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    Pure: The Second Covenant Novel
    Pure: The Second Covenant Novel
    Pure: The Second Covenant Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    Pure: The Second Covenant Novel

    Written by Jennifer L. Armentrout

    Narrated by Justine Eyre

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateMar 25, 2014
    ISBN9781452689784
    Pure: The Second Covenant Novel
    Author

    Jennifer L. Armentrout

    Jennifer L. Armentrout (also known as J. LYNN) is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Wait for You and the Young Adult Lux and Covenant series, among other books. She writes steamy and fun New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. She is published with Entangled Teen and Brazen, SHP, Disney/Hyperion, and Harlequin Teen.

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    Reviews for Pure

    4.5/5

    343 ratings26 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      I love Aiden and Alex. Not a Seth fan.
    • 4/5
      It would be a lot better if the main character was more likeable and less childish she has the maturity of an 11 year old I hoped by the 2nd book she would be a little more mature besides that good story I like the rest of the characters.
    • 5/5
      Would have been nice scene for the book. I did wonder how Aiden would feel if he knew Seth was in Alex's room at night and sometimes even sleeps there.

      Merged review:

      Love this one more than the first, it was so good and even more action packed. Alex is still Alex, bad ass as always and not taking anyone's crap, she really scares me; I mean I'm always worried what is she going to get herself into next. I was a little paranoid reading this book because I'm not sure who to really trust it's so devious of the author to do that or maybe I was feeding off Alex's moods and distrust of others. Her uncle and stepfather seems to be showing they care for her and Aiden and Seth believes they do but Alex doesn't; who to trust? Aiden is still trying his best to keep Alex calm, safe and not get herself thrown into servitude.

      And now Alex has another angel in Seth looking out for her and possibly his best interests, really hope he can be trusted. I also feel kinda bad for Seth, if he's falling in love with Alex he is going to be hurt so bad and I hope it doesn't make him lose it.

      Can wait to see what happens when Alex becomes the Apollyon. It was a great read, intense, sad, angry and heart thumping are the emotions I would say best describes it.
    • 5/5
      Oh my god. I need book 3. NEED IT.
    • 3/5
      It has been a little while since I read this book, so I'm not so sure that I could give it an accurate review. All I can really recall is that I was nowhere near as entertained by this installment as I was with the first. I think the biggest problem for me is that the electricity I felt with the first book just wasn't quite there, which makes sense since Alex and Aiden are staying apart.
    • 2/5
      The characters from Half-Blood return in the faster paced sequel, Pure. I like to think of Pure as the Seth arch in the story. There is a lot more Seth in Pure than in Half-Blood and he is just as fun as in the first book.

      Jennifer Armentrout takes us on a trip outside to a different Covenant with Pure. After her attack (in the first book), Alex has to appear before a council of Pures, some who seem intent on getting rid of her. There was more focus on the politics in this book, which was great, however, lovers of the romance need not despair, there is still a ton of that as well.

      I had similar issue with this book as I did the first one, I really didn’t like Alex and Aiden; I’m not sure what it is about the characters, but they seemed very dull. Once again, Alex doesn’t seem to have grown from her experience, she’s still feisty and still a fighter, but I would have loved to see some character growth.

      Seth was featured more, however, I wished there was more focus on what’s going on in his head than in Alex’s. I would love to know more of his story and why he behaves the way he does. While this book wasn’t for me, I think it’s one that people who love romance driven plots will enjoy.
    • 5/5
      Would have been nice scene for the book. I did wonder how Aiden would feel if he knew Seth was in Alex's room at night and sometimes even sleeps there.

      Merged review:

      Love this one more than the first, it was so good and even more action packed. Alex is still Alex, bad ass as always and not taking anyone's crap, she really scares me; I mean I'm always worried what is she going to get herself into next. I was a little paranoid reading this book because I'm not sure who to really trust it's so devious of the author to do that or maybe I was feeding off Alex's moods and distrust of others. Her uncle and stepfather seems to be showing they care for her and Aiden and Seth believes they do but Alex doesn't; who to trust? Aiden is still trying his best to keep Alex calm, safe and not get herself thrown into servitude.

      And now Alex has another angel in Seth looking out for her and possibly his best interests, really hope he can be trusted. I also feel kinda bad for Seth, if he's falling in love with Alex he is going to be hurt so bad and I hope it doesn't make him lose it.

