Halflings by: Heather Burch

Halflings by: Heather Burch
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
Publisher: Zondervan
Page Count: 288
Challenge: 2012 Debut Author Challenge, NetGalley Month
Format: e-ARC (Thanks NetGalley!)
Series: Halflings #1
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

 After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

My Review:

This was one of the most refreshing books I've read in while. Books about angels an demons/ good vs. evil always intrigue me and this book was no exception.

Starting off, I automatically loved Nikki's character. She is a black belt in karate and doesn't care what anybody thinks about her vintage t-shirts and boyfriend jeans.  Her friend Krissy bothered me a bit though; she was always trying to get Nikki to conform to a more 'stylish' look.

The concept and manners of the Halflings really amazed me. They really are Lost Boys. As the offspring of angels and humans, they hold no true place to call home. Born out of rebellion, they don't get to chose how to lead there lives.  There is clearly humanity in each one of them though.

In all books that have to do with angels, there is a lot of creation of fictional elements to define them. That was present in this book, but there was also a lot of truth mixed in. The angels and Halflings really had a genuine respect and admiration for humans.  I would love to see more of this in YA fiction, or at least in this series.

Mace and Raven could not be  more different, and yet they both yearn to be with Nikki. Mace does what he's told and never gets involved in any way with humans. Raven is rebellious and dark, toying with humans as he pleases. This got me wondering if there is something more than human about Nikki. She stirs emotion in the beings who were taught to be ignorant of it.

This will definitely be a series to keep up with. The ending left a lot of unanswered questions and I can't wait to see what happens in the next addition to the series.

Official Rating:

Four Un-Birthday Cakes!