ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for al owing me to write random stuff with permanent markers al over the wal s of my bedroom when I was a teenager and not kil ing me.
To Jesse, thank you for playing Barbies and Nintendo with me. Thank you to Jerry and al my family, extended and close, for being the awesome sauce. A special shout out to whoever created zombies. Whenever I feel like I’m having a bad day, I take a peek at the living dead and total y feel better about myself. Thank you to my sister Dawn, who is probably the only person in this world who wants to see my face on a shirt and not on the back of a milk carton. Ricky Bobby—I don’t know what I would’ve done without the endless distraction you and your sidekick have provided me whenever I’ve reached an impasse in my writing (Thank you, baby Jesus).
So very thankful for my friends—Dawn, Lesa, Amber, Amber number 2, Shel y, Kel ey, Lisa, Tracy, Ashlee, Jen and everyone else—for not disowning me because I choose to spend time with imaginary friends. My betas and awesome writing friends—Brenda St. John Brown, Kimberlee Turley, Claire Merle, Lisa Rogers, Stephanie Sauvinet, Catherine Peace—al helped me not make a complete idiot out of myself when it came to revisions and al that good stuff. Remember those names, because they wil be your favorite authors real soon. Thanks to Carissa Thomas for helping me brainstorm while I played the waiting game. And love and hugs to al the wonderful members of Query Tracker Forum for always being supportive, kind, and ingenious.
O h, Chewie— m y Chewsters, Chewtoy, also known as Chu-won Martin, you were my first friend to actual y read anything I wrote and not laugh. You wil always hold a special place in my heart.
None of this would have happened without my editor and the wonderful y supportive and enthusiastic team at Spencer Hil Press: Kate, Debbie, Osman, and Kendra.
Kate—wow, I don’t even know what to say. Without you, Half-Blood would stil be an annoying and useless file on my computer. You are remarkable and I’m indebted to you.
Michael—thank you for putting up with me when I spend more time with inanimate objects than you. Love you.
Did you think I was going to forget Loki? Ha. Loki, I love you. You’re the best damn dog in the world. I also would like to thank those who looked at me like I was insane when I said I wanted to be a published author. Because of you, I’m achieving that dream.
And final y, huge thanks to Julie Fedderson—you rock my world with your insanely right-on critiques and hilarious comments. Julie, we need to share that bottle of wine sometime soon. I have such a writer crush on you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in West Virginia. Al the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. Wel , mostly. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. She shares her home with her husband, his K-9 partner named Diesel, and her hyper Jack Russel Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent her time writing short stories... therefore explaining her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes Adult and Young Adult Urban Fantasy and Romance.
Come find out more about the books of the Covenant series at:
www.ACovenantNovel.com.
Advance Praise for Half-Blood
“I want to get my love for this book across with just sounding like a squeeing fangirl that is babbling nonsense, but I’m not sure I will be able to do it. Half-Blood is just that amazing. This series is going right to the top of my favorites list!... Half-Blood is an action-packed thrill ride that pulled no punches. Full of fantastic mythology, great storytelling, forbidden love, and danger at every corner, Half-Blood has something for everyone. ”
— Reading Angel
“Half-Blood is pure awesomeness. I loved this book from beginning to end... Half-Blood is one of those books you finish reading and can’t read anything else for months because you are stuck in that amazing world of unforgettable characters.”
— Bookittyblog
“Jennifer has this amazing way of sucking me into the story and making it so I never want to leave. I absolutely could not get enough of this amazing book.”
— My Bookish Fairy Tale
“Half-Blood takes the WOW factor to a whole new level...the HOLY CRAP
level for real! What author Jennifer Armentrout has done with classic Greek mythology, Greek Gods and story telling at its best is amazing. I instantly fell in love with the characters. I was laughing, sitting on the edge of my seat, crying and holding my breath.”
— Mindy Fangedmom, Books Complete Me
“After reading the prequel, I knew I HAD to have the book to read more.
Half-Blood is fast-paced and full of action. It’s definitely a great read that brings in elements of mythology, but stays fresh.”
— Letters Inside Out
“This book has everything: the scary monsters, the dangerous quests, the annoying family members, the steamy scenes... I just couldn’t get enough of it.”
— iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books
“Jennifer Armentrout delivers a wonderful new YA series that no one should miss reading... and it has all the potential to become the next favorite series for many readers. I know for sure that it became mine!”
— Books to Brighten Your Mood
“Oh. My. Goodness... I really wanted to just enjoy this one and let it soak in slowly. Please read this!”
