Armchair BEA 2013: Introductions

Button by Sarah of Puss Reboots

It's time for this year's Armchair BEA! For those of you who are unfamiliar with this event, you can find out all of the important information by visiting the Armchair BEA website. If you want a quick and dirty overview, I'd recommend checking out the FAQ page. 

Anyways, today is the day for introductions! If you decide to participate, don't forget to link up on Armchair BEA's website! Below, I've answered a few questions to help you get to know me better. If you're participating in this event as well, make sure to mention it so I can visit yours in return! 

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Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event?

Yep! I've participated in Armchair BEA for the last couple of years. In fact, if you want to read even more about me, you can take a peek at my introduction post from last year by clicking here. I love this event because 1) it takes place in the summer so I usually have time to participate and 2) it's a fabulous way to interact with a bunch of other bloggers, new and old. The people behind Armchair BEA put a TON of work into this event, and it shows! I always have a lot of fun. 

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013?

I'm one of those people who can't read just one book at a time. Along with reading the yet-to-be-published textbook that I'll be teaching my Writing II students in the fall, I'm reading the steampunk romance Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster and the final book in the post-apocalyptic zombie Newsflesh Trilogy, Blackout. (Images below are clickable and go to Goodreads). 

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

Okay, this is still book-related, but it's not blog-related, so I'm going to go with it. My regular readers already know this, but for those of you who are new here, I'm a graduate student pursuing an MA in literature, specializing in the fields of children's literature and Post-1798 British literature. Some of my other academic interests include gender theory, popular culture, postcolonial theory, and visual rhetoric. As part of my graduate assistantship, I teach first-year composition and, starting next semester, I'll also be teaching Writing II. I've got a year left until graduation, after which, I hope to get my Ph.D!

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

Okay, this is a hard one. I'm not sure I personally have a favorite post, but I do have a couple that had really good discussions going on in the comments. The one I can think of off the top of my head is a post I did on blogging and image use about a year ago. There was also a discussion post I did on three star ratings awhile back that got a lot of good responses. As far as posts that I'd like everyone to read, well, since I'm just coming back off of a hiatus due to grad school, I'd love to have you all check out my "comeback" post I published last week and the guest post that steampunk romance author Bec McMaster did on my blog yesterday (where you can also win a copy of her book Kiss of Steel). 

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?

I always feel like I can't answer this question without sounding cliche, but I still chose it anyways, because I think it's important. I love the book blogging community because it's supportive, it's innovative, it's caring and compassionate. Yes, we have our drama now and again, but the majority of the community is filled with a lot of positive people who are always willing to lend a hand when you need one (and talk books, of course)! I feel that, even though this is an Internet-based community as opposed to one established in "real life," a lot of book bloggers are very concerned with what happens to their friends and colleagues in real life. It's always been a great place for me to spend my free time, or to look for a pick-me-up after a rough day. And no matter how long I've been gone, the people of the book blogosphere always manage to welcome me back with open arms. 

Guest Post and Giveaway: Author Bec McMaster on the Appeal of Steampunk

Hey everyone! I'm happy to have on my blog today Bec McMaster, author of the steampunk romance Kiss of Steel that I read and reviewed last year. She's here to talk about the appeal of the steampunk genre and her new book Heart of Iron. In addition, if you stick around 'til the end of the post, you'll have the opportunity to win a copy of Kiss of Steel, the first book in Bec's London Steampunk series! So, without further ado, here's Bec!

Why does steampunk appeal to so many readers?

Steampunk. The very name conjures up thoughts of foggy, gas-lit streets, explorers snapping their goggles into place as they broach a foreign shore and the shadows of a passing dirigible rippling over the ground. So what is it?

It's a reimagining of the 19th century; instead of following the path history chose, steampunk is changing the course of the past and imagining that science chose a different route. All of the inventions that were only ever dreamed of by Victorian scientists (or even earlier), can be explored as if they existed at different points of time. As if someone, somewhere, managed to create what they could only dream of.

Picture Mary Shelley. For her, Frankenstein was a work where she looked to the future, and what could be possible in science. For us, writing or reading steampunk, is looking back and guessing what could have happened.

I love steampunk as a sub-genre because it takes the impossible and makes it possible. As a writer, the appeal for me is that I get to play in several genres that I like; an improbable mash-up of historical romance with paranormal and steampunk tones. My London Steampunk series is like Dracula meets the latest Sherlock Holmes movies.

