Mundie Moms

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Book Review: Pure by Jennifer Armentrout


Published by: Spencer Hill Press
To Be Released on: April 3rd, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher to review
5 stars: I Loved It
Pre-Order from: Amazon
Series: Covenant #2

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 -quoted from Goodreads

This book is PURE awesomeness! If you thought Half Blood was hard to put down with it's action packed plot line, incredibly hot character chemistry, surprising twists and rich Greek mythology, wait till you read the exciting sequel, Pure. Jennifer Armentrout takes this story up a notch and WOW, talk about hot! This story is loaded with intensity, sizzling character chemistry, plenty of snark, and of course action. We all know how much I love a great mix of chemistry, snarkiness and action. What I wasn't prepared for was the surprises Jennifer throws into this sequel and falling in love with Seth! I know! Seth out of everyone that was introduced in Half Blood completely blindsided me in Pure.

This sequel picks up right after Half Blood left off, and I absolutely loved being back in Alex's world. The fighting, the romance and the danger are more intense, exciting and just as engaging as in book one. Alex is one of my favorite heroines. Honestly how could I not love her? She's feisty, stubborn, snarky, and isn't afraid to get into someone's face if she needs to, and believe me she does that often and well. One of the other things I love about her is she's tough. I've come to love and admire how she dishes it right back to both Aiden and Seth. Oh these boys..... Alex definitely gives them a run for their money in Pure. I adore Aiden. I mean who doesn't right? He's the tall, strong, swoon worthy Pure who we all know has a talent for kicking butt, and has stolen Alex's heart. Who doesn't love a forbidden romance right? Well let's not forget about Seth! Oh Seth, that hot, infuriating Apollyon who not only got under Alex's skin in Half Blood, but mine as well. He really steps up his game in Pure and WOW that boy completely took me by surprise!

Now, don't get me wrong, I love Aiden, but I fell in love with Seth more in Pure. There's so many complex layers to his character and though he's unpredictable, cocky, and overly self confident, I loved seeing a whole different side to him. It was during the times were it was just him and Alex that I felt like I was getting to see glimpses of who he really is, even if it was for a brief moment. He really made this sequel that much more exciting. There's two scenes between he and Alex that are both swoon worthy and hysterical all at the same time, because of the events that happen during both scene. If you guys thought the chemistry between Aiden and Alex was hot in Half Blood, wait till you read about the chemistry between Seth and Alex! Talk about sizzling, their chemistry is seriously hot!

I love Jennifer Armentrout's writing style! I've come to the admire the awesome job she does at combining all the elements I love in a well written YA paranormal. She knows how to keep her story line fresh, exciting, engaging and completely unpredictable. I like that her writing has a little bit of an edge it with slight in your face style. There's no trying to read between the lines or second guess what her characters motives are and what's really going on. She puts it all out there. Jennifer has quickly become one of those authors's whose books I can without a doubt sit down to read and know I'll enjoy every moment of it.

If you're looking for a series that will surprise you, deliver plenty of romance, action, mythology and so much more, I highly recommend picking up the Covenant series today! If you've read Half Blood and you're wondering about whether or not you want to pick up Pure, let me just say that Jennifer takes everything that goes on in Half Blood up a notch (or more) in this book. Believe me, you'll want to have Pure in your hands asap! I can't wait to jump back into this world with Deity.

*******

Be sure to stop back by MM's on April 5th when Seth stops by the blog! Believe me, you don't want to miss my interview with me. Right now you can also go read the 1st three chapters of PURE here

Ally Carter's Out of Sight, Out of Time Tour - San Jose Stop

(top row: Ally Carter, Hickleebee's sweater-tree. bottom row: the audience and look at the cuteness all around the store, me, and my two Gallagher Girls with Ally)

Just had to post a big thank you to Hicklebee's in San Jose for a wonderful afternoon with Ally Carter. I'm beginning to get used to my seven hour, round trip drive to the Bay Area because it's just so fun to attend these events.

Although, there were no spoilers talked about during Ally's Q&A, I think I can share that in the next Heist Society novel, Kat's glasses will reflect...(removed for spoilers). Okay, I won't tease you. It was a fun hour and we learned quite a bit about both Gallagher Girls and Heist Society.

In the spirit of Cammie, let's do this as a fact or rumor list:
  • The book that was the most challenging to write was Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy because it introduced Zach and according to Ally "you never forget the boy who gave you gray hairs and made you fat". (Aside: can't do RUMOR/FACT because I saw no evidence of either, but boy did I chuckle 'cause kids cause the same symptoms in some of us) 
  • The inspiration for Gallagher Girls was Ally's own experience in spy school. RUMOR.
  • Mr. Solomon was written in just for us mom's to enjoy. NEITHER. It was a comment that I had to make to Ally.
  • We can look forward to more short stories, multiple POVs like the one on The Gallagher Academy with the release of the next book. FACT. Ally's publisher gave her the idea and she enjoyed writing the different POVs.
  • The last Gallgher Girls book will be book 6. FACT.
I'm still sad about the last fact. I know, I know, I'm one obsessed mom. So, if you haven't read the series yet, both Katie and I have reviewed the books here, and Katie still has to finish books 3, 4 and 5. But, be sure to get them. Get all of them. I feel confident that you will enjoy the characters, their world and ohmyeverything their stories as much as we did.

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