Guardian: A Halflings Novel

By: Heather Burch
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: October 2012
ISBN: 978-0-3107-2821-4 
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor 
Review Date: October 16, 2012

When readers were first introduced to Nikki Youngblood in Halflings, they met a Seer; a girl who became an orphan and whose imaginative drawings open up a door to another world - a world where hell hounds are just waiting to destroy her. <p<>In this new release, Nikki is trying desperately to stay away from Mace and Raven - young men who are half-human/half-angels who saved her life and took her out of the clutches of her godfather. One of the few things that can harm a Halfling is falling for a human; in fact, falling for a human can send them straight to hell. So it’s more than a little difficult that Mace and Raven are both fighting themselves and each other to be Nikki’s true love. Nikki has promised their younger brother, Vine, that she will stay away from them both in order to keep them safe. But what makes this an extremely difficult promise to keep is the fact that they are about to be sent on a journey by ship…close quarters to say the least.</p<>

Will (the parental figure) is trying to teach Nikki about her supernatural gifts; attempting to keep her on the side of the Throne because he knows that one day she will be tested by the ‘higher-ups.’ Unfortunately, darkness is drawn to Seers and Nikki must be very careful what she brings into the world. Not to mention, when the Halflings save her or accomplish a mission the evil retaliates, and Nikki doesn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s pain or suffering.

Add to this ocean journey the familiar characters of Zero (who is the sneering ‘geek with computer’ who runs the Halflings network) and the icy-cold Glimmer and her sisters, Vegan and Winter, who like to make Nikki feel like one of the girls. In addition to the favs, brand new ‘hotties’ are brought into the story, including three young men who crew the ship: Sky, Dash and Ocean.

As more and more secrets are revealed, readers will soon find out that Nikki Youngblood is far more than meets the eye. This is a great follow-up which will have readers wishing for book number three to be published tomorrow!

Quill Says: To get the full power of this magical series, make sure to start your journey from the very beginning.