Half-Blood

In the final section of Half-Blood, the core themes of the novel intersect, illustrating how Alex’s journey of self-discovery leads her to question the forces that seek to manipulate her. These themes shape her choices, relationships, and evolving perception of destiny versus autonomy.

Alex’s internal and external conflicts drive The Journey to Self-Discovery and Belonging. A pivotal moment occurs when she acknowledges her responsibility for her mother’s actions as a daimon. She believes that because Rachelle is her mother, Alex must end her life. This belief fuels her reckless decisions, including sneaking out of the Covenant, despite knowing the severe consequences. If caught, she risks expulsion and the fate of becoming a mindless servant under the Pures’ oppressive system. However, she prioritizes personal duty over self-preservation, stating to Marcus, “I shouldn’t have done it, but I don’t regret it […] I regret that Caleb got hurt and the other daimon got away, but she was my mother—my responsibility. You don’t understand, but I had to do it” (374). Her conviction in fulfilling this grim duty signals her personal growth but also raises questions about the motivation behind her actions, which, in this case, are driven by grief and guilt.

Alex’s struggle to find belonging within The Injustice of Social Hierarchies also shapes her self-discovery. The Breed Order dictates the roles of Pures and half-bloods, preventing her from forming meaningful relationships, and Alex’s growing feelings for Aiden increase this tension. Although Aiden reciprocates her affection, he ultimately upholds the rules designed to keep them apart. He explains his decision was made out of concern about her safety: “[T]here are some Pures who break the rules, but they do that because they don’t care what happens to the other person, and I care about what happens to you […] I care more than I should, and that’s why I’m not going to put you in that situation” (359). His words highlight the power imbalance between them—not only do Pures have more freedom, but the consequences of breaking the rules fall entirely on half-bloods like Alex. While she understands Aiden’s reasoning, it does not lessen her heartbreak or the feeling that forces beyond her control continually deny her a chance at true belonging.

Alex’s climactic encounter with Rachelle, now a daimon, also underscores how hierarchy affects identity and agency. As a daimon, Rachelle still perceives herself as Alex’s mother, yet her transformation into a creature that feeds on aether strips her of her former human identity. Despite her insistence that turning Alex into a daimon would be an act of love, it is another means of control, like her decision to take Alex away from the Covenant when she was a child. Rachelle insists that Alex will learn to enjoy killing just as she did, and her statement mirrors the Covenant’s treatment of half-bloods. Alex’s ultimate rejection of her mother’s vision—by killing her—is not just a moment of personal responsibility but an act of defiance against an imposed destiny.

In these final chapters, The Struggle Between Fate and Free Will comes into sharp focus as Alex struggles with the oracle’s prophecy, which foretells that she “will kill the ones [she] love[s]” (352). This prediction looms over her, shaping her perception of her choices, and when Alex seemingly fulfills this prophecy by killing her mother, it seems to indicate that fate, rather than personal agency, determines Alex’s future. However, the fact that Alex hesitates before killing Rachelle indicates that she still believes she has a choice. Her actions are dictated not merely by prophecy but also by her evolving understanding of right and wrong. This moment of internal conflict challenges the idea that fate is absolute, leaving room for the possibility that Alex’s future is not entirely predetermined.

Alex’s struggle with control also extends to her relationship with Seth and her role as the second Apollyon. Unlike her relationship with Aiden, which is constrained by the Breed Order, she finds that she has a surprising amount of agency and power in her interactions with Seth. Because she has not yet come into her Apollyon abilities, she does not feel the same pull toward him that he does toward her. This gives her temporary control, as Seth’s power is soothed simply by being near Alex, whereas Alex feels no such compulsion. Seth himself warns her of the shift that will occur when she turns 18: “What I want, you will want. We will share the same thoughts, needs, and desires. Supposedly, it works both ways, but I’ll be stronger than you. Whatever you want may end up being skewed by what I want” (381). His words suggest that, while Alex may currently have some control, she is still at risk of losing it in the future. However, Seth’s promise to leave if the connection becomes overwhelming offers her a small semblance of agency in an otherwise uncontrollable situation.

In the end, Alex defines her journey of self-discovery by challenging the forces that attempt to control her, including societal rules, daimon manipulation, and prophecies of fate. While she remains bound by the rigid structures of her world—unable to pursue love freely, forced to fulfill dark prophecies, and facing an uncertain future as the second Apollyon—she does not accept these constraints without resistance. Though she may not have full control over her fate, her choices demonstrate her determination to resist the forces that seek to define her.