Sentinel (Covenant #5)

                 Hello happy readers!  So first things first don’t forget I still have a giveaway up and running for a SIGNED copy of A Crown of Wishes here.  Today I'm going to be discussing my thoughts on the final book in the Covenant series, Sentinel, by Jennifer L. Armentrout and my overall thoughts on the series.  Spoilers through the series, duh.

Rating:  5 Stars

                So when we left off in the last book stuff had gotten real.  Our group was taking hit after hit and it ended with Alex being broken by Ares but being spirited away and healed by Apollo.  Like I said series.  We finally know which god is behind things pulling all the strings and bent on war.  Makes sense really.  But as the mortal world starts to slip into chaos Alex has to reconcile what happened and shake herself doubt away and dive back into the fray.  She will do anything necessary even work with a known enemy of the past to face the enemy of the present. All while trying to figure out a way out of this mess that lets her have her happily ever after in the end.

                 The options don't look good.  Alex has been this strong force of nature through the books so far.  She has had her moments of weakness and doubt sure but never like this.  She actually wanted to die.  Ares broke her.  This is a hard hit to suffer.  Aiden as always is there by her side willing to do anything to help.  I love how supportive he is with her.  Their connection from the start has always been off the charts but in this one it just really hits you in the core.  There are so many moments where they just know the other and what they need on instinct or a single look.  They are equals and always have been despite the breed order or her Apollyon powers they have always treated each other as equals.  Both knowing the other is in danger and not trying to shut them away but instead trusting them and their ability to make it through.  This really touches the heart.

                 Then we have Seth.  I hated him.  I didn't like him from the start but then I grew to hate his character and the evil he was a part of in his power hungry daze.  I equated him with a rapist drugging her with the bond and then leeching her power even when she tried to say no.  At the end of the last book with the showdown with Ares, all the pain, misery, and despair she felt as he broke her body and spirit I hoped he would feel every ounce through the bond.  Let him take on the horror he brought on.  He did.  He is suddenly seeing through the haze of his power madness and wants to help, suddenly seeing the error of his ways.  There was nothing he could do to redeem himself in my eyes.  Though watching as he tried and meet skepticism and resistance from everyone else I enjoyed that.  He got back on charm for so long seeing it not work, that everyone held him accountable for his evil deeds was refreshing.  I liked that they never tried to belittle those deeds.

                 Now adding this into the story was huge story points but we still have a war to finish.  This is the final book and there was a lot of ground to cover.  We have to save the world and nothing is ever easy or without cost.  This doesn't change here.  There is a price to be demanded and no matter how hard or gut wrenching for the good of all our heroes will face it.  I was constantly on the edge of my seat finishing this book trying to think of any twists or loop holes to make everything I wanted to happen to happen.  There was a lot to cover and it wasn't smooth sailing and in war people die.  This book actually had me getting teary and/or crying in different parts just thinking about certain characters futures (yes I know vague me) and this got more intense the closer we got to the end.

                 I was so nervous as I got closer that it might not end in a way that satisfied me.  I should not have worried though because JLA knows what she's doing and this series was amazing.  It hits you with all the feels and then some but you end feeling complete.  Like how it ends you can instantly see it from the start looking back on the whole journey.  It also did something that I wasn't sure was possible given how I felt about Seth pre this book and that's make me want to read his spin-off/sequel series.  I think I'm going to hold off a few months before I start these but I have the first three ready to go.  While there is the spin-off/sequel series I think the Covenant series wraps up nicely in Sentinel and I highly recommend it. 

                Until next time…

Apollyon (Covenant #4)

