Rebel Belle
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Rebel Belle #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: Looking back, none of this would have happened if I’d brought lip gloss the night of the Homecoming Dance.
My Review:
I love Rachel Hawkins’ books. Seriously, Rachel Hawkins is the person who invented ARCHER FREAKING CROSS. (If you don’t know who he is, I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of Hex Hall because you need him in your life.) While I didn’t really enjoy her latest Hex Hall series spin-off, School Spirits, I really love and worship her Hex Hall series. Rachel Hawkins’ Hex Hall series is fun, sassy, and the romance is just flail-worthy because ARCHER FREAKING CROSS. However, before I first started Rebel Belle, I was nervous about it, hoping that I would like it better than I liked School Spirits. In the end, I found myself enjoying Rebel Belle more than I enjoyed School Spirits, which is definitely a good thing in my book.
Getting superpowers was supposed to be a good thing. You helped people. You didn’t nearly twist your boyfriend’s hand off. (81)
Rebel Belle started off great. The first sentence got me engaged with the book asap (look at it – how could it not?) and Harper was laugh out loud hilarious. Rebel Belle started off fun, sassy, and the book and I just clicked. Although I really enjoyed the first half of Rebel Belle, I felt my excitement slowly die down as I read on. The last half of the book didn’t impress me as much as the first half did, but it was still a great read nevertheless.
Rebel Belle is advertised as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets something else that I forgot (I’m really bad at memorizing taglines and I can’t find this particular one again). I mean, freaking GILES from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was mentioned in the book. From then on, I was sold. The fighting scenes in Rebel Belle also reminds me of the fighting scenes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer – there was kicking, dodging, and even knife/sword skills involved. There were definitely some kissing moments and other swoon-worthy moments too.
“Because you were crying!” David shouted, his voice cracking with fear, and, I thought, anger. “You were upset and I felt bad…and even if I don’t always agree with the things you do at school, you do try and you didn’t-”
He broke off and sagged against the seat, closing his eyes. “I just…I don’t like crying girls, okay?” (90)
Speaking of the romance, David Stark (I honestly love that name) was so cute. David is not cute as Archer Cross of course because let’s face it, nobody can beat Archer in terms of cuteness or anything. David has his own style (I actually like his outfits) and his own way of doing things. All the Harper and David moments in Rebel Belle had me swooning and giggling like I’m a fourth grader all over again. You can literally feel their chemistry leap off the pages.
There were a few cliches in Rebel Belle. There was the feeling the magic power enter into your body when you transfer a magic power from one person to another cliche and the whole “am I going crazy or am I not crazy?” cliche. However, despite all the cliches used in Rebel Belle, Rebel Belle was an enjoyable read nevertheless. In fact, the cliches made things even more entertaining and enjoyable to read about. Reading Rebel Belle was like watching a drama show that isn’t too dramatized or too silly.
“There is nothing…passionate about me and David. I’ve spent most of my life despising him and while I’ll admit that this – this situation has made me appreciate him a little more, there’s nothing going on between us. (298)
Overall, I definitely recommend Rebel Belle to everybody. If you need some fun and awesome moments in your life, Rebel Belle will definitely achieve that. I mean, how can you resist a Southern belle fighter and protector?
I adored this book! I totally agree with you on most things too. Great review Kelly! :D
Bieke @ Istyria book blog recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #46: The Jewel by Amy Ewing
Yess, this book is awesome! <3
Thanks Bieke! :D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
I have yet the Hex Hall series but its on my tbr. I just finished reading Rebel Belle and found it pretty crazy and rated it 4/5 stars.
Belinda @ Lil Book Owl recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #16
You need to read the Hex Hall series Belinda! It’s one of my most favorite series ever! <3<3<3
I'm glad you enjoyed Rebel Belle! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
Hehehehe, I think I will be reading this one soon! I’d love a southern version of Buffy!
Great review!
Pili recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday #38!!
Harper is definitely a great version of a southern version of Buffy! You will LOVE her Pili! :D
Thank you! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
I have been waiting to read this one! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hex Hall was one of my favorites too, but I’ve been wavering on Rebel Belle. Thanks for the review!
Ellen recently posted…The Canon Sees | Seattle
Rebel Belle isn’t as good as Hex Hall, BUT I did enjoy reading it nevertheless. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
I am so excited for this book!! I need my hands on a copy to read it! I’m also so excited for the fact that so many positive reviews have been released about this book. I am terrified that this one won’t meet my expectations, but with all the positive reviews for it out I’m not as nervous as before.
Great review Kelly :D
Kim @ Kimberly’s Novel Notes recently posted…Series Review: The Goddess Test series
You will probably enjoy this one Kimberly, especially if you love Hex Hall as much as I do. ;D<3
Thank you Kimberly! :D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
I’ve definitely been hearing pretty good things about Rebel Belle. I read Hex Hall not too long ago and thought it wa ssooooooo cute. I definitely need to read this one. I got a review copy from Edelweiss but I’m not sure if it is still available. If not I’ll get it from the library.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted…Review: Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I still love Hex Hall better than Rebel Belle, but Rebel Belle is pretty good too!
You should definitely borrow Rebel Belle from the library if your copy of Rebel Belle from Edelweiss isn’t available. It is definitely worth the read! :D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
I’ve seen tons of Booktube videos on Rebel Belle and everyone’s talked about how super fun it is! I’ve never really been aware about Rachel Hawkins so reading any of her books was never something that I wanted to do but now after this review, I think I will definitely check out Hex Hall and Rebel Belle! I do love me some Buffy the Vampire Slayer though!
