Monday, October 29, 2012

Double Review: Pure + Deity


Covenant Novels #2 and #3
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Paranormal Young Adult
Spencer Hill Press
Pure: Available Now
Deity: Available November 6th
Received from publisher for review

PURE (from Goodreads)
There is need. And then there is Fate
 

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.
 

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude or killing her.
 

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

MY THOUGHTS
Books two and three in the Covenant series build beautifully on the events of Half-Blood, drastically increasing not only the emotional intensity between Alex, Aiden, and Seth, but also the physical intensity between our heroine and the innumerable dangers facing her as a half-blood and an apollyon. Ms. Armentrout’s world is one that continuously ignites our anger and frustration, the treatment of the half-bloods something that sets our teeth to grinding and our fists to clenching as we are constantly reminded that they are perfect to sleep with, abuse, and defend the Pures with their lives, but it remains unacceptable for those who consider themselves an exalted race to love, respect, or die for them in turn. With Pure and continuing into Deity, Ms. Armentrout introduces a new villain, a man who strictly adheres to the most revolting of Pure tenets and causes our lips to curl into an involuntary smile as we root for Alex to show him what she’s made of.

Alex is as entertaining as ever, her smart mouth continuing to get her into trouble with classmates and authority figures alike, and while we sometimes share in the viewpoint of those around her who wish she were a little less outspoken when in the presence of those who have the power to make her life miserable, we can’t help but appreciate her determination to stand her ground, however misguided at times. As she did in Half-Blood, she often makes snap decisions that have monstrous consequences, but she’s always quick to recognize and admit her mistakes instead of clinging to the pretense that she’s always right. She shows a distinct vulnerability in both Pure and Deity – her love for Aiden like an open wound that’s poked and prodded with rough fingers and her fear that her Awakening will fundamentally alter who she is a piece of sandpaper that rubs and abrades sensitive skin again, and again, and again.

The romantic element is present on a grand scale in both books, the seemingly impossible relationship with Aiden creating a raw ache in our chests as he pushes her away from him and toward Seth, and though we might roll our eyes at the familiar plot device, Ms. Armentrout executes it in spectacular fashion, leaving us with heavy hearts and hollow souls as Alex struggles. What works so well in Alex’s case is that the love triangle is one of circumstance as opposed to conflicted feelings, her heart belonging solely and indisputably to Aiden while her connection to Seth becomes something manufactured as a result of their bond as Apollyons. Seth does play his role as potential suitor stunningly well though, every now and then the cocky arrogance set aside in favor of what appears to be sincerity, but the most intense of their interludes are always precipitated by a change in – or strengthening of – the spiritual cord running between them, reminding us of the difference between what Alex shares with him and what she shares with Aiden.

Readers should prepare themselves for a massive cliffhanger with Deity, the last page leaving us with the desperate desire to write Ms. Armentrout and see what we can do or say to help move the release date for Apollyon up several months. Things in the next book will no doubt be even darker and more intense than what we’ve experienced thus far, and time is sure to pass excruciatingly slowly as we wait to see what’s to become of Alex, Aiden, and Seth.

Rating: 4.5/5

30 comments:

  1. ooOOoOO°!!! I haven't read Deity yet!!!! I started but then I was scared and I stopped . Seriously... I am a little scared about the cliffhanger and this "one will betray her" part!

    btw, I really love Seth and I know I will be heartbroken over him...

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    1. Oh man Danny. We need to have a chat once you do. Seriously. SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT!

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  2. That sounds like one bad cliffie, some I can handle, while some yes makes me want to write the author and beg! :)

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    1. I may have written Jennifer and expressed my intense need for the next book. Stress induced ulcers may have been mentioned as well:)

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  3. I've heard such good things about this series but, as is happening more and more, I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet! The MC sounds like she'd be right up my alley with her smart mouth (though I can see wanting to shake her once in a while when she's -- yet again -- in trouble because of it). Maybe I'll wait and read the whole series so I can skirt the issue of the ciffhanger!

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    1. The first two books don't have cliffhangers, but this third one is a whopper. I got to the end and could have cried at the fact that there were no more pages!

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  4. Yay! I loved the Lux series...and was debating this ones, so your review totally sold me...:) I think Ill wait for the 3rd so I can read them all back to back!

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    1. READ THESE TINA! I like them better than the Lux series (though that could be because I read them first) :)

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  5. I've read some awesome reviews of this series and I've yet to pick it up. I just got a sample for my Nook so I'll browse through it and see if it's my cup of tea. I have to say that while I like a smart mouth, this MC might drive me nuts.