                Hello happy readers!  So I had a bit of a crazy weekend happening here getting things finalized for my trip this week.  I leave in a few days and there is still so much that needs to be done.  I should also note I'm a monstrous over-packer.  Seriously I feel like I have to be prepared for everything.  I just hate needing to buy something when I know I already have it at home.  I also had a girls night and went o see the new Beauty and the Beast which was my all time favorite movie growing up.  I am working on my full review for that well so stay tuned.  Hoping for later today if not tomorrow for that.  In the mean time I finished the fourth audiobook in the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Apollyon.  I have a couple days for finish the last book in the series to have it at least caught up before the event!  I reviewed the previous stories here (Half-Blood, Pure, & Deity) and as this book takes place after the short novella Elixir I will share my thoughts on it as well. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                So at the end of Deity we left off in a seriously bad place.  Things had been going to crud for a while but there was some good moments as well as some hope and sweet moments….then it hit fan as Alex came into her power and her connection to Seth took over.  Elixir is the short novella that happens between Deity and Apollyon and while I normally don't think novellas are necessary to the story I feel that this one might be.  Everything that happens is kind of touched on briefly in the story so if you miss it you won't be lost but having read it first, I felt I had a better understanding of where our characters are.  Alex has always feared two things above all else losing herself first to the Elixir and then to the Awakening process.  But through it all there is something stronger, love.  Aiden is willing to do anything, take on any God, to save his Alex.  He is determined to break the connection between Alex and Seth.  Aside from the connection making her all murdery there is still the whole problem of how to keep either of them from becoming the God Killer.  With both Gods and other half's and pure's fighting against you it is not an easy task.

                So first I have to say again how anti-Seth I am.  I mean I didn't like him from the start but yeah he just keeps getting deeper and deeper down this road I don't know how he can ever pull himself back up.  Still even with how much hate he brings up in the story the love between Alex and Aiden outshines it.  I love them!  I love how they are with one another and the understanding of each other.  I also adore that they see something is up with the other and instead of letting it fester up or cause a rift they talk it out.  That and they live in the moment because lets face it when most of the world is out to get you there is no guarantee on tomorrow.  Them together just steams up the pages be it making out or kicking butt.  Seeing the connection grow and even more seeing it out and not hidden because well with everything happening the breed order rule isn't really a huge concern at the present.  Still the scenes when Alex isn't herself, the strong and wild girl we've grown to love over the series but this shell of who she was while on the Elixir or all violent and all "my Seth" it was surreal.  Still even knowing what must happen and what he has done to her, made her into the fact that she still feels for him and the guy he used to be really speaks for her character. 

   

               There is so many things happening in this story and it is all leading up to a head.  The Gods are coming into play more and more and we see just how the Gods react to the threat.  There is a lot that needs fixing in this series and only one book left I have so many expectations.  One thing I can say is it's never a dull moment.  The action is constantly there but there are also quite moments taken when they can to calm us down and despite the life or death nature of it all find some levity.  So many of the characters in our little trusted group are important, some continue to be so even from the Underworld.  It's always hard to know who to trust in this world but watching everyone fight together really gives you a sense of hope. 

                I'm ready to move onto the last book and see how it ends.  I'm anxious and nervous about this ending.  There is so much ridding on it.  I have some theories and on how things can play out but who knows at this point I may be way off base.  I am hoping things work out but as she has continued to kill off characters it's never a safe bet anyone is safe. 

                Until next time…

Deity (Covenant #3)

                Hello happy readers!  So diving right into this last week I reviewed the second book in the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout Pure, and I loved it but was anxious to continue.  Well I had been into the next book before the post went up and after it did I was even more determined to finish it.  Hence why this is up so quick!  So without much more my thoughts on Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout.  Spoilers for the first two books, duh. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                So wow.  So much is happening in this.  Alex is reeling from what happened in the last book.  She is used to breaking rules but she killed a Pure and more, Aiden broke even more laws risking himself to cover it up for her.  She is getting closer to her birthday but everyone seems ready to kill or use her, neither of which are cool.  It’s hard to know whom to trust.

                This book was all about some characters for me.  I of course loved Alex even though I had some issues with her here and there like her inability to see things for what they are and to ignore signs.  I understood why and it made sense to her which I appreciate.  Aiden.  OMG he is my favorite!  He is awesome!  He covered for her and then everything in this book, all the tension and feelings.  He is just…wow do I love him.  There are some things I totally called and others I figured in a wide view but the final result was intense. 

                Now I mentioned in the last book I didn’t like Seth.  I didn’t like him for so many reasons but just from the first quarter of this book, probably like 50 pages really I actually hated him.  I felt like he was like a rapist.  That might seem harsh I know but that's what it felt like to me.  I don't blame him for what happened in the last book with the brew I get that.  I mean when he keeps pushing her into things.  Alex says she wants space and breathing room and he just forces himself on her until the cord comes out and calms her down and basically roofies her.  He keeps pushing until that takes hold.  She was hardly conscious at one point trying to make more marks appear even though she is scared and not ready for it.  But he's riding high and she's hardly able to breath and he's trying to get her naked.  I fear what would have happened had someone not intervened.  That is not cool.  And even if she is not complaining or seeing how wrong it is, because she’s basically drugged, she is confused by this connection she says she is and how it clouds her head but nope listening to her would deny him what he wants.  That is just from like 50 pages and not even counting the other BS that happens in the book.  Just saying I didn’t like him from the start.

