{Blog Tour} Pure by Jennifer L Armentrout

Title: Pure
Series: The Covenant Series #2
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: April 3, 2012

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Synopsis:

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.

All I can say is...OMG. I loved Pure more than Half-Blood and I drooled over Half-Blood. Jennifer L. Armentrout is such a witty writer, weaving stories of romance, action, and humor in a way only she can do. If you haven't read any of her work...Do. So. Now.

So when we left Alex in Half-Blood, kick-ass heroine and all, she had just said goodbye to her mother in a very touching memorial which both Caleb (best friend) and Aiden (hot trainer) attended. Aiden really just smoldered in the background, allowing Alex to make peace with her mother's death. So sweet.

Pure begins with Alex smack dab in the middle of training, unfortunately, not with Aiden or Seth, but with her evil and sadistic teacher (who I believe has a much bigger role in this story than we are lead to believe). Alex spends a great deal of her time training, and when she's not training, she's usually in some sort of rebellion-type trouble. She's spunky and feisty but isn't so super-heroic that the bad things in life don't affect her. Like many of us, she suffers pain and loss. She has a hard time fighting back the darkness of depression on occasions; however, she always comes out on top. In my opinion, this is why Alex is one of the greatest female protagonists in YA literature today. She's strong but her character isn't flawless which is what makes Alex is so believable.

Much of Alex's journey is spent in the Catskills with the Council, awaiting her hearing. She will be forced to explain her actions regarding an incident that occurred during Half-Blood involving her mother, daimons and death. Unfortunately, her mother isn't the only situation the Council plans on addressing. Alex's time before them will prove to be a harrowing experience to say the least.

Okay, enough about all of that stuff. Let's talk about Alex's very complicated (and coveted) love life. First there's Aiden - the forbidden pure-blood Alex can't escape. He's sexy and brooding but his ancestry makes him completely off limits to Alex. Too bad neither he nor Alex can keep their feelings for each other a secret, because if the wrong people find out...Alex will be the one to pay the price. You know teenagers...tell them they can't and they will.

Then there's the bad-boy Seth and no girl resists him, at least not for long. Just ask Alex. Seth is snarky and frustrating a good portion of the time. However, in Pure, we get to see a complete different side to the playboy image Seth usually portrays...and I loved every minute of it. While Aiden can't be Alex's comforter on cold and worrisome New York nights, Seth is her fated other-half. She definitely needs to investigate his assets...and who knows, maybe she does sample him just a bit. *coughs* "Pool Scene." I got chills just typing that. LOL.

I've never read a series with a romantic triangle that I didn't have a predestined choice. I can honestly say, as of my reading of Pure, I don't have a team. I love Aiden! I love Seth!

Pure begins with intense training, bleeds into heart-stopping romance, jumps back into gut-wrenching combat, and ends with a cover-up/escape that rivals anything I've ever read.

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 Okay...now for the fun stuff. There's not one, but two, tour long giveaways. Comment at every stop for extra entries.

GIVEAWAY:  To gain an entry in either/both of the tour giveaways for Pure, leave a comment here about your choice for Alex (Aiden or Seth)...and why. Then go to StuckInBooks and/or A Cupcake and a Latte with this link to complete your entry.