Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Pages: 281
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: YA Greek Mythology/ Urban Fantasy
#1 in Series

GOODREADS

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.

Quick Thoughts

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Review

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Me: *finishes book*

Me: *takes deep, steadying breath*

Me: *closes book slowly, places it down reverently*

Me:

Me:

Me: *pterodactyl screech*

Me: *dying whale noise*

I swear, I just did not know what to even do with myself. I lost all ability to function the moment I turned that last page. Jennifer L. Armentrout is so amazing that a chorus of heavenly angels appears and sings her praises each time someone reads one of her books. True story. Don't believe me? Read any one of her books, and after you finish it, BAM, angels. Angels, everywhere.

I read Daimon, which is the prequel to this, and it shows you the events that happen just before Half-Blood, which is really helpful to understanding Alex's emotions and struggles. In this book, Alex is trying to pick the pieces of her life back together after her mother died. She has to readjust to life at the Covenant, and there's so much that she must catch up on from her years away.

What I love about Alex is that even though she's not a normal teenage girl, she's still very relatable. Her time in normal human society has done her well in that aspect, because sometimes in these situations, the main character will be so far removed from humanity that it makes a connection hard. But, Alex could be just another girl going to my high school--you know, if that girl could kick some major ass.

True to Jennifer's amazing talent at creating romance, and more importantly, romantic tension, she has created yet another perfectly imperfect boy who will have you sighing and/or moaning in frustration... sexual frustration. 

Let's take a moment to talk about Aiden and Alex. 

Oh, wow. Aiden was just... wow. I'd say he's neck and neck with Daemon, who is the guy from Jennifer's other book, Obsidian. Except where Daemon is a bit of a douche bag, Aiden is a bit more... austere, I suppose is the word. But Aiden's had a tough past, and he has a hard shell to crack, but he has an incredibly kind and sweet heart. And once he turns up the steam... wooo, child, that man has to be some sort of sex god.

For those wondering, there isn't any sex. There are some very steamy scenes though, but who's complaining about that? People that don't like happiness, that's who.

There's also some really awesome mythology that Jennifer built loosely around the Greek gods. That's what initially drew me to the book, and I can say that I was not disappointed at all. There was a great concept introduced towards the middle of the book that I actually saw coming once it was all revealed, but I still loved the concept of it. I don't want to give away too much, but basically, mythology fans will also get plenty of mythology, so that's a definite plus.

And along with this awesome mythology, we also get yet another awesome character: Seth! We didn't get to see nearly enough of him as I would have liked, but I'm counting on the second book to feature him more. 

Jennifer L. Armentrout, I have a message for you. 

I have a MIGHTY NEED to get my hands on Pure, as soon as possible. This is not a test, people. Read this book, you won't regret it.

5 stars

Who Should Read This Book?

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PEOPLE WHO ENJOY HAPPINESS IN THEIR LIVES.

Review: Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn

Just a reminder, For the Older Crowd reviews are meant, well... for the older crowd. Books reviewed under this feature are NOT YA, and contain mature themes that may not be suitable for younger readers. If you're not comfortable with this, please don't read this review.

Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn 

Pages: 172
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: Adult Romance
#1 in Series

GOODREADS

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70’s honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first…

Quick Thoughts

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Yep. Basically.

Review: Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Pages: 179
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Romance
#0.5 in Series

GOODREADS

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.

Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

Quick Thoughts

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That is all.

Review

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I. Can't. Even. Deal. I can't. I have lost all ability to can that I ever possessed. It's fucking gone because this book is so.... GAAAAHH.

Let me just start with the best part of Shadows. And what is it? Why, none other than Dee and Daemon's other twin, DAWSON.

Ladies, did you think the sexiness stopped with Daemon? Well, I am here to set you straight. While Daemon is the physical embodiment of pure sex and the collective wet dream of every woman on earth, Dawson is the exact opposite. But, I mean that in the best, most attractive and utterly hot way possible. You see, Daemon may be the one that will make your hoo-haa go YEEHAW! with just a smoldering look, but Dawson is the one that can melt you down into a puddle of swooning, girlish delight with nothing more than a charming, genuine smile directed your way. The two of them embody the two types of guys that women love most. Daemon is the bad boy, right down to his ultra-fine core, and Dawson is the nice guy--the Prince Charming that every girl wishes she could marry at some point in her life. Polar opposites, but oh so fucking sexy in their own ways.

In Obsidian, we never got to know much about Dawson. We only knew that Dee and Daemon had another brother that died. Shadows goes back in time, showing us this brother. It's told in the perspectives of Dawson, and a human girl named Bethany (and there is one chapter in Daemon's perspective, too). In fact, Dawson and Bethany's story is quite similar to Katy and Daemon's story, in that Bethany is the new girl in town. She moved there so her mom could take care of her sick uncle. When Bethany walks into class on the first day, she sees two of the most gorgeous men she's ever come across (and who on earth could I be talking about, I wonder?). It's one of those moments of instant attraction between both Bethany and Dawson. It affected her so much that she could even tell the difference between Dawson and Daemon, even though they're completely identical!

I loved Dawson. Plain and fucking simple, I loved him. Which is why it really wasn't difficult to believe when Bethany fell for him pretty quickly, because I know for a fact that if I had been in her situation (PLEASE, IF THERE IS A HIGHER BEING OUT THERE, PLEASE PUT ME IN BETHANY'S--OR EVEN KATY'S--SITUATION! *hyperventilates* *crawls in corner and sobs over my completely normal existence*) I would've done the same thing. Dawson was sweet, and so protective of Bethany. And he's quite the charmer! But I loved reading the scenes in his perspective, because it let's us get behind that cool and suave--and sexy!--exterior and we see that Dawson is just as nervous as Bethany is! He wants her to like him so much, it makes him do some really crazy, and even dangerous things.

