Half-Blood

Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Spencer Hill Press
ISBN13:  9780983157205


5/5 Stars!

Goodreads Synopsis:
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.

After reading Obsidian (TBR December 6, 2011) I picked up my copy of Half-Blood which had just arrived. Because if I couldn't read the next Obsidian book, then another book from Jennifer would just have to do. I will add that I was in no way disappointed with this one!

But since this is a book I've read a fair number of reviews on, I want to add that I have yet to read Vampire Academy (yes, I plan to read it soon, but I haven't yet). So I have no comment whatsoever to make on its possible similarities to VA - but I will say that those similarities sound like a dozen other books I've read, and like ones that are bound to happen.

1. A fiesty, spunky heroine:
   
   I know I'm not the only one out there who loves a heroine with attitude. The one with the comebacks I wish I could think up. The one who is not only emotionally tough, but physically as well and can give any guy a run for their money in a fight. Alex is the perfect heroine in this capacity, but there's something so very real and flawed about her character. She isn't perfect. Her tough exterior it so hide some secrets and pain; and I LOVE that about her!
2. Swoon-worthy romance:
   
   One thing I adore about Jennifer's stories is how deliciously laced they are with romance. With just the right intensity to pull you into the story and give you a few Armentrout-book inspired daydreams. She spends time building the anticipation to really invest you in the story, and then leaves you with a scene or two that will leave you BEGGING (oh, I mean literal begging) for more!
3. Action, action and MORE action:
   
   I love books with action that's appropriately placed and timed. And with a plot like this one, action is a MUST to really make the words jump off the pages and leave your heart racing as you frantically flip the pages to find out what happens! Just don't get forget to breathe while Alex and Aiden and friends are getting into trouble and fighting daemons.

To be honest, I tend to have a difficult time reviewing books that I thoroughly enjoyed and loved. Half-Blood is a non-stop ride, and incorporates everything there is to love about YA. I honestly cannot wait to see where this series goes, and this book has cemented the fact that anything Jennifer writes is now a must-read for me.