Deity by Jennifer L Armentrout Book Review

Deity

by Jennifer L Armentrout

Published by Spencer Hill Press

Book 3 in the Covenant Series

History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time.

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate..

RATED: 14+ CATEGORY: MOOD:

Foul Language #YoungAdult Action

Some Steaminess #Mythology Emotional

Violence #Romance

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Deity by Jennifer L Armentrout is the third book in the Covenant series. The best way to describe Deity, is by going back to the first book, and reading Grandma Piperi's prophecy. Deity is the answers to all the questions Alex had after her encounter with her. Add that to her deepening connection to Seth, her growing emotions and attraction with Aiden, and her worries about Awakening on her birthday, we have one action packed book, that will leave you stunned in the end.

I mean that. I literally got to the last page, dropped my phone, and said "Holy shit." Because I'm dramatic like that.

This series so far has been nothing but climatic. Especially Diety. There is literally no moment where I was bored. The story is constantly one upping itself, and keeps up it's wonderful originality within the genre ... while still keeping true to Jennifer L Armentrouts YA formula. I've read enough of her books to know that in every YA series, there is always a cafeteria scene, where someone is getting good dumped on them. Or thrown at them.

Alex is probably one of Jennifer's strongest female leads that I have come across in her books. At least top 3. She constantly shows her strength and bravery through her actions and words, yet has a vulnerable side to those she is closest to. She's intelligent, and begins to acknowledge that her choices have power. By going along with the normal way of things, she accepting the treatment of half-bloods, and the laws enslaving them. Alex is good. Is she wild, and fiesty, with one hell of a temper? Hell. Yeah. But she has a strong head of her shoulders, and does what is right ... not caring about the consequences.

Aiden .... oh my heart. One of my favorite things about this book was Aiden and Alex getting closer. He is the perfect half to Alex. Brave and strong also, with a strong moral compass, he is the rational side, to her irrational one. Neither of them give up, especially on each other. His obvious adoration and love of Alex is obvious to everyone but Alex it seems.

Oh Seth. I once described Seth as the devil on Alex's shoulder, while Aiden is the angel. Seth is definitely something all right. His actions in the book constantly had me cringing. It was obvious where it was going. Hell, the prophecy in book one essentially spoiled this book. While his actions in this book are ... for lack of a better word ... horrible, I can't give up on him yet. Much like Alex. She knows Seth, and this isn't him. I hope my thoughts on him are correct. Piperi's prophecy, when she says "The poor child, he doesn't see it," HAS to be talking about Seth. By the end of this book, it's obvious he has been groomed from the start, easy pickings due to his lonely childhood with no parents who loved him.

Deity was such a INSANE ride. I just knew that this book ended on a cliff hanger (I see you, Jennifer. The third book is ALWAYS a cliffhanger), but what a freaking cliffhanger it is. I can't WAIT to dive into the novella Elixir (from Aiden's POV), and then into the fourth book, Apollyon. Get this series. Seriously. I highly recommend it!

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Alex: "Seth?"

Seth: "Yeah?"

Alex: "You were in my dream."

One amber-colored eye opened.

Seth: "Please tell me we were naked."

I rolled my eyes

Alex: "You're such a perv."

Leon: "You are in need of a professional babysitter."

Leon: "Why is it every time I see you, you are about to do something you shouldn't?"

I shrugged

Alex: "It's a talent."

Aiden: "You have this knee-jerk reaction to everything."

Alex: "What?"

Alex: "It's the first initial response. The immediate thought when you hear something. You act on that instead of thinking things through."

I burrowed my cheek against his chest.

Alex: "That's not a compliment."

Aiden: "It's not an insult. It's just who you are. You don't stop to think of the danger, only what is right. But sometimes it's not ... right."

Aiden: "Did you think I wouldn't help you with something as important as this?"

Alex: "Things are ... different."

Aiden: "I know things are different, Alex, but I will always be here for you. I will always help you. How can you ever doubt that?"

Alex: "I don't doubt that."

Aiden: "I told you I'd never let anything happen to you. It seems like a full-time job, though."

My lips quirked

Alex: "I've really been trying, you know. Today was the first day I even did anything remotely stupid."

Aiden: "What did you do?"

Alex: "You really don't want to know."

Seth: "I know what you're feeling right now. I totally approve of it."

My cheeks burned

Alex: "Gods, I hate you."

Alex: "Get off."

Seth: "I was trying to."

Marcus: "Are we keeping you from a nap, Alexandria?"

Leon: "They were training, in her room."

I wanted to die.

