If you are a fan of the Vampire Diaries, you are going to love Half-Blood Covenant. Alexandra and Dru read really similarly. Instead of Dimitri, there is Aiden who, surprise, surprise, is Alexandra's sensei in all things assassin-like. They are in a school that divides the pure bloods from the half bloods annnnnd there are vampire like things who, I'm thinking, drain especially the pure/half bloods of their, um, blood. And have I not mentioned the smoldering chemistry between Aiden and Alexandra? Well, let me correct that oversight. Alexandra and Aiden have smoldering chemistry. There's even a male best friend who is strictly platonic which is certainly very nice for a change. Oh, and there's a triangle to this love story but the other corner does not yet read love rival. Right now he's hovering between "might get more interesting" and "is a total horror story waiting to happen." He's intriguing, this guy whose name I don't remember. I can't wait to find out how exactly he develops in the next book and whether his relationship with Alexandria changes. Because while Aiden represents everything hero-like, stereotypical in a hero in a YA novel, this guy is the mystery factor. He does not read like the second lead in a novel and while he could fit as a primary love interest in his own right, fact remains that he isn't.The plot is complex and layered and just when you think you know a character, it turns out that you really don't. I like that. I also like the characterizations and the brisk pace of the plot. There's no lingering in unnecessary descriptions - honestly, dawdling, taking up space in descriptions drives me nuts - unless it's done in a very different way, I don't want to know the exact colour of the leaves of the pine tree in your backyard. Seriously. But yeah, this book does not uses descriptive prose judiciously and I am very grateful for that.The world building is interesting too. It's not very original as you may realize from its similarity with the Vampire Diaries but in my opinion, it takes some of the most fun elements of the Vampire Diaries and gives it its own twist, making it work. There is a little melodrama to be wary of and there is plenty of mean girl action going on but nothing too acute that it drives me away - or maybe I have a high tolerance threshold. I enjoyed the book. It entertained me. If you are looking for something compelling, a feisty heroine facing odds and beating them, I suggest giving this a try.
