Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto: Review

Heaven

Pages: 417
Release Date: August 21st, 2012
Status: Final installment of the Halo Trilogy
Recieved From: My school library

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

Only sixteen when she started the series, Ally Adornetto knows how teen hearts beat, and this long-awaited conclusion is certain to be her most popular book yet.

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.

The only way Bethany and can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?

Let me just start of my post by saying, Alexandra Adornetto, even though this series ended, I'd still like to thank you for making such a great series!

Now for the review...

Heaven is the final instalment of the Halo Trilogy. To be honest with you, I didn't know if I was going to even like the first book, but here I am now, feeling a little sad knowing that this is the final Halo review.

The book literally starts off where Hades left off. After the ground starts shaking in book 2, it stops like on the first line or something in Heaven.

Beth and Xavier, knowing that it's now or never to get married, rush to the Church. Thankfully, they have the priest and witness ready to marry them, but their happy mood is suddenly ruined when the reaper takes away the priest's soul. Gabriel and Ivy soon barge in and put Xavier and Beth into hiding.

They hide for awhile in a very secluded area before being moved to a university in Oxford, Mississippi called Ole Miss (one question, is that a real school or is it made up?). But unfortunately for them, the Seven and some very vengeful villains return when they least expect it, and the group has to do a lot to keep each other safe.

In the end, Beth has to make the ultimate decision and sacrifice to be with Xavier. But is love really all that powerful?

This book was very speedy plot wise. There was so much going on that I seriously lost track of how much time went by, that by the end of the book, I was just trying to process if that much time had really passed and I missed it. Like at the end, we even saw some characters disappear (what ever happened to Ivy? And Nikki?).

HOWEVER, I was NOT expecting any visitors from book 2. I seriously thought we were done with that, but I was just like blindsided by that that I was just like "Oh my gosh, Ally just Moffated me!". Well played Adornetto, well played. And she did it again when the Best Kept Secret was finally revealed! I was like:

You don't even know how Moffated I felt.

I wasn't really happy how the university experience just was sort of meshed together. There was a point where I was so happy that the two were going to uni, but as the plot progressed, I just found it unneeded for. But in the end, it just made me feel sad because of Beth (I'm not going into detail, but for all those who have read the trilogy should know what I mean!).

I wasn't all too happy about the end too, it just finished waaaaay too fast. It was like the beginning was slow, the middle was like heart stopping, and as we drew closer to the end of the book it sort of fell flat. I think it probably had to do with the fact it was only 417 pages. If it was a little longer, I think things would've wrapped up beautifully.

However, Adornetto was able to end the trilogy in a satisfying way, and ended the same way it began with the characters we loved.

Heaven wasn't as dark as Hades but it was darker than Halo. It was a pretty in between book for me, but still had the same awesome wit and dialogue that I love.

What I loved the most about the series is the way that Adornetto can write the Archangels with such hilarious personalities. I really loved Raphael the most:

"You're prettier than I imagined you," Raphael said.

 

"Uh...thank you," I said. "But I don't really..."

 

"Wait, wait, I've got one," he interrupted. "Somebody better call God. Because Heaven's missing an angel!"

 

He burst out laughing and slapped his thigh.

 

"What? I demanded.

 

"I found a book," Raphael explained. "One hundred best pickup lines."

-page 246, Heaven

#FACT: Archangel Raphael reads pickup line books.

Like 100% to you Adornetto! A plus, plus! Raphael was amazing! I really wished we got to know him more.

Overall, this book was amazing. Admittedly, it wasn't a series that I was expecting to ever read, but I am glad I did. Yes, I will agree with those that say the series is all about Beth and Xavier. But think about it guys: yes, the book may be centred around their relationship, but it is also centred around love and what it really means to have faith in yourself, your family, your friends and your other half.

An great ending to a wonderful series: 3 out of 5 stars!

Blogger Life: Book Haul (#1)

It's Saturday and the end of summer! I'm actually more of a fall person (because, who isn't a fan of wearing big, comfy sweaters?), but sadly, I'm not as hyped for fall as I thought I would be. No, it's not because it's raining like crazy here, but because I have a book problem.

Currently, I'm reading these books:

 

I have already started reading Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto and Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (and I'm in love with both), and I will be starting Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor real soon! (I will probably be finished Heaven and CoA by tonight, considering I don't have any homework ^_^).

But that's not my book problem. I have enough books to keep me busy for probably a little over a week (homework problems...sighs...), but the books in the second picture (excluding Daughter of Smoke and Bone) aren't the books that I have reserved. Sure, I've always wanted to read them (I heard Harlan Coben is awesome. I hope he won't go Moffat on me though), but the ones on my list still haven't arrived from the library and it's almost been a MONTH!

My school library isn't very updated (but I have given my librarian a list of books to get), but the public library is the worst! I'm happy that I get books for free and I'm happy that I can renew these books and keep them longer than my school's library system, but they are just so slow!

