Friday, February 25, 2011

Review: Hex Hall

Hex Hall
Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books CH
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Pages: 323
Source: Bought

Ratings: 5 Stars

Summary (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 student 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.

When I first read Hex Hall last year I was immediately blown away. Hex Hall was one of the best books I read in 2010 and probably one of my all time favorites.

The magic, the humor, the story, the characters, everything is just spot on perfect in this book. After I read Hex Hall in one sitting, the next day, I sat down and reread it again because I just loved it so much. Hex Hall is the only book I have ever reread right after reading it for the first time. I wanted to go back in to Sophie’s world immediately after finishing.

Rachel Hawkins knows how to write one funny, kick ass, awesome book that leaves you on the edge of your seat. The writing was spot on perfect. It was the right blend of humor, snark and seriousness when need be. And boy, does Hawkins now how to write one hell of a story with an awesome twist. Seriously, she is like an evil genius with the plot. One funny evil genius.

One of the best things that immediately sucks you into the book is Sophie. Sophie is such a great character and gives the book so much life. From the start, Sophie is just pure awesome. She is so sarcastic and humorous that I was literally laughing aloud. I loved that Sophie was a strong character. Sophie stood up for her friends and stood up for what she believed in; she was always doing what is best and trying to help people, which is how she ended up in Hex Hall in the first place. And then there is my other favorite character, Archer. Now what any book be without some swoony worthy guy? Archer is definitely swoon worthy. Not only is he snarky and funny he is also just sexy. Yeah. And there is definitely more to him than meets to the eye.

Now what would Hex Hall be without magic? In some books, when you add supernatural creatures and magic powers to the mix it just falls flat and feels so forced and just fails. But in Hex Hall the supernatural element just fits in so perfectly. The magic element just feels right and is so important to the story. Magic is just part of Sophie and Sophie’s world, but it doesn’t dominate the story which I really liked. Hex Hall wasn’t just about magic and the supernatural but about the characters and their story and the characters just happened to be different from normal humans.

I could wax on and on for ages about this book but that would bore you. But everyone needs to read this book. Seriously, I will force it into people’s hands at the book store. And the ending will leave you wanting more. There is a great twist at the end that makes Rachel Hawkins an evil genius (and SHE IS AN EVIL GENIUS AS THE SEQUEL WILL SHOW). I did pick up the sequel to this book because how could I resist? I wanted to desperately to see what happens next. This is one of those series that everyone needs to read because of its awesomeness.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Vlog Review: Haven

Haven
Kristi Cook
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Pages: 416
Source: Simon and Schuster’s Galley Grab

Ratings: 2 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

Review in the vlog below. WARNING!!! CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS!!




Somethings in the vlog I didn't mention. I didn't hate this book, I just had a lot of issues with it that made me not enjoy it. I felt Haven was well written with the exception of the "you knows". I liked that Violet was all moody and gloomy like Bella Swan, and instead was her own character.  I failed to mention that I hated the hot and cold of Violet and Aidan's relationship. One moment Violet was all lovey dovey and then would completely ignore Aidan and then wonder why he isn't talking to her. That was extremely annoying. 


Here are some highlights from my Goodreads feed for Haven that basically sum up my feelings on this book:

Page 42 - I find myself talking to this book.   
Page 230 - Beautiful use of the phrase "you know": "Well, I figured she was jealous of you anyway. You know, about Aidan. Not that they've ever...you know."
Page 243 - WTF!! "I was supposed to be frightened. But there was no denying that I was totally turned on." This is seriously wrong. 
Page 272- "I guess my breaching his mind had cured the vampire version of a hard-on he'd been suffering from." WTF 
Page 347- (AFTER THE LICKING) "By the time he finished, I was reduced to a quivering mass on the bed, panting and squirming." This girl has serious issues.
Page 387 - That was fast. And anti-climatic
Here's what people who thought differently from me said: 
Miss Page Turner's City of Books - "In my opinion, a very good novel is always marked by a very good writing style. Cook applied a writing style that supported the story very well. Although I noticed serval word repetitions, I find Cook's writing just right."
My Reading Room - "Fun characters, a plot that sucks you in and great storytelling make Haven one of my favorite YA books this year."
The Book Sp(l)ot - "The beginning of the book was  a fast, engrossing read that really drew me in. Then, a little bit of the middle did go a little slower, but definitely stick with it because the ending (and middle/end) really gets going again and draws you right back in!"
The Crazy Bookworm - "Haven is very magical. It wisps you away from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life and transports you into this whimsical place. Not all of it is lollipops and rainbows though, there is a great deal of suspense.
Between the Covers -  "Haven was a quick, enjoyable read. Cook's writing easily engages the reader, finding just the right balance of description and action and refined style and teen voice that brings the story to life. 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (36) - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Michelle Hodkin
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing
To be released: September 27, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

Mara Dyer believes life can’t get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love. She’s wrong.

First off this cover is GORGEOUS!! I mean, look at it!! WOW! Stunning!! And the summary sounds awesome. I first heard about this book on Twitter a while ago and I am super excited to read this!!! I cannot wait!!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Teaser Tuesday: Warped

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the books for others!)
  • Share the title and author too so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week comes from:
Warped by Maurissa Guibord
Tessa felt a stab of sadness and knew: she wanted to keep the tapestry. She was meant to have it.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Breathless Reads Giveaway Winners

Thanks to all who entered the Breathless Reads Giveaway!

The winner of the signed Nightshade is CrystalGB!
The winner of the signed Across the Universe is Heather!
The winner of the signed poster is Kara R!!

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who entered!!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (35) - Abandon

Abandon
Meg Cabot
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
To be released: April 26, 2011

Summary (from Goodreads):

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.
When Pierce first sees him, she thinks he is a murderer. She's right about one thing -- he does take lives. But not in the way she ever imagined. Pierce is drawn to the dark stranger even as she tries to uncover the mystery surrounding the tragic death of someone close to her. As she gets closer to the truth -- and the stranger -- unexpected secrets are revealed, even in her own heart.

Let me start off by saying I love anything Meg Cabot writes. This book seems awesome! First off the cover is beautiful and the synopsis sounds really good. Cannot wait to read.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Teaser Tuesday: Haven

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the books for others!)
  • Share the title and author too so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week comes from:
Haven by Kristi Cook
"It's only...well, he doesn't really pay much attention to anyone. Kind of a loner, you know? Some people think he's gay, but I'm not sure...." She trailed off, shaking her head.