Book Review: Halflings by Heather Burch

Halflings by Heather Burch

Publisher: Zondervan Publishing
Publication date: first publication January 17, 2012 - then February 1, 2012
Genre:  YA, Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9780310728184
Author site:  http://www.heatherburchbooks.com/ 




Summary:  After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with. 


A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.


Review:  Nikki is a regular 17 year old high school student until one day she finds herself being chased by hell hounds and being rescued by the Halfling brothers - the Lost Boys - Mace, Raven, and Vine.  From that day forward she finds herself in a whirl-wind of survival, mystery, and feelings of attraction - that she has never dealt with before.  She doesn't know who is after her - or are they really after her?  She is having these foreign feelings for two of the brothers, but falling heavily for one of them.  She learns who/what they are, and struggles to deal with the rules in which they live their lives, and how it is affecting hers.


Halflings neither belong on earth or in Heaven.  Their realm is in the midplane between the two.  They "live" on earth and follow journeys throughout their life.  The Lost Boys find their current journey to be protectors of Nikki.  They must balance their lives in order to keep to their responsibilities of keeping Nikki safe, but not get too involved - they could risk their future.


I found Halflings to be a very well written novel.  The characters are well developed, with clear connection to the plot.  The plot was anything but predictable - something going on from every page - keeping you wondering how things would turn out.  Woven into the paranormal conflict is a wonderful love triangle.  The development of both story-lines was well thought-out, and blended well together.  


This novel had me from page one until the end - where Nikki had to make a very difficult choice.  I was not sure just what Nikki was going to do, but was very pleased with how it turned out.  I am going to dive into the free ebook: 11:15: The Making of a Halflings to get an even better understanding of the story.  I cannot wait until book 2:  Guardian.


4/5 stars