After finishing the Lux series (and it’s newest release), I just had to reread this series. For those who didn’t read my post on the Lux series, I will once again state that I am not a huge fan of Young Adult type novels, although I have read and enjoyed them. While this one doesn’t deal with aliens like the previous series I reviewed, it does deal with deities – and their demigod children and THEIR children, etc. I’m more open to deities and such in my paranormal novels than aliens, YET I loved the Lux series just slightly better. Odd, isn’t it?
From the short synopsis of book one: 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. Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.
That is the world in which the series starts. It’s a YA paranormal series told from a young half-blood girl’s point of view, and her struggles within the system and without it as it crumbles.
Before I get started on the individual reviews, I just wanted to say the series overall was another ‘stay up too late to just finish one more chapter’ type series. It was excellently done.
I was also excited to see this series did differ from the Lux series by adding a more serious love threat and how the two main protagonist interact. JLArmentrout is an amazingly talented writer who can vary her characters as they should be. I do not like feeling like I’m rereading the same characters acting out a different plot. You all know what I’m saying?
Daimon (Covenant 0.5 prequel)
The prequel to the entire Covenant series, it tells the story of what exactly happened to Alex’s mother before Aiden finds her at the beginning of the first novel.
To be honest, I read and enjoy romance more than any other major genre in novels. If it doesn’t have romance in it, I usually blah my way through the book. A fantasy novel is great, as long as the main character loves someone, doesn’t have to be in the main part of the story but it usually has to be there. This novel had none. If I remember right, there was a hint of a former crush of Alex’s before she left the Covenant, but other than that, nada. I do not count that date at the beginning of the story. The boy was weak and stupid.
Also, and while I love JLArmentrout to pieces, honestly I thought the series could have taken or left this story. It didn’t exactly add much to the story except you got a peek into Alex’s relationship with her mother before it all fell apart. While that is important, it could have also been done in the main series with memories or stories told to Alex’s best friend Caleb, or something, you know? So I wasn’t impressed by this installment.
I did only read this story after starting the series, so I guess that’s why I kept at it. So because I didn’t feel it added much to the overall series that needed to be there, but because I did like it, I’m going with 3.5 stars.
Half-Blood (Covenant 1.0)
Alex returns to the Covenant – a special school for those training to become Sentinels – after a three year absence. She has to learn to adjust from being out among humans, reacquaint herself with old friends, fight off her attraction to her trainer, Aiden, and brave the pit of vipers that is the politics of these beings.
Without giving away too much else, I’ll simply have to say that Alex is a rash girl who does things I would have dreamed of doing, but never would have, and the forbidden attraction to Aiden makes things interesting. However, it is a little hard to figure out exactly what the man is thinking a lot of the time, but that is part of his charm. The world JLArmentrout created is detailed as well and she creates such intricate character personalities. It always leaves you guessing as to what exactly is going on. Great read! 4.5 stars!
Pure (Covenant 2.0)
Wow, things get kind of heated a bit in this one. You throw in Seth, who is supposed to be Alex’s other half, yet she still loves Aiden, the forbidden one. Throw in a summons to the council and plots to destroy her because of what she is, and Alex’s life just can’t get more messed up.
I like Seth. I really do, he’s a bit of an ass, but I like my fictional men a little like that. In all honesty, it really does seem like the only person outside of himself he cares for is Alex. The different personalities that JLA can create astound me sometimes. Although I do wished Aiden and Alex’s relationship would go a bit faster, but to be honest, it was perfectly done to keep us aching for it. This is definitely another ‘stay up all night just to finish one more chapter’ type of book. 5 stars!
Deity (Covenant 3.0)
So hard to do this without spoilers! I’m not doing synopsis’s of each book simply because they have minor spoilers in them, and while I personally don’t mind some spoilers, some people are fanatic about them. I simply want people to NOT tell me the major plot reveals and endings. That’s all. However, to be fair for those who wish to read it and enjoy it like I did – spoiler free – I’ll try to stay away from it.
In the previous book, Aiden does something so profound it could destroy his life if anyone ever learns of it, all to protect Alex. In this one, she’s dealing with the worry of that, the slow suspicion surrounding Seth, despite the fact she wants to believe in him. She keeps onto that hope and as well as trying to understand the difference between need and love, fate and choice. She keeps ignoring her suspicions, holding onto that deep friendship she has with Seth. Plus she has to dodge assassins from a fanatical cult bent on killing her. Oh, and keep her distance from the Pure she loves.
This is a slightly darker read, but the agony and worry really do infect the reader. Although I did want to strangle Alex a few times for purposely ignoring warning signs regarding one of the men in her life, but it is excusable once you understand it, so I’ll let that pass. Luckily for us readers, we really get to see a lot of Alex and Aiden moments, although he’s still a little difficult to read. By the end of the novel – a horrible cliffhanger – you are dying for the next one! I’m wavering between 4 and 5 stars here, so I’ll split the difference. 4.5 stars!
Elixir (Covenant 3.5)
This shorter little piece is told exclusively from Aiden St. Clair’s point of view during his desperation in trying to break the connection between his beloved Alex and Seth. He’s faced with horrible choices and it’s his struggle to find a way to help her before Apollo is forced to do something drastic.
I loved this one. I didn’t like Alex in it for obvious reasons, but the view into Aiden’s mind was a welcome one. I adored it. It needed to be told and I’m happy it did. Plus the choice he came up with in the end shows just how much he does love her, despite the taboo on their relationship. JLArmentrout does an amazing job when she finally writes from the male protagonist’s side and this just might be my favorite of all of the Covenant books. 5 stars!
Apollyon (Covenant 4.0)
Things really come to a head in this installment. Poor Aiden continues to suffer the abuse from Alex, all the while keeping the faith that she’ll severe the connection to Seth on her own. It’s beautiful how he feels about her in giving her that trust, even when everyone else has given up hope. Every girl’s dream.
Of course, the real battle is soon to come and Team Alex is striving to find a way to keep Seth from becoming the god-killer.
Some of the things in this novel are dark but needed. I love the dynamics between all of the characters and the twists in the plot I almost never see coming. I hate psycho-Alex, but her normal self is a strong girl whom I think most of us can relate to. Of course, my favorite god is still Apollo. He’s just great. So while this installment was as usual excellent, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous ones, so I give it 4 stars!!
Sentinel (Covenant 5.0)
The end of another great series by JLArmentrout. It always makes me sad, yet I devoured this book just like the rest. It’s filled with surprises, Alex’s trauma from the fight in the previous book, and as always, love.
I am back to liking Seth in this book, and even feel a bit for him. Aiden is of course the favorite, now that he’s a bit more open. Alex, of course, kicks ass. But you never know the way it’s going to go until the very end and after all the losses Alex has suffered, it’s amazing how strong she is. This book is a strong ending to this great series, and I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out. Except for the deal with Seth of course… I hear a new spin-off series is coming out with Seth in it. We’ll see how that goes!
In any case, this was a strong finish, lots of emotional ups and downs and determined warriors doing their best to avert the gods’ wrath. It was lovely. 4.5 stars. Great job, JLArmentrout.
Stalker Links
Jennifer L. Armentrout – website
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