Annie recently posted…Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
YES. You definitely have to check out the Hex Hall series and Rebel Belle – both books/series are super fun and sassy and entertaining and swoon-worthy and just -sighs wistfully-. <3
I hope you'll also love the books when you try them out Annie! :D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
Wow, I didn’t know this was a fantasy novel, and the cover is pretty :p
It sounds like a really fun read, maybe I have to read hex hall first while waiting for this book to come out in our bookstores. :D Great review!
Ella recently posted…Review: Fall Into Forever
Yep, Rebel Belle is considered fantasy. ;D
Ha ha, I don’t really like the cover. :P
YES, READ HEX HALL. It is SO good; trust me.
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
I haven’t read the Hex Hall series yet! It’s on my wishlist but I’ve not gotten around to it. I really need way more hours in a day. I think I’ll pick those up before this one. Glad that you enjoyed this for the most part regardless of the clichés. I really had no clue what this one was about and now I’m more intrigued. great review
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…DNF Review- The Taking by Kimberly Derting
You just have to pick up the Hex Hall series Kristen! It’s one of my favorite series EVER. Let me warn you though, I have dibs on Archer. :P
Basically, this one is about Harper, a southern version of Buffy who has a duty to protect this guy. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
I totally need some fun and awesome moments in my life! And the tagline was Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Veronica Mars. I’ve seen Buffy, but not Veronica so I wouldn’t know how the story meshes both. Though I could feel your excitement about this one from just reading your review! I’ll admit that the cover had me taking a step back and things about whether I wanted to read this one or not, but if you recommend it, how can I ignore that? This book sounds awesome! :D
Who doesn’t? ;D
Ohh, thanks for the tagline reminder! The Veronica Mars bit doesn’t sound familiar, which is probably why I forgot it. :P
Veronica Mars is a romance and mystery detective show with lots of good lines. I guess Rebel Belle is a bit like Veronica Mars?
YES. Hi another person who isn’t a fan of the cover! -waves- A lot of other people just LOVEDD the cover and I’m the only weird one thinking uhhh, yeah, that cover does not make me want to read the book.
Rebel Belle is awesome! ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
So I completely missed that this one was fantasy! But now I’m better and definitely loved Buffy :D I already snagged a copy, woot!
Anya recently posted…The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler ARC {4 Stars}
Ha ha, I can see why most people miss that this is a fantasy. The cover lies to you, doesn’t it? :P
Yay! I hope you’ll like it as much as I do Anya! :D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly – Sharon Biggs Waller
Mentioning Buffy is definitely a selling point!
LOL. I’ve got to see who this Archer Cross is :D I haven’t read the Hex Hall series yet. I’ve heard this one is a nice, light read and I think its high time to start reading nice, light reads instead of drowning myself in all these dystopian doldrums. Awesome review and I love the way David Stark sounds too!
I really loved Rebel Belle. Thanks to you for recommending it. I grabbed it first after reading your review and read it in one sitting. It’s really awesome and hilarious. I loved Harper!!!
Satty recently posted…Blog Tour: Thereafter (Afterlife #2) by Terri Bruce ~ Spotlight ~ Excerpt ~ Review ~ Giveaway !!!
I’m currently reading this book and OMG, it’s so much fun! I can’t stop laughing, even when I was in the middle of the train, with everybody staring at me. And I totally agree with the point that the second half is way slower than the first one – with all the Ryan’s drama – but it is still pretty enjoyable. I think all characters are very deep, even if it’s a book with a few cliches in it. I can’t wait to finish it!
Hannah; recently posted…#FridayReads (11)
I recently just borrowed Rebel Belle from the library and I can’t wait to get started on it! Certainly hope that it’ll be a fun read :) AND YES ARCHER CROSS EEEEE! Even though I read the Hex Hall trilogy quite some time back, he still gets me all giggly like a fangirl :D <3
The book seems incredibly funny and I would love to read this book when the time comes!
Jayvee De Castro recently posted…MISFIT TALKS: I Just Met Abed, And This Is What You Do With #SixSeasonsAndAMovie?
Hey Kelly! Great review, I have super high expectations for this book because everyone is gushing about it. I can’t wait to read it!!
I feel like everything is in this book. Should I read it? Yeah. I think I should.
Clarisse @ Bittersweet Blogs recently posted…Directioner’s Lair – #1DinManila
Hmm! This book seems interesting… except since his last name is Stark I’m going to think of GoT or the Marvel universe if I ever read this book if I ever get me hands on this book!
I’m really curious about this book!
I love the cover of the book but haven’t read it yet. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Chanpreet recently posted…Memorial Day
I have seen this book on three or four bloggers’ lists of diverse YA books, but from all of the reviews I have read I don’t quite get that. Can you tell me what would make this book be included on those lists?
La La in the Library recently posted…MICHELLE HODKIN’S (author of the Mara Dyer trilogy) FAVORITE GIF…
Thank you a lot for this great review! I already really wanted to read Rebel Belle, but i want to buy it even more now! The review was well structured and you talked about all the aspects I check about a book before reading it most of the time. Thanks a lot!
Do you have any comprehension questions for this book. I’m doing a summer reading log and I cant find any questions! Can you help?