Book Review: Spellbound

By: Cara Lynn Shultz

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date:  June 24, 2011
Pages: 324
Source: NetGalley

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

If you read the blurb about this book, you would think that this is a dark brooding book. It's not at all, despite how tragic Emma's life has been, its actually really funny and cute. Unrealistic, but in the best way possible! The best word I can use to describe it is lighthearted, not something to take serious, just something to sit back, relax, and enjoy.... And enjoy it, I did!

Be warned, it does take a while to get into, it wasn't until around 100 pages that I really became invested. But it was almost like it did a reverse, in the beginning I had to force myself a bit to continue, in the end I couldn't put it down. Next thing you know I look at the clock and its way late for me to even be awake, but I just wanted to keep reading about Emma and Brendan.

You are probably wondering what could have caused such a switch in attitude, why did I have trouble getting into it? I think in the beginning the characters where very one dimensional. Queen Bee is a bitch, jock is a jerk, weird girl is a witch, CLICHES GALORE. Once the romance between Emma and Brendan (REALLY LIKED THEM 2GETHER) began, and I got into how funny the book was I was able to let it go, this was not meant to be a serious or deep book. And while the characters may not be DEEP, Cara does an awesome job with being true to how teenagers really are. The slang, the sarcasm, the rivalries it was all spot on!

My Review in a Tweet: 

I REALLY liked the book, and I believe its a stand alone which is definitely great if your looking for one book to just cast a spell on you for a night or two ;)

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 4/5

Similar Titles:

similar feeling type romances

Other Reviews:

• Hobbitsies
• Smexy Books
• Bookish Delights 

Buy the book here!
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Book Review : Hex Hall

Book: Hex Hall (Book 1)
Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion Books
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Pages: 323
Source: Bookshelf
Date Read: April 10, 2011

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.

Yani's Analysis:
What can I say about this book that hasn't been said. This book has been sitting in my bookshelf after I bought a bargain copy from borders. Finally, after reading yet another positive review I picked it up. Rachel Hawkins you have a new fan in me! The book was soooo funny. It almost read like a satire of all things paranormal, yet still had the serious aspects and mystery to it.Rachel's writing is banter like, sarcastic, and filled with pop culture reference/jokes.

Although the book is very funny, there are some strong themes to it. Is evil is inherent or chosen? Does doing one bad things makes you a bad person? All these things are ideal that Sophie struggles with as she doesn't know who to trust is the new school full of paranormal Prodigium.There are so many secrets and more is revealed as you get close to the end.

Sophie goes into that school a carefree and naive girl and in the end she becomes a girl that struggles with the amount of power she possesses."With great power comes great responsibility." I by the end of the book I think Sophie understands that.

Really liked this book, it was so different from other paranormal books and includes every paranormal species.Can't wait to read what comes next!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Memorable Quotes:

"What, no witty retort? No standard-issue Sophie Mercer comeback?"

Coming Soon...

Well, recently Ramona Wray, Author Of Hex, A Witch And Angel Tale, send me a copy of her new book. And so, March 7 we’ll have an Interview with Ramona Wray, 3 Copies of Hex, A Witch And Angel Tale fore giveaway, and my review. So do NOT forget to check this blog March 7 to see the terms of the giveaway and everything else!

So I leave you guys with the Summary, Trailer, the First Chapter and a sneak peak review, Thank You guys for sticking around!

THE STORY

Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable... especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily's life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out-and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can't take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they've met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.

THE GIRL

A story of romance, mystery, and magic, Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale introduces Lily Crane, a distinctive new heroine, whose quest for the truth will keep readers rapt until the end.

THE PLACE

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale takes place in the fictitious town of Rosemound, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 35 miles south-west from Copper Harbor.

Trailer



First Chapter Here!


Sneak Peek...

A Little Bit Of My Review...
 

They always say to never judge a book by the cover… and, well, I’ll admit, I tend to ALWAYS check the cover first thing. So when I saw the cover of this book I though “Oh My Gosh! Ain’t that a cutie or what? Ain’t it make you want to poke at her cheeks ^^. So when I got a chance to get my hands on it, I said Bring it on! Expecting a cute bubbly fluffy, pink story…. I’m not gonna say “how wrong I was” ‘cause, yeah, it does have its bubbly but, Oh Boy I would have NEVER though that a Book with such cover could go as deep as it actually went. 

From unexpected twists and turns, breathtaking romance, full of passion, mysteries and magic, comments so hilarious I was crying!, and an adorable little black cat, Hex, A Witch And Angel Tale is the perfect fit for A Great Novel.

...To Be Continued...

Teaser Quotes:

I seriously think this was just Hilarious!

Before I knew it, My daily schedule had started to look a lot like this:

Monday: Woke up, though of Ryder; went to school, stared at Ryder; had lunch with J, gaped at Ryder; went to PE, brooded over Ryder's absence; went home, thought of Ryder; took a drive "accidentally" passing by Dave's Garage, spied on Ryder; came home, though of Ryder; had dinner, no appetite due to lack-of Ryder; went to bed, tossed and turned thinking about Ryder.
Tuesday: See above, with minor adjustments.
Wednesday: Ryder wasn't in school, my world collapsed
Thursday: Same as Monday and Tuesday
Friday: See above.
Saturday: Nightmarishly long, boring. Drove by Dave's Garage twice, hoping to see Ryder.
Sunday: See above, minus the drive-by. But, yay, tomorrow I'll see Ryder in school! God bless Mondays.