Review: Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1)

Title: Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 345
 
My Rating: 

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth. With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more. -goodreads.com

This book was so much fun! Harper was easy enough to relate to, but she did get a bit annoying at times. I wish she would have gave into her feelings for David much earlier in the story, it would have made things way easier... but then again I guess there wouldn't have been such an addicting plot... Curse you, Hawkins! The plot progressed at a steady pace, bringing about questions that I needed answers to. Just as one question was answered, another would arise and I would keep saying, "one more chapter!" I want me own Paladin (a warrior and protector), or maybe I can just become one so I won't have to depend on anyone else haha!

My favorite thing about this book is Harper's humorous snark, loved every dialogue between her and David. There were plenty of, "You go girl!" moments and I really wasn't expecting that ending. Only thing I sort of disliked was the romance aspect. The fact that Harper already had a boyfriend really put me on the top of the love triangle. I'm all for staying loyal so it felt weird to secretly be rooting for her and David. A fun fast read that has left me craving for book 2.

Review: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)

Title: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Pages: 359
Challenge: None


My Rating:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth. Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers. But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she? -summary from goodreads.com

 

And Mrs. Hawkins does it again! This was such a great addition to the Hex Hall series; I literally could not put it down.

Sophie finally gets to meet her dad, which I’ll admit was not pretty. More than anything that scene seemed too tense and just awkward. But I did love the way the dad played his protective parental role… “Come to England, learn about your demon side and then decide whether or not you want the removal.” But being the typical (sarcastic) teenager that Sophie is, I love the way she took advantage of the situation, “hmm… It’s been said Archer’s been spotted in England. Maybe I should go. I might get lucky and see him!”… Ok, maybe the dialogue didn’t exactly go that way, but come on! We both know that’s exactly what they were thinking! But no worries, their relationship develops nicely throughout the book. They team up to crete a funny yet hard working father/daughter duo :)

Sophie’s dad arranges for her, Jenna and Cal to fly out to England for the summer. Upon arriving Sophie and the gang is introduced to Nick and Daisy, two other demons. Now I know what you’re thinking, “WTF!? I thought Sophie and her dad we’re the only demons left?” Well my friend you are partially correct. Sophie and her dad WERE the only demons, but that’s the new curveball Mrs. Hawkins has thrown our way. It turns out someone is creating new demons, and it’s up to Sophie and her dad to find out who!

I was counting down the pages until I got to see Archer again. If you read my Hex Hall review, you’ll know that Archer is one of my favorite book boyfriends. Sophie and his’ relationship is steaming! I’m always cheering for the underdog, but in this case I’m all for Team Archer. Cal’s great, but he just not for Sophie, she deserves to be with Archer.

Spoiler…. Highlight to read: Mrs. Casnoff and her sister Lara; I wanted to slap the s*%$ out of them! What is wrong with these women? Gosh, I wanted to reach in and strangle them (Missie knows what’s up)! It’s been a while since a character has provoked such hatred in me. If they do anything to Jenna, I will personally start a “Casnoff haters club”!

Overall, DEMONGLASS was a great sequel to Hex Hall. My only complaint; I kind of wanted to see Sophie grow more as a character. Don’t get me wrong, she finally realizes that’s there’s way more to her powers then she ever dreamed, and I’m happy she comes to accept it… But I was expecting a bit more development from her. With that being said, Sophie has a lot more problems and things going on in her life… Poor girl, even her sarcasm took a low toll. So I guess I sort of overlooked her character development and just accepted her as is… Oh, one more thing; the ending! That’s just CRUEL! I know authors like to end in big cliffhangers, but this ending felted rushed and unfinished. I CANNOT WAIT till book 3 comes out.

Review: Hex Hall

Title: Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 323
Challenge: None

My Rating:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect. -summary from goodreads.com

Sophie is a witch. Her father’s a warlock and her mom's human. Sophie’s mom has made an effort to keep Sophie in the “regular world”; going to regular schools, and living like a regular human girl. But when Sophie blows her cover yet again, she gets sentenced to Hecate Hall (better known as Hex hall).

Sophie is hilarious! Her witty sarcastic attitude had me laughing throughout the whole novel. I love the fact that she goes out of her way to help others and be there for those in need. She’s a take charge character and I admired that about her. The reader is immediately brought into the story, which is amazing! The plot itself is evenly spread throughout the book instead of having the main action crammed into the last few pages. Of course, I don't mind that Hawkins saved a few secrets and betrayals for the end, because she did it in a way that flows and it's part of what makes this story so interesting.

The friendships, the feuds, the hopeless crushes; all of it felt very real and believable. Ms. Hawkins captures and portrays the shifting allegiances and the dog-eat-dog mentality of high school very well! Sophie’s friendship/relationship with Archer Cross was brilliant. But I need answers! I refuse to believe Archer is the villain! I REFUSE!

Overall, Hex Hall is an entertaining, and solid novel. It’s weird to think this is Ms. Hawkin’s debut; she’s a natural storyteller. You know that expression many use, “I’d sell my soul for….”? Well, I don’t know about selling my soul, but I’d probably trade my brother and/or sister any day just to get my hands on Demonglass! I need to know what adventures are in store for Sophie, Jenna and Archer next :)