Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Wicked
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Page Count: 300
Rating: A
Keywords: New Orleans, Fae, Supernatural, Apocalypse
Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Younger Readers: Detailed sexual content, older readers only

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

My Review:

If you are familiar with Jennifer L. Armentrout's books then you know that you are in for a fun read. The stories are always fast paced and engaging with intriguing paranormal elements throughout. Wicked did not disappoint in the regard at all.

Ivy is a relatable character that never comes across as whiny. I felt that she was a fun mix between the romance stereotype of helpless girl and the steely hard heroine I would expect in some dystopian. She has her moments, but she is far more kick-ass than a damsel in distress.

Our male leads are the hot but troubled Ren and the feisty pixie Tink. No, this isn't a love triangle. Both characters add to Ivy's character is delightful ways, showing her strength and compassion. Tink also is a great source of comic relief for the potentially heavy story line of the apocalypse.

Last week I reviewed Fifty Shades of Grey and mentioned that the sex scenes were surprisingly awkward for the book being such a popular erotica novel. Wicked has fewer full sex scenes but the build and tension between Ivy and Ren was far sexier than I would have expected.

If you are looking for a fun read and maybe want to start a trilogy you should definitely give this book a try. It is fun, fast paced, and hot.