Lucian: "It is expected. They are young and drawn to one another. You cannot fault them for seeking privacy."

I couldn't help it. My eyes found Aiden. He stood beside Leon and Linard, his gaze flitting over the room, stopping and lingering on me before passing on.

Marcus: "Fated or not, the rules of the Covenant still apply to them, Minister. And from what I've heard, Seth has a hard time remaining in his own room at your house during the night."

Seth: "I think we've been found out."

There was no way Aiden could've heard Seth, but anger rolled off him in waves, so much so that Seth tipped his head up, met Aiden's stare, and smile.

I'd had it. Sitting up straight, I knocked Seth's arm off the back of my chair.

Alex: "Is this why we're having a meeting? Because, seriously, I could really use a nap instead."

Lucian: "The best we can do at this point is to ensure that Alexandria stays out of trouble and does not give the Head Minister any excuse to place her into servitude."

Several pairs of eyes landed on me. Alex: "I'll try not to do anything crazy."

Marcus arched a brow

Marcus: "That would be a nice change."

Alex: "Time for me to awaken? Then what? You don't care what happens to me?"

Lucian: "Nonsense. Not only will you have power, Seth will be able to protect both of you."

Alex: "I don't need Seth to protect me!"

Seth: "You know how to make a guy feel useful."

Alex: "Shut up. You know what I mean. I can fight. I've killed daimons and I fought the furies and lived. I don't need Seth to be my babysitter."

Leon snorted

Leon: "You do need a babysitter, but I doubt he's qualified for the job."

Aiden coughed, but it sounded an awful lot like a choked laugh

Seth: "Do you think you can do a better job? Because you're more than welcome to try."

Aiden's eyes went from gray to silver, his full lips tilted into a smirk as he met Seth's stare.

Aiden: "I think we both know the answer to that."

My jaw hit the floor.

Seth: "Simmer down, cuddle-bunny."

Jackson: "You're going to be hurting by the end of class."

I raised a brow and motioned him forward with one hand. I waited until he was only a foot away before I launched a brutal offensive. I was fast and light on my feet. He would feint in one direction to avoid a sharp thrust and end up with a sideways kick in his back, panting and swearing from a fierce spin kick.

Alex: "I'm going to be hurting? Nah, I don't think so."

Breathing harshly, he jumped onto the balls of his feet

Jackson: "Wait and see, baby."

Alex: "Baby? I'm not your baby."

Aiden: "You've never been one to wallow in self-pity when the odds are stacked against you."

Alex: "I'm not wallowing in self-pity, Aiden."

Aiden: "Really? Just like you aren't settling for Seth?"

Alex: "I'm not settling. I don't want to talk about Seth."

Aiden: "I cannot believe you've forgiven him for what ... for what he did to you."

Alex: "That wasn't his fault, Aiden. Seth didn't give me the brew. He didn't force -"

Aiden: "He still knew better!"

Alex: "I'm not talking to you about this."

I started to back away

The hand beside him clenched

Aiden: "So you are still .. with him?"

Alex: "Define 'with,' Aiden."

He stared

I tipped my head up

Alex: "Do you mean am I hanging out with him or are we just friends? OR did you mean to ask if we're sleeping together?"

His eyes narrowed into thin slits that shone a fierce silver.

Alex: "And why are you asking, Aiden? Whatever the answer is doesn't even matter."

Aiden: "But it does."

Alex: "You have no idea. It doesn't. It's fate, remember?"

I grabbed for my bag again, but he caught my arm again

Alex: "What do you want from me?"

Aiden: "You're afraid."

Alex: "What?"

I laughed, but it came out sounding like a nervous croak

Alex: "I'm not afraid."

Aiden's eyes drifted over my head and determination settled into his eyes.

Aiden: "Yes. You are."

Without saying anything else, he turned me around and pulled me toward the sensory deprivation chamber.

My eyes shot wide

Alex: "What are you doing?"

Aiden: "Do you know what they use this for?"

Alex: "Um, to train?"

Aiden: "Do you know how ancient warriors trained? They used to fight Deimos and Phobos, who used the warriors' worst fears against them during battle."

Alex: "Thanks for the daily weird god history lesson, but -"

Aiden: "But the gods of Fear and Terror have been off the circuit for a while, they created this chamber. They believe that fighting using only your other senses to guide you is the best way to hone your skills and face your fears."

Alex: "Fears of what?"

Aiden: "Whatever fear are holding you back."

Alex: "I thought you said I was fearless."

Aiden: "You usually are. Which is why being scared now is so hard for you. Being afraid isn't a weakness, Alex. It's only a sign of something you must overcome."