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    1. I really like Alex, I know she sounds like she might drive you crazy, but when you're in the situation with her, you understand why she makes the decisions she does even though you know they're going to be huge mistakes:)

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  6. Oh my! I'm absolutely curious yet also really anxious about this cliffhanger in Deity! I can't wait to get my hands on that book! Fantastic review, Jenny. :)

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    1. It almost killed me Eunice. No joke. The wait for Apollyon is torture:)

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  7. Gosh, I REALLY need to pick up this series! I'm a fan of The Lux Series, so I'm sure I'll love this too. Plus, I loveeee the idea of a dual review - great idea, Jenny! It worked out impeccably well, so I'll have to try that someday too! ;) Needless to say, you've convinced me to pick up this series soon...perhaps when Book 4 is out so I won't suffer with that cliffhanger ending! Wonderful review, dear! :)

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    1. YES KEERTANA! I think if you're a fan of her Lux series, you'll like these books. I actually like these better because Aiden doesn't blow as hot and cold as Daemon does (though Daemon is growing on me like mad). Love these books!

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  8. I love the covers of this series and I really have been meaning to pick it up, but the cliffhangers are putting it off for me. I would rather read all at once. Beautiful reviews Jenny, I know I need to read these with that rating. Happy Monday!

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    1. This third books is the only one with a huge cliffhanger, so you'll be good to go up until that point:) I think Apollyon comes out in April, so you can just do a whole Covenant marathon then:)

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  9. YAY Jenny! This is one of my fave series. Seriously, it just keeps on getting better and better! Loved your review :)

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  10. I haven't read this series yet. I know you said you like it even better than the Lux series, but I'm holding off for now. I don't like huge cliffies. They do sound good. I'm finding you like the being tortured in your books, especially in the love interests.

    Heather

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  11. I adore this series and I can't wait for my copy of Deity to get to me !!!!!

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  12. I NEEDS Deity! NEEDS it I tells ya! It's a moral imperative... a necessity for life...a... well, I suppose you get it...

    I'm still in total love with Aiden. I mean he actually thinks about the consequences and thinks about what is best for her. She needs to go with Seth to leave him free for me... :D

    Cliffie... ugh... but still NEEDS it...

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  13. Half-Blood reminded me a little too much of of one of my favourite series, The Vampire Academy series, so I was pleased to see that Pure was a bit more original. Also, it featured more of Seth ... though Aiden has my heart. I'm dying to read Deity, Jenny, and can't wait to see what happens next!

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  14. This series just sounds so addicting and entertaining. It would have to be with so many loyal fans! I don't know, even though the relationship stuff is so not my thing, I am very interested by all the fans this series has and all the love for it! I just might have to give it a go sometime (when I can fit it in...)!

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  15. Oh yikes! I haven't read Pure yet, though I do have it. Maybe I just need to wait so I can read them all at once. I'm glad you really liked these!

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  16. I love this series, Jenny! So glad to see you do too. This cliffhanger in Deity, ahhhhhh!!!

    Btw, you are so right, BARRONS deserves the SHOUTY capital letters!! I'm in love/lust at this point. ;) We'll discuss later.

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  17. Sigh. I so need to read Jennifer's books. I can't believe I haven't since I hung around her at BEA breakfasts. And everyone loves her books.

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  18. AIDENNNNNNNN<3 YES! Alex's heart belongs to AIDEN. WHICH IS WHY SETH SHOULD BACK OFF. (hahaaa as you can see, I'm firmly Team Aiden <3)
    OMGOMGOMG NOOOOOOO CLIFFHANGER??! Oh goshhh...will I survive?!?! But at least I've already downloaded Elixir off SHP's site...I should be fine for a while...right? hahaaa
    Great review Jenny! I'm so glad you like the series!

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  19. Oh, man! I'm so jealous of you right now, lol! I'm in love with this series and I can't wait to read Deity (tho the cover sucks.. kind of..). Must keep myself entertained with other books (right now I'm loving L. Taylor's "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" - fantastic!). However, even though I'm really digging the Covenant series since Jennifer's writing is pretty awesome and the story is developing beautifully, I can't get it out of my head that the first book was so much alike Vampire Academy (R. Mead). Like.. Mead is literally one of my favorite authors and I've read VA at least 6 times as a whole + the additional re-reading favorite parts thing.. So, as much as I love the Covenant series, it just bugs my book-loving soul that it was so freaking similar. It feels like.. bad to give this series a bad rating, because I love it so much, but at the same time, it's horrible to give this series a high rating due to my love and respect to Richelle Mead. I guess Covenant will always be a runner up in my heart after VA and that's how it will stay. Forever. But still.. Loving this series as well and can't wait to read Deity :)

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  20. I liked Pure, but I LOVED Deity... definitely the best one of the series, in my opinion. I think I said the same things about Alex in my review (not published yet)... she drives me crazy but she's so awesome too, and you can't help but root for her because of her heart being in the right place.

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  21. DUDE you had me till you said cliffhanger on the 2nd one. So your job now is to tell me after the next one if I can pick up all 3. You know I will pitch a fit at a cliffie!

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