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.

Almost To Die For Review

Author: Tate Hallaway
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Pages: 241 (Paperback)

Publisher: NAL (Penguin Group)

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher

On her sixteenth birthday, Anastasija Parker learns that her so-called deadbeat dad is actually a vampire king. And he wants Ana to assume her rightful position at his side, in spite of the fact that she has witch's blood running through her veins-from her mother's side.

Too bad witches and vampires are mortal enemies. And now Ana's parents are at each other's throats over her future. It's up to Ana to make a choice, but deciding your eternal destiny is a pretty big deal for a girl who just wants to get through high school.
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Towards the beginning of Almost To Die for, I wasn't that impressed. It just wasn't grabbing me.

But when it grabbed me, it really grabbed me.

Yeah, slow to start, but once it picks up, it really picks up. It was definitely a new take on vampires and general YA paranormal. There wasn't too much conflict until the end, but I think that part of that had a lot to do with building the story up for the next books in the series.

Ana was a good protagonist, and I'd definitely use the words feisty and fun to describe her. I loved the guys in this book, especially Nikolai. What can I say? I have a thing for non-jerk rocker guys. But I also liked the very gentlemanyly Elias. Ana's mom annoyed me to no end, and her dad did as well.

I was really impressed by Tate Hallaway's writing and storytelling abilities. Sometimes you have to pick between good writing and good humor, but not in Almost To Die For.

The ending was action-packed and left me wanting book 2! Overall, a welcome new paranormal romance. Definitely one to pick up.

How kid friendly is it? Not a lot of language, violence, or sexual content. This one is definitely safe for younger teens, in my opinion!
 

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.

Shattered Mirror Review

Release Date: July 8, 2003
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Age Group: 12+
Pages: 221 (Paperback)
Other Titles In Series: In The Forests on the Night, Demon in my View (You should read them in order.)

To the casual observer, Christopher Ravena and Sarah Vida look like normal high school students. But he’s a vampire who has sworn off human blood, and she’s a witch, a daughter of the most powerful vampire-hunting dynasty in history. Slowly, without meaning to, Sarah finds herself won over by his sensitivity, his gentleness, his kindness. But his past and her future collide when they both get tangled up with Nikolas, one of the most reviled vampires ever.
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I think I liked Demon In My View more, but this was still a really good addition to the Den of Shadows series.

The plot was very original, and executed well. There was lots of action, and the Sarah's journey was very well documented. Even so, I didn't have much trouble putting it down, although there were parts where I couldn't.

I think part of the reason it was semi-easy to put down was that I didn't love any of the characters. Sarah, Christopher, Nissa, and Nikolas, were all OK. Sarah was probably my favorite; she had awesome fighting skills, wasn't whiny, and let her emotions guide her through the whole book.

What can I saw about Amelia Atwater-Rhodes? She is one of my favorite authors. All of her books that I've read (which, right now, has only been the first 3 in the Den of Shadows series) have been very well-written, well thought out, and very quick reads. And, of course, Shattered Mirror was no exception.

So, although Demon in my View is still my favorite out of the series, Shattered Mirror was still a pretty darn good read, and quick. If you're looking for a new, relatively unknown, well-written vampire and vampire hunter book, pick up Shattered Mirror. And the rest of the 90s, gothic Den of Shadows series.