I liked Bethany too, but I'm going to be honest with you. I really didn't notice her much, since I was too busy inserting myself into her shoes. HA! I just imagined that it was my name Dawson was saying, and pictured myself in his arms instead of her. Kinda mean, but, let's be honest. Who wouldn't? This in no way reflects on her as a character, because when I stepped out of my personal fantasies, she was pretty awesome.

I also really loved that we got to see more of Daemon and Dee, and the other Luxen too, from an internal standpoint. We got to see them as they function 'normally', meaning totally at ease around family and not holding anything back. You get to see just how fiercely Daemon loves both Dee and Dawson, and how he'd to anything to protect them. I really loved that side of him, which is something that we don't get to see much when he's trying to charm the pants of Katy all the time.

And now... for the hardest part of this review. The ending of the book.

Wow, that ending was like a sucker punch right in the dingleberries (you know, if I were a dude, of course.) I actually started crying a bit, it was so freaking emotional. And the worst part is that you know what's going to happen, it's totally inevitable, because they're obviously not alive in Obsidian. But I just kept hoping beyond hope that they would somehow overcome it, and they would make it out alive. WHY, JENNIFER, WHY? DO YOU ENJOY MY PAIN? DO YOU?

Who Should Read This Book?

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EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT HAS EVER LIVED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

Memorable Quotes

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Dee’s hand fluttered around her as she spoke. “I was outside, and it looked as if a light show was going on in your bedroom. Daemon said you were probably mas—”
And Dee also knew no boundaries.
“Ah, no, please don’t finish that sentence.” He lowered his hands, eyes narrowing at his sister. “Don’t ever finish that sentence.”

* * *

“What?" he demanded.
"Did you just…clean a dish?" Dee backed away slowly, blinking. She glanced at Daemon. "The world is going to end. And I’m still a vir—"

"No!" both the brothers yelled in unison.

Daemon looked like he was actually going to vomit. "Jesus, don’t ever finish that statement. Actually, don’t ever change that. Thank you."

Her mouth dropped open. "You expect me to never have—”

"This isn’t a conversation I want to start my morning with." Dawson grabbed his book bag off the kitchen table. "I’m so leaving for school before this gets more detailed."

"And why aren’t you dressed yet?” Dee demanded, her full attention concentrated on Daemon. "You’re going to be late."

"I’m always late."

"Punctuality makes perfect.”

Read it for yourself!

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Buy the Book

Amazon

Kindle: $2.99

Paperback: $10.39

Barnes and Noble

Nook: $2.99

The Book Depository (Free shipping worldwide!)

Paperback: $9.74

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About the Author

Website • Twitter • Facebook

Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. When she's not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories....which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is the author of the COVENANT Series (Spencer Hill Press), the LUX Series (Entangled Publishing), and the upcoming YA contemporary mystery/thrillers DON'T LOOK BACK (Disney/Hyperion Fall 2013) and yet untitled book (Disney/Hyperion tentative Fall 2014).

Other Books by This Author

(covers link to Amazon)

Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pages: 266
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: YA Sci-fi/Paranormal Romance

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

I was a part of the big cover reveal for Obsidian in early September, and the moment I saw the cover and read the summary, I knew I would love this book. And boy was I right!

Don't be discouraged if you're not a sci-fi fan, because this book really isn't heavy on the sci-fi at all. I've read very few science fiction books in total, mostly because I think it's too complicated to really enjoy a lot, but Obsidian was more paranormal if anything. There just happen to be aliens instead of werewolves or witches. And then aliens in Obsidian were really cool. I won't tell you what exactly they were, but trust me, when you read it and you get that image in your mind of what they look like, you'll see how amazing it is. These aren't your ordinary aliens, guys.

Katy, our protagonist, is spunky and sharp-tongued, unafraid to say exactly what's on her mind and put people in their place. She's not just some damsel in distress who is constantly swooning over the hot guy (and let me tell, you Daemon is hot, but we'll get to that later). Katy takes what's happening to her in stride and, even though she freaks out a little bit, doesn't let it cloud her judgment or the new friendships that she's made. And the piece de resistance (I probably spelled that terribly), she's a book blogger! Every time she made a reference to her blog, I couldn't help but smile! She made Waiting on Wednesday posts, and she did In My Mailbox, and it was just the coolest thing to read that and completely relate to it.

I was really glad to read that Katy had a good relationship with her mother. Katy's father died 3 years before the book started, but her mother was one of those really cool moms that you could basically talk about anything with and was pretty much trying to set Katy up with Daemon the whole time.

Katy's extra-terrestrial neighbors, Dee and Daemon, were out of this world. (Ha! Pun!) They had to be, along with Katy, the most vivid characters in the book. Dee was one of those girls that just kept talking, but you don't get annoyed at her. She's adorable, and several times I wanted her to come out of the book she she could me my best friend.

And then there's Daemon.... oh, Daemon.

I honestly don't even know how to explain him. He runs hot and cold for the first part of the novel, but from the get go, he is unbelievably and undeniably sexy. And even while he's telling Katy she needs to stay away, everything else about him is like a giant magnet pulling Katy (AND ME!) to him. When he's first introduced, he's the biggest douche bag on the planet, and that never actually goes away, even right up to the last page. But he was HOT. I'm talking so hot that the sun is jealous of the heat he's putting out. And there is this one scene that just... oh my stars and comets, that was a good scene.

I have yet to read Half-Blood, Jennifer's debut novel, so I wasn't sure what to expect from her when I dove into Obsidian, but I can already tell that Jennifer is going to be on my list of top favorite authors. I need more Daemon in my life, so I can't wait for the sequel! Obsidian gets 5 stars.