      Can wait to see what happens when Alex becomes the Apollyon. It was a great read, intense, sad, angry and heart thumping are the emotions I would say best describes it.
    • 4/5
      I was unsure whether I should continue reading this series, but I'm so glad I did because the story gets better! Some of the plot twists were incredibly unexpected, (like someone punched me in the stomach and I lost my breath unexpected). This one was a bit more serious than the first one, but there was a love triangle which I'm not a big fan of because one of the guys always ends up being used and friend-zoned. On the other hand, it was really entertaining and has convinced me to continue reading the series.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book even more then book one. I don't know how Jennifer does it. Fitting so much character development and plot into 329 pages but she does. Her writing just pulls you in. This book was more emotional then the first one. Seth really comes into his character in this book and you really get to know him. He also has major stalkerish behavior in this book which might turn some people off his character. I don't like him for Alex. He is too pushy with her. He seems to want to change her into someone different. More like him. Aiden makes her better and Seth seems to want to own Alex it seems. I do find Seth and Alex's bickering humorous. Against my better judgement I still like Seth. I blame Klaus(on the Vampire Dairies). He made me love him against my better judgement and now I find myself loving some of the unstable ones. Your heart just breaks for the forbidden love between Alex and Aiden. Alex has some very emotional and horrible things happen to her in this book but she still stays strong. Aiden is still as swoonworthy as ever. Oh my Gosh the heat level with both guys is HOT.The Oracle reaches all new levels of creepy in this book. That women is going to show up in my nightmares someday. The Council are idiots. I don't know why I think fictional governments will be wiser then the real ones. I already think that if they were all killed in their sleep it wouldn't be so bad. I have no tolerance for fools.I loved how fast paced the story was and I can't wait to find out who that person is. I don't want to give to much away about the plot but trust me it is amazing. I totally recommend this series to all Young Adult Paranormal lovers.
    • 5/5
      Well, I am officially a Jennifer L Armentrout fan! Her books are have stunned me every time. First with Half Blood, then with Obsidian, and now Pure. One reason her books are so good is that they provoke emotion, another is that she draws her fantasy so well into the book that it seems like reality.

      In this book, you see how Alex has grown since the beginning of half blood, she is still headstrong (one of her charms) but you get to see the passionate side of her, and you can tell she is grown. I liked that, a lot actually.

      This a a book you should not read in public, I myself nearly learned this the hard way! There are so many points where you just want to burst out laughing. Thankfully, I was able to control myself in public. I probably did have an idiotic grin in my face most of the time though!

      I think Aiden and Seth need this paragraph to themselves. Or at least two sentences. Aiden= Caring, swooning, sometimes you want to throw this book at him. Seth= Makes me laugh, also worthy of having an even heavier book thrown at him! I must confess, I am Team Aiden. I would talk about him some more, but no spoilers!

      I loved the magic aspect of this book! Or should I say mythological? It is written well, and had me holding my breath for what happens next. (Aren't the furies awesome?)

      Pure is like a really fast roller coaster. You go up, down, are spun around, you laugh, you cry, you scream. And it is over entirely too soon! If there more more series like this, I would be broke. Once you read this, you will need the next book immediately!
    • 5/5
      Oh, wow! If you guys had been following my reviews, you know that I just read Half-Blood last week. And what do you know, I loved it. Which is why I got Pure next and finished it in two days. And it was absolutely fabulous.

      Jennifer's story telling has definitely improved even more and I found myself in Alex's world as if it were mine. That happens rarely, so it's definitely important to me. I loved the structure and development of each scene, the way they grew in intensity and left me longing for more.

      And the characters got even more interesting here.

      Alex actually grew in this book. She understood how reckless she'd been and how her decisions affect everyone around her. It was about time she matured, especially since she is to carry the responsibilities of the Appolyon on her shoulders when she turns eighteen. One thing I didn't like about her was her stubbornness when Aiden was concerned. She saw what happened with those pures and halfs who ignored the Breed Order, and she still would keep hope. Sure, love doesn't just go away, but when it could kill the person you love... Well... You sort of reconsider. Otherwise you'd just declare yourself to be brutally selfish.

      Aiden on the other hand had his wits about. Sure, in Alex's presence he sort of lost control, but at least he was able to regain it and not claim anyone's attention.

      Seth was my favorite in this book as well. Well, I didn't like his player attitude and all that, but I feel like he can really grow to care for Alex, not only as the other Appolyon, but as a whole. He totally earned points in my book.

      The one person I'd miss the most though !!!!!!!!!!! and this is a spoiler, so don't read on if you haven't read the book yet!!!!!!!!!! is Caleb. He was Alex's one true friend, and she lost him in the stupidest way possible. And yeah, I sort of blame her for it. I mean, if she hadn't been so obsessed with herself and Aiden, and if she actually put some thought before she acted, then surely she would've realized how extremely irresponsible she'd been.

      And I fear I'd miss Grandma Pipery as well.

