Halflings (Halflings #1) by Heather Burch

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.

The review
I enjoyed this book. I liked the idea of Halflings being sent on journeys to protect and keep things in balance between good and evil. I liked the whole set up. The characters were really great. We have Nikki, 17 who describes herself as tough and in control, a martial arts champion with a love of art and motorbikes whose world is rocked when she is attacked by wolves one day and three mysterious boys make an appearance in her life. It doesn’t take her long to work out something isn’t right and that inquisitive nature gets her into things that are way out of her depth. Then we have the Halflings, Mace – totally pure through and through, seeing only the good with an unquestioning faith and honoured to be a protector and undertaking journeys. Vine- he is the youngest on his first journey and really in awe of the people and the place, and candy J and then we have Raven- the tortured bad boy, who seems to be struggling with his lot and embracing the darkness within but he still never the less protective and fierce. The Halflings are looked after by an ‘uncle’ figure- Will, who is part angel and the link between them and the ‘Throne’. These characters are all great, all having hidden depths and insecurities, seemingly so sure of themselves until their paths cross.

The idea and the plot were good, quite a bit of action mixed with a lot of personal issues and finding out about themselves. The pacing was a little off for me where the action seemed clumped into one area then a lull with the personal issues then back to the action and again a lull. This is a first book and there is a lot of ground to cover getting to know the characters, backstory, where its headed so I can understand that but I didn’t really get what the actual danger was to her, yes she is attacked quite often but the why’s and the who are only hinted at, in fact a lot of the questions brought up in the book went unanswered and hopefully that will mean there will be a sequel. It focussed more on the personal struggles of Nikki and the boys as they wage war within themselves over what is right and acceptable both emotionally and in doing their job, it seemed like a journey of self discovery.  I am intrigued by a lot of things and the characters we met – Damon in particular- and do want to see my queries answered and find out what’s next for the characters. Now that I’m familiar with everything I feel the sequel can really get the plot moving, so I’ll be looking out for it. A good start to what could be a great series.

3*s