64 pages • 2-hour read
Half-Blood
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Journey to Self-Discovery and Belonging
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of physical abuse, emotional abuse, violence, substance use, and addiction.
Half-Blood establishes the foundation for Alex’s journey of self-discovery and her search for belonging within the Covenant series. Initially, Alex’s self-perception is rooted in the limited categories imposed by the Covenant’s hierarchy, rendering her a “freakish” half-blood. Through the events of Half-Blood, Jennifer L. Armentrout challenges this simplistic view, compelling Alex to confront her own identity, navigate the complexities of her social position, and recognize the extent of her inherent power.
From the start, Alex grapples with feelings of displacement. Half-bloods like her exist in a liminal space within Hematoi society, unable to live freely like pure-bloods yet trained only to serve them as Sentinels, Guards, or servants. Alex’s mother removed her to the mortal world, allowing Alex to experience an existence outside its restrictions, but this only exacerbates her sense of not belonging. When Alex returns to the Covenant, she struggles to reintegrate. The Covenant administration views Alex as a rule-breaker and an outsider, and her impulsive nature often isolates her further. Alex’s attempts to fit in—whether through her training, interactions with Aiden, or loyalty to Caleb—reveal her deep yearning for acceptance and purpose.
Alex’s journey of self-discovery is also tied to her evolving understanding of power, particularly after she learns she is the second Apollyon. This revelation transforms her from an outcast to someone of immense significance. However, rather than providing her with a clear place in society, it further complicates her sense of belonging. She is no longer merely a half-blood but a being with abilities that transcend the strict hierarchies of her world. This newfound power forces Alex to reevaluate her identity and agency within the Covenant’s structure. While others—like Lucian—see her as a tool or a weapon, Alex struggles to assert herself as more than just her title.
Her relationships with Aiden and Seth further highlight her internal conflict. With Aiden, she finds a connection that defies societal expectations, reinforcing her desire for autonomy and personal choice. However, their relationship is forbidden, which deepens her feeling of being caught between worlds. Conversely, as the first Apollyon, Seth represents a predetermined destiny that she resists. Though they share a bond that suggests she has a place beside him, Alex does not want to be defined solely by her role as the second Apollyon. These relationships illustrate her ongoing struggle between fate, as prophesied by Grandma Piperi, and free will, between belonging to someone and belonging to herself.
Alex makes significant strides in defining herself throughout the narrative, but her journey is far from complete at the end of the novel. She continues to resist the limitations placed upon her, whether by the Covenant’s rules or the expectations of those around her. Her journey of self-discovery and belonging remains central to her character arc, setting the stage for the challenges she will face in the rest of the series.
The Injustice of Social Hierarchies
Half-Blood meticulously constructs a society where prejudice, discrimination, and social hierarchies are woven into the very fabric of existence. The Hematoi’s rigid division between pure-bloods and half-bloods, a distinction based solely on lineage, dictates the distribution of power, opportunity, and freedom within the Covenant. This system, in which ancestry determines one’s place, is rigorously critiqued by the novel, which illuminates the systemic injustices faced by half-bloods and challenges the legitimacy of a hierarchy built on birthright.
From the outset, pures view half-bloods as second-class citizens who have only two sanctioned paths: training at the Covenant to become Guards or Sentinels, elite warriors trained to fight daimons, or serving as docile servants in pure households. This forced servitude is a glaring example of systemic discrimination, ensuring that half-bloods remain under the control of pures. Pures drug their servants daily, erasing their will and ensuring their continued obedience. The idea that a half-blood’s fate is predetermined underscores how deeply ingrained the prejudice is within Hematoi society. As the protagonist, Alex constantly pushes back against these limitations, making her character’s journey one of both personal defiance and broader resistance to an unjust system.
One of the most significant manifestations of this discrimination is the forbidden nature of romantic relationships between pures and half-bloods. Aiden St. Delphi and Alex’s growing attraction is a personal dilemma and a reflection of the rigid social structure. If discovered, their relationship could lead to severe consequences, particularly for Alex. The mere existence of such laws reveals the extent to which the Hematoi society prioritizes blood purity over individual choice, drawing parallels to real-world systems of segregation and class oppression. Alex and Aiden’s relationship highlights the cruelty of a hierarchy that punishes love and personal connection based on arbitrary distinctions of birth.
