DOUBLE Book Review: Half-Blood and Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood
Published September 20th, 2011
Spencer Hill Press
281 pages (Paperback)

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. 

Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck. (From Goodreads)

Pure
Published March 13th, 2012
Spencer Hill Press
329 pages (Paperback)

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone. (From Goodreads)

Half-Blood and Pure were both books that I struggled to set down and never wanted to end.

I went into Half-Blood a little nervous.  From what I had heard, this series had a lot of similarities to Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy novels.  This is true, so it's a very good thing that I love Vampire Academy.

Yes, some aspects were eerily similar, yet I didn't feel like I was reading the same novel over again (and I have read the VA books more than a few times).  I became so engrossed that Half-Blood took on a life of it's own.  I fell in love with the characters and the story, and started reading Pure the moment I finished Half-Blood.  Literally.  I actually ran up the stairs.

I love a strong, bold and reckless female protagonist, and Alex is just that.  Alex didn't develop a ton by the end of Pure, which is fine.  She's still reckless to the point almost being stupid, but I'm excited to see her character continue to develop into an even stronger, fierce character.

And do not get me started on Aiden.  Seriously, he needs to be real and get into my life right now.  Book-loving, guitar-playing warrior with a soft, caring side.  *Swoon*  <Highlight for spoiler-ish conspiracy theory>  Remember when she notices the chain around his neck?  I will bet good money that the guitar pick is on that chain. <End highlight>  Jennifer L. Armentrout also nailed the sexual tension in these books.  Holy crap, there were times when I came very close to throwing my Kobo across the room in complete frustration.

Book 3 of the series, Deity, is set to be released this November, as is Aiden's novella, Elixir.  To say I am excited for these is an understatement.  So if you haven't read these yet, get on that.

Much love, Samantha