                Some seriously awesome things happened in this as well.  Swoon worthy things.  And some horrible things.  This book was a roller coaster.  I think each book keeps picking up the pace and the thrills.  There are so many revelations about so many characters.  I am both anxious and scared to start the next book because who knows what could happen.  Deity did focus more on Alex and the conspiracy she is unknowingly/unwillingly at the center of, being the second Apollyon is not stress free that's for sure.  Aside from some swoon stuff that had me jumping for joy my favorite part was that we did get to know more about the Gods and even meet some of them.  I can even explain but to say there is awesome suspense and tons of action happening along with all the other drama that we love so much.  Highly recommend this series.  Also loving that I'm reading them late so I can go straight through them without having to wait, definitely the way to go.  That's all for now.

                Until next time…

Pure (Covenant #2)

                Hello happy readers!  Another joyous Monday, I admit my weekend felt much too short.  But I did get a couple of things done so cheers to that.  I didn't have any new books last week so I had nothing to share on Stacking the Shelves but I already have things for next week ;) One thing I worked on my review for today which I'm excited for as I work my way through the series.  Last month I review Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (review)and now I have my thoughts and feels for book two, Pure.  Spoilers for book one of course.

Rating:  5 Stars

                We pick up where we left off.  Shit got real in the last book.  I had expected things to happen but if I'm honest I never expected her to get that marked up by things so when it happened I was shocked.  So now she's back in school and training with dreamy Aiden but wait she now has to train with her "other half" Seth the first Apollyon whom she is supposed to belong with.  Still daimons are infiltrating Covenants all over and now we know Half's can be turned it is an uncertain world.  Still it's not just the daimons after her but all those who aren't fond of her being the second coming of the Apollyon and what that will mean. 

                This story really hit me in the feels.  First being in her head as she deals with everything that happened with her mom.  That was just hard she was struggling so much but trying to stay strong because that is what is expected of her.  If she shows weakness there is the chance she could end up in servitude.  Then there is the dreamy man you're in love with who is totally off limits because of ancient laws from the Gods that are punishable by servitude or death.  Really tries to kill the romance but still the heart never is a logical thing.  And then you have Seth who is suddenly everywhere and this weird connection with him, this cord you don't understand and that's not even counting the whole Apollyon to be thing or the furies that have been planted in the lobby of all Covenants. 

                We get to see more on her training which is fun.  I love that she isn't just magically good at things and while she is tough and good she is also working her ass off to make it that way.  I love the dedication.  I also loved that we got to see more of the class differences here.  It was much stronger especially when they go to the council to answer for what happened with her mother.  Dealing with so much and already vulnerable she has to face off with people who know just how to play her and will stop at nothing to put an end to her.  Seriously this was insane. Plus all the dialogue, the witty banter and back and forth between all the characters just made it flow!

                 Between the emotional and all the espionage and such it was a packed read.  I still adore Alex because well she's everything we can relate to even when she does stupid things and I yell at her like she were real and could hear me.  Aiden is amazing and I still want one of him, but without all the danger and complications because it just rips on my heart!  Then we have Seth…okay I don't like him.  There I said it.  I didn't care for him tons in the first book but then this one my feelings just solidified.  I mean boundaries hello.  And I don't like that he's trying to get between my ship.  Now I admit he has his moments where I kind of like him but then he usually ruins it.  Plus I have a feeling he knows way more than he's telling.  I also hold to my feelings about Lucien and Marcus.  Marcus I think is okay just not warm and fuzzy but I don't trust Lucien at all. 

                I did like getting to know some more of the students and class mates.  The divide between Half's and Pure's being drawn about more now that they can be turned.  The sudden shift in treatment and how everyone reacts to it.  I'm really hoping one of the end game plays is going to be abolish this whole class difference between them and also allow relationships.  Just saying I'm hopeful for the future.  More so after seeing much more of the servants and how they are and are treated.  It got under my skin so badly.  I was all into this book.  But yes we got to meet new people at the Council like Laaden who I enjoyed getting to know she added a bit of femininity to the mix as Alex is generally surrounded by men. 

