#Review - Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout #YALIT #Fantasy

Series: The Harbinger Series (#1)
Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Release Date: June 11, 2019
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA / Fantasy / Contemporary

Jennifer L. Armentrout, the #1 New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of the Dark Elements novels and the Lux series, returns with book 1 of The Harbinger trilogy, a contemporary fantasy set in the world of her New York Times bestselling Dark Elements series. 


Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shapeshifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.
When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…
 

 

Storm and Fury is the first installment in author Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Harbinger series. In this universe, gargoyle shapeshifters are sworn to guard humanity from the evils of the underworld. One guardian is about to meet a girl with an explosive secret. Should she fall into the wrong hands, her unique powers could unleash an all-out supernatural war. FYI, this is actually a spin-off from the authors Dark Elements series. So, if you have read that series, well done! 

If you're like me who hasn't, I am pretty sure you will be OK without having done so. The story takes place 7 months after the ending of Every Last Breath. In Storm and Fury, readers will meet 18-year old Trinity Marrow, as well as Zayne, who is a returning character from the Dark Elements series. In this world, Wardens don't mix with Humans, but they do stand against demons who try to use human as fodder. For most of the Wardens in the compound where Trinity lives, most consider her to be human and nothing special.  

A few of them like Thierry and Matthew, know of her hidden secret as well as who her father is. A secret that if discovered, could lead to an apocalyptic war where nobody wins. Trinity has been training and protected by Gargoyles for as long as she remembers. Trinity also has the ability to see spirits, ghosts, and other forms of beings who have died and either not crossed over, or crossed over and decided they had unfinished business to take care of. Trinity is bound to her Warden Gargoyle, Misha who is like a brother to her. 

She has spent the past year mourning the loss of her mother. She blames herself for not being strong enough to prevent it from happening. Trinity is more than capable of recognizing when danger is near, so that mistake weighs heavily on her conscious. She might be a bit reckless, but she could also be considered fearless. What makes Trinity so different from other characters in this series, is the fact suffers from a real life debilitation to her eyes called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) that will eventually lead to complete blindness. 

But, that doesn't stop Trinity. I liked Trinity even with her dire situation with her real life affection to her eye sight. She is smart, physically strong, and not all sparkles and sunshine. She isn't perfect, and nobody should believe that any of these characters would be. Not with her past. Not with her hidden parentage. Not with Upper Level Demons wanting to get their hands on her. 

The author held a pretty decent mystery as to who Trinity's real father is until the very end of the story. Nope, no spoilers from me! I liked Peanut as well. Always nice to have a snarky ghost around to keep things moving. I warmed up to Zayne by the time the book ended so that's a good sign that I will probably read the second book once it is released. Fans of the previous series will be happy to see Layla as well as Stony, the demon who she fell in love with. There is still something left unsaid between Layla and Zayne, and I dare hope that it is finally over. If you read the previous series, I am sure you will have your own opinions about Layla and what she did to Zayne. 

**As someone who has suffers from severe cataracts in both eyes for 3 years now, I can relate to often not being able to see things, or having the sun be too damn bright that I have to wear very dark glasses. (If you are reading this, hopefully I am having cataract surgery on my left eye, followed several weeks later with surgery on my right. I dare hope that things work out!)** The author has admitted that she too suffers from RP, and that she is preparing for happens next.

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