I get the wait list thing, and I'm fine with that! I just HATE it when they put a book that you really want to read in the library system, get you to reserve it, and later find out that it's not in the system!

Like why do you torture me like that? And then when you go to check on when they'll have it, it just says AVAILABLE SOON. Thanks library, THANKS A LOT! How am I to borrow books for free if you don't even have it/ won't tell us when you'll have it?

Now, I guess I just have to wait. And update my resume and hope I can get a job. I really need more books, my poor bookshelf hasn't been updated in awhile.

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto: Review

Hades

Pages: 424
Release Date: August 30th, 2011
Status: Book #2 in the Halo Trilogy

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Heaven Help Her.

Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.

The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times - bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.

After reading Halo I was really eager to get this book and learn what happens after the crazy events at the end of book 1.

Hades takes place a few months after the events of Halo. No one remembers the events of the last book (excluding Beth, her family, and Xavier), and all of them think that everything is back to normal...until Beth and her friends do a séance and release Jake Thorn's evilness back to earth.

He disguises himself as one of Xavier's friends and tricks Beth into thinking that he is Xavier. The next thing Beth knows is that she is stuck in Hades, with no one to save her but herself.

I LOVED this book! It is my favourite so far! I love the character development in Beth and how she is able to come into her own and save herself. She isn't 100% completely there yet, but the strength she exhibited gives me high hopes for her development in the third book, Heaven (which I've currently put on hiatus due school and finishing Clockwork Angel!).

Another thing I loved in this book is the pace of the plot! The first book felt divided for me plot wise: the beginning about Xavier and Beth's relationship, and the ending about Jake Thorn reeking havoc in Venus Cove. The plot in this book is absolutely amazing; I couldn't put the book down and ended up finishing the book in 7 hours! 

My absolute, favourite thing about this book (and the series in general) are the characters! In this book, we see a lot more Molly and Gabriel interaction, we see a lot of Ivy's seraphim attitude, and we get to see how Xavier and Beth cope while being separated from each other (foreshadowing book 3! Duh, duh, duuuuh!).

But my overall favourite characters in this book were Hanna and Tucker, whom Beth met while in Hades. Hanna got on my nerves a bit, but after she told her side of the story, I started sympathizing with her and started understanding her view points; I later ended up pitying her. Tucker (or Tuck) is another character in Hades who didn't really go into detail with his back story, but he was just the sweetest big brother to Beth that I felt really upset that she couldn't take him with her in the end.

But the Molly and the Gabriel feels! AHHHHHH!

Okay, I know Beth and Xavier are like the main couple and are perfect for each other with their undying and self-sacrificing love, but C'MON! Molly and Gabriel are as interesting as Beth and Xavier!

No, the two don't hook up, but they did have a very deep conversation that touched me. I felt like Molly should've known what was going to happen when she decided to be so blunt with Gabriel, but I felt really bad for her too! I mean, her best friend is an angel and her boyfriend is human! It isn't fair D: But I still have hope for those too, since Gabe DID say he will watch over her! **crosses fingers**

What I find interesting about this book is that even though it's much darker than book one, there is still a very humorous side to it. For example, when Michael the Archangel suddenly appears when they're trying to open the portal into Hades:

"That's the problem," Ivy said. "Our combined power isn't enough. We need backup."

"Damn it." Xavier kicked the ground with the toe of his boot, sending pebbles flying. "What's the point in coming here?"

"Michael wouldn't have sent us on a wild goose chase," Ivy murmured. "There must be something he wants us to do."

"Or maybe he's a douche."

"Indeed," said a disembodied voice behind them.

They all spun around in time to see the archangel materialize before them, his towering form shadowing the tracks.

I was laughing so hard at this line, I was so happy that I was alone when I read this, otherwise I would've looked ridiculous!

I love this book, it's my favourite so far! I have to give it a 3 out of 5 stars! This is definitely a series you should read! 

Happy Wednesday guys!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto: Review

Halo

Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Pages: 484
Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Status: Book 1 of a Trilogy

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

An angel is sent to Earth on a mission.

But falling in love is not part of the plan.

Three angels – Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human – are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

WARNING: WILL CONTAIN A LOT OF:

 

 



I literally started reading this book right after I finished reading Crewel. It was 11:30 at night and I had a French test the next day (which I thankfully passed with an 81% :D).

The story is about an angel named Bethany who was sent along with Gabriel the Archangel and Ivy the serpahim to rid the evil dark forces in Venus Cove. It's a small, sleepy beach town with a population of roughly about two thousand people.

Bethany, unlike her brother and sister, is very new; she was created seventeen mortal years in the Kingdom before the story starts. She is very human-like and has the most sympathy when it comes to humans. Prior to her mission, she helped the souls of children with their transition to heaven.

