Guardian

November 15, 2012

This second entry (after Halflings) in Burch's YA paranormal series finds Nikki Youngblood's two half-angel, half-human guardians at odds due to their feelings for the girl. Mace, who is in love with Nikki, wants to protect her. Raven wants her to be independent. Tensions and danger grow while Nikki tries to decide between her two protectors. VERDICT Recommend this suspenseful, character-driven romance to teens who enjoyed Alexandra Adornetto's "Halo" trilogy (Halo; Hades; Heaven). Adult fans of YA fantasies might also be interested in exploring this series.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2012
The second installment of the Halflings trilogy picks up right where readers left off, with Nikki Youngblood caught smack-dab in the middle of a love triangle between the two half-men, half-angels assigned to protect her. Tensions are even higher now that Nikki, Mace and Raven (plus a trio of Halfling ladies and Will, everyone's resident guardian angel) are forced to exist in close quarters on a yacht bound for Europe as the host of heavenly bodies continues its quest to uncover the dark forces that threaten the worlds of both men and angels. The ocean voyage is a necessity, as the "creatures from the pit" have been cast into "dry places," and it allows Nikki time to explore her unique talents as a Seer. Unfortunately, much like its predecessor, this outing is plagued by heavy-handed Christian overtones that exclude nonbelievers and an indecisive heroine whose declarations of love for her suitors change with the wind, making it hard to put any stock in her feelings for either. Though the power of the love triangle suffers as a result of Nikki's waffling, at least by the novel's end her true identity is revealed, and readers will at long last understand what Damon Vessler and his army of Darklings have in store. Fans of the series will likely be entertained, but those who disliked Halflings (2012) shouldn't seek redemption here. (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

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