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A deadly assassin must choose between his duty to protect a woman who saw his alien kind and a forbidden desire that could destroy them both.
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Serena Cross's life changes when she sees her best friend, Melissa, brutally murdered. Melissa had been trying to convince Serena that she saw Senator Davis's son, Marcus, turn into something inhuman. Serena, skeptical at first, faces the truth when she sees Marcus, or the alien he becomes, kill Melissa. This event shatters Serena's reality and introduces her to a world where extraterrestrial beings, Luxen and Arum, exist, and their secrets are protected. Serena flees, now a target.
Hunter, a strong Arum, kills for the Department of Defense (DOD), eliminating Luxen and other threats. He has never questioned his purpose. However, he is assigned to protect a human, Serena Cross, from his own kind. This goes against his rules and instincts. He sees humans as weak, and guarding one, especially one who witnessed an Arum killing, angers him. Despite his dislike, he must follow orders, and his path is now tied to Serena's.
Hunter takes Serena to a safe house, where their closeness immediately causes conflict. Serena is scared, confused, and angry; Hunter is cold, dismissive, and arrogant. Their personalities clash, leading to arguments and tension. Yet, an attraction begins to form. Serena is drawn to Hunter's dangerous power, despite her fear. Hunter is intrigued by Serena's spirit and resilience, qualities he did not expect in a human. This forbidden pull complicates their dangerous situation.
The Arum, led by Marcus, relentlessly pursue Serena. She is a loose end, having seen Melissa's murder, and the Arum will stop at nothing to silence her. Hunter constantly fights off attacks from his own kind, battling to protect Serena. These fights are physically and emotionally draining. Hunter struggles with protecting a human against his instincts and loyalty to his species. Each attack helps Serena understand the alien world and the constant danger she faces.
As Hunter and Serena spend more time together, they uncover truths about the alien presence on Earth and the government's role. They realize the DOD, Hunter's employer, has its own agenda regarding the Luxen and Arum. The lines between good and bad blur, and Serena questions whom she can trust. Hunter also begins to question his loyalty to the DOD, realizing they might be using him. This reveals betrayal and danger from multiple sides.
Despite the danger and their initial dislike, Serena and Hunter's relationship deepens. Hunter, who first saw Serena as a burden, now genuinely cares for her safety. He starts to lower his guard, showing glimpses of the man beneath the killer. Serena sees past Hunter's coldness, recognizing his protectiveness and internal struggle. Their physical attraction grows, leading to passionate moments that strengthen their bond. This unexpected connection becomes a source of strength and vulnerability for them in a world trying to separate them.
Hunter's growing feelings for Serena lead him to make choices he never thought possible. He starts to defy direct orders from the DOD, putting Serena's safety above his missions and his superiors. This puts him against both the government and his Arum brethren. He understands the severe consequences of his actions, knowing he could become a target. His willingness to sacrifice everything for Serena shows a deep change in his character and his devotion.
The pursuit ends in a desperate and violent fight with Marcus and other Arum. Hunter and Serena are cornered, forced to fight for their lives against many enemies. Hunter uses his full Arum power, battling to protect Serena. Serena, no longer a passive victim, fights back, showing courage and resilience. The battle is brutal and high-stakes; they know failure means their deaths and the exposure of the alien secret, possibly leading to a larger conflict. This tests their bond and Hunter's commitment.
Against the odds, Hunter and Serena win the battle, though with significant injuries and emotional scars. Their ordeal is not over. By defying the DOD and killing several Arum, Hunter is now wanted by both sides. They are fugitives, with no clear path. They must live off the grid, constantly looking over their shoulders, knowing the government and the remaining Arum will hunt them. Their survival depends on trusting each other completely and relying on their wits and combined strength.
After their experiences, Serena and Hunter build a new life together, in the shadows and constantly moving. Their bond, tested by fire, is an unbreakable love. Hunter, once a detached killer, has found a purpose beyond his missions in protecting and loving Serena. Serena, once an ordinary human, has adapted to a world of aliens and danger, finding strength and love in an unexpected place. Their future is uncertain and dangerous, but they face it together, their devotion to each other their greatest strength.
The Protagonist
Hunter transforms from a detached, rule-following assassin into a deeply devoted protector who defies his government and his species for the woman he loves, learning to value human life and embrace his capacity for affection.
The Protagonist
Serena evolves from a terrified witness into a strong, resilient individual who adapts to a world of aliens, finding love and a new purpose despite constant danger.
