It should not be so hard to write both poetry and fiction. Both arts, after all, make use of the same materials, words and punctuation. Poems...
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I found Grave Mercy a refreshing and intriguing start to what I can only imagine will be a wonderful series. I'd recommend it for those who love Historical Fiction and YA, but don't mind a little Fantasy and Romance thrown into the mix. There is a fair amount of violence and many references to sex, so I'd place this as appropriate for late high-school and older, despite the young characters and inconsiderable language. Daunting as the length may be, Grave Mercy is one book you surely don't want to miss.
If you were hoping to find our main character with even more humor, wit, sarcasm, and overall snark, you should be very pleased. Sophie is as sassy and endearing as ever, perhaps even more-so without vindictive classmates or prying professors around. Her style of snark may not be for everyone, but I found her voice to be a mirror of my own - we just clicked. Jenna, I hate to admit, wore on my nerves a bit. I didn't think she was fleshed out any better than before, and even repeated her past brooding a couple times. Still, she ended up being able to put petty arguments aside eventually so in the end she's still on my good side.
The other characters (new, for the most part) are all equally intriguing. Between new demons Daisy and Nick, a more friendly and talkative Cal, and Sophie's father, I'm having a hard time missing old Hecate. Plus there are a couple surprise reappearances by old friends that are sure to banish any Hex Hall blues. And the major villains of the book, though not revealed until pretty late, are once again given their fair share of fleshing-out. Makes it a bit hard to choose sides sometimes, eh?
If asked who my favorite new-to-Demonglass character was, it would hands down be Sophie's dad. He's every bit as sarcastic as his daughter, though a little more restrained, and he has a British accent to boot! For having started off as a boarding-school-series with Hex Hall, Demonglass defies the norm by placing the main character with a parent. Granted, it's a parent she's never met in person, and staying in a huge, labyrinthine home, so it somewhat harkens back to the isolated teen angle. However, I was extremely impressed with the father/daughter bond that was established. It's something not seen much anymore, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - especially when he confided in her or matched wits in sarcastic duels.
And speaking of sarcastic guys, guess who's back? If the romance in the last book was comparable to Pride and Prejudice, this time it was definitely Romeo and Juliet with just a hint of Twilight. I know love triangles can be annoying sometimes, but this one worked for me. Though the 2nd love interest wasn't established at all in the previous book, there were still clues to its possibility. So while it may seem sudden, it wasn't really random. Then, during this book, while it was present, I never found it obnoxiously so. Sophie never seemed to sway one way or the other, she simply had a choice of head or heart.
Making choices is definitely the prominent theme of this book, but that doesn't mean it's lacking in magic or action. If the main threat in Hex Hall was being caught alone, that's nothing compared to Demonglass because even numbers don't ensure safety when L'Occhio di Dio (aka The Eye) and rampaging demons are involved. Though admittedly the action is heavier toward the end, there's more than enough magical intrigue and conspiratorial mystery to keep the plot moving forward. Truly there's never a dull moment.
Unfortunately, that includes the ending as well. If you thought the cliffhanger from Hex Hall was bad, boy you ain't seen nothing yet! Once again, I'm not saying the book ends in the wrong place. Plot-wise, journey-wise, it's the perfect place to end it. But Sophie's story isn't over - not by a long shot. The end of this book is...well, I'd say it's equivalent to the end of The Empire Strikes Back. Or Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Let's just say that Spell Bound had better freaking get here soon!
I'll admit I went in to Demonglass expecting a lot, and it far exceeded my expectations. Overall, I'd say it's a perfect continuation of a magical, fascinating, and hilarious series. They may have left the school, but that doesn't change much except the architecture. I hate to repeat myself, so I'll just say if you liked Hex Hall, you're gonna love its sequel. And if you haven't read Hex Hall...what the heck are you waiting for?!
I found Solid an entertaining read. I'd recommend it for those who like YA Romance with a slightly Sci-Fi twist. Language, sex, and gore are practically non-existent, so I'd say this is appropriate for a middle-school reader, however, I'd recommend it for older readers only because I think the pacing is geared toward more patient readers. Though a little rough at times, Solid was a solid introduction to endearing characters and an intriguing concept, which I look forward to exploring further in future installments.
Kick-ass characters, fantastical setting, and a twisty mystery combine to make this series opener one to remember. There is some mild language, teen romance, and a few depictions of violence, but I'm pretty comfortable with recommending this for middle school and above. As I explained above, there are some religious references and interpretations that might rub certain people the wrong way, but I think it's in the same league as Clare's Mortal Instruments series. So, if you like snarky heroines, intrigue, magic, and high school drama, then I'd definitely recommend you go out and find this book. Well, only if you can't magic one up at home...
I'll admit I went in to Demonglass expecting a lot, and it far exceeded my expectations. Overall, I'd say it's a perfect continuation of a magical, fascinating, and hilarious series. They may have left the school, but that doesn't change much except the architecture. I hate to repeat myself, so I'll just say if you liked Hex Hall, you're gonna love its sequel. And if you haven't read Hex Hall...what the heck are you waiting for?!
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StormyWolf has commented on (7) products.
Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin Trilogy #1) by Robin La Fevers
StormyWolf, April 4, 2012
I found Grave Mercy a refreshing and intriguing start to what I can only imagine will be a wonderful series. I'd recommend it for those who love Historical Fiction and YA, but don't mind a little Fantasy and Romance thrown into the mix. There is a fair amount of violence and many references to sex, so I'd place this as appropriate for late high-school and older, despite the young characters and inconsiderable language. Daunting as the length may be, Grave Mercy is one book you surely don't want to miss.Approximate Reading Time: 9.5 hours
Hex Hall #02: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
StormyWolf, January 1, 2012
If you were hoping to find our main character with even more humor, wit, sarcasm, and overall snark, you should be very pleased. Sophie is as sassy and endearing as ever, perhaps even more-so without vindictive classmates or prying professors around. Her style of snark may not be for everyone, but I found her voice to be a mirror of my own - we just clicked. Jenna, I hate to admit, wore on my nerves a bit. I didn't think she was fleshed out any better than before, and even repeated her past brooding a couple times. Still, she ended up being able to put petty arguments aside eventually so in the end she's still on my good side.The other characters (new, for the most part) are all equally intriguing. Between new demons Daisy and Nick, a more friendly and talkative Cal, and Sophie's father, I'm having a hard time missing old Hecate. Plus there are a couple surprise reappearances by old friends that are sure to banish any Hex Hall blues. And the major villains of the book, though not revealed until pretty late, are once again given their fair share of fleshing-out. Makes it a bit hard to choose sides sometimes, eh?
If asked who my favorite new-to-Demonglass character was, it would hands down be Sophie's dad. He's every bit as sarcastic as his daughter, though a little more restrained, and he has a British accent to boot! For having started off as a boarding-school-series with Hex Hall, Demonglass defies the norm by placing the main character with a parent. Granted, it's a parent she's never met in person, and staying in a huge, labyrinthine home, so it somewhat harkens back to the isolated teen angle. However, I was extremely impressed with the father/daughter bond that was established. It's something not seen much anymore, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - especially when he confided in her or matched wits in sarcastic duels.
And speaking of sarcastic guys, guess who's back? If the romance in the last book was comparable to Pride and Prejudice, this time it was definitely Romeo and Juliet with just a hint of Twilight. I know love triangles can be annoying sometimes, but this one worked for me. Though the 2nd love interest wasn't established at all in the previous book, there were still clues to its possibility. So while it may seem sudden, it wasn't really random. Then, during this book, while it was present, I never found it obnoxiously so. Sophie never seemed to sway one way or the other, she simply had a choice of head or heart.
Making choices is definitely the prominent theme of this book, but that doesn't mean it's lacking in magic or action. If the main threat in Hex Hall was being caught alone, that's nothing compared to Demonglass because even numbers don't ensure safety when L'Occhio di Dio (aka The Eye) and rampaging demons are involved. Though admittedly the action is heavier toward the end, there's more than enough magical intrigue and conspiratorial mystery to keep the plot moving forward. Truly there's never a dull moment.
Unfortunately, that includes the ending as well. If you thought the cliffhanger from Hex Hall was bad, boy you ain't seen nothing yet! Once again, I'm not saying the book ends in the wrong place. Plot-wise, journey-wise, it's the perfect place to end it. But Sophie's story isn't over - not by a long shot. The end of this book is...well, I'd say it's equivalent to the end of The Empire Strikes Back. Or Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Let's just say that Spell Bound had better freaking get here soon!
I'll admit I went in to Demonglass expecting a lot, and it far exceeded my expectations. Overall, I'd say it's a perfect continuation of a magical, fascinating, and hilarious series. They may have left the school, but that doesn't change much except the architecture. I hate to repeat myself, so I'll just say if you liked Hex Hall, you're gonna love its sequel. And if you haven't read Hex Hall...what the heck are you waiting for?!
Solid by Shelley Workinger
StormyWolf, September 1, 2011
I found Solid an entertaining read. I'd recommend it for those who like YA Romance with a slightly Sci-Fi twist. Language, sex, and gore are practically non-existent, so I'd say this is appropriate for a middle-school reader, however, I'd recommend it for older readers only because I think the pacing is geared toward more patient readers. Though a little rough at times, Solid was a solid introduction to endearing characters and an intriguing concept, which I look forward to exploring further in future installments.Hex Hall #01: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
StormyWolf, September 1, 2011
Kick-ass characters, fantastical setting, and a twisty mystery combine to make this series opener one to remember. There is some mild language, teen romance, and a few depictions of violence, but I'm pretty comfortable with recommending this for middle school and above. As I explained above, there are some religious references and interpretations that might rub certain people the wrong way, but I think it's in the same league as Clare's Mortal Instruments series. So, if you like snarky heroines, intrigue, magic, and high school drama, then I'd definitely recommend you go out and find this book. Well, only if you can't magic one up at home...Hex Hall #02: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
StormyWolf, September 1, 2011
I'll admit I went in to Demonglass expecting a lot, and it far exceeded my expectations. Overall, I'd say it's a perfect continuation of a magical, fascinating, and hilarious series. They may have left the school, but that doesn't change much except the architecture. I hate to repeat myself, so I'll just say if you liked Hex Hall, you're gonna love its sequel. And if you haven't read Hex Hall...what the heck are you waiting for?!1-5 of 7next