From the absolutely beautiful purple front cover: Sometimes facing your destiny means risking everything.
My Review
For those of us booklovers who are not into stories about revenge, a book titled Avenger may sound risky. Well, take heart and be encouraged if you feel that way because the conclusion to Nikkis story is what I found to be the best book of the series and there was nothing about revenge in it. The book is 300 pages long, but it will not take more than a day to read because the story will grab you from the first page and keep your attention throughout. Reference to Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.
What I Loved about this book:
~The cover, Im a purple lover so I dont get tired of looking at it.
~Its nonstop action and romance, I truly believed these elements were perfectly balanced in this story.
~Nikki has finally decided who shes meant to be with, since Im not a fan of love triangles in YA books that just makes the story all the more enjoyable for me. Raven doesnt stop his antics or the intense way he looks at Nikki, but she refuses his moves. She did love him at one point, but her mind is made up.
~There is a spectacular motor bike race with the Halflings in this book during the one or two parts theyre not fighting that just enhances the story tremendously.
~Nikki is a Halfling, she gets her wings and her Halfling name in this book (that alone is worth buying this book, but theres still more)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Her reaction and the reaction of the other halflings to that, it just makes the story shine..like she graduated, now shes officially part of the halfling family and she now has a real identity to go with her destiny. Awesomeness all the way.
~This book doesnt just have halflings; there is still Damon Vessler to deal with (its amazing how evil and cruel he is), one utterly nasty monster called a seeker, one brief scene with more hounds from hell, Xian (used to be a Halfling but now is totally human living a mortal life but still involved in the fight of God versus the darkness), one famous singer, one pastor, a Seer (can see things before they happen-like a prophet but more intense), one hilarious explosives expert, an interesting character called the Owl, more halflings, and even an encounter with Jesus (my favorite part of the book and the most precious scene for me).
*ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK*
~Raven and Zero are the heroes in this book. They have larger roles in Avenger and theyre both brilliant in this story. Based on what I felt about Raven in book 1, I never thought Id say that, but he definitely won me over.
~Halflings die in this book, thats not what I love though. What I love is how the remaining halflings respond to that, its truly gripping because despite how theyre not supposed to have human emotions they are just as sensitive when one of their own suffers or is killed. Their job is to fight for humans, but they constantly risk their lives without hesitating to protect Nikki and each other.
~Nikki gets faith in this book (kind of started in Guardian) and she learns the value of prayer. The Throne becomes PERSONAL to her making me love this book even more. Halflings are such cool characters with super strength and abilities..but we learn in this book that theres SOOOOOO much more to spiritual battles than combat fighting and martial arts maneuvers. Prayer and faith are essential to fighting the supernatural and we are introduced to a wonderful pastor and his intercessor prayer warriors in this book.
~Its commented more than once that female halflings are the weaker part of the species and this leads to one fight and one or two arguments. However, there was nothing offensive to me about this and I enjoyed seeing how the girls respond to it.
~The questions and dislike Ive had about halflings being welcomed into Heaven when they die is answered and resolved in this book. There are two scenes that give this discussion closure and Burch does them brilliantly.
~Nikki longs to understand her past and Vesslers investment into her life. She gains a new perspective about the Almighty and learns to let go. Its amazing how evil can hold things over us and trap us with regret over the past. Nikki learns true redemption and freedom in Avenger. With this valuable lesson, Nikkis character has a complete transformation. I absolutely loved how Burch illustrates this compared to Nikkis character in book 1. Nikkis last name is also explained which is connected to Vessler and she is able to overcome her anger/bitterness towards the Throne. That to me is braver than any karate move she can execute. Facing your inner dark self, anger, hurt, disappoint, and strongholds and surrendering them to the Almightyit changes everything.
The two things I didnt like in the story are minor points because the overall story was GREAT; Mace proposes an offer to Nikki that I thought was out of character for him. However, its a good thing he brings it up for discussion because it shows that he loves her and is willing to make another sacrifice if it pleases her.
There's one thing I don't understand in the end and its heartbreaking. Again however, Im now seeing that there will be a book 4 so more will be explained there.
I read Halflings (see my blog for review and for images), but not Guardian and I didnt have any trouble understanding this book. However, its easier to follow the story if you read all three so I wouldnt consider Avenger a stand alone. Dont let the title fool you, this is not about a selfish character determined to reap vengeance. I laughed with this book and I cried, but I experienced all of it like I was there with Nikki and the other halflings. The villain in Avenger has been the villain all along and he is a worthy opponent. Apparently halflings have a weakness with Titanium and Vessler makes sure to use plenty of it on them. There is plenty of violence in Avenger, but nothing I considered graphic. Two halflings are beaten and tortured in the story and a few are killed, which had me somewhat cringing but it only makes the story that much more personal. Not only does Burch bring these characters to life, but she has you cheering for them the entire time. I saw this book play out as a movie and would definitely want to see that if the filmmakers kept the heart of the story with the script. I highly recommend Avenger for those who enjoy good clean YA books that is also action packed and this one brings Christ into the plot in an unconventional way, so awesome!!!!