Alex: "Fear is a weakness."

Expecting him to still be in front of me, I decided to go along with him. I threw an elbow out, but he wasn't here. And then he was at my back, his breath dancing along the back of my neck. I swung around, grasping air.

Alex: "What are you afraid of?"

A whoosh of air and he was behind me again.

Aiden: "This isn't about me, Alex. You're afraid of losing yourself."

Alex: "Of course not. What was I thinking? So why don't you tell me what I'm afraid of, oh-fearless-one?"

Aiden: "You're scared of becoming something you have no control over."

He caught my arm as I swung toward the sound of his voice

Aiden: "That scares you to death."

He let go, backing off.

He was right, and because of that, anger and embarrassment flooded me. Out of the darkness surrounding me, there was a patch thicker than the rest. I threw myself at him. Anticipating the move, he caught me by the shoulders. I swung out, catching him in the stomach and chest.

Aiden pushed me back

Aiden: "You're angry because I'm right."

Aiden: "Alex."

He pressed down, and when he breathed in, his chest rose against mine. In the utter darkness of the sensory deprivation room, his breath was warm against my lips. I didn't dare move. Not even a fraction of an inch.

His grip around my wrists slackened and his hand slipped over my shoulder, cupping my cheek.

Aiden: "It's okay to be afraid, Alex."

I threw my head back then, wanting to be far away from him as much as I wanted to be right where I was.

Aiden: "But you have nothing to fear."

He guided my chin down with gentle fingers.

Aiden: "When will you learn. You're the only person who has control over who you become. You're too strong to ever lose yourself. I believe that. Why can't you?"

Alex: "What are you afraid of?"

Aiden: "I thought you said I was afraid of nothing once."

Alex: "I did."

Aiden shifted slightly and his thumb caressed the curve of my cheek.

Aiden: "I'm afraid of something."

Alex: "What?"

Aiden: "I'm afraid of never being allowed to feel what I do."

Luke: "Gods, Alex! Holy Hades, what are you doing in here?"

Alex: "How'd you know it was me by just feeling up my boobs?"

Luke: "It's a superpower."

Alex: "Wow."

Luke: "You need someone who wants to be around you not because of what you are, but who you are."

My jaw hit the mat

Alex: "Wow."

Luke: "Everyone knows what you are, Alex. And most people thing it's pretty damn cool. What they don't think is cool - the reason why everyone is avoiding you - is your attitude. Everyone gets that you're hurt over Caleb and what happened with your mom. We understand that, but that doesn't mean we have to tolerate your constant bitchiness."

In the silence and darkness surrounding us, Luke found me and wrapped his arms around my stiff shoulders.

Luke: "Well, maybe we do have to tolerate it a little bit. You are an Apollyon after all. And even though you've been a giant bitch, we still love you and we're worried."

Leon: "May I ask why you're passing notes to Aiden?"

Alex: "It's a love note. I'm asking him to circle 'yes' or 'no' if he likes me."

Alex: "I was beginning to think you found your own bed more appealing."

Seth: "You missed me."

I shrugged.

Alex: "I don't need a damn babysitter."

Seth: "Yes, you do. The girl who can't follow rules to save her own life is still inside you."

Alex: "You're an asshole."

Seth: "Been called worse by you, so I'll take that as a compliment."

Alex: "Look, this whole marking and Awakening thing freaks me out. You know that, but ... but I shouldn't have accused you."

Seth: "No, you shouldn't have."

Alex: "And this has nothing to do with Aiden."

I grabbed his free hand and he flinched

Alex: "I'm sorry, Seth."

He stared behind me, lips thin.

Alex: "I really am sorry."

I let go of his hand and placed my head against his chest. Carefully, I wrapped my arms around him.

Alex: "I just don't want to become someone else."

Seth inhaled sharply

Seth: "Alex ..."

He dropped his shoes and swept his arms around me.

Seth: "You drive me crazy."

Alex: "I know. The feeling is mutual."

Aiden: "That's enough. Back off."

Seth: "You really want to get involved in this? Right now?"

Aiden: "More than you would ever know."

Akasha fizzled out and Seth pushed Aiden

Seth: "Oh, I think I do. And you know what, it's something I think about ... every time. You get what I'm saying?"

Aiden: "That's the best you got, Seth? Because I think you and I both know the truth about that."

Oh dear gods, this was turning into a boy fight.

Seth moved so fast it was hard to see him. An arm cocked back, aiming right for Aiden's jaw. Reacting just as fast, Aiden caught Seth's arm and threw him back again.

Aiden: "Try it again, and I won't stop."

