Review – Storm and Fury (Harbinger, Book 1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 512 pages
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: June 11, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-1335218797
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Harbinger series
Source: ARC from Amazon Vine
Rating: 5/5 stars

“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 shape-shifters 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…”

This is the first book in Armentrout’s new Harbinger series. This is one of the best young adult PNR books I have read in some time. It’s a long book but I whipped right through it without even noticing the length. I loved the world, the characters, the action and the story. This is pretty romance heavy but it’s well balanced with awesome fight scenes and a unique world.

This story follows 18 year old Trinity who is being kept safe at a Warden compound. Trinity is struggling to be happy with her lot, since she knows the Wardens are just trying to protect her. However, when some Wardens from a different compound show up (including the entrancing Zayne), Trinity jumps at the chance to leave with them and explore somewhere new.

I was a bit bummed because I didn’t realize this was a spin off series of Armentrout’s Dark Elements series. While this book stands alone fine, you could tell by the huge info dump in the first few chapters that this world had been introduced somewhere else first. You also meet a lot of characters that were introduced in the Dark Elements series first. Sooo….I really wish I had known this was a spin-off series and had read The Dark Elements first. I plan on going back and reading that series just because I want to know the history behind these characters. Storm and Fury gives huge spoilers for The Dark Elements series though.

I really enjoyed everything about this book. There are tons of action scenes, a unique paranormal world, a fun heroine, witty dialogue, and a solid romance. It was a great blend of these elements and I fell into the story quickly and easily and could not put it down.

Overall I really enjoy this series and plan on continuing it. I would recommend to those who enjoy action packed urban fantasy with some romance. Just be aware this is a spin-off series of the Dark Elements series and has huge spoilers for that series if you haven’t read Dark Elements already. I also felt like I was missing a lot of background by not reading the Dark Elements series first.