Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publication: 2011

# of Pages: 281

Source: Barnes  & Noble, Purchased Copy

Favorite Quotes:

• "You're always so alive, even when you're going through something that would darken the souls of most." 
• "You're so beautiful. So brave, so full of life." 

Goodreads Summary/Blurb: 

The Hematoi desecend 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. 

My Review/Thoughts: 

In search of more books based on mythology, I stumbled upon Jennifer L. Armentrout's Half-Blood. It takes the common myth about the union between mortals and gods and creates a world surrounding the lives of pures and half-bloods. With added additions like a training center called the Covenant and lethal creatures called daimons (pronounced 'demons'), Armentrout gives a new perspective and outlook on Greek mythology. 

What I liked and appreciated about the novel was Armentrout's  ability to clearly illustrate the divide between half-bloods and pures. Half-bloods do not have a clear place in any society--pure or mortal. Their sole job in life is to protect the lives of pures or take up the task of living in servitude. However, it is in the main character Alex that blurs the line between these two sects of descendants from the gods. It is her power, will, and determination that builds the tone and drives the plot of the novel. While I have encountered several female characters that have literally driven me to disliking an entire novel, Alex did the complete opposite. Her sassy mouth, sense of humor, snarky attitude, and lingering need to prove everyone wrong made the novel that much more interesting. Although she made several stupid decisions that put both herself and other characters in danger, it was her determination to rectify a terrible situation that ultimately become her saving grace. 

Nevertheless, there were several characteristics that I did not care for in the novel. First and foremost was the complexity of plot development. Although I absolutely adore Armentrout's writing, there was a lack of true development of the book's plot. It seemed like every issue came with an easy answer or easy solution. With this being a five book series, I expected the plot to be a lot more complex with more intricate resolutions. Another factor that pulled away from the overall quality of the book was the lack of involvement in reference to the gods. Yes, they were mentioned frequently and the characters are all direct or indirect descendants of the gods; however, I feel like there should have been more of a back story or more inclusion of the gods within the text. To be classified as a novel involving Greek mythology there were very little mythological elements. 

Overall, Armentrout introduced a new take on Greek mythology that I think I can grow to appreciate. It was not the best first novel of a series; however, I plan on continuing the series in hopes of finding out more about Alex and the rest of the half-bloods and pures that attend the covenant. 

Rating: 3/5