                Anyways lots of things are happening and while I don't like some of them they are winding up my feelings and making me anxious to continue on.  More loses that feel like a knife to the heart, seriously though I was hoping it wouldn't happen but I was so wrong.  And then some of the discoveries and things happening….oh yeah it's on.  I can't wait to read the next book and continue on.    

                Until next time…

Half-Blood (Covenant #1)

                So I’ve had these books for a while, 2014 actually but like a good portion of my library I had not yet read them.  I got them back before YALLfest when I was determined to read all of them and more, seriously my amazon bill around then was insane!  I didn’t make my goal and they have been waiting to be picked up for some time.  So now as I am attending ApollyCon2017 in March and the third book in the spin off Titan series is going to be released I figure I should catch up so I don’t get spoiled.  Side note, anyone attending ApollyCon let me know I’d love to make sure we met up!  So here are my thoughts on book one in the Covenant series, Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Rating: 5 Stars

                Basically this is a world of Pures’ who have a type of elemental magic thanks to their originating from Gods and mortals making babies; and Half-Bloods, the product of a Pure and a mortal, who have no elemental control but they have the added benefit of being able to see through daimon covers.  This along with their strength to fight make them valuable, but not equal.  Oh yeah daimons are evil ones who search out Pure and Half-Blood to suck out and feed on their either in a very painful way.  Pure’s rule things and Half’s either train to be guards or sentinels or becoming doped up servants.  Our MC Alexandria, Alex, wants to fight daimons not waste away as a servant but that is always a possibility if you break the rules.  Several rule their lives but the most important rule of all is to know your place below all Pures’ no relationships between the groups what so ever among other things.  So that makes things difficult when Alex has to train with her long time crush, super-hot Pure Aiden.  She has to catch up and stay alive while avoiding breaking too many rules.   

                So I’ll go ahead and say first thing I did see a lot of similarities in some parts with another book/series I LOVE, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.  And you know what?  I didn’t mind.  I loved Vampire Academy and while some things seemed somewhat similar they were different and unique to this story.  Plus come on it’s very rare to find a book/series that doesn’t in some way remind you of something else if you read the same genre a lot.  It’s about making your book/series stand out and Half-Blood did that for me.

                Alex is a strong force of nature whom we meet in a pickle.  We learn about the world rather quickly and it develops overtime and I love how we were taught about the world in a way of others reminding Alex the way of things.  The world isn’t fair.  Half’s are royally screwed.  Become a fighter to risk your life daily or become a slave.  What are those options?  That is something that really drew me in.  Then adding in another, Seth the Apollyon, a Half with power over all elements making him more powerful than a Pure.  Still because he is a Half he is treated like one.  This whole Half/Pure dynamic is really intriguing to me.  I don't agree with it and some of the "rules" really hit some buttons for me but that is what brought it world to life and differentiated it. 

                I love Alex's strong willed and stubborn nature even when at times I feel she is a bit to stubborn about the wrong things.  She  is wild and over the course of the story and working with Aiden who is much more by the book.  He has his own dark past and his own issues but it's fun getting to know him as Alex does, as more than the obscenely hot Pure training her.  He has depth.  I like the combination of them together.

                 Another character I just adored is Caleb.  OMG he is so much fun.  He is the best friend who is strong and solid and down for anything and will stand by you.  But best of all is that is all there was.  Friendship.  No undertones of romance between them on either side.  I liked that they were straight up friends only, brother and sister vibes going on.  And then we have Seth.  He is not my favorite.  Maybe because he just knows how to push Alex's buttons and as we see from her perspective if feels like our buttons as well.  Maybe I was just on edge the whole time because of the rules, I would be royally screwed let me just tell you.

                The overall story, I feel like we covered so much.  There are some developments and things that happened I did not see coming.  And some things I saw I didn't see happening in that way which shocked my socks off.  I loved the action and pacing of the book.  There is always something keeping you going and unable to stop from the character conflicts, romance, tension, action, and intrigue you stay keyed up.  Just when you think you get a moment of rest it knocks you with something else to keep you going in a different way.  I loved it.  I literally dove into book two as soon as this ended.  I only took long enough to make a note where it ended and my final thoughts so I would know where I ended and where to begin my next review which I should have up before long.   Highly recommend.

                Until next time…