PURE by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pure was my first book ordered from BAM (like the actual store), and it took around 3 weeks to get here!  But it was worth the wait--and I want more.  Now, please J

Alex, Aiden, and Seth are back in this second installment of the Covenant series and the story picks up pretty much where Half-Blood left off.

If being the Apollyon-in-training wasn't bad enough, Alex now has to contend with Aiden's crazy mood shifts, Seth's ever-present presence, and the very real threat of half-daimons.  What's worse: She still carries the scars of her last meeting with the daimons, tags on her neck and arms she'd rather keep hidden.  When a student at the Covenant is attacked, all half-bloods are put on watch.  Curfew, ground restrictions, and body searches are put in place.  You'd think the strong-willed Alex would be glad to get gone.  But when she's taken to The Council--where the old rules separating Pures and Halfs are strictly enforced--she finds even more trouble.  Some would rather see Alex dead than have two Apolloyons--and if Alex's love for a certain pureblood were to be discovered it would mean both their heads.

This book was full of action and romance.  The fight scenes were definitely on point, but my favorite thing about Pure was that Armentrout takes the story where you want it to go.  If that sounds vague, I'll try and explain.

At the Covenant, tensions are on the rise.  With all those restrictions and the threat now presented by Half-bloods to Pures, how could they not?  But Armentrout takes it a step farther.  Even though Seth and Alex start to bond (a feat made easier by tragedy and Aiden's constant flip-floppery (more on that later)), Armentrout shakes things up before things can get too comfy.

Instead of lingering at the now-familiar Covenant setting, she introduces a new playing field: The Council.  The belly of the beast.  Here is the real evil, not only b/c some of the members want Alex and Seth out of the picture permanently.  The Council holds all the power and can do whatever they want.  The scene where Armentrout shows this was tragic/powerful/exactly what needed to happen.

We needed to see an example of the Council's inflexibility and power, and she gave us that visual--in vivid, horrific detail.  Here's what would happen if Alex and Aiden actually did fess up to their love.  It was great to see that.  Also, after introducing an ominous harbinger of death (i.e. the statue of the three furies *shivers*), she makes good on it.  In the final battle, Armentrout takes that story element and gives readers what they want.  It was an all-out bloodfest and those furies were oh-so-nasty.  Very well done.  I'll be having nightmares for weeks J

And also, if you think you're done with love triangles, can I recommend this one?  I can now safely state that I am Team Seth.  As much as I dig Aiden and his brighter-than-bright grey eyes, I'm all about the Apollyon.  He stayed with Alex and drove the nightmares away.  He isn't afraid to argue with her--or call her his "cuddle bunny" just to piss her off.  He always has her back, and I know Alex is all I-heart-Aiden, but I, respectfully, disagree.

Girl's off her head if she doesn't go for the mostly-flirtatious, sometimes-trash-talking, always-there-for-her Apollyon.  Which she obviously won't, but I only hope Armentrout doesn't make Seth out to be a traitor/a-hole simply to make Aiden seem better.  It's alright.  We all know she's going to go for Aiden--which is why this ninja is pulling for Seth!!! J

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl