Covenant Series (Book 1)

Half blood 

Rating

4+ stars

Date Read

26/11/15-29/11/15

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

Luxen has already proved how good Jennifer L Armentrout' s writing is and Half blood, her debut novel, is unique in it's own way and just as memorable. While still along the lines of chemical elements that have powers over the supernatural, this time around it's titanium and not obsidian. And the supernatural is not alien but something else entirely. Something divine.

The brave new world that the author spuns into existence is inspired by ancient Greek mythology. The Olympian Gods' grandchildren, so to speak, born of the sons of gods and mortals, are a race of their own called the Hematoi. They are the Pures, they control the elements and they are filled with Eather.

Then we have the Daimons, Pures that have tasted aether and become addicted to it, very much like vampires and blood.

At the bottom of the food chain are the Half Bloods, a result of a Pure's indiscretion with a mortal. Stronger than the average human but with no actual, supernatural powers. Faced with the choice of becoming Guards - protecting pures - Sentinels - fighting Daimons - or going into servitude - which is just a pleasant way of saying losing all free will and becoming a slave in the Pures' houses.

It is in this world that Half Blood Alexandria is raised, aspiring to fight Daimons and protect her kind. But her mother's actions - uprooting her from the Covenant (a school for halfs and pures) - have changed everything and now, back in North Carolina and the school, she has a summer to deal with her grief over her mother's death -attacked by Daimons whilst unprotected in the mortal world- and catch up with her training, enough so to resume her studies in the fall. It is either that or a lifetime of servitude and gods know her wild spirit could never live like that.

"There is love and then there is need" -Oracle of Delphi

Main Characters

Alexandria Andros

A Greek name, of course. Defiant, wild, hot tempered, smart, brave, reckless and impulsive, the very embodiment of a kickass paranormal romance heroine. Alex likes to be in control, doesn't talk about her feelings, is rude and blunt with her superiors, questions fate and breaks all the rules.

My Alex

Aiden St Delphi

Aiden is a pure blood Sentinel and Alex's childhood crush. He is patient, mature, serious and smart and intelligent and gorgeous and funny. He's also very much forbidden to her. Pures and halfs don't mix, it is the most important rule in the Covenant and in the paranormal society, it's frowned upon by the Gods. Good thing rules aren't her forte.

My Aiden

Writing & Narrating

Alexandria is witty and fun and strong, and she really matures during the book (and through the series). The author's wonderful writing captures the character's free spirit, her dilemmas and grief and makes this book a quick, easy read. I'm taking three different exams this week and still managed to finish it less than four days.

All in all

Recommend to those still reading paranormal romance, even though the year is almost 2016, to all those who are fans of Luxen and are still helplessly in love with Daemon and Armentrout's writing.

PS. Songs: Hypnotized by Simple Minds & Black Black heart by David Usher (23:12)

XOXO

Aggie Pearson