Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - Book Review

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: 2010
Format: paperback
Pages: 323
Source: bought it
My Rating: 3 stars

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.
(Taken from Goodreads.com)

REVIEW
I was looking forward to reading this book and I was excited after some of the reviews praising it so much.... but it felt short for me.

Halfway through the book the story felt like it hadn't really started yet, which I didn't like since the book isn't that long.

The romance for me was almost non-existence. It felt forced throughout the whole book. I mean, there were a few scenes between Sophie and Archer, but not enough of them spending time together to make you believe that they like each other. Sophie on the other hand declares she has a crush on him since he is extremely hot. And I don't doubt that, but I do doubt how that crush turned into love after a couple of months of barely any interaction. They do spend a lot of time together but we, as readers don't get to see much of that time together, so I didn't really feel the love there.

Another thing I really wish I could see was the school. I was so excited about this school full of supernatural kids, going to this school that was on an island to learn their magic that I was jumping up and down. It's no secret that I LOVE Harry Potter and thought that this might be a tiny bit similar to it but not really. Just the aspect of having a school full of paranormal creatures had me in high hopes.

I wish I could have seen more of those defence classes, which Sophie spends all her time with Archer. We would get to know the cool stuff they're learning and see the two of them interact more. Or even see Sophie learning new magic tricks and learn more about her abilities.

On a side note, Sophie's only main interaction with a male student is Archer. She does have a little incident with a male shape-shifter and with the healer of the school but other than that we don't get to see her interacting with other guys which just seemed off to me. I never pay attention to stuff like that but it just seemed weird for some reason. She also doesn't have many friends so it could be that, and that I'm reading too much into it.

Overall I enjoyed it. I love anything that has to do with magic in general. I just expected a bit more I think in the love department at least, but I'm keeping my hopes high for the sequel Demonglass.

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West - BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: July 2013
Format: Paperback, 312 pages
Source: My Local Library
My Rating: 3 stars

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about. (Taken from GoodReads.com)

My Review
The Distance Between Us didn't really do much for me.
It is a cute short book about Caymen meeting this rich guy, Xander, and eventually falling for him against her wishes. Caymen and her mom don't like rich people and for a reason, so the only interaction they have with them is through the doll shop her mom owns.

This was a cute read. It felt very short in my opinion, I would have liked to see more in the story. The romance didn't convince me, maybe because the story was short. Like Caymen I didn't trust Xander at the beginning and there were some indications throughout the book that made me mad and wondered what she saw in him. He did though have a nice smile. :) 

I was quite disappointed in the end, not that the story didn't end up well but I would have liked to see how the characters were doing a month or so after those events. We know from the beginning that the store is not going well so I would have liked to see what happens with the store. 
Also we meet some new characters at the end, from her mom's past which I totally didn't see coming. I knew at the end someone would come forward but definitely not them.

Overall the book was ok. It's a quick read perfect for summer reading. I would suggest it to anyone who likes short contemporary stories about the rich and not. 

DIVERGENT - MOVIE!!!

Let me say and ask myself why the heck I have not read this yet???? well I know why....

I haven't picked up Divergent by Veronica Roth because of all the hype... I admit I'm afraid of picking up books with so much hype around them. I just don't like disappointing myself....

So I decided to watch the movie and maybe borrow the first book from the library to see If I would enjoy it. I was almost certain I would not enjoy it. Well... the movie I very much enjoyed.

Now I went to this knowing nothing about the story except for Tris and Four, which I knew were the main characters but nothing more.

Now, I'm not going to say anything about the plot because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but only that the ending left me wanting more. Honestly I have no idea what it's going to happen next. My mom was surprised to know there are two more books to the story. I would be too if I hadn't known. It ended quite well. I'm really looking forward to the books and next movies. Oh, can we all agree how handsome Four is?? ;)

Monthly Status Update - April

This month I didn't manage to read a lot. I only read three books. I'm really hoping to read 4 books at least a month, that's my goal for May at least. So anyways let's get to the books:

So in April I read 2 books and 1 manga:

The Earl & the Fairy by Mizue Tani  -  5 stars

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost  -  5 stars

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West  -  3 stars

Now to the books I plan on reading for May and hope I do!

 

Splintered by A.G. Howard - I am still reading this one since last month so I really hope to finish it this time. The story is very interesting but I can't seem to get into it.

Brida by Paulo Coelho - This one came from my TBR jar. After years of owning this book it's finally time to read it.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - YES!! I am so glad I started this book! I have heard so many good things about it. It has been sitting on my shelves the last 14 months!!!! I have already started this book and I'm loving it so far!

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt - Another book from my TBR jar. I believe I won this a year or two back from a blog and I really wish I remembered.... but it's ok since this sounds like a nice read. I have been meaning to read more contemporary so I guess it's good timing. 

SO what's your reading update??