Pure Blog Tour: Review- Pure by Jennifer Armentrout

I'm super excited to a part of the Pure Blog Tour and to be able to share my review with you all today! Learn more about the tour, including two giveaways, below my review

TITLE: Pure                                    SERIES: Covenant #2 AUTHOR:Jennifer Armentrout   PUB DATE: 4/3/12 PUB: Spencer Hill Press                 FORMAT: ARC, 329 pgs SOURCE: from publisher for review

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. 

THREE WORDS: Holy Hotness Batman…three more words: all mah cries ;_;

MY REVIEW: I really enjoyed Half-Blood (First Covenant Novel), but I really really really (yes, three really’s!) enjoyed Pure. Jennifer Armentrout has once again offered readers a book made of win with awesome-sauce on top!

Pure picks up shortly after Half-Blood with Alex back in school at the Covenant, as well as continuing her training with Aiden and Seth. Alex tries to move past her grief for her mother, while at the same time dealing with her very strong feelings for Aiden and very conflicted feelings for Seth. Throw in some half-blood daimons killing pures, wary classmates, furies, asshat Council members and a helluva lot of heartache and you get one real fun time for Alex.

Breathless. Aching. Captivated. Desperate for more…this is how Pure left me long after closing the book. Jennifer Armentrout continues to expand and brilliantly craft Alex’s world of Greek mythology, action and romance, and makes it look effortless (which it clearly is not!). In Pure, we delve deeper into the world of pures and half-bloods, and deeper still into the mind and heart of Alex.

Like the first Covenant novel, Pure is told from Alex’s point of view and I’m glad it is. I really like seeing this world and its people through Alex’s eyes; it’s almost like I’m experiencing these things with her and not just reading about them. Pure moves a little slower than Half-Blood but is still action packed. Overall, the story paces nicely and definitely held my attention.

Armentrout’s world-building and character development continue to impress me. I love how very well the mythological elements and action blends with the more emotional elements, including the romance; it never feels as if only one of these aspects takes center stage, creating a very balanced story. There’s plenty of action to thrill and chill readers, with a bumload of twists and mystery to keep you on your toes. While some plotlines are a bit predictable, overall, the story had me guessing until the end. And I’m still musing over certain characters and subplots…I have lots and lots of theories and I cannot wait to see if any of them are right!

Once again, Arementrout’s superbly developed and layered characters simply shine. It took a bit of time for Alex and I to connect in Half-Blood but now she and I are total BFF’s and kindred spirits. As kick-butt and sassy as ever Alex is continues to be a relatable and realistic heroine. I love just how complex and dimensional she is. I feel like I really know her and her strength, passion and humor, yet she still surprises me, which is awesome. Armentrout’s exploration of Alex’s grief, conflicted romantic feelings and her confusing emotions (both fear and excitement) over her burgeoning Apollyon powers is really well written and achingly so.

I’m still complete giggly, gaga eyed goo for Aiden, but like I predicted, Seth has worked his way under my skin. Although there’s clearly a love triangle between Alex, Aiden and Seth, Armentrout has done a wonderful job of actually creating two believable and different relationships between Alex/Aiden and Alex/Seth. And there’s some electric, enticing, hot (way hot) chemistry between Alex and both boys *fans self*. I really love the fact that even though I’m Team Aiden right now, I totally get the whole Alex/Seth thing and I’m completely intrigued by their relationship.

Pure took me on an emotional rollercoaster and had me laughing one minute, then crying or biting my lip in anticipation the next minute. The last couple of chapters are gasp-worthy, explosive and had me Oh. My. Godsing.

Oh, and I'm totally loving that most of the series so far has taken place in NC (my homestate!). It was fun getting to read about Alex and Aiden at the Asheboro Zoo, a place I've been to many, many times (I'll be going there next month!). 

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: At this point, I would read a pamphlet on proper Oral Hygiene if Jennifer Armentrout wrote it (and I’m sure it would feature a kick-ass toothbrush hero who fought the evil Cavity Creatures and went up against the Gum Disease Overlord…and wore a cape), cause she’s really that talented and entertaining. And this book is proof of that! Pure is a fantastic second novel in what is turning out to be a phenomenal series. I will be counting down the days until I get to read the third book.

MY RATING

5/5 Cupcakes

Find the author: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook 

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Book Dep.

Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. When she's not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories....which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is the author of the COVENANT Series, the LUX Series, and the upcoming YA contemporary mystery/thrillers DON'T LOOK BACK (Disney/Hyperion Fall 2013) and yet untitled book (Disney/Hyperion tentative Fall 2014).  

Be sure to visit all the Pure Blog Tour stops! You can see where the tour is stopping by looking at the tour schedule

You can join in on the tour fun on Twitter with the hashtag #PureTourJLA

GIVEAWAY:  To gain an entry in either/both of the tour giveaways for Pure, leave a comment here and tell me if you have a favorite God, Goddess or being/creature in Greek Mythology...mine is the Greek Goddess Artemis... and then go to StuckInBooks and/or A Cupcake and a Latte with this link to complete your entry.