Waiting on Wednesday (21) Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: April 8, 2014

What are you waiting on?

Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) by Rachel Hawkins -- YA Review

 Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) by Rachel Hawkins -- YA Review

Image Via 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. Blurb Via Goodreads

Details: Hyperion Book CH, Released March 2, 2010, Hardcover, 336 pages
Genre: YA
Source: Library
Links: Goodreads

Stars? 5/5

In one sentence? Well, two.  Teenage angst in a magical reform school? What's not to love?

Review:

I enjoyed Hex Hall immensely.  I liked the story, pacing, the twists and turns, the characters, and the plot. I appreciated that this was a book about Sophie and the her journey, and though her romance was an important part of her story, it wasn't all about her having a boyfriend. I liked and empathized with Sophie, her struggles to fit in at magical reform school, her mistakes, how she forged friendships and relationships, finding out who she is and deciding who she wants to be.

I liked Hawkins' writing style, her voice and I'm looking forward to reading her next book.