Wednesday 7 January 2015

Mini Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1) by Rachel Hawkins
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Length: 9 Hours 22 Minutes
Audiobook Publication date: April 29th 2014
My rating: 3.5 stars 


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91378.Speak_No_Evil

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.



My Thoughts:
Harper Jane Price has her life on track.  She has a hunky boyfriend, she’s president of the student body, excelling at school, and cotillion is coming up.  Her future seems bright, shiny, and all planned out.  As she’s about to be crowned Homecoming Queen, the lack of lipgloss puts her future onto a very different path and her whole world spirals out of control.  Being in the wrong place at the wrong time bestows Harper with superpowers, and a mission to go with it: Protect the one person who has been her nemesis since the sandbox: David Stark.

Everything about him gets on her last nerve from his hipster glasses to his argyle sweaters and skinny jeans!  The feeling is very mutual and they drive each other bananas! There is no love lost between the two; he torments her by writing articles in the school newspaper calling her leadership skills into question saying that her concerns are silly and superficial. Now it’s her permanent mission to protect him! However, as Harper finds out why and they’re forced to work together she feels an unexplainable pull to him. *gasp* Hell must be freezing over!

Harper was pretty superficial at first, very concerned with appearances, but you could tell there was a sweet girl underneath all that desire for properness and perfection.  I loved that she turned into a badass with ninja fighting skills, and Harper was quite excited about it too, until she figures out who she’s supposed to be protecting.  David and Harper have the classic love/hate relationship.  Sparks fly whenever they interact and I was counting down the pages to that first steamy kiss!

As usual, Rachel Hawkins brand of humor had me cracking up and it was enhanced by Amy Rubinate’s brilliant Southern accent, and deadpan delivery. Book two, please!






18 comments:

Em said...

I love Rachel Hawkins! I read this one, and kind of wished it had been a Contemporary because I think that with even more of Rachel Hawkins humor it would have been amazing! Great review, glad you enjoyed this one!

Em @ http://theyabookbutterfly.blogspot.com/

Divergent Gryffindor said...

Ahh, this book seems like a fantastically weird read! Great review and thanks for sharing! I'm getting to the part where I can already be persuaded to read this book haha :)
Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

I've had this one pretty much since the day it was released, but I never felt an actual urge to read it. I need to really be in the mood for such a light-hearted, silly read with (initially) superficial characters. I'm glad you had fun reading it.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you liked this, Rachel. It was a really fun and cute read. I liked Harper's change in character as well. I'm looking forward to the 2nd book.
Lovely review! :)

Jenny said...

You know I love a love/hate relationship Rachel! Antagonism for the win:) I've loved everything by Rachel I've read, her sense of humor is right up my alley, so I'm excited to give this one a try.

Keertana said...

I looove the sound of the romance in this one, Rachel. I haven't had much luck with Hawkins in the past but perhaps I should give this a try. Wonderful review and I hope you enjoy the sequel just as much, if not more!(:

Emma said...

This one has been on my list to read for ages and ages and I loved the sound of the book too. I haven't read any books by Rachel Hawkins before. So I'll look forward to reading this one soon! Great mini review, Rachel!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I keep considering this one but it feels a little too young to me, I don't know why.... I am glad it was a good read for you.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

This sounds like a cute, quick read. Definitely something I'd pick up from the library as opposed to buying a copy though.

Joy said...

I do love Rachel Hawkins, but I'm not a fan of the theme in this book. I mean, cotillion? Hmmm. Pretentious. Lol. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, though. And I hope the next one is even better!

Amanda said...

I hadn't actually read the summary of this book prior to reading your review, but it actually sounds quite cute! I really like the idea of the juxtaposition between a prim and proper Homecoming Queen and her having magical powers.
I may start with Hawkins' Hex Hall series since they're published, but I'll have to keep this one in mind.
Great review, Rachel!

Tanja - Tanychy said...

Even though I'm not such a fan for contemps, I love humor in them and her it seems to be plenty of it. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I will have to check it out. Great review, Rachel :)

Melanie said...

Omg right? I love how much Harper changed as a character throughout the book. It was seriously all sorts of fun.

Lovely review, Rach <33

brandileigh2003 said...

The humor in this one sounds like type I would like

Rachel said...

This book sounds like such fun!! I can't wait to read this book :D Lovely review <33

Carina Olsen said...

Yay :D Awesome review Rachel. <3 I'm so glad you enjoyed this book; despite some issues :) I do own it. And I'm pretty excited about it. Yay for good romance. <3 Sounds pretty awesome, hah :) Thank you for sharing about it sweetie. <3

Faye M. said...

Haven't read this yet, and not sure I want to, really. Many of the reviews I've read were pretty lukewarm about it, and the superficiality of the main character worries me. I may try it out one day, if I want a cute read with fluffy witches (OR paladins :P)

Faye at The Social Potato

Christina Reads YA said...

I just got this one from the library since I love Rachel Hawkins's witty banter, her Hex Hall series, her characters/voices/etc. I've heard kind of middling things, where it's good but I haven't seen it mentioned as anyone's favorites.

"Now it’s her permanent mission to protect him! However, as Harper finds out why and they’re forced to work together she feels an unexplainable pull to him. *gasp* Hell must be freezing over!" -- Can I just say that I LOVE your summary? So funny and a great capture of the book & what I imagine the voice to be like too.

"I loved that she turned into a badass with ninja fighting skills, and Harper was quite excited about it too" -- we need more vain, sweet girls turned badasses. Reminds me of the discussion on femininity and badassery in YA. Also major huzzah to love/hate relationships that turn out well :D.

Okies, so even if it's not four stars and above, sounds like you still really enjoyed it too :). Yay!! Can't wait to read it & I hope you enjoy the next book too.

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