"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…"
Every Last Breath is the last book in The Dark Elements series. From the strong and hot start Armentrout had in the first book, I expected Every Last Breath to be the same. I expected it to end strongly and amazingly. I expected Layla to end up with Roth. And I expected Layla to get her Happily Ever After. But let's break this down. One at a time.
Let's get the juiciest part first. Layla, Zayne, Roth. The infamous love triangle strikes back in these three characters. (Honestly, I wish this triangle goes three ways, because Zayne and Roth have that killing chemistry.) Layla and Roth obviously share the strongest chemistry. Zayne, who was given a small chance in the second book, has only a small fraction of Roth's seduction skills. I approve of the way the love triangle ends. (No spoilers, though.)
The plot starts off slowly. To say it stalled isn't even a lie. Yes, the author did indeed stall the book for at least the first ten chapters. It was all Zayne vs. Roth business. When Layla finally made her choice (yes, she made a choice), the plot starts to move forward and get into its more serious business. The book picks up its pace and gets dirty, bloody, and deathly.
All this anticipation about the Lilin is a bit disappointing. Sure, there are little skirmishes here and there, but the book is seriously focused on the romance plot. (Yes, I get that it is "whose ding-dong is bigger" contest, but seriously?) The Lilin is not worthy of being a big bad. Hell, if anyone is a big bag, it would be Layla herself. Because she can't choose the one she wants to procreate with.
The world building. All of the suddenly, a whole bunch of Biblical things get thrown into the book. Angels, fallen angels, blood. More blood. It shouldn't be so surprising, yet I'm thrown off by it. Still, I'm a little miffed by a certain someone's special powers thanks to fallen angel blood. But okay. (I learned to roll with it.)
The ending (HEA) is actually satisfying. I'm thankful that all the loose ends are sealed, and that this series is now completely published.
Overall, Every Last Breath got a little too romantic and "yes, let's make out" for me. This book is for you, if you love a book that puts romance (which, I admit, is steamy and hot) first. I was looking for more action (no, not that kind of action; I'm looking for bloody action).
Rating: Two out of Five
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