Halo by Alexandra Adornetto - Review

Halo offer's so much more than a beautiful cover....

When a baby first comes into the world, it's natural, unspoiled; each experience, taste, and sensory perception, at first is totally untainted. It's not until, a child grows that it, though experience, becomes “tarnished” - with beauty as well as darkness. This is how I thought of Bethany...as a “first time human” she is the only one of the 3 siblings that's never been to earth before, never had a human body...so she's fresh, unspoiled, just as a newborn. Her only interaction with humans, has been though studies she did before she came, while still in heaven. Yet, even though Bethany has never been to earth, or held a human form, she seems to have an alarming connection to her emotions, something that her brother and sister do not share..a connection that they both feel could put them all in danger, especially Bethany.

Bethany's brother and sister, Gabriel and Ivy, are very different from Bethany. They have been jaded by the earthly world, they have lived though, and seen much, throughout there centuries of life. They have held human bodies countless times before, so while getting used to the flesh that surrounds them, is daunting, it's something that they have encountered before. They know to keep there eye's on the mission at hand, as well as how to negate any unwelcome or unwarranted, personal contact.

Both Gabriel and Ivy, seem to have a purpose in this place; they each set off on there separate paths to work there own beautiful magic. With Ivy's work taking her more into there little town, while Gabriel takes to serving his grace upon the high school, as there music teacher.

Bethany is confused as to what her roll is, and when she asks, the only advice that Ivy or Gabriel can give her is that she must find her own path. Confusion rains in Bethany's life, until it is decided that she join Gabriel in the school, as a student.

At first Bethany is not sure this is such a good idea, how can she keep her distance, while still offering help? The alarming answer is simply, she can't. Much to Ivy and Gabriel's dismay, it seems Bethany was sent to the, sleepy little town of Venus Cove, to live the life of a 17 year old girl, to make friends, to develop love...no one understands it, and when Bethany first meets Xavier; Ivy and Gabriel couldn't be more worried, after all falling in love with a human is against all that they hold dear.

As Bethany moves forward, and a new boy comes into town, the proverbial, gates to Hell open up and threaten to swallow all that has become important to Bethany. Can she become the angel she is meant to be? Can the love she holds deeply within be enough to concur the darkness?

I adored the character's, most of the time. Bethany can be clingy, yet she's strong. She's also a bit unwilling to listen, often making rash decisions with out fully thinking things though, which as a teen, I guess we all do! Xavier can be almost too protective, though he's passionate and loving. He also tends to jump to conclusions without all the details, which drove me a bit nuts. And I can't not mention Xavier's family, they are so perfect, I want to move in with them!

Delicate yet strong, Alexandra's words demand your attention, yet in-capsule you with a feeling of home. Her rich use of description, some will say I am sure, weigh down this beautiful novel, however I did not at all feel that way, I relished each of the details. Often, I found myself closing my eyes, picturing the exact moment, feeling as though I could reach out to Bethany or grab Xavier in a sweet embrace.

I am not sure how Bethany's story came to Alexandra Adornetto; but it's obvious to this reviewer anyway, that this young lady is going places! Her writing is passionate, yet real; delicious yet rot with danger; powerful with a poise that even seasoned authors struggle to obtain. Her writing reminded me a bit of Maggie Stiefvater, with prose that are electric, yet elegant.

Bottom Line - A daringly, palpable story, that's rich with beautiful, and raw details. Halo is addictive, passionate and coarse with vibrancy. Alexandra Adornetto has drawn a beautiful start to what I can only imagine will be an epic trilogy. I can not wait to see what beautiful details will be revealed next, to find more answers to the vast amount of questions still raging in my head, and to be once again drawn into this world. I sit here awestruck that something this deep, and penetratingly, beautiful could come from someone whom is merely 17. I give Halo 5 mushrooms, the beautiful story I found within it's pages will stay with me! I can't wait for Hades!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? If your a fan of books like Fallen by Lauren Kate, with slow, winding beautiful stories - this is a book that will steal your heart! I am glad it's one that I have sitting on my shelves!

Halo (Halo, #1)
By: Alexandra Adornetto
496 Pages
Published: August 31, 2010 (Happy Book Birthday)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Received via the publisher for my honest review, thank you!