not to mention the crying and sobbing, over and over again. There was little to no substance to this book at all. Awful writing to be exact.
The side characters didn’t play any significant role or were very memorable. All characters were stereotypical and superficial, despite insisting they weren’t.
The main protagonists didn’t had real developed characters at all. The author actually managed on one page to make the heroine cry in desperation, from getting numb of all feelings, to grief in support and back to happy and passionate. Idiotic. This was absolutely not thought through or authentic or in any way a professional performance at all.
Then there is the ridiculousness of all Aliens looking like supermodels. Why can’t they just look like an interesting species, with distinct features of their own and habitual evolutions?!? Are we “humans” so focused on outer beauty and superficiality that it is necessary to do that? Does it sell more books? Or is it just easier to write like that?
The world building was lustreless, as if the author just put ideas from various already existing books and genres together, to build something, I still have no clue what, it was loveless and with no effort or professionalism. The world building and the plot had so many holes, inconsistencies and unanswered questions, how could that have passed an editor or let alone be published at all.
The book took place in a time span of a couple of weeks, we had underdeveloped and eye rolling insta love with a soppy profession of endless love at the end of it. With convenient plot changes, and info dumping with nothing to back that up, nothing substantial at all. Only the fact to make the storyline work.
I am sorry, but I expect more from a book.
July 2, 2018
DNF at 55%
I just
How
How is this book so highly rated...
Enjoyed Twilight a decade ago? Never seen the movie? Never been part of the craze? Needing a fanfic? This book is for you!
It has:
-An MC who is basic af
-nonexistent, conveniently absent parents who don’t have a real job and the MC is just going with it and is like okay we are living in poverty
-has to describe her outfit each time she wears it like I’m shopping through a Hollister catalogue
-there’s an Alice because of course
-hot mysterious guy, happens to be THE HOTTEST guy
-insta love because the girl is just So Special
-the side characters exist to make the MC look better and, oh yeah, there’s the Token Gay who exists BECAUSE he is gay, not because he’s actually important. Which, honestly, may be the most infuriating thing.
Honestly I didn’t care about the characters, the world building was lackluster and had little to no effort, the side characters and the parents/guardians were completely useless, and the whole thing came off as lazy. Really disappointed in this one.
I just
How
How is this book so highly rated...
Enjoyed Twilight a decade ago? Never seen the movie? Never been part of the craze? Needing a fanfic? This book is for you!
It has:
-An MC who is basic af
-nonexistent, conveniently absent parents who don’t have a real job and the MC is just going with it and is like okay we are living in poverty
-has to describe her outfit each time she wears it like I’m shopping through a Hollister catalogue
-there’s an Alice because of course
-hot mysterious guy, happens to be THE HOTTEST guy
-insta love because the girl is just So Special
-the side characters exist to make the MC look better and, oh yeah, there’s the Token Gay who exists BECAUSE he is gay, not because he’s actually important. Which, honestly, may be the most infuriating thing.
Honestly I didn’t care about the characters, the world building was lackluster and had little to no effort, the side characters and the parents/guardians were completely useless, and the whole thing came off as lazy. Really disappointed in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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