A second later they were crashing into each other. Both his the ground, rolling and throwing punches . They weren't even fighting like Sentinels. There was nothing graceful in their punches or blocks. They brawled like two idiots high on testosterone, and I had the strongest urge to walk up and kick them both in the head.

I threw my hands up

Alex: "You've got to be kidding me."

The Guards and Leon shot forward, grabbing for the two guys. It took several tries to get Aiden off Seth.

Leon: "Are you done? Aiden, you need to stop."

Aiden wiped the back of his hand over his cheek as he shrigged Leon's hand off.

Aiden: "Yeah, I'm done."

Alex: "Do you have any idea how nice it is to be able to do something other than train or stay in my room?"

Leon: "Or spend time with Seth?"

Alex: "Was that a joke? Oh, my gods. It was."

Leon: "There is nothing about that boy that is a joking matter."

Alex: "Okay. You really don't like Seth, do you?"

Leon: "Is it that obvious?"

I peeked at him

Alex: "No. Not at all."

He sighed deeply as he stared up at the statue of Apollo and Daphne, a distant look on his face.

Leon: "Emotions that are forced always end in tragedy."

Alex: "Do you think Daphne knew that the only way she could escape Apollo was by dying?"

Leon: "Daphne did not die, Alex. She still remains as she was the day ... she was lost. A laurel tree."

Alex: "Man, that sucks. Apollo was such a freak."

Leon: "Apollo was struck by a love arrow and Daphne was struck by a lead one. Like I said, love that is not organic in nature is dangerous and tragic."

Alex: "Well, I hope I don't have to turn myself into a tree."

Leon tsked

Leon: "Then pay attention to what is need and what is want."

Alex: "That's really cool that Deacon is studying and all."

Aiden: "Can I ask you a question?"

Alex: "Sure."

I pulled out the massive book and placed it between us.

Aiden: "Do I look stupid?"

My hand froze over the edge of the book

Alex: "Uh, is this a trick question?"

He arched a brow

Alex: "No. You don't look stupid."

Aiden: "I didn't think so."

He reached over, taking the book away from me. His hand brushed mine as he did so, sending little shivers through my fingers.

Aiden: "They were doing the same amount of studying that we're doing."

Deacon glanced up, grinning as I sat beside him.

Deacon: "How did your library visit go? Get any studying done?"

Alex: "My library visit? How was yours?"

Deacon: "Good. Got a lot of studying done."

Alex: "Wow. Amazing, considering neither of you had any books to study."

Deacon opened his mouth, but shut it.

I winked.

The tips of his ears turned bright red. He tapped his fingers on the top of the desk.

Deacon: "Well, then."

Telly: "What a mouth you have on you. Tell me, is it because you think you're so safe? That being the Apollyon makes you untouchable? Or is it just blind stupidity?"

I pretended to think about that.

Alex: "Sometimes I do some pretty dumb things. This could be one of them."

He smiled tightly

Telly: "Do you think I'm stupid?"

Alex: "Is that a trick question?"

Telly: "Do you think you're clever?"

I smirked

Telly's hand snaked out so quickly I didn't even have a chance to deflect the blow. The back of his hand connected with my cheek with enough force to snap my head to the side.

I gripped the edges of the chair, facing him. That's what Telly wanted. He wanted me to strike him back. Then he's have my ass on a golden platter.

Telly smiled.

I returned the gesture, ignoring the stinging in my cheek.

Alex: "Thank you."

Anger flared deep in his eyes

Telly: "You think you're tough, don't you?"

I shrugged.

Alex: "I guess you could say that."

Telly: "You'll go into servitude and you will go on the elixir. If you refuse, well, things will end badly."

My hands curled into fists.

Alex: "You're ... revolting."

Telly started toward me, his hand streaking out to hit me again.

I caught his wrist, my eyes meeting his and holding.

Alex: "I've been hit enough, thank you."

Aiden: "Is that all you'll do? She is your niece, Marcus. He hit your niece and that's your answer?"

Marcus: "I am well aware of the fact that she is my niece, Aiden. And do not think for one second that I found any of this acceptable. I will contact the Council immediately. I do not care that she is a half-blood. Telly has no right."

Alex: "The Council is going to care? Seriously? You guys beat the crap out of servants all the time. Why would I be any different?"

Marcus: "You are not a servant."

Alex: "Does that make it okay? It's okay to beat servants because of their blood? And it's not okay because I have half -"

Behind his desk, Marcus took a deep breath and briefly closed his eyes.

Marcus: "Are you okay, Alexandria?"

Alex: "I'm just peachy."