      Anyways, Pure was a really good book and I totally recommend it.
    • 4/5
      Ok, so this was pretty cool. We learn a lot more about the Daimons' new ability and plan to take over the Covenant. And they almost make it.
      My hit list for this book is:
      Telly
      Half of the New York covenant.
      I still want to get rid of Lucien.
      I'm reserving the right to add people. Lol

      Onto Deity!
    • 4/5
      4.5 stars. Fast paced action and tons of UST. Great sequel. As much as I love Aiden, I'm growing to really like Seth too. I haven't quite figured out the oracle's cryptic advice yet. I have a feeling one of them is not what he appears to be, I'm just not sure which one yet. I have my suspicions though; about them and others.

      JLA's books have always been impossible to put down once you start them. Off to the next one.
    • 5/5
      Yep, definitely steamy. RAWR!

      Merged review:

      what can I say? I can't get enough :)

      Merged review:

      This book was also reviewed on The Book Hookup

      5 flashing glittery neon stars! Someone please hold me. My heart can’t take it! This book is intense. We get right back into the story without skipping a beat. Alex is a second class citizen, which in this story is a Half-blood, not a Pure. She has 2 choices in life: train and become a guard or sentinel, or live a life of servitude to a Pure. For her the only option is to become a Sentinel, like her trainer, Aiden. Except Aiden is a Pure and could live the rest of his life in luxury with old money. But while they seem worlds apart, they do have more in common than what you would think at the first glance: their attraction to each other and their personal reasons for wanting to become a Sentinel.

      Alex: Alex has definitely matured both emotionally and physically from her training. She is a little more restrained and thinks things through, and I felt like she was less likely to make impulsive decisions that could be life threatening. However, she still has her temper and I love her for that (the apple lol!!). She also has gotten more training, not only from school, but personally from Aiden and Seth and it is starting to show. All she does in her spare time is train it seems, and it has paid off.

      Aiden: Oh Aiden, le sigh. Sometimes in this story he was more relaxed, but I still want him to let go. At the same time I kept blowing through the pages knowing he has a lot of pent up frustration and it has to be let out….soon. He has reached out to Alex and done things for her that make her realize what they have is beyond physical chemistry.

      Seth: One of the characters that has moved to the front burner in this book is Seth, the apollyon. What’s an apollyon? He is a half blood that has more powers than the Pures. Usually only one exists at a time. What can I say? I adore him. While he is totally gorgeous I find myself laughing out loud with/at him. From his total confidence on every level to his honesty, he is full of awesome. And let’s not forget he is a manwhore and proud of it.

      The stress of this book was killing me! Here’s a few reasons why:

      By halfway I was loving Seth and I wouldn’t mind if he and Alex had a quick fling. (Yes, I know!) I’m totally team Aiden but with the Breed Order law she could maybe give in for now, you know, just to tide the reader over. ;)
      Someone wants Alex sent into a drug induced life of servitude. I have my suspicions who, but honestly it could probably be anyone. More than ever I “get” why Alex and Aiden can’t love each other (even though they do). I was wringing my hands because I myself felt so frustrated. I don’t know how JLA is going to get them out of this.
      The battling is more intense, and oh, I sure did cry. I didn’t see something coming early on and I was so sad. But then there is more battling and Aiden’s actions speak volumes.
      While the book ended in a place that I could breathe for a moment, it wasn’t necesarrily a happy breath. More like a sad sigh until the next installment. I’m so glad the story isn’t over. On that note, I need the next book soon, this is just such an amazing read. Thank you, Ms. Armentrout for writing such a fabulous book.