Lucian, Alex’s pure-blood stepfather, embodies the corruption and entitlement of the ruling class. As a high-ranking Minister, he manipulates others to maintain power and views half-bloods as tools rather than individuals with autonomy. His treatment of Alex, particularly his desire to control her as an Apollyon, reflects the broader dehumanization of half-bloods. Lucian’s character serves as a critique of leadership that values hierarchy and control over fairness and justice. His willingness to exploit those beneath him in the social order highlights the dangers of unchecked power within a discriminatory system.
Even among half-bloods, internalized oppression plays a role in maintaining the status quo. Many accept their fate, fearing the consequences of resistance. Alex’s best friend, Caleb, acknowledges their society’s unfairness but fears the risks of rebellion. This internalized acceptance of oppression underscores the effectiveness of social hierarchies in conditioning individuals to remain compliant. However, Alex’s refusal to accept these limitations suggests that change is possible, even in deeply entrenched systems.
Half-Blood presents a scathing critique of a rigid caste system prioritizing heritage over ability and character. Through Alex’s struggle, the novel challenges the idea that social hierarchies are natural or just, instead portraying them as constructs that can and should be resisted.
The Struggle Between Fate and Free Will
Through Alex’s experiences, Half-Blood examines the intersection of fate and free will within the Covenant’s oppressive framework. The novel illustrates how societal expectations, divine mandates, and predetermined roles challenge the characters’ ability to exercise agency, raising fundamental questions about individual autonomy in a world of rigid constraints.
Fate plays a significant role in Half-Blood, especially regarding Alex’s identity as the second Apollyon. The Apollyon will possess immense power, and having two Apollyons simultaneously—Alex and Seth—introduces another layer of complexity, as their existence threatens the gods. The legend surrounding the Apollyon suggests their fate is sealed, with Alex’s future dictated mainly by forces beyond her control: “When Lucian said we were two halfs made to be a whole, he wasn’t kidding […] The longer we are around each other, the more connected we will become—to the point neither of us will really know where one begins and the other ends” (381). Lucian, Seth, and even Aiden recognize the implications of her Apollyon status. While Alex fights to maintain autonomy, she cannot ignore the pull of fate that binds her to Seth. Their connection is both literal and a symbolic manifestation of destiny’s grip on her life.
The existence of the oracle, Grandma Piperi, and her prophecy further reinforces the idea that much of Alex’s life is beyond her control. The oracle warns Alex of her fate, saying, “Fate is Fate […] what’s written by the gods will come to pass. […] The road with need is never a fair one, never a good one. […] You will kill the ones you love. It is in your blood, in your Fate” (195-97). The prophecy makes Alex feel trapped by destiny, reinforcing that her future has already been set in motion and her actions may only delay the inevitable instead of changing it.
Despite fate’s influence, Half-Blood also examines the role of free will as Alex consistently rebels against expectations, whether by defying the Covenant’s rigid social order, resisting the restrictions placed on her as a half-blood, or refusing to embrace her connection to Seth. Her impulsive nature reflects her struggle for autonomy, yet even her choices often lead her down paths that seem preordained. This tension is particularly evident in her forbidden feelings for Aiden. While the rules dictate that their relationship is impossible, Alex refuses to accept this reality outright. Although fate may constrain Alex’s choices, her determination to resist highlights her belief in personal agency.
Both fate and free will, however, are affected by the Hematoi’s desire to control their society and its members. The Covenant enforces strict rules that govern the lives of both pures and half-bloods, creating a rigid social hierarchy that limits free will. Half-bloods have few choices beyond fighting daimons or becoming servants, stripping them of personal agency. Even pures are subject to societal pressures, as seen through Aiden’s struggle with expectations and duty. Though not physically present in the novel, the gods exert an even greater level of control over the pures and half-bloods, mainly through the existence of the Apollyon. This divine control raises philosophical questions about whether anyone in the Covenant universe can ever be truly free. Seth, as the first Apollyon, embodies the intersection of fate and control. While he embraces his role, which was fated, he chafes at how Lucian and others seek to control him. His connection with Alex is also fated, and in this case, Seth seems more willing to embrace his destiny. Alex’s journey centers on her struggle to assert her agency against overwhelming forces that seek to dictate her future. Half-Blood suggests that while fate and outside control shape an individual’s path, free will still plays a crucial role in determining how one navigates that path.
Unlock every key theme and why it matters
Get in-depth breakdowns of the book’s main ideas and how they connect and evolve.
- Explore how themes develop throughout the text
- Connect themes to characters, events, and symbols
- Support essays and discussions with thematic evidence