She is very naive (as only an angel could be in the twenty-first century) but has a loving quality to her. While out one night with her siblings, she meets Xavier Woods, a boy of many secrets and always ready with a smile.

Her mission is simple: Spread charity and goodness in the town, and keep the darkness at bay. Do everything in God's will, don't interact with humans on an emotional level and DO NOT reveal the top secret plan.

The story was FULL of fluff. My friends at school had already finished the trilogy and had told me their opinions while I was still in the first couple chapters. While they didn't really take a huge liking in the story, I found it to be a good book to read coming off of my Crewel mourning period.

While I enjoyed learning more about the Order of Heaven (and other things I didn't know about because I probably wasn't paying attention in Religion class), the book revolved around the relationship of Bethany and Xavier. It was a cute relationship, and I felt like it kept the story alive till the arrival of Jake Thorn. But the amount of time it took for the relationship to develop and the pot to pick up took WAY too long for me; it made me feel the book was split in two: the Bethany and Xavier story, and the Jake Thorn problem story.

I spent most of my time swooning because of Xavier freaking Woods. He kept the story and the realtionship going for me. He is the perfect guy! I swear, at one point was like, "an Angel can get a boyfriend, but not me. #Sadlyfe." He was a really good, clean cut character, and to me was the definition of a knight in shining armor.

Jake Thorn was really creepy when he was around Bethany, but other than that, he didn't really stick out for me. In my head, he's just a bad guy and didn't really scream demon. I always pictured him as an English goth with crazy plans. But when he was introduced in the story, the plot started to pick up, so I guess that's one good quality from his twisted personality.

BUT my favourite character is Gabriel. He played a big role in the story and overshadowed Ivy for me. Like, seeing the Archangel as a big brother and a music teacher was just so adorable! If I had to chose between his character and Xavier, I would chose him in a heart beat. I tried picturing every character in my head but picturing Gabriel was just so difficult! He got the mysterious, sexy, party-pooper thing going on, but his character is just BAD-ASS, especially in the end when he goes all ninja-angel to save Bethany.

My favourite thing about Gabriel was his interactions with Molly (Bethany's friend), and Molly just going gaga over him! I can't even describe to you how accurate her attempts to get his attention was like an actual teenage girls. Molly and her friends are the most real characters in the novel, right down to them disobeying dresscode and gossiping. Molly was probably my favourite female charater in the book.

When Gabriel and Molly are together, I always have the urge to laugh or double over swooning. I mean, if Gabriel the Archangel in human form cracked (even a small) smile when he saw you, wouldn't you just melt?

 

My favourite interaction between the two of them was the Prom scene:

 

"Oh...thanks!" she said. "You look very fetching too. Having fun?"

 

"Fun may not be the most accurate description," Gabriel said."I've never much liked social events."

 

"Oh, I know what you mean," said Molly.  "The ball is always a bit boring. Thinks really kick off at the after-party. Are you coming?"

 

Gabriel's stone face seemed to soften for a moment, and the corners of his mouth twitched in the beginning of a smile. But in the matter of seconds he recollected himself and the smile was gone.

-Halo, page 384

 

WHO ASKS AN ARCHANGEL WHO'S YOUR FRIEND'S OLDER BROTHER WHO'S DISGUISED AS A MUSIC TEACHER TO AN AFTER-PARTY?

 

Like seriously who? I don't know why, but this scene just made me laugh like crazy. I just love those two, even though Gabriel was as hard as stone. But Molly is so in love of him, and was such a normal character that her comments and antics made the story enjoyable.

 

"Whatever happened to that hot British guy?" Molly asked the two weeks after her rescue. She was sitting on the end of my bed, filing her nails. "What was his name... Jack James?"

 

"Jake," I said. "And he left to go back to England."

 

 "Shame," Molly commented. "I liked his tattoos. Do you think I should get one? I was thinking one that says, 'leirbag.'"

 

"You want a tattoo of Gabriel's name backward?"

 

"Damn, is it that obvious? I have to think of something else."

-Halo, pages 472-473

 

Bethany's interactions, her friend's, boyfriend and family brought the story alive for me. The only time I felt her as a character was when she healed that girl that got in a car crash. To me, Beth was a sweet, naive angel, who's inexperience put her in weird situations and asking a lot of interesting questions. But I felt she was just there, and was only supported by the other characters in the novel.

 

The book was good, but I have to give it 2.5 stars out of 5.

 

Although it wasn't one of my favourite books, it definitely caught my attention and I really do want to see how the characters will develop and how the events of this book will fuel the next book.

 

It was a sweet, fluffy book that got me out of my mourning period, but there plot took to long to develop, there was too much narration and the protagonist's character development wasn't there for me. It's a good book though, and if your looking for a sweet story with an angel and human falling in love, this is for you!