Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Source: Purchased
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.
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CATCHALLI didn't wait long to start Pure after finished Half-Blood, and I'm glad I didn't. I loved Half-Blood, but I definitely loved Pure even more. The characters and their relationships developed even more, which was something I never expected to see, even though maybe I should've, and I was pleasantly thrilled with this new development. Pure is definitely a dynamic book. With even more action than the first book and yet important informational development as well, Pure does not suffer from second-book syndrome at all and in fact improves upon the first. It's a special book to me for sure.
THE HEROINE
ALEX
Alex grows even more in this book than she did in the first. And like in the first book, she is so human and relatable that it's impossible not to love her. A lot of times she'll seem to stay strong on the outside, only to break down when she's alone. And besides, her thoughts betray her true feelings to us. Alex is a remarkably strong heroine, and even when faced with extremely difficult things that most of us would balk at, she doesn't blink. She accepts what needs to be done, perhaps not without argument, but she does get it done.
THE LOVE INTERESTS
AIDEN
Oh, Aiden. You guys all know that I am Team Aiden, so there's no reason to hide it. I just love him. He goes through so much conflict in this book—even without seeing his thoughts it's easy to see that. He again struggles between his feelings for Alex and doing what's actually best for her. He does treat her a bit harshly sometimes, but I really believe that he does it because he cares for her and doesn't want to see her get hurt. Sometimes he does seem coldhearted to me. But then he'll turn around and say or do something so sweet and beautiful and sacrificing that my heart literally melts and I just swoon.
SETH
I don't like Seth. Sometimes I even hate him. However in Pure as opposed to Half-Blood I disliked him slightly less. I still think he's way too arrogant and has a clear attitude problem and he still treats the majority of people as if they don't exit. However, when Alex goes through some really difficult times he's there for her, and I have to admit that that is sweet. However that's about the only thing about him that doesn't drive me up a wall.
THE FRIEND
CALEB
Oh, Caleb. Caleb is willing to give up a lot for Alex, even though it's obvious that they're only friends, which is, you know, just awesome. He makes a serious sacrifice in this novel—and it actually brought tears to my eyes. He's a wonderfully developed character. I do adore him, and I think that I wish we'd seen more of him in this book. However, what we do see of him is something to admire.
THE PLOT
WOW. I'm almost speechless, which never happens, because this plot was just so damn amazing.
Even more so than in the first book, some serious, life-changing and risky sacrifices are made in this book. The stakes get even higher, the heart-pounding intensity of it all getting even more intense. The suspense is almost too much to take in some parts, the physical need to know what happens next all-consuming. I am not being melodramatic, nor am I exaggerating. I'm only saying what's absolutely true.
Pure explores things that Half-Blood didn't dare to, and I love that. Instead of being a repeat of the first book, it was absolutely its own. And it doesn't suffer from second-book syndrome at all! The plot continues to move forward at a smooth and steady pace throughout the novel, not stalling at all. It is just so, so impressive. And I mean that in every way.
Alex travels to a different Covenant in this book, where the leader is more old-fashioned, the rules more stiff. And she hates it, of course. But while there she learns some things she never would have learned anywhere else. And things happen there that needed to happen there. The plot moves forward there in a way it couldn't have otherwise.
The plot of Pure kept me entangled in it, not letting me go until I knew it intricately and by heart.
THE ROMANCE
Watching Alex and Aiden's relationship is absolutely heartbreaking. Aiden doesn't want Alex to get hurt because of the laws, so he hurts her himself to avoid that, trying to do the right thing, but it's obvious that that doesn't change how he feels about her at all. And Alex—Alex is so conflicted in this book, torn between Aiden and Seth. Her feelings for Aiden are strong, but she wants to forget about him and Seth is there for her. And here is where I stop, because unfortunately discussing Alex and Seth's relationship is likely to cause me to put a fist through my laptop, which would not be good. Like at all.
THE WRITING
Jennifer's writing, always amazing, only improves as she writes more and more. Alex's voice only gets stronger, and her thoughts go so well with her character. As always, sparkling dialogue. Lush descriptions. And some of the most gorgeous world-building ever seen. The world of the Covenant series actually expands in this book, and the details and even more rules are revealed in their own way, the consequences sharp.
THE ENDING
Oh, oh, oh. The ending of this book literally made me burst into tears. Because it was so beautiful and sweet and sacrificing. (That's a hint…did you catch it?) I absolutely loved it it a bad way. It even broke my heart a little, and I know I'm sounding emotionally unstable right now but like whatever. What I'm saying is still true, even if I'm making slightly less more sense than normal. This time there was definitely a serious cliffhanger. It left me desperate for the next book, in an aching way. It ended on the perfect note. Like the last book, it tied up the essential parts of the plot so they wouldn't get dragged out, but left a ton of room for more.
WRAPUP
Well, of course I'm reading the next books! I'm convinced that Jennifer's books are sheer genius, so of course I'll always read them. And if you want my recommendation, you have it! If I could, I would literally buy everyone a copy of this book and tell them to read it. It's that incredible. The Covenant series, after only two books and a novella, has already found a special place in both my heart and my shelves. I love it totally.
FINE.
*****FINAL RATING: 4.70 RED ROSES*****
