Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

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.

Despite the rather tacky looking cover of the UK/Australian version, Hex Hall was a fun read with quite a bit more depth than what its exterior would have you believe. There isn't really anything here that hasn't been done before, but the fresh, hilarious narrating and crazy twists and turns of the story is what makes all the difference.

The story started at a good pace, but raced as it got closer and closer to the end. All the revelations caught me by a huge surprise- I never saw any of them coming! I absolutely loved the unpredictability of it all. The characters were mostly likeable too, even if somewhat cliche at times. I don't know if I was just lucky, but I have never once met girls like Elodie and her gang before- you know, the uber popular biatches that rule the school, and so whenever I see them on TV or in books I can't help but think it's all a little unbelievable. Regardless, each character did bring their own spark to the novel and made their mark.

In a lot of ways this book reminded me of Evernight. I won't tell you exactly why, but if you liked that book, chances are you'll probably like this one. The ending was such a killer though, and I cannot wait for the sequel!

Overall:  ♥♥♥♥

Published: March 2nd 2010 by Hyperion Book CH

Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose...

It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians--including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks....This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

One word- BRILLIANT! I admit I wasn't the biggest fan of the first novel of this series and that I wouldn't have picked this book up had it not been sitting right in front of me on the "recent returns" cart of the library, but oh my God am I so glad that I did! Frostbite kept me hooked right from the very first page and did not release me even after I turned the last.

This book had it all- romance, action, horror and one hell of a tragedy.  It made me laugh, it made me want to cry and it kept me up at night both trying to finish it and because it scared the pants off me in some parts (but then I scare  extremely easily so maybe don't take me as the best example). It's the kind of book that makes you forget you're even reading at all.  I was too lost in the story to care about anything else for a good few hours.

My one complaint however is Lissa.  The first book's main focus was on her, and that was probably why I didn't like it very much.  She's just... annoying.  She's meant to be extremely kind-hearted and have compassion leaking out her rear end and all that, but honestly I didn't feel it.  She just seems kind of selfish and boring.  Hopefully we get to see her grow in later books.

And of course, Dimitri and Rose were as awesome as ever! If you're one of the few like me who haven't read this series yet I suggest you get to it ASAP =)

Overall:  ♥♥♥♥♥

Published: April 10th 2008