Halflings

Fangs sank into Nikki Youngblood’s leg, setting her skin on fire. A scream gurgled in her throat, but she willed herself past trees smeared by her jarred vision. Her jacked snagged on a branch. No, no, no…

Book: Halflings by Heather Burch, Zondervan Publishers, 2012

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 16-18

Subjects: Angels, Dating relationships, Salvation, Trust in God, Temptation

Summary: Nikki thinks she’s ordinary, nothing special. Until the day a group of werewolf-like creatures singled her out for destruction and teenage boys that are half angel rescued her. She learns that she has special gifts herself and that because of that these boys are to be her protectors. There are many difficulties with this though: good looking teenage boys hanging out with good looking teenage girls makes for tense moments between those boys. The most important rule for them to follow is to not fall in love with a human – a rule that two of the three break rather quickly. Then there’s the fact that Nikki herself isn’t a Christian. She hasn’t put her faith in God. And the boys are doubting God’s character. And if that doesn’t make for enough trouble, there’s the enemies that want them all destroyed.

Notes: This is the first in a series about Halflings – creatures who are the product of Nephilim – demons having intercourse with humans. The idea is that they are victims of the choices made by the Nephilim and have to work to gain salvation. They are destined for hell but if living a high enough standard can make it to Heaven. They have strict rules to follow one of which is not having relationships with humans. Nikki is something unique. She has some kind of special gift or ability that makes her more important than most humans. As I read through this book I had objections to its theology. It portrayed God as not all-powerful, as if the choices made were out of His control and then as if He wasn’t loving enough to care about these Halflings. The character who is the most angry and bitter against God seems to be justified in it. He seems to have the only perspective one could have from the situation. However, I contacted the author and she said that though the first book gives this impression, the other books in the series provide a bigger picture and explain more and answer some of my concerns. She said that the character who is bitter against God is providing the wrong perspective. So I would conclude that by itself this book is not Scripturally sound and portrays things that contradict Scripture but that the author says later books will change that impression.

Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Jeremiah 32:27 –“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?