Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Apollyon (Covenant, #4)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Pages: 344
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: April 9, 2013

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

My Thoughts: I cannot believe the end is almost here. Things are so close to coming full circle. Seeing as Apollyon is the second to last book in the Covenant series, I wish I could have taken my time reading it. But it's pretty much impossible for me to savor these books. I just can't read them fast enough, not when the story is utterly addicting and not when I'm desperate to know what happens next with Alex and Aiden.

What I loved the most about Apollyon is how it's Alex's story with Aiden right there at her side. That's what I've always wanted. Them working and being together without fear of the consequences. And if there's any two people who have proven they would do anything and everything for each other, it's Alex and Aiden. Out of all the characters, I believe they deserve their happy ending the most. They've come a long way and gone through so much that I don't see why they shouldn't have one.

Something I immediately noticed in this book was how much Alex and Aiden have grown. Aiden finally learns to forgive himself for what happened to his parents and Alex, to live in the moment and let loose. It was fun, refreshing, and cute to see him open up. Alex continues to mature more and more. She has patience and is no longer as reckless as she use to be. Without, of course, losing her snarky and outgoing personality. Alex also begins to realize that the war is way bigger than herself and that she can't do it alone. That's another reason why I'm glad Aiden is there for her. He keeps her focused and grounded. These two really do become stronger and better people when they're together.

Love is such an important theme in the series. The characters find hope and strength through love, so it would be wrong of me not to mention the romance that filled the pages of Apollyon. All the intimate moments (and there were TONS) between Alex and Aiden were extremely steamy and satisfying. My favorites were definitely the shower and spring scenes. I couldn't help but to grin like an idiot throughout the book. Really, could Aiden be any more sexy and perfect and wonderful? He had me swooning all over the place. I will be devastated and beyond heartbroken if Alex and Aiden don't get a happy ending together.

The ending of Apollyon wasn't a brutal cliffhanger like Deity. Praise Apollo! It left me feeling calm and hopeful. It's a relief to not feel like I'm going to suffer while waiting for the final book. But I admit, sometimes when I stop to think about what Alex is up against I begin to worry. How is this all really going to end for Alex and those important to her? How much will she be able to accomplish in one last book? Will it be enough? Like I said, I have hope. Deep down, though, I'm afraid. I need more reassurance. I don't think I will even try to predict what will happen next because I know I won't even be close. I'm just going to hold on tightly to the very last lines in Apollyon and pray that those words do come true.

Jennifer L. Armentrout truly has succeeded in keeping her readers guessing and on their toes. Apollyon didn't give us all the answers and might have even left us with more questions. It basically set up what is sure to be a stunning conclusion in the final book of the Covenant series. I'm dying to read Sentinel, but at the same time, thinking about never reading anything new about these characters again makes me want to tear up. But it just goes to show how amazing the story and the characters are if I'm wishing it would never end.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars