Royals by Rachel Hawkins {review}

Royals
by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
♦released: May 1st, 2018
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Royals, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

{Amy's Review}

The moment Daisy arrives in Scotland, it is quite apparent that she doesn’t fit into the posh, regal life of the royal entourage.  The lavish parties, drinking binges, pristine clothes, and proper posture are enough to make her yearn to run back to America, but that just isn’t an option.  And when the prince’s rogue younger brother Sebastian decides to make his advances on Daisy, everything goes awry.  Now, Daisy is a tabloid sensation and she can’t find a way out, until the royal family appoints Miles, to help undo all the wrong doings.  However, Daisy is not a cookie cutter display of charm and rules. Even in spite of all her trying, she still finds a way to shatter expectations and do things her own way.

Everyday teenager meets royalty in Rachel Hawkin’s royal mashup, Royals.

A contemporary, easy read without a lot of angst, Royals is the perfect book to take on vacation, read on the plane, or to dive into when you are getting over a difficult book hangover.  A fun jaunt through royal escapades, grand excursions, and a little kissing, all while dodging the paparazzi. With excerpts from gossip blogs and tabloid headlines, readers will feel they have fallen right into the flip side of a reality T.V. show. Rachel Hawkins' full line up of characters will whisk you away to other side of the pond, where royal mishaps are just the way of life. Daisy, with reason, is not happy about the disruption to her life, but her strong willed nature is just enough to turn everyone on their heads, while also putting a playboy royal in his place. A likely romance does develop, but in a proper amount of time and not in a cliched rush. This book is just what it is premised to be- a fun, quick read on how those born to royalty live a perceived untouchable life of wild parties, drinking, and secrets. Light hearted, and just plain entertaining, this book is written for its true audience- teens, which makes me adore Rachel Hawkins even more. 

This book is a fun filled afternoon of wishful dreams and tabloid spoilers, but isn’t to be confused with historically accurate royal lines.  Rachel Hawkin’s take on all the things that can go awry if your sister turns royal is just plain amusing, and definitely should be enjoyed with a cup of tea, some Walker’s shortbread rounds, and maybe your favorite pair of plaid socks.

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Rachel Hawkins is the author of Rebel Belle and the New York Times bestselling series Hex Hall. Born in Virginia and raised in Alabama, Rachel taught high school English for three years before becoming a full-time writer. 

 TWITTER  •   TUMBLR

Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

Journey's End by Rachel Hawkins {blog tour review}

Today the blog tour stops here for one of my favorite authors and her new MG title!  I've been a huge fan of Rachel Hawkins since her fantastic Hex Hall series won me over. No matter what age group she's writing for, this author knows how to write some fun characters!! Now I get to tell you all about Journey's End! Check out my review below! :D

Journey's End 

by Rachel Hawkins

♦publisher: G.P. Putnam Son's BYR

♦release date: October 25th, 2016

♦hardcover, 304 pages

♦intended audience: Young adult

♦stand-alone

♦ source: from publisher for honest review

The town of Journey's End may not literally be at the end of the world, but it sure feels like it to Nolie Stanhope. Spending the summer with her scientist father in the tiny Scottish village isn't exactly Nolie's idea of a good time, but she soon finds a friend: native Journey's Ender Bel McKissick.

While Nolie's father came to Journey's End to study the Boundary--a mysterious fog bank offshore--Bel's family  can’t afford to consider it a threat.  The McKissick’s livelihood depends on the tourists drawn by legends of a curse. Still, whether you believe in magic or science, going into the Boundary means you'll never come back.

…Unless you do. Albert Etheridge, a boy who disappeared into the Boundary in 1914, suddenly returns--without having aged a day and with no memory of the past hundred years. Then the Boundary starts creeping closer to the town, threatening to consume everyone within.

While Nolie's father wants to have the village evacuated, Bel's parents lead the charge to stay in Journey's End. Meanwhile, Albert and the girls look for ways to stop the encroaching boundary, coming across an ancient Scottish spell that requires magic, a quest, and a sacrifice.

Review:  What a fun adventure! I was so excited to read this one because I've adored Rachel Hawkins' books for years, plus Journey's End promised a quaint Scottish setting, a mysterious magical fog, and budding friendships,..and it heartily delivers on all of that!

