Ruined (The Eternal Balence #1)
Hell is looking for a way to break loose…
Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him.
After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget.
Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.
My Take:
Who knew coming back home would lead to even more destruction. Jax left his uncle Rick and his twin brother Chase, because it was the right thing to do. Except of course he left behind someone who meant everything to him, the girl in question is Samantha. After being attacked at school the only thing to do was go home. Even though her aunt has always wanted her to end up with Chase who she never felt connected with. She always knew that deep down Jax was the one to make her happy.
What brought him back was Rick he knew about the attack at the school with Sam but knew he had to stay away because he had to hide what he was. Being a monster is a strong word but that is what he is, a demon. A decedent of Cain, with a inkling to torture those wrong doers, he is able to stop himself if only to satisfy the demon within. But being back in the same town he left all those years before is hard enough, seeing Sam hinging out with Chase starts up the demon to go farther than any torture, Chase's presence brings out the worst. With Rick going and Sam's attacker still gunning to finish the job, Jax must put aside what is may be wrong but feel oh so right.
I just couldn't help but love this story, Jax is the type you want to see be rescued himself, because when things are right you're not supposed to question it. Sam of course comes in and is all over him either telling him off or just saying what feels right she knows what she wants. What I liked though was that his demon side to me had a more charismatic feel to him, but at the same time you felt that these two were one and the same. I couldn't put it down, and instantly would have kicked a few demons myself. In honesty, you looking for a captivating character, Jax fits the bill and then some.
5/5 stars- once started its hard to put down
