Every Last Breath - Jennifer L Armentrout

Every Last Breath – Jennifer L Armentrout

Every Last breath is the third and final book in Jennifer’s Dark Elements series, continuing on with 17 year old Layla’s story.  I am going to have to keep this review fairly short and sweet, as I do not want to contain spoilers in it, all be it the synopsis/blurb will be enough spoiler information as it is. But the Dark Elements series has been another of Jennifer’s series that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I think it’s safe to say I am addicted to her novels, and cannot get enough of them.

‘Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…’

As with most series I am consistently wary of the final book, and just how things will be wrapped up and finished. Either with a silly rushed ending or loose ends needing to be tied up, leaving you completely unsure of what exactly went on in the end. With this series however, from what I gained from it, the majority of these were tied up. Other than one thing that I really want to know about….Bambi…what happened after….(that is all i am going to say on that matter) I felt that this was a great conclusion to the series, I certainly got the ending I wanted, and I thought it was amazing that Jennifer allowed her viewers to decide who Layla ended up with in the end, and I am incredibly happy with the end result.

Every Last Breath picks up exactly where White Hot Kiss left off, throwing us right back into that jaw dropping moment that was just left with us at the end of the second book, and that we had to suffer waiting for with this one...ok…I didn’t suffer that much, as I only read the series recently, so had all of a month…but a month to wait was hard enough, so who knows how I would have survived longer!!!!

Layla throughout this book has one massive burden to carry on her shoulders, the guilt and heartache she feels over the Lillin, the destruction it has caused. I really and truly felt for her in this book, so many heart-breaking moments, that at times were just too much to handle even as a reader. However, I also loved the change she went through. It was like she grew up very quickly, handling that responsibility, finally coming to a decision over who to be with. How to resolve this situation they were in, all in turn attempting to stop the apocalypse…So just an average 17 year olds day to day problems really...

I love the relationship between Roth and Cayman in this book, an almost bromance! Cayman certainly provided some humour in those dark moments. Something Jennifer is always able to bring into her novels to lighten that mood up.

I enjoyed the turn in Zayne’s character, appearing more vulnerable than in previous books. He has a lot put on him in the end, but he seems to handle it ok, not falling apart too much like any other person would. His regret over what his clan did to Layla, was constantly evident throughout. It wasn’t his fault at all but that guilt still sat with him.

Roth, brilliant as always, but the main thing…we get to see Thumper!

Lillith, one word….hmmmm, even if that is probably not really classed as a word, and more a noise. I cannot make her out, what happened near the end, I don’t know, it seemed like a complete turn in how she is usually perceived. But then is it, as it could also be a selfish act. I guess we will never know.

The Boss, can I just say I loved them! I know they are the main head honcho of Hell, but the way Jennifer wrote this character, you truly feared them, but there was something about them, a humour and sass, that I found so endearing, that I would love to know more about their character…and Morris!?!?! I mean what? Or should I say who?!?!?!

The ending to this book was heart breaking; there is so much I want to say about the feels I got from this ending. But know that by discussing it would be to ruin it for others, which I really don’t want to do. But it was brave, strong, brilliant and incredibly sad. However it was all completely perfect. Jennifer really has a way to just suck you straight into the story she writes, spins you around whilst on the journey, and then throws you out at the end, looking like one dishevelled mess of a person, physically and mentally! Such a bumpy journey, and yet such a brilliant story, with some truly amazing characters.

I would highly recommend the Dark Elements series, along with any of Jennifer L Armentrout books, as she is truly an amazing writer, she brings these worlds alive that you easily become so involved and lost in, that you are left dazed and confused when you come out and have to face reality. I could forever lose myself in the pages of her books. So if you love a paranormal, romance novel, then these will be perfect for you.

I have given this book 4 out of 5 stars.