 Before Nolie and Bel meet, they are both feeling a little adrift---one of them from her parents's recent divorce and the other from being suddenly abandoned by her life-long best friend. One of the things I loved most about this was the way their friendship grew. A little curiosity and a little caution; they are such opposites but they just fit. Then comes Albert, and he was such a fun addition to the mix. He's a big part of the mystery, but I love how he eventually fits in with Nolie and Bel. I also loved that these kids acted...like kids. There were some great moments that show perfectly that kids, no matter if they come from a different era or country or background, just want to be kids. :) This led to some really hilarious scenes and dialogue, but also some heartfelt moments, too, when it came to family and pasts, bullies and fears. The way the families were portrayed felt really genuinely, as well as how the girls handle it when their parent's butt heads. 

 I was also completely charmed by the Scottish setting and loved how Hawkins wrote in the dialect and pronunciations and let the girls discover the differences in their cultures and languages. It was a fun touch. The magic, mystery, and backstory in Journey's End was really well done. I loved how the story seeps out gradually through little snippets of a girl named Cait and what happened to her hundreds of years ago.  As the fog creeps toward the town, there are some definite surprises and scares, and I loved how Nolie and Bel and Albert seemed to make each other brave as they take on this great adventure to save their families and Journey's End!

Right now this one is a stand-alone story with a great satisfying end---but I do hope Hawkins brings this gang back together for at least one more summer adventure! I had such fun reading this and I couldn't wait to put in the hands of my 11-year-old! 

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Rachel Hawkins is the author of Rebel Belle and the New York Times bestselling series Hex Hall. Born in Virginia and raised in Alabama, Rachel taught high school English for three years before becoming a full-time writer. 

 TWITTER  •   TUMBLR

Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

Be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour stops!

10/24: The Reading Nook (Review)

10/25: Buttermybooks (Spotlight)

10/26: Once Upon a Twilight (Guest Post)

10/27: Novel Novice (Mood Board)

10/28: In Wonderland (Reasons to Read)

 

10/31: Middle Grade Mafioso (Q&A)

11/1: Green Bean Teen Queen (Reasons to Read)

11/2: YA Bibliophile (Review)

11/3: Stories & Sweeties (Review)

11/4: The Book Wars (Guest Post)

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Miss Mayhem
by Rachel Hawkins

hitting shelves April 7, 2015
from Putnam Juvenile

description:
Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.

Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life.

My thoughts:  Nothing can keep me away from the continuing story of Harper, David, and Bee, the fun crew from Rebel Belle---not even this slightly silly cover. LOL Maybe it will grow on me. Rebel Belle was such a fun read, definitely one of my favorites this year and that ending was quite a cliffhanger, so I can't wait for this second installment. 

Rachel Hawkins Event Recap & Signed Rebel Belle Giveaway!

In an adorable little bookshop called Face in a Book, I was fortunate enough to meet one of my very favorite YA authors.  She was glowing and witty, there was lots of giggling around the whole room.  Yes, dear readers, Rachel Hawkins is just as funny in person (funnier, actually!) as the hilarious personalities she instilled in her characters. 

There was lots of  excitement in the air as this was the actual kick-off tour stop for her newest book, Rebel Belle.  Her entire sitting area was adorned in pink lollipops, tiaras, and pearls. She actually brought long strands of lovely pearls for her guests (making a hilarious crack about being surprised she made it through airline security with them without having an officer try to break one open in suspicion of finding drugs), which was such a fun idea, as her character often wears them in the book.  She answered a few quick question about all of her titles, the Hex Hall series, School Spirits (she assured us that there are no sequels in the works for this one), and Rebel Belle. She talked about cliffhangers, wild train adventures with Allie Carter, and being taught to smile for the camera by Maya Angelou.

She graciously signed all of our books, also stamping each copy of Rebel Belle with a cute little pink high heel shoe.  She was very casual with the crowd, upbeat, and animated and we all had a fantastic time!

Now, as I always try to do when I get to go to signings, I bought myself a finished copy, so I'm giving away my ARC---and, of course I got that signed for you, too!  Plus, LOOK at the adorable Rebel Belle posters that were handed out! Had one signed and I'm giving that away, too! :D

Enter below! One winner gets the signed ARC and signed poster of Rebel Belle!

•US addresses only

•must be 13+ or have parent permission

•Ends 5/1/14

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Becky's View: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: Putnam Juvenile
♦release date: April 8th, 2014
♦hardcover, 384 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Rebel Belle, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

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.

Review: With Rebel Belle, Rachel Hawkins kicks off another fantastic series full of kick-butt action and characters to completely win me over.  I was so sad when the Hex Hall series ended and even sadder when we were teased with School Spirits, only to discover it would be a stand-alone.  So Rebel Belle has been at the top of my anticipation list for what seems like forever now.  And I can giddily say that there was not even the tiniest bit of disappointment.

