Book Review: Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3)

Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: July 28, 2015

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…  


This is going to be a difficult review to write without spoiling the book, but I'll do the best I can. But I'm going to have to be vague with some parts. As I always say, Jen never ceases to amaze me with her wonderful writing ability. The final book in The Dark Elements Series is absolutely breathtaking and heart-stopping. All of our questions are answered and the story moves very quickly. We are thrown right back into Layla, Roth, and Zayne's world and it's nonstop action and craziness from there on out. The book picks up right where we left off in the previous novel, Stone Cold Touch, Sam was discovered to be the Lilin (or at least the body of Sam), and Lilith is trying to break free to bring the apocalypse.

“No one is destined for anything. We control our own fates.”

One of my favorite aspects of any Jen Armentrout novel is her characters. She always manages to write and describe her characters flawlessly, and have her characters seem like you've known them all your life. Because of this, her characters feel like your friends, and Jen makes you feel so emotionally connected to them. You just want to make everything okay for them, and give them a hug now and then. Layla has been the perfect female lead from the get go. She has always been strong and fights for those she cares about most. Layla experiences so much growth in this novel, and she has matured into such an amazing woman. While she was responsible before, she is even more responsible in this one, and she makes decisions that are best for everyone. She knows what she has to do, and she does it. Remember that ;) Roth is as swoonworthy (and drool-worthy) as ever. He is his normal bad, bad self, but we also see so much more from him in this installment. Layla is finally able to get under that tough outer shell to the person Roth really is inside. While he's a demon through and through, at the end of the day, Roth is also very human. Zayne was also as wonderful as ever, and he fights for Layla with everything he has. I have always admired Zayne, and he is stronger than ever in this one (especially with all the things thrown his way).

“Stop being a coward and let go of the past. Embrace the future, because they are two very different things.”

While some people are bound to be upset by who Layla chooses, I know plenty of people will also be very, very happy. I was jumping for joy, and at the end of the day, it's obvious that she made the right choice. Layla knew who she wanted all along, and she stuck with that decision. She handled the "love triangle" that arose very maturely. She chooses early on in the book, which I greatly appreciated, because I don't think I could have dealt with her going back and forth for the entire novel.

“When is there ever a right time to fully give your heart to another? 
There are always going to be obstacles. You just have to decide which ones are worth it.”

The action is phenomenal and the pacing of this novel is fantastic. I loved the new characters that we got to meet (*cough*Grim*cough*) and I never wanted this book to end. While I can't say I'm particularly happy about Bambi, this is an amazing ending to this series. I'm extremely sad that it's over, but I can't wait to see what Jen has next for us fans! If you are a fan of this series, read this as soon as possible. You don't want to miss out on a book that will take away every last breath!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie