Bethany Church has a secret, one that she must keep hidden from those around her at all costs. She is an angel. Bethany and two other angels, Gabriel and Ivy are sent to earth with one mission: bring good to Venus Cover, a small town with he gradual brimming of evil. The three angels attempt to conceal their otherworldly powers, effervescent glow, and vast wings, but they know that above all, they must steer clear of all possible human entanglements. Bethany didn’t anticipate any possible hiccups, until she meets Xavier Woods, a human like no one she has ever met before. Sparks fly between the two of them; however, keeping their secret from the other angels is a difficult task. Thrust into a life as a chaotic teenager at the local high school, Bethany attempts to ward off Xavier, but though her mind knows it’s not wise, her heart is inevitably pulled to him. She knows her brother, a music teacher at the school, has eyes more watchful than an eagle, but the ties between Xavier and Bethany seem almost too powerful. Eventually, the growing connection between the two of them becomes less dire when demonic activity arises at Venus Cove. Desperate to save the town and stay with Xavier, Bethany faces turmoil in all directions.
I really enjoyed reading this suspenseful yet endearingly romantic novel. Although the main characters are mostly angels, Adornetto portrayed them in a way that made them easy to connect with their imperfections. In addition, the humor in the conversations of Bethany and Xavier had me laughing out loud. It was a light and happy read, which genuinely made me feel good. The relationship between Bethany and Xavier didn’t feel forced, and as such, made me feel more empathy towards the two of them when obstacles were thrown in their way. The innocence depicted through Bethany’s character felt genuine and real, and her fascination with the smallest of things really stood out to me. I felt like I could relate and look at things in my life in a slightly different way. I think her perspective revealed how often we overlook, or take for granted the blessings in our life, especially when they seem so small and insignificant.
As far as recommendations go, I think it is really a book that could be read at all levels. It is mainly a fantasy-based novel, with a biblical edge, so for those interested in romance and mythical creatures, this book would definitely be for you! I would give this book a four out of five overall. The only part of the book that I wasn’t an advocate for would be the plot line; it felt too loose, and not structured enough, for me personally. I like when I read a book for all the events to lineup and conclude in a meaningful way. And even if you don’t know it at the beginning, each major incident in the story should be able to converge in the end and have a purpose. This book lacked major significant events that had purpose in the end, but the character’s and witty commentary made up for it. All in all, I felt Halo was a pleasure to read and would happily read it again. If you love fantasy, angels, and true love, then this is the book for you!