      All in all, this is a fabulous top shelf book. If you love what I love, you have got to read it. Happy reading! :)
    • 2/5
      Abandoned. I found the first one of these books interesting, but I had a lot of issues with this book and couldn't go on. If I ever find the time I may consider coming back to this series, but as it stands right now, I'm not going to continue. Seth's an asshole, Aidan decides he knows what's best for everybody involved, and Alex is pretty spineless. I think this is where I get off, Ms. Armentrout.
    • 4/5
      Buh-buh-buh-brilliant! Initially, a bit disappointed in the similarities between Half-Blood and Vampire Academy, PURE so vastly deviates from the VA storyline, I am floored by the plot twists. And jonesin’ for my next fix.
      Pure finds Alex at the Covenant, working on her training with Aiden…and Seth. She is the Second Apollyon, something to be feared – or praised and worshipped – for the future she might bring to her kind. She continues to struggle between her need for Aiden and her hatred at being fated for someone else, if the prophesies are correct. Fate’s a fickle bitch.
      Like I said, I had some misgivings regarding how similar Half-Blood was to Vampire Academy, and I created a cute little chart to show those similarities. But I was told by other readers that Pure is nothing like Vampire Academy, that it is fresh and full of awesome, and that I MUST give it a chance. Hell, it wasn’t hard to talk me into it, because I did enjoy the first one. Like, yeah, okay, I GET IT YOU GUYS, READ PURE.
      Yes, Pure is purely awesome. I loved it. Jennifer Armentrout takes the first book to a whole new level. Alex is fresh off the “I-just-killed-my-daemon-mom” boat and trying to move on, go to class, and train. She feels the pull between Aiden and Seth, something that confuses her on a level she isn’t used to. Not used to questioning herself, she stops to think more often and is less the petulant teenager she was in Half-Blood. She’s growing up, y’all, and I really like who she’s becoming.
      Seth is something of a mystery in Pure. I totally jumped on the Team Seth bandwagon. Aiden who? Seth may come off as cocky, but somewhere beneath that shiny exterior is a guy who I think really cares. Do I suspect that there is something else he isn’t telling us? Yes. But that just makes him sexy and dangerous, and this girl drooled all over her iPad during every one of his scenes. Nomnomnom.
      For you Team Aiden folks, never fear. He’s all over and then some in Pure. There isn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for Alex, and I do mean NOT ONE THING. He seems to deeply care, but it’s reminiscent of the whole “Edward Cullen I-have-to-quit-you-because-it’s-dangerous” façade he had going on. Please man, grow some balls already. Maybe I just like the bad boys; after all, I liked Adrian over Dimitri in Vampire Academy.
      The plot was very fresh. I really had a hard time putting it down, because I needed to know what happened next. Things have changed, halfs can become Daemons, it’s next to impossible to know them by sight, and…they are not just aether-crazed draining machines. They are capable of cognizant organization and planning. Oh, but let’s throw more into the mix: they aren’t the only threat to Alex and the Gang. Nope. But I’ll just leave it at that. There is also a lot of laughter, love, and fighting thrown in…Pure has some kick-ass action scenes. And it tore my heart up when a favorite character left us.
      Overall, Armentrout has created a fab second in a series, where often, the second lacks and is just the device to get you from first to third. That is not the case here; Pure is exciting and riveting, so much so, that I needed to have and read Deity immediately. So, uh…excuse me, I’ll BRB.
    • 5/5
      Let's start with the first thing you notice about the book.... The cover is BEAUTIFUL! And it actually means something to the book! Which makes it even better in my eyes. The color is stunning and the rose is my favorite flower, so I was indeed sold from the beginning. Next, what came underneath the books flaps was amazing as well. In it we see Alex training with both Aiden and Seth, neither of which is making her too happy. And then there is Seth who seems to be not just at their training sessions, but EVERYWHERE else, almost suffocating her.But soon things take a turn for the worse. Daimons begin to attack the Covenants around the United States and half bloods, students, and pures alike are attacked. And then there's a huge event that will leave you in tears. Trust me, I was bawling. I must admit I wasn't too happy considering I'm Team Aiden and this book featured things like the pool scene, but hey, I understand. Regardless of who it was about, Armentrout's writing still had me on the edge of my seat devouring the pages. Her romance scenes have got to be the best EVER... Like no exaggeration. Anyway, things begin to get intense at the end of the book. So much so the furies are sent and a battle begins. In more ways than one. This book features on the battle of the aether driven daimons vs their kind, the battle of the love triangle of fate and forbidden, and the unseen force that is trying to force her into a lifetime of servitude. Pure will leave you breathless and wanting more. If you have not yet read this series, you are certainly missing out.
    • 4/5
      First off I just have to mention again how much I love the cover of the Covenant books. They are absolutely gorgeous! Second, I am glad to say after being slightly disappointed in the first book, Half-Blood, because it felt like a carbon copy of the Vampire Academy books by Richelle Mead, that I loved this book!! I was hooked almost from the beginning and could not put this book down.I am in love with Adrian although his brother, Deacon, is also pretty darn sexy and appealing as well. On the other end of things I’m still struggling to see the appeal of Seth. He’s arrogant (not in an endearing sort of way)...See my full review at Debbie's World of Books
