Guardian, Halflings book two by Heather Burch

If you're looking for something a little different, a little out there, than look no further. I had to read book one before I started this because I figured I would be lost if I didn't and am I glad I did! You definitely have to read these in order. In the first book, Nikki Youngblood is being chased by hellhounds when she's rescued by three teenage boys. Or are they? It turns out they are halflings, half angel, half human, descendants of the nephilim. They are sent on a journey by the Throne to protect her, though they don't know what role she plays. She and Mace are immediately drawn to each other, but he faces an impossible choice, because being with a human means you've chosen the enemy's plan and will be condemned for all eternity, yet he can't seem to stay away. Where Mace is the rule follower, Raven is the rule breaker, and she finds herself drawn to him also. The feeling is mutual. This book reminded me a lot of Twilight with the love triangle and especially the way they're so intensely drawn to each other, along with the forbidden element.

After Nikki survives a tragedy in book one and Damon Vessler, her godfather and possible bad guy, becomes her guardian, she chooses to stay with the halflings. They are told to sail to Europe to stop a terrorist attack with six other halflings, three of whom are female, which complicates matters a bit. They try to train her in preparation for whatever evil comes their way while she struggles with feeling inadequate for Mace and for whatever's coming. Nikki's gone from believing only in what she can see to believing that angels, halflings, and demons exist, and that there's a whole battle going on that she never knew about. She really struggles with making the right decisions and there's a couple close calls for her in this book. Will she finally realize her true purpose and destiny?

I really enjoyed the first two books and can't wait for the third! This is an interesting twist on the nephilim story from the Old Testament. While some things are obviously fiction, the author does a good job of showing the truth of the destructiveness of revenge, the power of prayer, and the importance of choosing good over evil. I think anybody who likes to read young adult fiction would enjoy this book, Christian or not, because it makes you think about God and the battle going on around us, but isn't preachy and shows the real struggle Nikki faces as she's finding this out for herself.

Thanks to Zondervan for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.