Length: 329 pages
Format: E-book
Source: Ebookfling
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, YA
Series: Yes Book #2 of 5
Completed: December 2013
Challenges: 2012 2nds Challenge, 2012 E-book Challenge, 2012 Outdo Yourself Challenge, 2012 YA Mythology Challenge
SUMMARY
Aidan decides its in Alex's best if he removed himself from her life, regardless of what his true feelings for her may be. So, Seth steps in and takes over her training, trying to fill Aidan's shoes. Alex, deflated, but determined continues to move forward with her schooling and work towards her primary goal of becoming a sentinel. However, she just can't manage to keep out of trouble. Then, when an unexpected tragedy occurs, accusatory fingers are all pointed to Alex as the person to blame. She ends up being put on trial. Her whole future is at stake. What will the Council decide for her? Is she going to be forced to spend the rest of her life in servitude?
BACKGROUND
From Amazon, "Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. Well, mostly. She spends her time reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent her time writing short stories... therefore explaining her dismal grades in math." Half-Blood kicks off her new Covenant Series. Armentrout plans to have five total books in this series, excluding the two novellas she written in addition. The second book Pure was released in April of 2012 and Deity was recently came out in November. The fourth book called Appollyon will be published in April of 2013, following that will be what I believe to be the final installment, titled Sentinel will be released sometime in 2013 also.
SETTING PACE AND STYLE
Pacing moderate to fast, especially as it approaches the conclusion. Writing is straightforward, the voice is slightly snarky, entertaining and fun. The story begins in North Carolina and then moves Florida for Alex's trial. Told in a first person narrative, from Alex's perspective, Pure is a strong follow up to Half Blood.
CHARACTERS AND PLOT
In this second installment most of the characters experienced at least some growth. We learn much more about the Appollyan and see the beginnings of an odd love triangle forming between Aiden, Alex and Seth. Its different because she is really off-limits to both of them. Alex is developed deeper in this book while Aiden sort of quietly fades into the background. This book focuses more on Alex's budding relationship with Seth. He's caring, comforting and appears to give Alex the security she needs to feel safe when he's around. Caleb continues to be Alex's rock. He's such a great friend and is always supportive of Alex no matter what she gets herself mixed up in.
RECOMMENDATION
I strongly recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed Half Blood. This is a great second book, one which doesn't suffer from second book syndrome. If you enjoy action packed reading with a little romance infused into your storyline, pick this one up. I don't think you'll not be disappointed.
PERSONAL NOTE
My interest for reading this book primarily stemmed from two things: 1.) I read/reviewed Half Blood and wanted to see where the story would take me next and 2.) it helped me complete some of my 2012 challenges. I don't know if I would have read this without the pressure of my 2012 challenges, I'm happy I did.
Pure is one of those rare second books in the series that actually rivals the greatness of the first book. This book wasn't stagnant, or the same as Half Blood. It was completely different and did a fantastic job of advancing the plot, presenting a whole different set of problems for the main character. The romance is changed up, moving away from Aiden and Alex and focusing more on the newly developing relationship between Alex and her Apollyan counterpart Seth. I guess you could say this has a slight variation of the typical love triangle we see so often in YA literature.
The last ten percent of the book is extremely, action packed, with some pretty intense fight scenes. The ending produces some closure, but is open-ended. Its not a nasty cliffhanger. Its pretty obvious there still is a significant amount of story left untold. This book tees up book three quite nicely. I have a strong desire to pick up the next one and keep reading. How about you?
RATING
I'd give this one a solid four rings. I've deducted one ring because the writing doesn't totally captivate me, don't get me wrong, its really good, just lacks that extra special quality which steps it up to the next level.
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| 4 out of 5 Rings (CAPTIVATING - LOOKED FORWARD TO READING) |
I thought this one was even better than Half-Blood. I did have a little set back with the series though once I started reading Vampire Academy for the first time. The stories are somewhat similar and that annoyed me since VA came out first and really had the plot lines before Armentrout wrote very similar plot lines in her books.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the third book, even more about Alex's world comes into play in the third book. Plus the love triangle heats up some more.
Thanks for the great review! :)
Hi Alexa, thanks for stopping by. I'm happy your found so value in my review. I agree I do think I enjoyed this one better than Half-Blood. I've never read Vampire Academy, so I'm not familiar with the similarities. I'll remember that and maybe I just won't read that series for fear of disappointment. I'm really looking forward to the next book, now I just have to find some time to read it. Darn new releases and debuts seem to monopolize my time.
DeleteYay! I liked Pure as well (actually, I think of the series, it was my favorite :D). Like you said, it advanced the plot, and I really liked Seth. I hope the end of the series is as good as it could (and should be). Nice review!
ReplyDeleteNinja Girl
Hi Ninja Girl, Thanks for stopping by. I'm happy you enjoyed my review. Have you read all the books in this series so far? I'm curious to see if it just keeps getting better.
DeleteI haven't yet found that extra bit of motivation that would get me to pick up this series, but I do have to say that it sounds like an extremely fun, entertaining, and addicting read. I am a bit on the fence about the romance, but other than that, I can see why people are so in love with this series and author.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess if you've read Vampire Academy it might be too similar for your tastes, but since I haven't its been entertaining. The romance isn't overwhelming, because its a forbidden love sort of thing going on, for me, this works well.
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