Spellbound - Rachel Hawkins

Spellbound: A Hex Hall Novel – Rachel Hawkins

Pages: 327

Publisher: Simon Pulse (S&S UK)

Release Date: 29^th March 2012

Other Titles in the Series: Hex Hall, Raising Demons

Sometimes Sophie Mercer wishes she could go back to before she started at Hex Hall, the school for magical Prodigium. In one year she’s gone from average girl-next-door to discovering she’s a demon with extraordinary powers. And, just as she is starting to get her head around that, the Prodigium Council strip away her magic and kidnap her friends, leaving her defenceless and alone.

Now, stranded at the mercy of the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who want to destroy all Prodigium, Sophie could really use a little magical help. But the Brannicks have a few revelations of their own, and Sophie’s world is turned upside down...again.

Can Sophie find her friends, regain her powers and take on the bad guys and win? Or will this final battle be one too far?

I was simultaneously very excited and rather sad when I first picked up Spellbound – it’s the last book in the wonderfully funny Hex Hall trilogy.

I have to admit to being a little lost at the beginning of Spellbound. It had been quite a while since I’d read Raising Demons and I couldn’t remember what had happened at the end of the book. As I read on, a few elements were clarified, but not everything came back enough that I was unable to understand the subtleties. Though I hate that, I think this diminished by love of this book a little. I wish I had had time to re-read the first two books in the trilogy before beginning Spellbound.

One of the things that make this trilogy so much fun is the non-stop pace. I’d forgotten how full-on and heart-stopping the action is. I mean, there was a major bombshell at just thirty pages into the novel! I really love it – there’s never a good moment to put Spellbound down. Adding to the break-neck plot is the delicious sarcasm delivered by Sophie. I really love this girl. Her tendency to make a joke or a snarky comment at a moment of high drama or extreme danger had me snorting rather unattractively pretty frequently and wishing I was as quick-witted as her.

As well as a protagonist you can fully get behind and want to be best friends with, Spellbound’s cast of supporting characters are brilliantly formed. First, you have Archer Cross. If you’ve read either of the previous books, you’ll know exactly what I mean – sa-woon. Then you’ve got the kick-ass vampire best friend Jenna who would walk into Hell with Sophie and some rather brilliant characters who are introduced in Spellbound: Torin, Aislinn (I really love that name), Izzy and Finley. You just can’t help but fall in love with this cast.

Although I’m sad that this series is over, I’m glad that we got the end we did and I can’t wait to see what Rachel Hawkins will delight me with next.  

Thank you to S&S for providing me with a review copy.

Sophie

Wonder - RJ Palacio

Wonder – PJ Palacio

Pages: 313 (ARC)

Publisher: Bodley Head (RHCB)

Release Date: 1^st March 2012

From Goodreads: I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to mainstream school – until now. He’s about to start 5^th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?

RJ Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

I’ve been hearing spectacular things about Wonder since the first proofs went out months ago and they’ve just kept on coming. Now I completely understand the fuss.

August’s narration is very different to what I expected – there’s a grown-up element underneath his words, a wisdom beyond his ten years. The way he tells his story is warm, genuine and incredibly smart. I actually expected Wonder to be told entirely in Auggie’s voice so I was surprised when it turned out to be told in six parts; beginning and ending with Auggie. It was fascinating to see Auggie from other points of view after I’d got to know him, especially in the differences and similarities between those very close to him and those who had just met him. The way that Wonder started and ended with Auggie also showed me just how much he had grown and changed over his year at Beecher Prep and it brought big fat tears to my eyes thinking about how much better he will be having Summer, Jack and the rest of his friends on his side.

 Wonder is one of those novels where you switch from tears to laughter to amazement at the characters in just a few lines. It is both heart-breaking and brilliantly funny, clever and simple. Auggie’s self-perception and innate grasp on what other people are thinking was brilliantly contrasted with the raw emotion from Via’s narration and the distant observation from Justin. The differences in how they all saw Auggie really interested me and I know that while reading I vowed to not stare or do the flicky-eye look away because of how it felt when it was done to Auggie.

As well as beautiful narration and many tears, Wonder held a firm modern hold on life as a ten-year-old boy. There were references to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, Auggie’s obsession with Star Wars and how it’s just not that cool once you get to middle school and Auggie completely understanding the feelings behind the famous image of Macaulay Culkin on the cover of Home Alone.

Wonder is a beautiful novel that should be required reading for both children and adults alike.

For my 2012 Debut Author Challenge and 2012 Contemporary YA Challenge

Thank you to RHCB for sending me a copy to review.

Sophie 

In My Mailbox 109

This meme was started by the fabulous Kristi who was inspired by Alea. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets unless otherwise stated.

For Review:

Dear Dylan – Siobhan Curham

A first crush.

An unexpected friendship.

A dream come true...

Dear Dylan,

Thanks SO much for your email and I’m sorry about my last one when I said I love you. I hope you don’t think I’m a weirdo mentalist?!!! It’s just that I was watching Oprah yesterday and she said that we should all say we love each other a whole lot more. Not to everyone of course. There’s no way I’d tell my scummy step-dad that I love him because that would be lying. But the thing is, sometimes when I watch you on TV, I feel as if you’re talking to just me and makes m feel less alone.