At her recent book signing, Hawkins admitted to wanting these new characters to be as far from Hex Hall’s Sophie and Archer as possible…and she definitely accomplished that.  Rebel Belle introduces us to Harper Price, homecoming queen and over-achieving valedictorian hopeful, and also to David Stark, seemingly ruthless school reporter, constantly disheveled without a lick of fashion sense, and Harper’s biggest academic competition.  They’ve been at each other’s throats since grade school, never a kind word between them.  Suddenly Harper has the powers of a Paladin literally “thrust” upon her, which involve crazy ninja fighting skills and an undeniable instinct to protect one being, an Oracle…who just happens to be David.

Mostly the story deals with Harper’s challenge in facing this new crazy life while trying not to lose the whole life she’d built for herself before.  She has great friends, a sweet romantic boyfriend, loves her family (especially her rambunctious aunts) and her town.  She fears putting her life in danger because her parents have already suffered the loss of one child.   How can she be willing to lay down her life as a Paladin without losing everything else she holds dear?

One more thing Rachel Hawkins just seems to excel at is giving her main character the most awesome best friends.  This time around, we have Bee---I seriously wanted to hug this girl a few times throughout the story.   There was one moment where Harper gets cruelly “kicked while she’s down” and Bee is right there, not with fists but with her sharp Southern sass and a look that could kill, putting Harper’s attacker right back in her place, and I literally wanted to cry out of love.

This story takes mythology, assassins, tiaras, southern manners, head-butting, cotillions, and romance and mashes it up into one big fun, action-packed, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartfelt read. I can’t recommend it, or any other of Rachel Hawkins’ books, enough!

 Visit Rachel Hawkins online:  Tumblr  •  Twitter •  Facebook

Purchase Rebel Belle: Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Rebel Belle
by Rachel Hawkins

hitting shelves April 8th, 2014 from Putnam Juvenile

description: 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.

My thoughts: It's Rachel Hawkins. That's really all I need to know.  Her books have never failed to make me laugh and cry and just fall in love with all the characters.  

Cover Story (aka A Post Full of Gorgeousness)

Gorgeous, gorgeous things have popped up on the internet this week, dear readers. Way more, actually, than I'm going to show you here today..but these are few that I love!  2014 is beginning to look quite epic.

All that Glows by Ryan Graudin
HarperTeen - February 5th, 2014

The Elites by Natasha Ngan

Hot Key Press - September 5th, 2013

Of Breakable Things by A. Lyden Rolland
Month9Books - April 2014




 

The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman

Delacorte Press - February 11th, 2014

Perfect Ruin by Lauren Destefano
Simon & Schuster - October 1st, 2013

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Putnam Juvenile - April 8th, 2014

Rise of the Arcane Fire by Kristin Bailey
Simon Pulse - February 4th, 2014

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Balzer & Bray - January 28th, 2014

The Inventor's Secret by Andrea Cremer
Philomel - April 22nd, 2014

Becky's View: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: May 14th, 2013
♦hardcover, 304 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦source: acquired from trade

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?    

Review: With this spin-off of her Hex Hall series, Rachel Hawkins' books hold their place on my shelves as some of my favorite books. In her distinctive style, she gives us one more story that is so entertaining and just plain fun to read.  

From the moment we meet Izzy Brannick in Spellbound (book 3 of the Hex Hall series) I was so taken by this spunky youngest member of the tough Brannick Family, so you can imagine my excitement when I first heard she would be the main character in this new spinoff series.  I was not disappointed.  She has a fresh voice, so different from Sophia's hilarious constant snarkiness, but still bright and sure of herself, tough in a way that shows the no-nonsense way that she was raised as a Brannick, and sweetly naive to the ways of the outside world.  She's still so funny (how could any character written by Hawkins not be?), but with the fear and sorrow that she feels for her missing sister, we get to see her vulnerable side as well.  She's faced with some major challenges---both in proving herself as a creature hunter and in facing down the hallways of her new high school. 

The story weaves around and keeps you guessing as Izzy works to discover the mystery of the ghost haunting the school and who is behind it.  She makes some great friends for the first time in her life and discovers that being normal definitely has it's up and downs, but she learns to love it and knows she will miss it when it's time for her to move on.  More mysteries pop up when she meets a very unique guy named Dex who she comes to suspect of packing some pretty deep secrets...just one more thing to investigate, all while trying to figure out her growing feelings for him.  Romy is another super quirky character---leader of the school's "ghost hunting club" and the one to give Izzy her first experience of having a best friend.  

The ending was exciting and pretty surprising! Some might disagree, but I certainly didn't see it coming.  The twists kept coming and, for me, even as the ending neared, the guilty party could have been anyone! I really enjoyed this one all the way through---another fast-paced and incredibly fun read from Rachel Hawkins. I hope it continues (though sadly I've heard that this will be a stand-alone).

