ARC YA Paranormal Review "Apollyon" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title:  Apollyon (Covenant #4)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher:  Spencer Hill Press
Publication Date:  April 9, 2013
Genre:  YA Paranormal Romance
Format:  Kindle --- KB  |  Paperback 360 pages

Preorder this book on Amazon:  Kindle Edition  |  Paperback
Author's Website:  http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/ 
Author's Goodreads Profile:  Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

My Thoughts...

I was so excited to get approved for an ARC of this book from Spencer Hill Press.  I will be honest and tell you that at that point I hadn't read the first 3 books, but I love Ms. Armentrout's Lux series so I was pretty confident that I would like this one as well.  Boy was I ever right!  In fact, I think this series is even better than the Lux series.  I blew through the first 3.5 books in this series in just a couple of days and finished this one in maybe 5 hours!  Notice I said 3.5, I started reading this one immediately after the 3rd book and I kept feeling like I was missing something.  I normally don't read mini books or novellas because they are usually about minor character and don't contribute overly to the story as a whole.  In this case, though, you really need to read Elixir first or you will be lost when you start this book.

In my opinion, this was the best book of the series and I have no doubt that the final book will be even better.  I gave all the books 5 stars, but I would have given this one even more if I could have!  Since this is and ARC review I am going to try not to post anything that will spoil the story for you.

I am a big fan of the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  It's roots are based in Greek Mythology and that's one of the reasons I love it so much.  This series is like a YA version of that.  The whole class structure/caste system reminds me a little of the Vampire Academy series.  There is a clear separation of the Half-Bloods and the Pures.  The Pures are directly descended from the Gods and the Halfs are a mix of Pure and mortal.  The Pures are allowed to mix with mortals although it's frowned upon, but the Pures and Halfs can NOT mix.  Alexandria is a half (technically she's more than that since her father was a half and her mother Pure) and Aiden is a Pure.  Mixing of the Breeds is strictly forbidden and ends badly for everyone.  Aiden and Alex are to the point now where this is being overlooked because of all the other things that are happening.  I have a feeling at some point it will become a bigger issue, if only for a moment.

Alex is an Apollyon who has just been Awakened.  Seth, the First has only to touch her to drain her of all her power and he will become the God Killer.  The Gods, obviously, don't want this to happen.  There is one God, though, who is helping Lucian and Seth.  This story starts out a little rough and it seems like all hope is lost.  Alex and Aiden each have their work cut out for them and they are definitely tested and tried throughout the course of the story.  They end up with some unlikely allies and an even unlikelier enemy who is going to make what Alex has to do even harder.

Throughout the whole story the love that Aiden has for Alex is just a beautiful thing.  He is patient with her when it seems like she can't be reached, he is hard on her when she needs it, but he is always there loving her no matter what else is going on.  I am so anxious for the conclusion of this story and it's going to be really hard to wait until Fall for the book to come out!  There is one more battle and I have a feeling it's going to be EPIC.

This is a YA book, but Alex and Aiden have reached an adult place in their relationship.  There are some pretty intense love scenes but they are tastefully done without detailed description.  I loved this series so much it's definitely one I will read again...probably before the last book comes out!  If you like YA Paranormal then I highly recommend this series.

*Disclaimer:  I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of Spencer Hill Press in exchange for an honest review.*