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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I NEED MORE BOOKS! You can't just have an ending like that! I need more Izzy, Dex, and Romy!
I LOVE the Hex Hall-series - and of course I had to read this one too. I feared that I would be disappointed, but I wasn't! Of course, there's not as much buildup to stuff happening as in book 3 of Hex Hall (I mean, it is book number three), but it's good.
Izzy is a Brannick, Dex is wonderful, Romy is great, Anderson is... a bit bland, and Adam is just annoying. I love them. The mystery is intriguing, too. I don't know what it is, but something about Hawkins' writing is just amazing.
This book really makes it seem as though there's gonna be a sequel - but there isn't one now, and the book was written in 2013, so we probably won't get one........ This is annoying, as.
Do read this book. And Hex Hall. Hex Hall first, though...
Izzy is a Brannick, Dex is wonderful, Romy is great, Anderson is... a bit bland, and Adam is just annoying. I love them. The mystery is intriguing, too. I don't know what it is, but something about Hawkins' writing is just amazing.
This book really makes it seem as though there's gonna be a sequel - but there isn't one now, and the book was written in 2013, so we probably won't get one........ This is annoying, as
Spoiler
we don't get to know what happened to Finley (is she really gone? will she never return??), what will happen between Torin and Izzy (am I the only one feeling some vibes from Torin that he wants to be with Izzy?)Do read this book. And Hex Hall. Hex Hall first, though...
2.5 Stars
If I had to describe this book in one word it would be Average. Nothing stood out.
I was expecting Izzy to be as spunky and kick ass as Sophie, even more so seeing as she is a Brannick. I was getting kinda annoyed at the constant reminders but I kept seeing no proof of this anywhere. Actually there was no mention of a successful solo mission for Izzy in the whole book, which didn't help her case.
I got over Izzy not being that kind of kick ass so instead I hoped I could get some enjoyment in watching her experience the normal world, high-school and all the drama it brings. I did get some enjoyment and amusement, but it was all very fleeting.
I did however like the interaction between the 4 friends and Izzy and Torin. Actually, Torin was my fave out of the bunch. He was an interesting character, and I might just read the next one just to find out more about him. So again, the characters weren't amazing, but they weren't bad either. They just were. The romantic interest Dex, was amusing enough as well, and I did like him, but nothing to write home about.
The plot was the real downer here. It was incredibly simplistic. After coming from a trilogy like Hex Hall and to get a simple ghost haunting plot story..Disappointing to say the least. There was a 'twist' at the end about who the culprit was and the whole reason behind it, but honestly I saw who the culprit was a mile away, so it wasn't anything really exciting either.
So, while this book was by no means bad, it wasn't really good either. It just was. After reading it and writing this whole review all I can come up with is, it was meh. I might give the second one a try just for Torin, but we'll see.
If I had to describe this book in one word it would be Average. Nothing stood out.
I was expecting Izzy to be as spunky and kick ass as Sophie, even more so seeing as she is a Brannick. I was getting kinda annoyed at the constant reminders but I kept seeing no proof of this anywhere. Actually there was no mention of a successful solo mission for Izzy in the whole book, which didn't help her case.
I got over Izzy not being that kind of kick ass so instead I hoped I could get some enjoyment in watching her experience the normal world, high-school and all the drama it brings. I did get some enjoyment and amusement, but it was all very fleeting.
I did however like the interaction between the 4 friends and Izzy and Torin. Actually, Torin was my fave out of the bunch. He was an interesting character, and I might just read the next one just to find out more about him. So again, the characters weren't amazing, but they weren't bad either. They just were. The romantic interest Dex, was amusing enough as well, and I did like him, but nothing to write home about.
The plot was the real downer here. It was incredibly simplistic. After coming from a trilogy like Hex Hall and to get a simple ghost haunting plot story..Disappointing to say the least. There was a 'twist' at the end about who the culprit was and the whole reason behind it, but honestly I saw who the culprit was a mile away, so it wasn't anything really exciting either.
So, while this book was by no means bad, it wasn't really good either. It just was. After reading it and writing this whole review all I can come up with is, it was meh. I might give the second one a try just for Torin, but we'll see.
This book is a good one. I mean, I love the Hex Hall series. But there's just something about this one that is not that quite good as the first three books of Hex Hall. Maybe it was because it makes me a bit annoyed at the part where Izzy was like "I'm new at this stuff so I don't know how to react right." I know that she's new, she's been sheltered since she was born and now her mom was making her experience the world. By world I mean going to a high school.
But if you disregard that fact, it's pretty fun. Though the adventure that is presented to us is not that much cause mostly Hex Hall series' adventures are intense. I'd definitely read the next book to know what happened next. But am I that eager to know? No. I am not. Just normal me. Lol.
But if you disregard that fact, it's pretty fun. Though the adventure that is presented to us is not that much cause mostly Hex Hall series' adventures are intense. I'd definitely read the next book to know what happened next. But am I that eager to know? No. I am not. Just normal me. Lol.
Okay, I really have to hand it to Rachel Hawkins. Her storytelling is interesting enough for me to keep trudging through her books.
However, her writing also annoys the heck out of me!
First, I enjoyed the story. There is at least a smidgen of talent that allows me to enjoy reading her books. I mean, she's no J.K. Rowling, but still, interesting plots.
Now, and let's face it, this was a problem with the Hex Hall series too, the discrepancies in her writing FRUSTRATE ME TO NO END! Why is no one else annoyed by this!?
In one scene, the main character is organizing a nighttime meeting for the club she's in at school. She changes the date of this meeting THREE times,and you can tell it's not intentional. It's simply the author's and editor's lack of paying attention to detail. This is only one example, there are several more throughout the book.
Another thing that drives me crazy is how the author is always trying to seem more teenage-y than she is with the words and language she chooses, and you can tell she's just trying too hard. And it comes across as obnoxious.
Last, and I will get off my soapbox. I really hate that she doesn't let the reader's feel anything for themselves. She's always telling us how the characters feel, instead of letting it be assumed. It makes for really one-dimensional characters, and also really makes you kind of dislike some of them.
I lied. I can tolerate one or two misspelled words in a book, but when that count goes up to like 10 or more, I just start to lose respect for the editors and publishers. There is no reason for a book to be so poorly edited, especially with a big publisher like Hyperion.
Okay, I'm done.
However, her writing also annoys the heck out of me!
First, I enjoyed the story. There is at least a smidgen of talent that allows me to enjoy reading her books. I mean, she's no J.K. Rowling, but still, interesting plots.
Now, and let's face it, this was a problem with the Hex Hall series too, the discrepancies in her writing FRUSTRATE ME TO NO END! Why is no one else annoyed by this!?
In one scene, the main character is organizing a nighttime meeting for the club she's in at school. She changes the date of this meeting THREE times,and you can tell it's not intentional. It's simply the author's and editor's lack of paying attention to detail. This is only one example, there are several more throughout the book.
Another thing that drives me crazy is how the author is always trying to seem more teenage-y than she is with the words and language she chooses, and you can tell she's just trying too hard. And it comes across as obnoxious.
Last, and I will get off my soapbox. I really hate that she doesn't let the reader's feel anything for themselves. She's always telling us how the characters feel, instead of letting it be assumed. It makes for really one-dimensional characters, and also really makes you kind of dislike some of them.
I lied. I can tolerate one or two misspelled words in a book, but when that count goes up to like 10 or more, I just start to lose respect for the editors and publishers. There is no reason for a book to be so poorly edited, especially with a big publisher like Hyperion.
Okay, I'm done.
There’s no sequel and to that I ask: Why? Everything was perfectly set up for another book and yet... there is none. As sad as that makes me, either way this book was excellent. I didn’t expect to be pulled in quite as much as I was but I have to admit I really loved it and the characters take almost all of the credit for that. In fact, that fourth star is dedicated entirely to them. Each and every one of them felt real to me, made me care and worry and wonder, which is why I’m so heartbroken over the fact that I won’t be able to read and learn more about them. Nevertheless, it’s truly a great book, a fun and quick read that I’m sure I’ll revisit more than once.
3.5
I liked this book but I missed all the characters I loved so much from Hex Hall. I would be curious to read more about Izzy if there's ever a second book.
I liked this book but I missed all the characters I loved so much from Hex Hall. I would be curious to read more about Izzy if there's ever a second book.
I just read this book and it was awesome.But guess what...... my super bad luck worked it's magic again:( I started this book thinking it was a series and the ending was a major cliff hanger, so i try to find out when the next book comes out and then, you will not believe this part,THEY SAY IT'S A STAND ALONE NOVEL NOW!!!!!!!!!IT WAS MEANT TO BE A SERIES AND NOW THAT I HAVE READ THE FIRST BOOK IT'S NOT. WHY, GOD, WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME.I really, really, really hope that they change their mind because i have to read the next book. I HAVE TO!!!!!
"You're a Brannick, a Queen Among Women, and you're scared of going to school. When really, it's the school that should be scared of you."
When I read the first chapter, I expected Izzy to be surrounded by monsters, both good and bad. I expected this to be like Hex Hall. In a way, it was. There were unnatural creatures popping everywhere, missions and cute guys. There was even school--but it's not like Hex Hall where Izzy's cousin, Sophie went to. It was good ol' normal high school.
I was really surprised with all-grown-up Izzy here. As far as I can remember, she used to be sweet and a bit softer than her sister but definitely matured a lot. Growing up as a Brannick, all she knew was to chase and kill monsters. She never imagined that fitting in high school would be tougher than what she was used to. I love this new adventure and I love the new characters. Izzy's new-found friends were cool and dorky--but still cool and they're very likable.
Dex. I can't help but sort of compare him with Archer but although both of them were really cute they are actually opposite. Archer was this sort of formal guy although he can joke around sometimes but he seems always serious and mature. Dex on the other hand was witty, sarcastic, humorous and terribly funny. I actually didn't expect him to be the guy but I really enjoyed reading him.
The only thing that seems unclear to me was Adam. He was cute and sweet and thoughtful at first then became a jerk the next. What the hell? He didn't give off that douchebag vibe until that basketball game where he mocked PMS. Then after that, he acted like a total tool. It was like Adam, whom Izzy first met in her whole high school experience vanished like poof! A part of me tells me that there's more behind this and maybe he'll appear again in the series to surprise us.
Among all characters, Maya was the only one who wasn't given much focus on her history which made me curious about her. With Izzy's mother's warning when she was first mentioned in the book, I really thought she was some sketchy witch that would cause harm or even slight problems but at the end of the book she seems pretty reliable and really concern with the Brannicks.
Written in a humorous and very enjoyable narration, Hawkins brings us to another adventure that would kick some ass. As early as this point, I am now ready for the next book.
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This copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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