Spellbound (Hex Hall #3) [Review]

Title: Spellbound
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall Series
Publisher: Hyperion Teens
Release Date: March 13th, 2012
Hardcover: 327 pages
Average Star Rating: 4.23

Synopsis (from Publisher):

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 Review:

Oh my God. I absolutely LOVE Sophie. She's an amazing character and Rachel Hawkins has done a wonderful job at creating this world and the characters. Sophie is back in the third and final Hex Hall novel and she kicks ass. So many twists to keep you on your toes.

As for being Team Archer/Team Cal. I have warmed up to Archer, but around page 308 I literally punched the book. There is a marking on that page from not only my hand (which hurts, by the way) but also my nail polish. As you can see, I got really into the book. I read it within a day.

Now, even though, I wish the ending went differently, I still enjoyed this book. And I love this series. I've recommended this series to so many people. It's just that enjoyable and un-putdownable. It was really interesting to learn more about the Brannicks (gotta love them redheads ;P we do rock). I even didn't mind Archer that much. I still prefer Cal, but Archer's not bad either :P

I was a little disappointed with the Underworld scene, I was hoping for more, but learning about all those instances and possible future outcomes, was pretty interesting.

Memorable Quotes:

“Jackass, jackass on the wall, where's the info on Hex Hall?”

“We're going to the Underworld," Izzy said. She bounced a little as she said it, her eyes bright and her tone implying that "the Underworld" was akin to "Candy Land.”

"We've tried to kill each other, fought ghouls, and kissed a lot. I'm pretty sure we're married in some cultures.” 

“Um...Mercer? Haven't seen you in nearly a month. I was expecting something like, 'Oh Cross, love of my heart, fire of my loins, how I've longed--”

“I think I might have seen pride in Dad’s eyes. Or maybe it was just a gleam of Why is my offspring so insane?”

"Man, what had that piney-tasting stuff been? The Brannick version of Red Bull?”

My Rating:

4.5/5 Stars

Demonglass (Hex Hall #1) [Review]

Title: Demonglass
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall Series 
Publisher: Hyperion Teens
Release Date: March 22nd, 2011
Paperback: 329 pages
Average Star Rating: 4.28


Synopsis (from Publisher):

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?

My Review:
What can I say about Demonglass? Why is it always so hard to talk about a book you liked rather than disliked? Well, for starters, I couldn't put Demonglass down. I loved it. This is the book that turned me from Team Archer to Team Cal. I absolutely love the main character, Sophie. She's hilarious and so relatable. When I finished this book I was so lucky that I only had a few days to wait for the new one because it definitely left with a cliffhanger.


This book had a lot of drama and kept me on my toes. It was just an adventure after another. The ending is crazy because I ended up really liking Sophie's dad and with the cliffhanger, you really don't know what's going to happen. But Sophie's quick wit is one of the things that you can always count on to put a smile on your face. Even when she's faced with danger, she still can pull something out. :D


All-in-all, I love, love, loved this book!


Memorable Quotes:
“Wow, Cross. I think you missed your calling. Screw demon hunting: you should clearly be writing Hallmark cards.” 


“I wondered if there were ever times when Dad didn't sound like he escaped from a Jane Austen novel.”


“Irish girls, red hair,' I replied, remembering a picture of them from Mrs. Casnoff's 'People Who Want to Kill Us All' lecture at Hex Hall last year.”


“Cal stepped forward, hopefully to come to my rescue.
"I could toss her off the pier, Ms. Vanderlyden."
Or not.”


“Oh, God, if that's where this woman had gotten her Sophie Mercer gossip, I was surprised she'd greeted me with a handshake instead of an exorcism.”


“Dad was at his desk when I opened the door, doing what all British people do when they're freaked out: drinking tea.”


“So did The Eye come here looking for me?"
"Actually, we came because we heard it was free corn dog night. Imagine our disappointment.”


“We could try to go together, "I said. "I think we'd both fit, and that way, if we end up transported to another dimension or morphed into a wall, at least we'd have company.”


My Rating:
5/5 Stars

Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) [Review]

Title: Hex Hall 
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall Series 
Publisher: Hyperion Teens
Release Date: March 2nd, 2010
Hardcover: 323 pages
Average Star Rating: 4.06


Synopsis (from Publisher):
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she is a witch. Her non-gifted mother has been supportive, consulting Sophie’s estranged father—a 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 exiles her to “Hex Hall”, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, fairies, and shape-shifters.
By the end of her first day, Sophie has three new enemies, a futile crush on a warlock, a tagalong ghost, and a vampire roommate. Worse, Sophie soon learns that an unknown predator has been attacking students. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries converges, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.


My Thoughts:
I am a huge fan of witches, whether it be in books or movies or TV shows. My favorite witch-y show was Bewitched. So when I won this book through a giveaway, I was super excited to read it because I hadn't read a witch book in quite some time. I've always wanted to be a witch. Where I could just snap my fingers and manifest anything that I ever wanted. You know like Sabrina or Samantha (from Bewitched). So, you can tell that I was really excited to read this book and thankfully, the excitement never ended.


So why did I love this book so much, you ask? Well, for one, witches. However, I liked the characters, the plot, the writing, and so much more.


I absolutely fell in love with the main character, Sophia Mercer. She is very relatable and humorous (whether she says something funny or she does something that you just cannot help but to laugh at). This book had me laughing a lot because of the quick-witted remarks. I love that about books. I also have to say that I am definitely on Team Archer. The romance within this series has potential. I am looking forward to what Rachel Hawkins will write next. 


This book had me so enthralled that I read it in basically a day and the second I finished it, I had to go and by the second book. This book was a bit predictable, yet, not to where the ending completely threw me. This is a wonderfully written, fast paced, and easy read. Hex Hall has a little bit of everything in it-- mystery, love, heartache, friendship, finding self, humor, family and their issues, etc. It is definitely worth it to pick this book up and get an exciting and enchanting dose of bewitchment.


Memorable Quotes:
“Good luck explaining to God that you used to spank one of his heavenly beings."
Mom gave a startled laugh. "Sophie!"
"What? You did. I hope you like hot weather, Mom, that's all I'm saying.”


“Archer isn't hot anymore.... He tried to kill me, and his girlfriend is Satan.”


“But this room looked like it had been decorated by the unholy lovechild of Barbie and Strawberry Shortcake.” 


“When someone tells you somebody’s been murdered, laughing is probably not the best response. You know, for future reference. But laughing is exactly what I did.”


“I should say upfront that I have never been in a cellar in my life. In fact, I can see no reason why anyone should ever go into a cellar unless there is wine involved.” 
       -This one I so agree with! :D


My Rating: 
4.5/5 Stars


xo
Stephanie