Tuesday, January 3, 2012

HALF-BLOOD by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Half-Blood has been on my radar for a while now.  A ton of book bloggers really loved this book, and the cover kept popping up here, there, and everywhere.  A few other things kept popping up, too.  Here's what I mean:




Now tell me, if you kept seeing those buttons, wouldn't you eventually click on one of them??  Well, I did (couldn't help myself).  Look at that one of Seth with the blue flames...  After way too much staring, I just had to know what the pics were from.

Anyway, I finally read the book over the holidays, and I'm happy to say it lives up to the hype.  Some people have knocked it for being exactly like the Vampire Academy series, but I didn't mind the similarities.  I think that's just b/c I enjoy a good story *shrugs*  Cliché doesn't bother me as long as it's done well, so...I just sat back and let Armentrout do her thing.  And I enjoyed it.  Immensely J.

Here's what you need to know first: Hematoi = children of Gods + Mortals

                                                     Pure-bloods = children of Hematoi + Hematoi

                                                     Half-bloods = children of Hematoi + Mortals

                                                     Half-blood + Pure-blood = Huge No-No!!!

Got it?  (Don't worry it took me a second, too J)

The MC is seventeen-year-old Alex, a half-blood who just lost her mother in a daimon attack.  She's taken back to The Covenant where she'll either become a Sentinel (aka a daimon hunter) or a mindless servant to the pure-bloods.  With her so behind in her training, Alex gets assigned a mentor to bring her up to speed: The very hot, very off-limits Sentinel Aiden.  He's a pure-blood after all and relationships between pures and halfs are explicitly forbidden.  Good thing Alex has never been a fan of rules.

There's also an oracle, one uber-powerful/hot Apollyon named Seth, and enough mystery, action and romantic tension to keep the reader flipping through the pages to get to the end.  (If you wanna know what the Apollyon is, I suggest reading the book ;D)  I would recommend it to people who want an entertaining read very much in the vein of the Vampire Academy series and Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff.  Personally, I think Half-blood is a nice addition to the genre.  I connected with the characters (especially Alex, loved her recklessness/courage), loved the fight scenes.  I was pretty impressed with the ending.  Can't wait to read the next book and find out more about Seth J

Hope everyone had an excellent New Year's, 

Ninja Girl

12 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this one as well and can't wait to read Pure! Great review!
    NC
    Truly Bookish

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  2. @TrulyBookish Hey, thanks! And I'm glad you liked it as well :)

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  3. Hey Ninja Girl! It's been a while! :)
    I'm very happy you liked Half-Blood so much, I LOVED it (that's why I'm particularly thrilled to be in the praise page! ;D) and if you like Seth be prepared for book 2... I read the Pure ARC but I can't post the review yet because it's too soon... Let's just say my first word was: Un-freaking-believable! *OMG-sigh*
    Hope you have an amazing new year! :)

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  4. I've been seeing this around everywhere as well. I adore the VA series but it worries me that I'll see too many similarities and it'll annoy me. But gosh those pictures really do hook you in don't they???

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  5. I have been on the fence about this book, but after reading your review I totally want to read it. Thanks!

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  6. I loved the VA, I'll have to check this one out. I don't mind similarities between books, as long as it's not a straight up rip off.

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  7. It did remind me some of the VA series, but it was also unique enough that I didn't let the similarities bother me. I'm psyched that you've read and enjoyed Half-Blood. I agree that Seth is pretty swoon-worthy, though I think I'm an Aiden girl. ;)

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  8. i haven't read the vampire academy books, so that probably wouldn't be an issue for me. This sounds pretty good. I'll have to add it to my list

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  9. @Silvia It has been a while! Am totally jealous that you've already read Pure :) Plus, that shoutout was really cool

    @Lan Yes, those pics totally got me. There were a lot of similaritites, but I enjoyed Half-Blood (could def see how diehards of VA series might not, though *shrugs*)

    @Rebecca Aweswome! I hope you enjoy it

    @prerna Agree, as long as it's not a total rip, I usually can overlook a lot

    @Molli I loved Aiden, too!! Armentrout did a great job of making me curious about both him and Seth

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  10. @Falen Congrats again on getting published!!!! *YAY* And I think I'd recommend Half-Blood; it's a fun read :)

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  11. I am baffled! I have been putting this review off for a week now, and I still have no idea where to even start with this one guys I mean, it is purely sublime. If there was ever a book that has left me so lost for words it is Half Blood by Jennifer Armentrout. This is a book you will finish, and weeks later still be mind blown about, just trying to think of the words to use for how much you loved it, and how much it captivated you. This is a book that will paralyze you, and won't let you go till the very last page, and once it's finished all you want is to be sucked back in.

    I obviously loved this book.

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    Replies
    1. Couldn't have said it any better myself ;)
      Now, I cannot wait to read Pure!!!

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