11:15 (A Halflings Novel, #1)

by Heather Burch

[inlibrisveritas]

This was difficult for me to rate. I enjoyed it to a point but at the same time a lot annoyed me.

I love when plots include any sort of religious beings, and I love when someone adds a new take on it. I've had some bad run ins with young adult mythology books, but this one seemed to have promise. It does live up to that in a way. I like the concept of Halflings, which of course are just the Nephilim with a different name. Though the fact that they don't belong in Heaven or Earth is a nice little twist, and it kind of gives you a glimpse at how hard the road they travel is. I liked the personalities of Mace, Raven and Vine...I didn't like their names. It seems to be a fad to give angels really odd nicknames and I suppose to some this is cute or makes them seems more endearing. To me it's just irritating, I like originality but I don't like being taken out of the feel for the story when I read a name. The overall plot is interesting and I really wanted to see what was going on, but it took so long to get to around to what was going on and even then it didn't really explain too much. The main focus seemed to be on Nikki's relationship with Mace and Raven, so yes the love triangle is alive and well in this one. There isn't much different in the set up or the way it proceeds really so I felt that all the time spent on the triangle was a bit much, and I felt that the plot was kind of left hanging at times. In fact the question you start wondering at the beginning "why is she targeted" really doesn't ever get fully answered. I'll admit I'm intrigued and I do want to know more, but I do wish that there had been more in this novel instead of having to wait for another one.

Nikki was confusing to me. At times I liked her and others I seriously hated her. I didn't really get why at times she was so stead-fast and then other times she could be completely swayed by something with little effort. It's rare that she has normal reactions, she's either too stubborn or too easily moved. It was frustrating to read at times. There were also some times of odd stiff conversation and a few instances where you wonder how it ended up at that point. Nikki claims to be a realist fairly early on, but after three encounters with Mace...she proudly states he's an angel. To me this was pushing it, because while yes they were odd encounters but to come to that conclusion within a few days and be firm enough to walk into someone's house is...well pushing it.

I do feel like those who enjoy a good romance and interesting plot will like it. I also have seen quite a few reviews saying they loved so I do realize I'm the minority here. So please keep that in mind and make sure to check out other reviews. I wasn't sold on this completely but if the second one ever comes my way when it comes out then I may pick it up.

I received this from Zondervan and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.