New Juicy Review: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
Book: Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
ISBN/ASIN: 9780312656263
Rating: Four Stars
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Buy: | Amazon | B&N | Powell’s | Indiebound
What if you were an angel and your mission was to turn the tide against the growing evil in the world? What if you fell in love with a mortal? And what would happen if you broke all the rules? In Halo, Alexandra Adornetto’s riveting debut trilogy, explores the perils of being a young angel and succumbing to temptation.
For Bethany Church, life is brand new. The youngest and untried of three angels on a mission, just being in human form is a challenge. Eating, drinking, sleeping, even the simplest tasks are challenging. Assimilating into daily life could end up being more than she bargained for, especially where high school is concerned. But Bethany must keep her mind on the mission and grounded with her brother and sister. Because it looks as if the devil just might have plans for the seaside town of Venus Cove, and he will not tolerate any competition over the souls of the residents.
Somewhere along the way, Bethany must find her own path and it could veer away from her brother and sister angels-into the hands of temptation. Can she manage her precarious mission and her burgeoning love for Xavier Woods all at the same time? What about her vulnerability to Jake Thorn? Who is he and what are his plans for Venus Cove? What are his plans for her when he seems to already know who and what she really is? What is he hiding?
Adornetto begins Halo simply enough until midway she changes the game and ups the ante, and suddenly you realize that though Halo might have been tame to begin with, the story has evolved into a thrilling tale of good against evil. A dark tale with victims (!) This sinister bent manages to focus on how dire the situation is in Venus Cove and how perilous the task is before her. Adornetto is no longer pulling punches. While the first half of the book is about the trio getting used to suburbia and keeping on task with good deeds, Adornetto has devoted the second half of the book for the action and the EVIL-an evil has been unleashed in the Cove, and some have already died. Others will be possessed by souls of the Underworld, and in the darkness of it all, one being will stop at nothing to gain Bethany’s soul for himself. Will he succeed?
While I am a firm proponent of “bringing on the evil” earlier in the manuscript rather than later, it positioning didn’t detract too much from Halo’s pace. I was still captivated with the developing story line between Bethany and Iain, and their foundation at Bryce Hamilton among friends and family. And that was an important facet to capture.
Adornetto has hinted it is not over and at the end of Halo you will desperately wonder what will she show us next? What will happen to Bethany, Xavier, Jake, Gabriel and Ivy when they meet once again? I am definitely eager to read Hades (set for 2011) release, because I have an idea of where Adornetto is heading…or well…Bethany could be headed (hint…its very hot)
A Fiendishly Bookish Review (and one grumpy cat)
Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 1:58PM 
Reader Comments (2)
I have to get this book when it comes out!!! ( The main char. has the same name as me!!!)
No way! I think you'll really like the book-and Jake Thorn is EVIL its so made the story exciting!