 Visit Rachel Hawkins online:  Website  •  Twitter  •  Facebook

Purchase School Spirits:  Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

 

Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦released: March 13th, 2012
♦hardcover, 327 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Hex Hall, book 3
             review of Hex Hall
             review of Demonglass
♦source: purchased

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Review: The Hex Hall series has to be one of the most consistently fabulous series I've ever read.  I loved this installment, just like I loved Hex Hall and Demonglass. There was no lull...not a one. Spellbound kept the heart-stopping pace going with great new characters, new challenges, new dangers, while bringing back all of our favorite parts of the past books.

Sophie is still sharp and both her inner and outer dialogue is utterly hilarious, and she has to dig a bit deeper into herself to find her strengths both with and without magic.  Archer is still there to match her at every smart remark and charming glance.  Cal is still wonderful Cal.  Elodie finds a new way to be of use and also comes to a new low.  And the five of them, Sophie, Jenna, Archer, and Cal, never fail to have eachother's back.  In Spellbound, we also get a whole new look at Sophie's family, especially her mom, and she discovers a family history she never knew she had and makes some new bonds along the way.  The evil Casnoff sisters are back in full force, and they all mysteriously land themselves back at Hex Hall.

The ending was explosive and exciting and heart-breaking all at once---I'm very happy with the way this wrapped up (except for one part that I am bawling my eyes out over!). The whole book is a super fast read, I think I blew through this in a few hours---maybe too fast, because once it was all over,  I immediately started to despair that there would be no more. But YAY! Then I found out Hawkins is taking us back into this world with a spin-off featuring one of the new characters, Izzy Brannick! Ah, I can't wait!

An incredibly entertaining and fun series all the way through.  If you haven't started the Hex Hall series yet...you must!!

Find Rachel Hawkins online: Website •  Facebook  •  Twitter

Purchase Spellbound at: Amazon  •  BN.com  •  Bookdepository  •  Indiebound

Waiting on Wednesday - The Furry Friends Edition

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for. For my WoWs, I'll be choosing a Sooner (books released in the next month or so) and a Later (books further out). Here's what I'm eagerly anticipating:

Sooner:

Spellbound
by Rachel Hawkins

Hitting shelves March 13th from Hyperion Books

description: (may be spoilers if you haven't read the first two!!)
Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

My Thoughts: Ok, this may be the furry friends edition, but honestly, I have no idea why there is a cat on every cover of this series! :) But I love this series and all three covers, none the less. Daughter and I are both dying for this one...this is most likely one we'll be heading to the bookstore for the very day it comes out.


Later:
Silence
by Michelle Sagara

hitting shelves on May 1st from DAW

description:
It began in the graveyard. Ever since her boyfriend Nathan died in a tragic accident Emma had been coming to the graveyard at night. During the day she went through the motions at her prep school, in class, with her friends, but that’s all it was. But tonight was different. Tonight Emma and her dog were not alone in the cemetery. There were two others there—Eric, who had just started at her school, and an ancient woman who looked as though she were made of rags. And when they saw Emma there, the old woman reached out to her with a grip as chilling as death….

My thoughts: This sounds like its made of awesome. Creepy graveyard? Creepy old woman who appears to be made of rags? Doggies?? I'm 100% sold. :)

Cover Story: Spellbound (Hex Hall #3)!!!

Today Rachel Hawkins revealed the cover for the final book of the Hex Hall trilogy, Spellbound!


This one is bittersweet for me---means the end of this awesome series is in sight, to which I say: "Noooooooooo!"

While I'll be so sad to say goodbye to Sophie, Archer, Cal, & Jenna, I can't wait to read this to find out what happens next!!

What do you think of this cover? Not my favorite of the three (that would be Demonglass) but I still love it, and I love how the three of them go together so well! :D Awesome job, Hyperion!

Review: Demonglass

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

publisher: Hyperion Books CH

release date: March 1st, 2011

hardcover, 368 pages

intended audience: Young adult

sequel to: Hex Hall (see my review)

rating:



source: from publisher for honest review

Spoiler alert!! The following synopsis and review may contain spoilers for Hex Hall! If you haven't started this series, stop reading here!

description: 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?

Review: I love this series. Even more so now that I've devoured book two. Any book that can drop my jaw within the first twenty pages is amazing in my book. Sophie is back with just as much wit and as many brilliant comebacks as the first time around. Jenna is still the lovable vampire that I adored the first time, and their friendship only strengthens as they take on London and the council together. We get to know Cal a bit more---his surprise role in all of this actually played a big part in the jaw-dropping moment I mentioned before!