I know you probably get loads and loads of fan mail but I wanted to ask you – could we be e-mates?

Yours hopefully,

Georgie

Xxx

I reviewed this when Siobhan self-published it in 2010 and now it’s back from Egmont and I’ll be involved in the blog tour in April.

The Immortal Rules – Julie Kagawa (ARC)

In a future world, vampires reign.

Humans are blood cattle.

And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

My vampire creator toldme this: “Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?”

I didn't then, not really.

I do now.

Julie Kagawa, vampires and dystopia – could it get any more awesome?! Thank you Harlequin Teen!

Bought:

Arcadia Awakens – Kai Meyer (ARC)

When troubled teenager Rosa escapes her life in New York to stay with family in Sicily, she stumbles into a sinister Mafia underworld of murder, corruption and bitter, generations-old rivalries. How is handsome, mysterious stranger Alessandro invloved? And why is Rosa so powerfully drawn to him, even though she knows he spells danger for her and her family?

Simmering at the heart of the conflict is an ancient myth surrounding the vanished empire of Arcadia and its people, who – in the tales of legend – could shapeshift into animal forms. Can Rosa unravel the dark secrets of the past before untamed savagery is unleashed on the present?

Really looking forward to this – I’ve heard some excellent things about it. I have to admit that I much prefer the US cover, though...

Sophie 

Shooting Stars - Allison Rushby

Shooting Stars – Allison Rushby

Pages: 265 (ARC)

Publisher: Walker

Release Date: 28^th February 2012

Other Titles by this Author: Blondetourage, Diamonds are a Teen’s Best Friend, The Seven Month Itch, How to Date a Millionaire

Behind the flashing lights, the camera reveals all...even love.

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo knows that the public – and the stars – have a symbiotic relationship with the paparazzi. She doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on a major uncover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett – teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her – at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone at the retreat wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

I’d had a proof copy of Shooting Stars lying around for ages and kept telling myself I’d get around to it nearer to its release. And then on publication day, I finally picked it up and devoured it in two sittings.

A prolific teenage paparazzo is something that I’d never even really heard of, let alone read about so I was instantly intrigued by Shooting Stars. With the amount of YA out there it can be difficult to spot something truly original and I think Allison Rushby got it. It also introduced me to an idea that I hadn’t really given much thought to: how celebrities are people too and are entitled the same privacy that an average person would expect. It’s a very interesting theme to run with and I loved how Jo came to realise the same.

Jo is a brilliant protagonist. Her charm, wit and ruthless skills as a paparazzo (can you tell that Shooting Stars also taught me this word existed?) made her the perfect person to spy on the elusive Ned Hartnett. The way she began to doubt her actions and the business that she’s in was natural and progressed at a believable pace and her developing feelings for Ned came across as genuine and not as a result of him being a gorgeous celebrity. Ned is snarky and sweet, mysterious and talented. What’s not to love?!

Shooting Stars also had quite a few questions that formed a thread through the novel that kept me turning the pages rapidly. Where was Jo’s mum? What is Ned in the centre for? What’s the deal with Ned’s brother? But in front of these questions lay the fear of the moment that Ned would finally find out about Jo’s deception, adding a thick layer of suspense over the story.

What followed was completely surprising and utterly brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed Shooting Stars and I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more of her books in the future.

For my 2012 Contemporary YA Challenge

Sophie 

Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky – Veronica Rossi

Pages: 374

Publisher: Atom (Little, Brown)

Release Date: 7^th February 2012

Worlds kept them apart. Destiny brought them together.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she’s never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He’s searching for someone too. He’s also wild – a savage – but he might be her best hope at staying alive...

Under the Never Sky is easily my favourite dystopia from the ones I’ve read this year, and there are so many being published this year...

The world that Veronica Rossi has created is fantastically drawn. Aria’s world has elements of ors taken exaggerated to the highest degree because of a natural disaster.  The people of Reverie live in a virtual world where basic, normal experiences just aren’t exposed to. A world without colour and projections and where you have to communicate directly with another person is alien and terrifying for Aria at first. She has no knowledge of things we barely even think about: the feel of the sun on your face, the scent of a rose, the presence of facial hair and nails that grow. It’s fascinating to watch her learn about the world outside of Reverie.

Another element to Veronica Rossi’s world is the existence of the Aether. It’s dangerous, but beautiful and the title of the novel is from a stunning line where Aria describes what it looks like to her. As well as being a major threat to the Outside in this new world, it is also the sources of some fascinating powers for some of the Outsiders: there are the Scires, the Seers and the Auds. I won’t ruin the surprise about what they are and the role they play in the tribes, but they are excellent, especially the Scires, I do like them.

Behind Aria’s search for her mother lies the secrets surrounding Reverie and it’s work into genetics. The mystery behind Aria’s mother’s work in Bliss and her disappearance isn’t directly referred to for most of the novel as Under the Never Sky largely focuses on the developing relationship between Aria and Perry and how Aria adapts to life outside of Reverie. As the climax is neared, we learn the reality behind what Lumina was working on and the shocking circumstances around it.

Though Under the Never Sky is neatly wrapped up and Aria’s story isn’t left on a painful cliffhanger, the sequel, Through the Ever Night¸ is set up nicely and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

For my 2012 Debut Author Challenge and Dystopia Challenge 2012

Sophie