    • 5/5
      Pure is the next book in the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. If you haven't read Half-Blood yet do it right now and then come back here. For those who have read it, now we can dish. Alexandra or Alex continues her life at the academy under the watchful eye of her grumpy uncle. After all the insanity that went down in the previous book including being attacked by daimons, losing her mother twice, finding out that Seth is her destiny, and falling in-love with a pure, Alex has to face the council to account for her previous actions. Alex has a lot on her plate.Aiden is the pure who has been training Alex. He's not like most of the other pures. Aiden and Alex have undeniable chemistry. However being together can result in dire consequences for both. Alex has bigger problems with Seth. Alex loathes Seth. He follows her around, shows up constantly, and is always pushing her buttons. Seth is a character that grows on you. In the beginning he comes off as a cocky, arrogant jerk but you end up loving him for these exact qualities. Jennifer L. Armentrout keeps the magic alive in Pure. She's built a captivating world full of intrigue, romance, danger and mythology. The story line just keeps getting better and better.I can't wait to see what she has in store for the next book in the series, Deity.
    • 4/5
      Pure picks up where Half-Blood left off, with Alex dealing with the aftermath of having to kill her mother, who turned into a daimon, at the end of the last book. She also has a whole new set of enemies because of the fact that she's the second Apollyon. Add that to her forbidden feelings for Aiden, and it's obvious why Alex would be an emotional wreck. However, she holds it together better than most would. She continues doing the best she can. Yes, she makes a ton of stupid decisions, and yes, she is really reckless, but somehow, I think that's part of her charm. She needs to learn to control her temper, and she knows that. However, it's impossible not to sympathize with her because she has suffered so many losses, and she can't even lean on Aiden, whom she loves. Armentrout shows us why Aiden and Alex can't be together in this novel, and I now have a better understanding of the situation, as well as more respect for Aiden. I love how Armentrout always shows instead of tells, so instead of saying what will happen to a Pure and a Half-Blood if they date, she shows us the brutal outcome of a situation like that. Because of how horribly it'd end for Alex and Aiden, I think I'm actually on team Seth now. We got to know Seth a lot more in this book, and I absolutely love his character. I still love Aiden, too, though. I just have no idea who I'd pick if I were Alex. Probably Seth, though, because that's safe. But what kind of book would that be? This is why I'm not a character in a novel, haha. Anyway, I can't wait to see who she ends up with. Aiden and Seth both really shine in this novel, and we also get to know Marcus and Lucien a bit better. I really enjoyed gaining a more in depth understanding of the characters, and I hope that we continue to learn more about them in Deity, which comes out in October of this year. We also got to see a lot of new characters and learn quite a bit about the Council itself. I kind of hated the Council a lot, but I'm pretty sure I was supposed to. They were a bunch of racist bigots. There's a certain servant who interested me, that we were introduced to in the Catskills, however, and I hope we find out who he is in the next book. I have an idea, but I have no idea if I'm right about it or not. The plot is suspenseful, and I could not put this book down once I started it. There is a lot of action and mystery. I have no idea what the Oracle was talking about this time, but I hope it doesn't mean what I think it means. I always interpret her readings incorrectly, so I hope I'm incorrect again. There is pain and loss in this book, and I almost cried at a few parts. However, for the majority of the novel, I was laughing my ass off because of something one of the character's said. I really love Armentrout's writing style and how sarcastic she makes all of her characters. The pacing was quick, but nothing was rushed. The ending tied up the questions raised at the beginning part of the book nicely, but raised new questions for the next novel. I like how Armentrout keeps you interested in a series without actually using cliffhangers. Pure is a thrill-ride that you don't want to miss. Alex, Aiden, and Seth have one of the most complicated and enjoyable love triangles ever. I really have no idea what will happen with them, and I love both guys! Alex, Aiden, and Seth also all grow as characters in this novel, so I'll be interested to see what new challenges they face in the next book. The plot is captivating, the characters are likable, and the action and romance are balanced wonderfully. If you haven't checked out this series, you must pick up Half-Blood now! If you have already read Half-Blood, then you CANNOT miss Pure!
    • 5/5
      Alright so, what do I need to say to tell you how much I loved this book? I'm mean really. This author is amazing! Pure genius! Without spoiling it, let me tell you the plot is just as faced paced like the first book. Immediately once you began reading, you step right back into the world of Half-bloods. It amazed me of how much I actually missed this world. But without an a doubt, it took me no time to enjoy the great writing.The growth of the characters is right on target. I enjoyed particularly that the readers learns more about the Gods politics, world, and rules. This part of the book plays well into the characters lives. The reader see how important and how far the Gods will go to keep the rules. *cries tears*Now the love interest. I swear the Ms. Armentrout took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it, then put it back together again with an amazing love. This is all I will say. So prepare yourselves!!!Pure is an mesmerizing and suspenseful story. With compelling drama and a unforgettable love that grows before your eyes, the reader is absorbed with it. Pure is an stunning sequel that achieves a love that will steal your heart. Utterly breathtaking, Pure is epic!