I want to thank Charleen at Zondervan for sending me an ARC copy for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
My Review
For those of us booklovers who are not into stories about revenge, a book titled Avenger may sound risky. Well, take heart and be encouraged if you feel that way because the conclusion to Nikkis story is what I found to be the best book of the series and there was nothing about revenge in it. The book is 300 pages long, but it will not take more than a day to read because the story will grab you from the first page and keep your attention throughout. Reference to Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.
What I Loved about this book:
~The cover, Im a purple lover so I dont get tired of looking at it.
~Its nonstop action and romance, I truly believed these elements were perfectly balanced in this story.
~Nikki has finally decided who shes meant to be with, since Im not a fan of love triangles in YA books that just makes the story all the more enjoyable for me. Raven doesnt stop his antics or the intense way he looks at Nikki, but she refuses his moves. She did love him at one point, but her mind is made up.
~There is a spectacular motor bike race with the Halflings in this book during the one or two parts theyre not fighting that just enhances the story tremendously.
~Nikki is a Halfling, she gets her wings and her Halfling name in this book (that alone is worth buying this book, but theres still more)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Her reaction and the reaction of the other halflings to that, it just makes the story shine..like she graduated, now shes officially part of the halfling family and she now has a real identity to go with her destiny. Awesomeness all the way.
~This book doesnt just have halflings; there is still Damon Vessler to deal with (its amazing how evil and cruel he is), one utterly nasty monster called a seeker, one brief scene with more hounds from hell, Xian (used to be a Halfling but now is totally human living a mortal life but still involved in the fight of God versus the darkness), one famous singer, one pastor, a Seer (can see things before they happen-like a prophet but more intense), one hilarious explosives expert, an interesting character called the Owl, more halflings, and even an encounter with Jesus (my favorite part of the book and the most precious scene for me).
*ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK ZERO RUNS THE NETWORK*
~Raven and Zero are the heroes in this book. They have larger roles in Avenger and theyre both brilliant in this story. Based on what I felt about Raven in book 1, I never thought Id say that, but he definitely won me over.
~Halflings die in this book, thats not what I love though. What I love is how the remaining halflings respond to that, its truly gripping because despite how theyre not supposed to have human emotions they are just as sensitive when one of their own suffers or is killed. Their job is to fight for humans, but they constantly risk their lives without hesitating to protect Nikki and each other.
~Nikki gets faith in this book (kind of started in Guardian) and she learns the value of prayer. The Throne becomes PERSONAL to her making me love this book even more. Halflings are such cool characters with super strength and abilities..but we learn in this book that theres SOOOOOO much more to spiritual battles than combat fighting and martial arts maneuvers. Prayer and faith are essential to fighting the supernatural and we are introduced to a wonderful pastor and his intercessor prayer warriors in this book.
~Its commented more than once that female halflings are the weaker part of the species and this leads to one fight and one or two arguments. However, there was nothing offensive to me about this and I enjoyed seeing how the girls respond to it.
~The questions and dislike Ive had about halflings being welcomed into Heaven when they die is answered and resolved in this book. There are two scenes that give this discussion closure and Burch does them brilliantly.
~Nikki longs to understand her past and Vesslers investment into her life. She gains a new perspective about the Almighty and learns to let go. Its amazing how evil can hold things over us and trap us with regret over the past. Nikki learns true redemption and freedom in Avenger. With this valuable lesson, Nikkis character has a complete transformation. I absolutely loved how Burch illustrates this compared to Nikkis character in book 1. Nikkis last name is also explained which is connected to Vessler and she is able to overcome her anger/bitterness towards the Throne. That to me is braver than any karate move she can execute. Facing your inner dark self, anger, hurt, disappoint, and strongholds and surrendering them to the Almightyit changes everything.
The two things I didnt like in the story are minor points because the overall story was GREAT; Mace proposes an offer to Nikki that I thought was out of character for him. However, its a good thing he brings it up for discussion because it shows that he loves her and is willing to make another sacrifice if it pleases her.
There's one thing I don't understand in the end and its heartbreaking. Again however, Im now seeing that there will be a book 4 so more will be explained there.
I read Halflings (see my blog for review and for images), but not Guardian and I didnt have any trouble understanding this book. However, its easier to follow the story if you read all three so I wouldnt consider Avenger a stand alone. Dont let the title fool you, this is not about a selfish character determined to reap vengeance. I laughed with this book and I cried, but I experienced all of it like I was there with Nikki and the other halflings. The villain in Avenger has been the villain all along and he is a worthy opponent. Apparently halflings have a weakness with Titanium and Vessler makes sure to use plenty of it on them. There is plenty of violence in Avenger, but nothing I considered graphic. Two halflings are beaten and tortured in the story and a few are killed, which had me somewhat cringing but it only makes the story that much more personal. Not only does Burch bring these characters to life, but she has you cheering for them the entire time. I saw this book play out as a movie and would definitely want to see that if the filmmakers kept the heart of the story with the script. I highly recommend Avenger for those who enjoy good clean YA books that is also action packed and this one brings Christ into the plot in an unconventional way, so awesome!!!!
I want to thank Charleen at Zondervan for sending me an ARC copy for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
