Spell Bound Review

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release date: March 13, 2012
Pages: 327
Publisher: Hyperion
How I got it: Bought 

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted. 

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?

Holy craaaaaap guys. Even with my relatively new book-snobby, contemporary loving ways, Spell Bound still left me a mess. I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this series.

Even in the first five chapters in Spell Bound there are TWISTS. Twists that totally slapped me in the face! And then there were more! And then when I thought there were twists they twisted into non-twists! Let me reiterate: TWISTS. However, despite the book's twisty nature, it never got confusing or annoying. I'm telling you guys, this Hawkins lady is a witch. A witch with mad writing skillz who needs to write faster.

Sophie, why can't you be in ALL THE BOOKS? Your snarky humor and determination should definitely rub off on more characters. Archer, I know my mom and sister hate your guts, but I've ALWAYS loved you. You play off of Sophie's humor SO WELL and add a little mysterious broodiness to the series. Cal, Jenna, you two just...just GAHHH.

There's not much more I can say without spoiling anything, so I guess I will end the review with this: I love this series, and this book--full of revelations, emotions, and wicked cool magic--wrapped it up near perfectly.

Plot: Awesome.

Characters: Awesome. 

Writing: Snarky and fun.

Ending: Both happy and sad.

Mature content: Not much, if any.

Overall:

I'll miss yooooouuuuu.

I really will.

Demonglass Review

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: March 1, 2010
Pages: 368 (ARC)

Publisher: Hyperion

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher
Other titles in series: Hex Hall

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 Acher to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

This is probably--OK, definitely--the most hilarious paranormal series I've ever read. But it's not all laughs. This book, and series, brilliantly combines the light and the dark to put a new, wonderful spin on the paranormal genre.

These are such fast reads. Probably because it's completely un-put-downable. And because the plot moves at a perfect pace. It's not too fast, not too slow, and it always fully kept my attention.

Her father, who we meet for the first time in Demonglass, quickly turned from a character I didn't love to one of the best fathers I've ever read about. He's so much like a bigger, dude-r Sophie that how can you not like him? And I loved his and Sophie's relationship, which was developed wonderfully. I love ALL of them characters in this series, actually.

The ending was a huge cliffhanger, and I'm DYING to get my hands on the third book. Literally, people. It was bad.

OK, I probably should stop fangirling now before I blurt out anything spoilery. Lemme just say this: Demonglass topped Hex Hall, which I didn't realize was possible. This is one of my favorite paranormal series, and you'd be a complete fool to not read them.

Book Report:

Plot: Faaaantastic.

Characters: Lovin' em!!

Writing: Descriptive, but still funny and easy to read.

Ending: DYING FOR BOOK 3.

Kid friendly? Pretty. There's a little teen drinking, but not much swearing or anything else.

Should I read it? Read Hex Hall first, of course. But YESYESYES.

Overall:

 

Hex Hall Mega ARC Giveaway!!

As I'm sure some of you know by my rave review of Hex Hall, Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall series is quickly becoming one of my favorite paranormal/magic/fantasy series out there, and reading an ARC of Demonglass only confirmed why (review coming soon). So, because I have a pretty hardcover of Hex Hall now, and an equally pretty hardcover of Demonglass with my name written on it, I wanna spread the Hex love. SO. I am giving away THESE:

Yes, an ARC of Hex Hall...AND Demonglass! Yep, one winner will receive BOTH! CAN YOU TELL BY MY CONTINUOUS USE OF CAPITAL LETTERS THAT THIS EXCITES ME?

If you haven't heard of Hex Hall, let's change that.

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.

To enter, fill out THIS FORM. This giveaway will end on midnight, February 15. And sorry, but this one's only open to the USA. (Sorry to my international friends! I looked into it, and the shipping costs would just be way too high.) Good luck!

Hex Hall Review

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Pages: 323 (ARC)

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Most Appropriate For Ages: 11+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher

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. ---------------------------------------------------------

I knew as soon as I heard Becca Fitzpatrick say how amazing Hex Hall was, that I needed to read it. Then the cover came. I needed it. Then I began following Rachel on twitter (@LadyHawkins) and saw that she was hilarious. I needed it. So, yeah, I was really, really excited for Hex Hall. I'd hyped it up in my mind. It was a dangerous move, but I took it.

And now, I need the sequel.

The premise of Hex Hall grabs you immediately. It's full of mystery, romance, friendship, and magic and every paranormal creature you can imagine. It has a great plot without being too confusing and is constantly throwing twists and turns your way. I was completely enthralled throughout the entire novel.

The characters are so realistic. From our sarcastic, witty main character Sophie (who I loved!), to the queen evil witch at Hex Hall, Elodie (who I loved to hate!), each character is unique and has hidden depths. (Hex Hall flashback...ok, flashback over. Sorry about that.) I almost immediately fell in love with Archer, Sophie's crush/Elodie's boyfriend. And Sophie, unlike a lot of characters in YA these days, has a great best friend, Jenna. They're both so loyal to each other and that's very refreshing and great to see.

But of course a book can't be great without great writing. And this definitely had great writing. Rachel Hawkins writing was very vivid and I could feel all of the characters emotions and picture Hex Hall so clearly in my mind. The writing/narration is also hilarious. Rachel Hawkins is a fabulous storyteller and should be welcome to the YA genre with open arms and plenty of stalkers.

There had to be something wrong with Hex Hall, right Jessica? Um...no, not really. Hex Hall was an amazing debut and I am quite literally dying for the sequel. If you're not the first in line to get a copy of Hex Hall at your local book store, then you're crazy.