    • 5/5
      Original on YA Sisterhood Blog my link text OMG! Jennifer L. Armentrout is my hero!!!! I read Half-Blood, Pure, and Obsidian in less than 3 days, and all I want to do is re-read them! Since I figured I'd rant and rant about all the good things about Pure, my sister and I decided, instead, to compose a top 10 list! These are the top 10 out of a million things we LOVED about Pure! 10. The Trainings In Pure, Alex must split her time training between Aiden and Seth. We love these scenes because you can really see Aiden’s protectiveness coming out, and we get a little more insight into how Seth feels about Alex. And what we love the most, the sessions are always tinged with heat—the good heat, not the sweaty, smelly kind of heat. The guy’s training techniques are completely different, but these scenes will definitely make you question whether you should be Team Aiden or Team Seth. 9. Deacon Aiden’s too cute little brother that follows in Aiden’s heartthrob footsteps. We don’t know much about Deacon so far, but what we do know, we like! He’s broken, just like Aiden, and keeps himself in a slightly drunken oblivion so he doesn’t have to deal with the loss of his parents. Besides his heartbroken demeanor, we love that he stands up for Alex, refusing to treat her like a half-blood. 8. The Furies They used to be beautiful women, now they are killers, huntresses of evil, or anything that threatens the Gods. With snakes as hair and blood dripping from their eyes (creepy imagery, huh), these terrifying women take Pure by storm. These are the first true Gods we see in the Covenant series, and let us tell you, she picked the perfect Gods to foreshadow the wrath and destruction that we are sure is to come in Deity. They say “hell hath no ‘fury’ (perfect word) like a woman scorned,” but apparently, they didn’t know about Hades minions. 7. Greek Mythology Let us just say, “Yay! Greek Mythology!” We love when authors take mythology and modernize it into something fresh. You have the Half-Bloods who are children of Pure bloods and mortals who are either forced into protecting the Pures or serving them. Then you have the Pure bloods who sit up on their high horse like nothing could touch them, looking down on the halfs like they are lesser beings. But we have a feeling that their high horse will end up reminiscent of the Trojan horse, and I can’t wait to see how Jennifer L. Armentrout brings it all down! 6. Hey Jealousy, Hey Jealousy Just like the song says, “Hey jealousy, well she took my heart.” Between Aiden and Seth, you can cut the jealous tension with a Covenant dagger (and with those two, they just might)! The scenes where Aiden and Seth get jealous are some of our absolute favorite. Jennifer L. Armentrout describes them perfectly--how their faces turn red and you can sense the anger wellling up in their chests. Were not going to say too much more, but let us insist…you MUST read this book because seeing Aiden and Seth lose their cool with make you giggle like a school girl and smile ear to ear. 5. Crazy Apollyon Connection They thought it was just a legend, but it turns out it wasn't! Seth and Alex are both Apollyons which doesn't bode well for either of them or for anyone else. It's the first time in modern history that this has happened. There's always only been 1 Apollyon. With 2 at one time now though, Seth and Alex are connected in a way that is powerful, emotional, physical, and so much more. They sense each other's thoughts, feelings, and powers. This makes for some very entertaining reading! Picture Seth, who as we mentioned earlier, does have a jealous streak. Now, imagine Seth reaction to the physical and emotional feelings Alex might have as she's kissing Aiden! If you are picturing something similar to an atomic bomb going off, you would be absolutely correct! For this craziness alone, Pure gets a million stars from us! 4. Forbidden Love Hook, Line and Sinker!!! Here at the Sisterhood, we love the angst, especially if it is directly due to Forbidden Love! The constant longing that can never cease without serious consequences is a heavy theme throughout this series, and to watch the torture that this longining causes is honestly so much fun. Mwahahaha! I will say that Alex and Aiden's forbidden romance makes Romeo's and Juliet's look like preschool. I would go to battle against the Montague's and Capulets any day before I would face the supernatural powers of the Pures! So many obstacles lie in the path of "happily ever after" for Aiden and Alex! The threat of physical punishment hangs heavily over their relationship causing the heat level to rise to boiling! It's getting hot in here... 3. Seth Umm, can you say "broken bad boy" on steroids! Seth is like He-Man meets Iron Man plus the Hulk all rolled into one! With all that testosterone, girls are pretty much dropping at this feet. Holy daimons, I need a fan just thinking about him! Seth is the guy every girl wants to date, but the idea scares them to death. No one comes out of an entanglement with Seth in one piece! We're hoping with all hope, that his brokeness is the kind that can be fixed. Even if not though, we would still take the chance! 2. Alex Team Half-Blood is here to stay! I know that Alex didn't win the Heroine Tourney, but it wasn't because she didn't deserve it! She deserves that and more with all that she has accomplished and overcome. Alex represents everything that being a true heroine entails! She amazed us all in Half-Blood, and she will blow you away again in Pure. I cannot wait to see where Jennifer takes her throughout the rest of this series! 1. Aiden The you-make-me-sigh-every-time-I-think-about-you (which is all the time) forbidden hottie of the series. A completely off-limits pure blood, Aiden is one of Alex’s love interests, the one that makes her heart flutter and face turn bright red with the slightest look. So, what do we like most about him? He’s conflicted, contradictory. He’s fire and ice—hot one minute, full of compassion and desire, and then, bam…he’s frigid. He’s heaven and hell (or should I say Elysium and Tartarus)—one minute he can’t keep his eyes off Alex (or his lips) causing her heart to float with the Gods, and the next he’s pushing her away insisting he doesn’t care, causing her to plummet into an abyss. But, oh gods, are the highs worth every penny! He’s unpredictable, he’s chiseled, he’s broken—the trifecta of perfection! Move over Zeus, there’s a new God in town.
