Covenant (5) - Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The final of the pentalogy: Sentinel (in German Verzaubertes Schicksal). I read it in English where it contained 295 pages. Originally published 2013.
Her body nearly broken, her courage shattered, her very being damaged - not the best precondition for fighting the First - oh, not to mention a crazy god with an army of daimons, Halfs, Pures and humans. And when Alex starts having hallucinations, nearly kills the love of her life, and the First comes knocking at the door, she's certain she has a real problem... What a good thing, she has helpful gods at her sight - and a blood-thirsty titan.
The gods rock. Really, I'm a big fan of Artemis, Athena, Hades, Persephone and Apollo (Ares not so much. I know, big surprise). And you really should get them a bell. Especially Apollo. He rocks. Wait, I think I already said this... but he does! And no, that's so not supposed to by an allusion to him being the music.
As for Perbes: He's creepy.
But still very well done, as are the developments of the characters. My absolute favourite is Seth. There was always good in him, but to see it crystallised is a) realistic and b) kind of tragic. He's done terrible things, but before you know it, you're really sorry for him. Additionally, I always kind of liked him – until he did this thing in Deity. It's ironic that Ares' way of breaking Alex didn't break her, not really – but his control over Seth. However, this goodness in him which was only buried by Seth's arrogance lets the ending make sense.
Unfortunately, I can not say that for the changes in Alex. Don't get me wrong. In the first half of the book, it's damn realistic - actually so realistic it's creepy, because what she's experiencing is a common post-traumatic reaction. Okay, except for the hallucination. But the numbness? The coldness? Her problems to deal with what happened, that she's frozen in stress reactions and not as confident in herself and in her future? That's absolutely normal! And very well described. What isn't realistic is that these phenomena just go away after Apollo's treatment. As in "poof"! After such an experience a one-time-freaking-out doesn't make you let go, no matter how strong you are and what you promise. It helps, as does the talking part, but it's not enough. Especially if you have in mind what she's already been through - and hasn't really dealt with. The few lingering effects Alex has in this book aren't enough.
But it's cute how Aiden helps her. Really. It's totally sweet. And how he really freaks because he's so happy she might be pregnant. I was like oh-my-God! when I read this scene.
I like as well how Alex friends try to help her, as Apollo and Artemis. Even though that one scene with Artemis is kind of creepy. With Alex commentaries it's funny again, but at first...
The ending is so sweet, so realistic – and so not foreseeable. At least not if you don't read Elixir. Then you have a chance to guess. But on the other hand, it's obvious again – because of Persephone's role and everything.
But, what I don't like, is that everyone is watching Alex and Aiden because they are a couple; but the not very discreet Deakon and Luke are ignored. Yeah, right.
In brief:
So, I give this book stars for style, the ideas and a star for the ending. Plus a star for the development of Seth and Alex' in the first half; minus a star for Alex in the second half. So, in the end, that makes three stars.
Prequel: