Mini Reviews: Hex Hall, Demon Glass, and Spell Bound

So in order to play catch up when it comes to reviews, I've decided to add a post every once in a while called Mini-Reviews. I've seen a lot of blogs do this recently and I think it's time I add something like it as well. I really love the concept and I hope you do as well. Anyway, in these posts I will have a couple of reviews, sometimes it will be two or even up to four depending on the size of each review and what I have to say. ARC's will get their own posts, but that could change as well. 

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Published By: Disney Hyperion
Also by this Author: Demon Glass, Spell Bound, Rebel Belle, Miss Mayhem, Royals, Her Royal Highness, Lady Renegades, Journey's End
Format: Hard Cover
Goodreads * Amazon * Author Website

 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 tag-along 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.

 I've had this book for a long time and I'm honestly not sure why I hadn't read it before now. Though I'm kind of glad I waited, I was in a bit of a reading slump before I started reading this one and this whole series helped me so much with getting me out of it. If I'm being honest, which I always am here on the blog, I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I thought it would end up being one that I would give a three puppy rating, but I was so happy that it wasn't. Anyway, if you didn't already see my comments on Goodreads, I love this whole series so much.

While reading I will say this I wasn't sure what was going to happen and I didn't read any summary before I started reading. So I didn't know what this book was actually about, I might have years ago, but not when I started it. Anyway, I didn't see much of this book coming. I didn't realize who the bad person was and I didn't see the ending coming at all! With that being said, I literally yelled, cried and laughed so much while reading Hex Hall.

I fell in love with these characters and even the crazy weird school. Sophie and her best friend Jenna are the best. I love their friendship even though it's weird to everyone else in the book.  At first, Asher got on my every last nerve, but by the end, I was totally crying over him. Yep, sobbing!  I honestly, was yelling "I can't believe it" over and over again.

Anyway, I couldn't get enough of this story and the author's writing, the book was such an easy and relaxing read, well up until the end anyway. (The ending just about killed me if you can't tell. I had to grab the second book right away!) I loved every single minute of this book! I can't wait to read more from this fantastic author and world creator.  For these reasons and so many more, I'm giving Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, Ali's Bookshelf...

Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Published By: Disney Hyperion
Also by this Author: Spell Bound, Rebel Belle, Miss Mayhem, Royals, Her Royal Highness, Lady Renegades, Journey's End
Format: Hard Cover
Goodreads * Amazon * Author Website

 Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Okay, fair warning there is probably going to be a few spoilers in this mini-review because I can't stop screaming about these books.  I know you all will understand that, anyway the whole entire time I was reading Demon Glass I was trying to figure out if she still had feelings for Asher, I mean I knew she did, but I wasn't sure. Okay who am I kidding, I knew! I didn't know however that she was betrothed, even though the book hinted at it early on in Hex Hall.

Again this one made me cry, like torrential downpour type of crying. I couldn't put the book down though because I had to know what was going to happen to her and her dad. I had to know how Asher was going to play into it and of course Cal. The best thing about this one, again I didn't see the ending coming and to me that makes for an awesome read.

I honestly thought it was Asher and his people creating the demons, I never even suspected that it might be someone else. Especially who it ended up being, okay I won't spoil that part for you. Even though I want to scream it as much as I screamed at the book when I figured it all out.

I can't get enough of this whole series, it's such an easy read, but at the same time, the storyline is so AMAZING! I had to know what was going to happen at every twist and turn and I didn't care how late I had to stay up to find out. We need more books like this one! By the end of Demon Glass I was so happy that I had the next book that I literally grabbed it and started it, even though it was like four in the morning. Yep, I did that!

Another amazing book by Rachel Hawkins and the amazing Hex Hall series.

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Published By: Disney Hyperion
Also by this Author: Rebel Belle, Miss Mayhem, Royals, Her Royal Highness, Lady Renegades, Journey's End
Format: Hard Cover
Goodreads * Amazon * Author Website

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late? 

 OMG this series keeps surprising me, each and every time. When I went into this book, I knew what Sophie knew about the Brannicks and I was shocked to find out her mom was with them. The reason why though shocked me to my core and I had to put the book down to just chill for a few minutes.
I love the authors writing style so much though that I jumped right back into reading and finished reading this one in record time.

Again, I screamed and cried so hard while reading this one and even though so many emotions were flowing I couldn't make myself stop. I needed to know what was going to happen to each of these characters. I had to know their fate, I was so connected to each of them in the end that I was in shock while I finished the last couple of words. I didn't want it to end and if the author wrote more books with Sophie and her crew in this world I would read it. (I know there is another book, but it's not about Sophie so not sure if I want to read it. If I should, please let me know in the comments below!)

Author Rachel Hawkins is one of those authors that capture you with the world and the characters and they never let you go. Which is one hell of an amazing compliment. There aren't of authors that I can say can do that for all of a series. Normally the second book slumps a bit and I had been worried that would happen, but it didn't. Then I started the third book and I was a bit worried again, but I didn't need to be Spell Bound was just as amazing as the first and second book!

I need more books like these, yes the ending killed me and I was in a bit of a book comma for a few days but at the same time, the story/plotline and characters were worth it. I have so much love for this whole series that I moved my copies to my favorites shelf and that's where they will be until I decide to re-read this series, because I know I will at some point.  I can't gush enough about these books!

Mini Audio Book Reviews

So in order to play catch up a bit on reviews, I've decided to add a post every once in a while called Mini Reviews, I've seen a lot of blogs do this recently and I think it's time I add something like it as well. I really love the concept and I hope you do as well. Anyway, below you will find several reviews, this post is all about the audio book. Since this month I'm reading 50% audio book and 50% ebook I'm going to be doing a few posts like this for the month of April and May!  Also my newly released ARC's will always have their own posts.

I listend to this book on Scribd, it wasn't a review book, but I loved it so much that I had to share my thoughts on this one. This wasn't from the publisher so I purchased it myself. No matter what you will always get my honest opinion on any book I review. 

Five Feet Apart by Rechael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: November 20th 2018
Format: Audiobook (I also own the hardcover)
Pages: 288 pages
Challenges:  Goodreads, Tackle my TBR Challenge, Audiobook Challenge 

Goodreads * Amazon * Scribd  

  Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.

Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.

What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?

I don't even know where to start with this review, I just finished this book and I'm a lost for words really. I do know that I love this book! The writing is perfection and the plot is well let's just say this book brought out so many emotions in me. I know several kids and a few teens that have CF and it's something that I never really understood until I saw in in person and talked to them. Through this book I saw a glimpse of what they feel at times. Yes I said glimpse because unless we are living that we have no clue what it's really like. 

Five Feet Apart did at times feel a bit like Fault in our Stars, but not so much that I didn't want to contiue reading it. I adored the audiobook of this one, not sure I would have been able to cry and read at the same time for this one. Yes, I did cry a lot! So tissue warning with this one, trust me you will connect with these characters and you will feel their emotions. It's just that kind of book and I love it for that very reason. 

The characters are so well thought out in this book and I connected with them so much so. I saw bits and pieces of myself in each of them and I guess that's why I connected so much. In Stella I saw the organization geek that had to have everything a certain way, afraid to take chances at first, but also so brave that she doesn't even realize it. In Will I saw my creative side and the rebel. Yep I'm both. Like I said I love these characters so much. Their story is exactly what I thought it would be, but seriously that ending is just....Okay I'm not going to give anything away, but gah I love these two. 

The  writing style of these amazing authors was one that pulled me in and wouldn't let me go, one that made me laugh, want to throw the book and even cry at times. All in all this book is the perfect read if you want to feel the emotions of the characters. I have so much love for this kind of story and this book! 

All in all I'm giving Five Feet Apart an Ali's Bookshelf...

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire

Publisher: Tor

Published:  January 9th 2018

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 174 pages

Challenges: Audiobook Challenge, Tackle My TBR Challeng, Goodreads  

Goodreads * Amazon *  

 When Rini lands with a literal splash in the pond behind Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, the last thing she expects to find is that her mother, Sumi, died years before Rini was even conceived. But Rini can’t let Reality get in the way of her quest – not when she has an entire world to save! (Much more common than one would suppose.)

If she can't find a way to restore her mother, Rini will have more than a world to save: she will never have been born in the first place. And in a world without magic, she doesn’t have long before Reality notices her existence and washes her away. Good thing the student body is well-acquainted with quests...

A tale of friendship, baking, and derring-do.

Warning: May contain nuts.

I have loved this series since I first read the first book and I have also loved the audiobooks. So for this very reason I decided to listen to this one. I did however also read along with the hardcover. This of course is my audiobook review. Let me first start off by saying that I loved the nararation of this one. The narrator is amazing and I figured out how to pronounce certain names that I wasn't sure of, which is a plus if you ask me.

The plot of this series is one that has hooked me from the get go. I mean come on haven't you ever wondered what happened to those characters that go to these magical places but then end up going home. I always wondered how they would cope, if they actually do.

Beneath the Sugar Sky had me from the very first chapter. I had to know how a daughter of a character showed up out of the blue, when said character's mother died in the last book. I mean come on wouldn't that have you hooked right away?  I love this authors writing style so much and of course the world building is just WOW!

I can't say enough great things about this book, but I don't want to give spoilers away. I will say this, I can't wait to read /listen to the next book, which is the newest for this series.

I of course will be giving Beneath the Sugar Sky an Ali's Bookshelf...

12 Days of My True Love Gave To Me: Day 1

I've seen a few different vloggers talk about this fantastic looking book for awhile now and I figured I would give it a shot. Today I got my copy and a idea for the blog popped into my head. Now I'm sure there has been another blogger out there that has done something like this, but I wanted to challenge myself to do 12 posts where I will be sharring my thoughts on each of these stories. Since we are 12 days away from Christmas I thought it fit perfectly that there are 12 stories to share. So for the next 12 days I will make a post every day talking about this book and it's stories. 

Today I want to talk about author Rainbow Rowell's story It's called Midnights and like all of her other books and stories, I loved this one.  It starts out a little confusing but I caught on really fast. It's broken down into several years but each part is only based around the time of the year that the countdown for New Years happens. 

I'm not really going to write any spoilers, but it's about two main characters named Mags and Noel. (I also must say I love the names that author Rainbow Rowell picked because my name is in this story and it's actually spelled correctly. Yeah that doesn't happen often.) Anyway, it showcases Mags and Noel's relationship from just meeting at Alicia's New Years Eve party and him asking if there are tree nuts in what she's eating to the next several years of them as friends. At the end, which is my favorite part, they've all moved away to college but come back for the party. 

I enjoy this authors writing so much and how she can just throw you into a story, like this one and she has you just by the first few lines. So much so that you have to know what's going to happen next. I'm not going to tell you what happens next, because I hate spoilers, but I love this short story.  As of today this book has a 5 out of 5 puppy rating for me. The story Midnights does as well.

I have a couple lines that I loved and wanted to share with you...

Mags laughed. "You're a kaleidospope. You change every time I look away."  "Don't you hate that?" He asked

"I know things have to change, but...I can't lose you. I don't think I get another one like you." 

If you haven't read this book, this is the perfect day to start it. Would love you to read alone with me. One day one story! Also if you have read the book would love to hear your thoughts on this story as well. Hope you all have a great Thursday and as always...