    • 4/5
      PURE continues the Covenant series. Any fan of the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead will fall right into the world that Jennifer has created for her characters.Just like HALF-BLOOD, I could not put PURE down. Alex is such a great character to read along with. She keeps everyone on their toes and has a mind of her own that often gets her in big trouble. She has people on her side but also a lot of people against her and out to hurt her. The "love" triangle between Alex, Aiden and Seth continues and I really don't have a preference on who I would rather see her with. They both have their great qualities, reasons for and against a relationship and both men I'm sure would be a great match for her in the long run. Seth and Alex get a bit closer in PURE and aren't at each others throats the whole book which was nice to read. The ending was crazy and unexpected. I wish it was closer to the release of DEITY because my mind was left racing for what comes next.There was plenty of action in book 2, plenty of heart pounding tension filled and dangerous situations and a loss that wont be forgotten. I have ye to read a book by Jennifer Armentrout that I have not thoroughly enjoyed and I cant wait to get my hands on more.
    • 5/5
      I’m still reeling over Pure…read it in one sitting by feigning a migraine so my boys would fend for themselves for dinner so I could “lay down” and read. I know…bad Mommy.“Pure” picks up a very short while after “Half Blood”. School is in session, Alex is still getting additional training classes, alternating between Aidan and Seth, when a Pure is killed on covenant grounds. Immediately all the Halfs are suspect because everyone knows they can be turned into Daimons and their physical appearance doesn’t change. So now all Halfs are suspect and subjected to some very strict rules “for their own protection”. Alex is called to a council meeting at the New York headquarters, to talk about what happened with her Mom. While there it becomes apparent that someone is trying to get her into enough trouble to make her a slave, or just kill her outright. Nothing is as it seems!OH. MY. WORD! First let me say that all similarities to Vampire Academy stopped with Half Blood! This book grabbed me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down until I was done. I had to give this 5 stars simply because I loved it so much that I know I will be reading it again, and again!The tension between Alex and Aiden was kicked up about 10 notches. There were so many sweet and tender moments between them, I get choked up just thinking about them. But we also get to know the “Man-Whore”, Seth, a lot better too. And while we only really got to see his arrogant and narcissistic in “Half Blood”, we do get to see a little tenderness and caring in “Pure”…actually a whole lot of it, truth be told. The tension between Alex and Seth is through the roof! Alex goes through some pretty significant growth in “Pure” also. Don’t worry, she still speaks without thinking first and her snark level is still incredibly high (endearing qualities in my book). Intrigue, mystery, and plot twists abound in “Pure”…and holy hell…that ending. I sat stunned! I couldn’t believe what took place…then my kindle copy had the first chapter of the next book in this series. What a TEASE! How long do I have to wait for the next book??? Any answer other than “now” is just too damn long! UGH!Really really loved this one. Can’t wait for Deity…wish it wasn’t 6+ months away! But I guess it could be worse…could be a year away. Thank God for small favors!
    • 5/5
      Oh. My. Gods.I thought “The Iron Knight” toyed with my emotions. Yeah. “Pure”? Let’s just say I went from wanting to cry, to wanting to throw my ARC across the room, to smiling (both Aidan and Seth have their moments). But even though I wanted to smack a few characters – especially a certain boy – I absolutely loved “Pure”.With sequels, it’s usually either hit or miss. Will the author deliver another fantastic story? Or will they fall short? This is one of those sequels that manages to hit every right note – in fact, as soon as I finished, I was more than ready to re-read the entire book. It really was that good.Now onto my actual review:(Note: I’m going to try and avoid any spoilers – seriously, there’s a lot that happens in “Pure” and I do not want to ruin it for you.)Love triangles can be frustrating, especially if they are the focal point of a story. In “Pure”, there is a love triangle going on, yes, but it’s not the main plot. In “Half-Blood”, the first book in the Covenant series, Alex falls for Aiden, a pure blood. Romance between a pure and a half is forbidden. Alex knows this, and so does Aiden, but it doesn’t stop them from feeling something for one another. In the first book there’s a moment of “weakness” on Aiden’s behalf where he almost gives into his desires to be with Alex, but when that moment is interrupted, he reminds himself that he cannot be with Alex. He’s determined to make sure she understands that he won’t allow her to lose everything for him. It’s honestly one of the many reasons why I adored Aiden, but all of that changes in the second book. In “Pure”, we get to see a different side to Alex, Aiden, and Seth. It’s a nice change, but it also left me wanting to smack Aiden numerous times.In the first