— I’m a Book Shark
“This book has been blowing up across the blogosphere, and I can assure every person reading this review: it’s that freaking good. It’s one of those books that you open to read and then set it down four hours later, head spinning like you’ve spent an afternoon on the tilt-a-whirl with the biggest grin on your face. It has everything you could want: action, romance, angst, and so much more.”
— The Irish Banana Review
“If you want to lose yourself for a couple of days, just plain out fall-off-the-face-of-the-planet-and-not-remember-what-else-is-going-on-in-the-world, lose yourself... THIS BOOK WILL DO THAT! I was completely blown away.”
— YA Bound
“I really think Half-Blood is going to stand out among the throngs of paranormal books. It’s a captivating, action packed and unpredictable adventure with compelling characters that kept me turning the pages, gasping and sighing with emotion until the end. I’ve found my new favourite series.”
— Safari Poet
“This is a 2011 must read!... I was constantly guessing and couldn’t wait to turn the page to find out what happens next! I def recommend to put this on your tbr, and to pick it up the second it releases!!! Jennifer has written a masterpiece!”
— Blkosiner’s Book Blog
“Jennifer L Armentrout has written a page turner worthy of a one sitting read. Clear your day. It’s literally impossible to put Half Blood down until totally devoured....and then you are licking your lips for more... If you don’t put this on your must reads list, then you will be missing out. Jennifer writes with such clarity and the tension...oh my goodness, the story is sooo well written, the excitement does not let up for a minute... I am making a prediction that Aiden St. Delphi is going to be giving Dimitri, from Vampire Academy, a run for his money, especially once the series really gets underway, and that’s saying something. Aiden is the new hottie in town.”
— Novels on the Run
“This is definitely my favourite mythology-based book to date... I definitely give this 5/5 and I cannot wait for the next installment, Pure.”
— The Cait Files
“Ms. Armentrout has created a world filled with magic and danger... The author has added enough twists that it will keep your interest and make you want to read more! I really, really enjoyed it and was bummed when I arrived at the end.”
— Nightly Reading
“Half-Blood was everything that I love in a book. There was romance, action and drama! I would not change one single thing about it! This book quite literally took my breath away! It pulled me and didn’t let me go until the final page. Actually, it never really let me go because I am completely aching for the next in the series.”
— Two Readers Reviews
“This isn’t your average mythology novel; no, it is much more than that.
Armentrout officially has me hooked on this series, and I may go crazy waiting for the next installment.”
— IB Book Blogging
“So many elements make this a great story: action, romance, dealing with death, finding out who you truly are, and discovering new things about the world you’ve always known. Half-Blood is one of my favorite books this year. I’d advise everyone to pick it up.”
— The Reading Housewives
“This is one book to remember, THE one you definitely wanna read and reread... This book is perfect! A total MUST READ!!”
— Darkest Sins
“I was drawn to Half-Blood like a daimon to aether. Alex is one of the best heroines I have come across this year. She is kick-ass and drives the plot with her witty quips and strong personality... I would recommend Half-Blood to anyone who is looking for a story with a strong female protagonist, an intricate world with descendents of gods, daimons, hierarchy and oppression, a little romance and some kick-butt action.”
— Quill Café
“Jennifer L. Armentrout creates a very original story line to Greek mythology so this is absolutely one series that you do not want to miss! From all the daimon killings to all the heart-pounding OMGs, this is one debut that will rock you off your toes! Make sure you strap in extra hard because this is one heck of a ride!”
— Books Over Boys
“Half-Blood is a grip-you-by-the-wrists rollercoaster ride. From the first word to the last, it’s not only cleverly entertaining, but deathly dark. Paced with precision, the story unfolds gradually to the perfect end, filled with unanswered questions and a desperate longing.”
— Writing Jewels
“Nothing short of an absolutely amazing read.”
— Omnom Books
Copyright © 2011 by Jennifer L. Armentrout Sale of the paperback edition of this book without its cover is unauthorized.
Spencer Hill Press
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
Contact: Spencer Hill Press, PO Box 247, Contoocook, NH 03229, USA Please visit our website at www.spencerhillpress.com First Edition: September 2011.
Armentrout, Jennifer L. 1980
Half-Blood : a novel / by Jennifer L. Armentrout – 1st ed.
p. cm.
Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Alexandria has to fight daimons to survive – and fight her growing attraction to the man she can never have. If she loses either fight, she could lose everything.
The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this fiction: Bath & Body Works, Dockers, Harry Potter, Hummer, Oompa Loompa, Porsche, Rambo
Cover design by K. Kaynak with artwork by Misha.
ISBN 978-0-9831572-0-5 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-9831572-1-2 (e-book)
Printed in the United States of America