As Sophie and her friends head to London, where Archer Cross is rumored to have been spotted, I knew we would see him again. Before starting this book, I wondered what side we'd find him on, and I was not completely surprised but really enjoyed how it played out.

Sophie is training to control her powers, getting to know her long lost dad, learning the ins and outs of Prodigium politics, and getting herself into even more trouble than at Hex Hall trying to solve the mystery surrounding some newly created demons. The story flies by at a fast pace, expertly alternating between light-hearted humor, mystery, and thrills.

Be prepared for a cliffhanger, as can generally be expected in any second of a series. It's still an amazing ending, and it has me absolutely dying for book three! It's going to be a long wait, but I have no doubt Rachel Hawkins will make it well worth every second!

Visit Rachel Hawkins website here.

Purchase Demonglass at: Amazon ~ BN.com ~ BookDepository

Review: Hex Hall

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

publisher: Hyperion Books CH

release date: March 2, 2010

hardcover, 323 pages

intended audience: Young adult

rating:


Description from goodreads:
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 on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Review: What a fun book! Hex Hall has it all: excellent writing, a great main character, interesting supporting characters, and a intriguing storyline, and some heart-stoppingly spooky moments! Hawkins' writing style was comedic and casual at times, but brought in the intensity where it was needed. The witty way she wrote the main character gave a perfect sense of who Sophie Mercer was---a strong willed teenager with a quirky sense of humor and desire to find her way in a world that she feels completely lost in.

Sophie is a witch, but she was raised by her non-magical mother. The magic comes from her dad, who has been out of the picture since before Sophie was born, so this leaves Sophie completely lost in the magical world. She has gotten into trouble time and time again by using her magic, but the last straw is when she tries to help a girl at school with a love spell that goes completely awry. This scores her a one-way ticket to Hex Hall, a sort of reform school for prodigium (witches, werewolves, rogue fairies, etc.) who need a little help learning to control their powers. Here she meets her roommate, Jenna, the only vampire in the school, Archer, the cute warlock who Sophie can't decide if she loves or hates, and three dark witches who are trying to get Sophie to join their coven. She also finds out more about her Dad and his place in the witch world.

I loved Sophie! She was a strong character who didn't take crap from anyone. She is trying so hard to figure this whole witch thing out and it keeps backfiring on her, yet she has such a sharp wit and humor through it all, and her comebacks were always hilarious. Example:

Favorite Sophie quote (When being told about Dark and White Witches) : "Dark and White? What, are we like chicken meat?"

I really like Jenna, she was a great friend to Sophie and I worried about her through the whole story that things would turn out okay for her!! Loved Archer,too, and I can't wait to see where the next book takes this character, because by his actions at the end, I think there is a lot more to him than meets the eye! Bit of a steep cliffhanger at the end, but as long as the next book is in sight, I'm okay with that!

Pick this one up soon if you haven't, its a great Halloween read! The next book in the series, Demonglass, comes out in March of 2011!!
Visit Rachel Hawkins website here.

Order Hex Hall at: Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Book Depository

Cover Story and New Trailer!

There were some awesome cover reveals in the YA book world the last two weeks---two especially for books that I am really excited about!!

Huntress by Malinda Lo

releasing April 2011 by Little Brown & Company

Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn’t shone in years, and crops are failing. Worse yet, strange and hostile creatures have begun to appear. The people’s survival hangs in the balance.

To solve the crisis, the oracle stones are cast, and Kaede and Taisin, two seventeen-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous and unheard-of journey to Taninli, the city of the Fairy Queen. Taisin is a sage, thrumming with magic, and Kaede is of the earth, without a speck of the otherworldly. And yet the two girls’ destinies are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. But the Kingdom needs only one huntress to save it, and what it takes could tear Kaede and Taisin apart forever.

The exciting adventure prequel to Malinda Lo’s highly acclaimed novel Ash is overflowing with lush Chinese influences and details inspired by the I Ching, and is filled with action and romance.

Ash was one of my favorite books of last year (you can see my review here) and I can't wait fall into this wonderful world again through Malinda Lo's stunning writing. The Huntress was such a fascinating, original character, I can't wait to find out she came to be!




Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

releasing March 1, 2011 from Hyperion Books

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?

I just finished Hex Hall and my review will be up soon...such a fun book, but what a heck of a cliffhanger!! So needless to say, this has made it onto my most anticipated books of 2011.


And last but not least, the trailer for Matched by Ally Condie (Dutton Juvenile) recently came out! You can check out my review here.

That's all for now!! Have a great weekend everyone!