book, while I found Seth to be amusing, I figured he would be trouble – that he was an arrogant jerk. And while he is arrogant, he isn’t the jerk you may find him to be. When Aiden decides to stop training Alex, she ends up spending a lot more time with Seth, something he isn’t too fond of at first. He follows her everywhere, insists on staying over, and always, somehow, finds a way to throw in an inappropriate comment – but when Alex loses someone close to her, its Seth – not Aiden – that steps in to comfort her. It’s honestly that part of “Pure” that made me fall in love with Seth.When Alex leaves to head to the council – Aiden and Seth joining her, along with her uncle and step father – Aiden maintains his distance from Alex, not wanting to draw attention to them. But he can only keep his distance so long. When someone sets out to harm Alex, Aiden and Seth have to work together to protect her, and you better believe there is tension between the two of them.But the tension between the two boys is nothing compared to the final battle near the end of “Pure”. When the Furies are unleashed after the daimon’s break into the Covenant, set on destroying the council, it’s an outright blood bath that will not end well. Alex will break one of the most important rules and if anyone ever finds out, it’s not only her that’ll pay.Back to the romance: Alex’s heart belongs to Aiden, but she’s tied to Seth – whether she likes it or not. She is his other half, and he hers. She cannot change fate, and she’s aware of that. When Alex makes her choice, it’s easy to see that why she made the choice she did, but you also know that her decision isn’t final – as proven by that bedroom scene. I honestly cannot wait to see where Jennifer takes the story next and what’ll happen with Alex – will she follow fate or will she continue to seek out what her heart wants? Even if it could cost her everything?Jennifer has delivered yet another wonderful action packed, romantic novel that’ll leave readers eager for the next installment. Oh, and that pool scene that Jenn teased? Wait until you read the actual scene. Along with the scene in a certain person’s room…the one that leads to a physical fight between the two boys. Seriously, both are ohmygods worthy moments.
    • 4/5
      To be honest, I'm pretty conflicted about this one. On the one hand, Alex keeps being awesome as the second-half of the Apollyon. On the other, huge overblown drama with who to choose as her love interest. Seriously, we're going to go through this when there's a huge threat to all of the Covenant society? Now? That's kind of what I felt like screaming at the book when I read it. "Pure" is still a solid installment in the "Covenant" quartet, but had it not had the love triangle drama, I think it would have been a far better book in the end.I hate saying this, guys, because I think Alex is one of the better YA PNR-related heroines to pop up in the last few years. Had the love triangle drama been turned down a few notches to where it didn't dominate a good third of the book, I think I would have enjoyed the book as a whole more. However, this isn't to say that you shouldn't read "Pure" - it's definitely a must-read if you've already started the "Covenant" series. Love triangle or not, the events surrounding Alex as well as some of the stunts pulled by the Pures up in New York in order to trip her up and put her into servitude (and thus out of the running to save both races from the daimons) were great. Armentrout put her skills to work in the labyrinth scene (one of my personal favorites) - I could practically feel the ethereal almost-snow and the cold amongst the drifts. Armentrout has gotten even better at sensory/descriptive language in this volume, that much is clear, and that saved the book. She was already good at it, but she's grown a fair amount in that area within this volume alone. And I love it when that happens. As for the love triangle itself - I understand why it happened, and why it had to happen. But in a world of YA PNR love triangles, it just made me tired and bored. Now that Alex has made her choice, I'm hoping that another 1/3rd-of-the-book-worthy level of the triangle resurfaces in future volumes. Guys, I pick this book apart because I love this world. And the world-building has grown even more in this volume, I'm happy to say, love triangles aside.What I really liked was Alex reversing the idea of the Apollyon (or rather, how the power distribution process happens) while fighting some daimons at the end of the book. I won't reveal how, but I really enjoyed that, and I enjoyed how when not distracted with her love interests, she continued to stand up for herself and for other Half-bloods that were getting stomped on by the Pures. I think I would have been a lot happier with the end product had we seen more of that and less of the mooning over the two boys. If anything, I'm hoping that this reverse-Apollyon event happens more in future volumes, instead of her ending up as Seth's battery. I like my heroines strong, and even though Alex is half-god, she's also half-human, and that's heavily emphasized in this volume. Perhaps, in the end, this is why the love triangle was so highly played up - Alex is still very very flawed, still trying to find herself, yet still wanting to save her fellow Half-Bloods and humans from the daimon threat. She's more human than human at times, moreso in any previous installment of this series. And that's always fun to see.As usual, this book is tightly written, and it's hard to find fault in technical areas like character and world-building - Armentrout has those nailed down, there's definitely no disputing that. So, four stars for playing up Alex's human flaws, keeping her a rather consistent kick-ass heroine, and lots of hijinks by Pures and daimons alike. I can't wait for the next volume. Be sure to catch this volume of the "Covenant" series when it hits shelves in April 2012.(posted to librarything, goodreads, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)