Not exactly unique- similar plot line to Vampire Academy, with different character names.In both...The main character, a girl is dragged back to the school or convent, trained by an incredibly hot mentor (and saved from becoming a servant/slave/blood donor), even though the guy didn't have to help her. Falls for the mentor, even though she shouldn't.She becomes one of the best fighter, as she was before she ran away. Then there is the ending-the only independent variable.In VA, there are Strigoi, people who drain the blood from a Moroi, royalty of Damphir, guardians. In Half-Blood, daimon's are basically the same thing.In both, the main character, a girl is a Damphir or half-blood, training to be a Sentinel or Guardian.It was well written. I really enjoyed reading this one! I kind of tried to come up with negative points about Half Blood... but as of now, I couldn't name any.The plott is not really something new (but that is not what I'm looking for in a book anyway. It's nice if the story is something entirely new to me, but let's get real... this doesn't happen too often ^^)but I really like the concept of girl/boy getting thrown (or thrown back) into a magical world and having to cope with it and like in this case, having some catching up to master. Top it off with a hot guy and I'm the happiest fangirl reader walking upon earth.Anyway. I really liked the main character. She is snarky, she is funny and that is what makes a protagonist really enjoyable for me (can't really deal with the purehearted to the core, happy-go-lucky kinda protagonists. Because one: they just don't do it for me and two... I don't find them to be really realistic. Because nobodys perfect.) And an extra plus for the main character Alex: Where some female protagonists with her characzeristics tend to also annoy me at some point (not in a really bad way, but in a "come ooooon, get your shit together way"... she never did. I found her actions and behaviour really relatable and all in all really liked her. Also the side-characters were quite lovable (or in Leas and Seth's case enjoyable and benefitting for the story and entertainment of the reader.) And Aiden, although not taking over Daemons place on pole position (from the Lux-series by J.L. Armentrout), is a character you gotta love. The quite typical protective type of guy... but nonetheless someone you would enjoy if he did lokk after you that way. ;)So Half Blood beside the Lux-Series seems to be one of my favourites by J.L.Armentrout right now.
What do You think about Mestiza (2011)?
What an awesome book! It starts off right where Daimon the prequel novella left off and jumps into this thrill ride!! One of my favorite scenes is on page 4: "The worst possible thing happened. A wall of flames flee up in front of me, burning through benches and shooting at least eight feet in the air. It was real. No illusion. The heat blew back at me and the fire crackles, eating through the walls.In front of me, he walked right through the flames,looking every bit like a daimon Hunter should. The fire did not singe his pants nor dirty his shirt. Not a single hair was touched by the blaze. Those cool, storm-cloud-colored eyes fixed on me.It was him-Aiden St. Delphi." That was all it took for me to fall in love!! Maiden has Alex's back through the entire book when it comes for Marcus (her uncle) and Lucian ( her stepfather) to allow her back into the Covenant instead of being a servant. Aiden is her training instructor and boy does it get steamy!! Then comes the secrets...her mother didn't die in Georgia but turned into a daimon. Then comes Seth the totally bad ass Apollyon!! And then more secrets..Alex is the next Apollyon. She then goes after her mother/daimon to end her life because who else should it be right!! Great story, comforting ending and the beginning of Alex's next journey...the few months up until she goes through the change on her eighteenth birthday...the formation of her becoming a full apollyon. Fusing her to Seth.
—Kim
I received this book as a Goodreads first read and loved it! Alex is a really likeable character right from the start, and I couldn't put this down!! I haven't read VA, so I can't comment on whether it's a copy like some readers have stated. But with a strong lead female, gorgeous guys, daimons and an underlying current of Greek mythology, what's not to like?Looking forward to the next installment :)
—SociallyShunned
This book was totally addicting! One of those you just can't put down. Loved it!
—laura