The Antagonist
Marcus remains a consistently ruthless and malevolent force, serving as the primary antagonist whose unwavering pursuit of Serena drives much of the conflict.
The Supporting
Melissa's arc is tragically cut short; her death serves as the inciting incident, forever impacting Serena's life and motivations.
The Supporting
General Roth serves as a representative of the governmental authority Hunter must eventually rebel against, his role shifting from commander to an obstacle.
The Supporting
The other Arum primarily serve as antagonists and obstacles, reinforcing the overwhelming threat Serena and Hunter face.
The Supporting
DOD agents act as an extension of the government's control, initially supporting Hunter but later becoming enforcers against him.
The main theme is the intense and dangerous romance between Hunter, an alien Arum, and Serena, a human. Their love is forbidden by societal norms, species differences, and the governmental and alien groups that want to control or kill them. Their relationship challenges Hunter's beliefs about humans and forces him to break his rules, showing love's power to cross boundaries.
“He was everything I shouldn't want, everything that was wrong, and yet... I wanted him more than I wanted my next breath.”
Both Hunter and Serena deal with their identities. Hunter, an Arum, saw himself as a DOD tool, a killer without human emotions. His time with Serena forces him to question this and accept a more compassionate self. Serena, an ordinary human, is thrown into a world where her understanding of reality is shattered, making her redefine who she is and where she belongs in a universe with aliens. They both find a new sense of belonging with each other.
“I was a weapon, a killer, and I was good at it. But with her, I felt... something else. Something I hadn't known I was missing.”
The novel explores what it means to be human, especially through Hunter's perspective. He first sees humans as weak. However, Serena's resilience, courage, and ability to love challenge his ideas. Her vulnerability is also her strength, inspiring Hunter to protect her and changing his view of humanity. The story suggests that humanity's true power is not physical strength but emotion, determination, and connection.
“She was so fragile, so breakable, and yet she possessed a strength that could rival any Arum. It was baffling.”
A major theme is the government's (DOD) role in controlling and hiding aliens on Earth. The DOD manipulates humans and aliens, using Arum like Hunter for its own purposes while keeping the truth from the public. This theme shows the dangers of unchecked power, the ethical compromises made for national security, and the potential for betrayal from authorities. It adds danger and mistrust for the main characters.
“The government wasn't protecting us. They were managing us. And that was a far more terrifying truth.”
Alternating viewpoints between Hunter and Serena.
The novel is told through alternating first-person perspectives of Hunter and Serena. This device allows readers to gain deep insight into the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of both protagonists. It effectively builds tension, as their individual fears and desires are revealed, and allows the reader to understand their evolving relationship from both sides. This dual perspective is crucial for highlighting their contrasting backgrounds and the internal struggles they face, particularly Hunter's struggle with his Arum nature and his growing feelings for a human.
Melissa's murder by Marcus ignites the entire plot.
The brutal murder of Serena's best friend, Melissa, by the alien Marcus, serves as the primary inciting incident. This shocking event immediately thrusts Serena into a terrifying new reality, making her a witness and a target. It's the catalyst that forces her to flee and brings Hunter into her life. Without Melissa's death, Serena would never have been exposed to the alien world, and the central conflict and romance would not have occurred. It establishes the high stakes and the immediate danger she faces.
Hunter and Serena serve as foils to each other.
Hunter and Serena act as foil characters, highlighting each other's distinct qualities and contributing to their development. Hunter is an ancient, powerful alien assassin, cold and detached, while Serena is a modern, ordinary human, emotional and vulnerable. Their contrasting species, experiences, and worldviews create immediate conflict and tension, but also facilitate their growth. Hunter learns empathy and love from Serena, while Serena gains strength and a broader understanding of the universe from Hunter. Their differences make their connection more profound and challenging.
Hunter's initial perception of humans is flawed.
While not a traditional unreliable narrator in terms of intentionally misleading the reader, Hunter's perspective at the beginning of the novel is inherently flawed regarding humans. His species' ingrained biases and his training lead him to believe humans are weak, insignificant, and not worth protecting. This 'unreliable' initial judgment sets up his character arc, as his interactions with Serena gradually dismantle these preconceived notions. The reader experiences his changing perspective as he learns to see Serena, and by extension, humanity, in a new, more appreciative light.
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Jennifer L. Armentrout is a contemporary author known for her works in the young adult and new adult fiction genres. Some of her notable books include "Onyx," "Wait for You," "Wicked," "The Problem with Forever," "From Blood and Ash," and "Every Last Breath." Her writing often features elements of romance, fantasy, and suspense.
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