For a reader? It's new. It's exciting. Amazing worlds can be created that are like nothing a reader has seen before. And it's so diverse that there is usually something for everyone.

I like to think of my own version of steampunk as historical romance with a paranormal twist and a good dollop of sci-fi. As such, it can appeal to readers of either genre, or those who simply like a rip-roaring adventure.

In Heart of Iron, the second book of my London Steampunk series, the world is still the same: comprised of blue bloods - those stricken by the craving virus and who live off blood - the aristocracy considers humans little better than cattle and hides behind gilded walls, protected from the hordes of humans by an army of metaljacket automatons.

But in Heart of Iron, my hero and heroine are challenging the status quo. For Lena Todd, whose only options are to become a blue blood's thrall - a blood-slave - or to become prey, life isn't fair. She wants to change the place of people like her, she just isn't sure how. And when she gets involved with the humanist cause vowing to take down London's elite, she finds she's in over her head.

For the humanists are plotting against the ruling Prince Consort and his blue blood court, and for them, the only way to fight the blue blood's automaton army is with technology of their own.

Enter Will Carver. The burly verwulfen ruffian is just as bound by his place in the world as Lena. When he realizes the woman he's always desired is in danger, he's not going to let anything stop him from saving her. Mechanical kraken, or not.

So, automatons, clockwork devices and a hero and heroine who put the 'steam' in steampunk... If any of that sounds interesting to you, you might just like steampunk romance.

Want to win a copy of Kiss of Steel, the first in my London Steampunk series? Simply tell me what invention you wish existed that could make your life easier? (US and Canada only)

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For a sneak peek at the London Steampunk world, I'm offering an e-novella called Tarnished Knight (set after Kiss of Steel and before Heart of Iron) for free download for the month of May. See here for details.

HEART OF IRON BY BEC MCMASTER – IN STORES MAY 2013

In the mist-shrouded streets of London’s dreaded Whitechapel district, werewolves, vampires and a clockwork army are one step away from battle…

NO ONE TO TRUST…

Lena Todd is the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a rebel against London’s vicious elite—not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can’t twist around her little finger.

Will Carver, is more than man, he’s a verwulfen and he wants nothing to do with the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds Lena in possession of a coded letter, he realizes she’s in a world of trouble. To protect her, he’ll have to seduce the truth from her before it’s too late.

“Deftly blends elements of steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results…darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy.” –Booklist, starred review for KISS OF STEEL

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Bec McMaster lives in a small town in Australia and grew up with her nose in a book. A member of RWA, she writes sexy, dark paranormals and steampunk romance. When not writing, reading, or poring over travel brochures, she loves spending time with her very own hero or daydreaming about new worlds. The third book in the London Steampunk series, My Lady Quicksilver will be in stores in October 2013. Read more about her at www.becmcmaster.com or follow her on Twitter @BecMcMaster.

To purchase Heart of Iron:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

IndieBound

Chapters/Indigo

Discover a New Love

Sourcebooks

Where I've Been and What I've Done for the Past Nine Months, or YAY!It's Summer!

Hey everyone! 

So it seems like it's been FOREVER since I've gotten the chance to talk to any of you (and it kind of HAS been forever . . . I guess I'm just feeling it more this time around)! Anyways, I'm happy to say that the semester is finally over for me, and summer has began! For those of you who've known me for awhile, you know that breaks from school (especially summer break) are the times when I have the chance to be more "present" around the book blogosphere, and I'm hoping to continue that tradition this summer. But before I talk about where things are going, I want to do a bit of a school year recap, for those of you who care about what I've been doing over the last nine months. (I did two other mini recaps in November and January, and you're welcome to check those out as well). 

School Recap

As of May 16th, I have officially made it through my first year of graduate school and my first year of teaching! I know this is going to sound cliche, but I really can't believe how fast everything went! I loved teaching so much that it led to me "officially" deciding that I'll be getting a Ph.D in English after I finish my Master's in English (that is, if I can get in) so that I can eventually pursue a career as a college professor. Big decision? You bet. Scary? Definitely. But it's also incredibly exciting.

Because I got a head start on my MA as an undergrad, thanks to senior permission, I'm only 12 hours away from completely my degree. As such, I decided not to take any summer courses this year, because I'm required to be enrolled in at least 6 hours per semester to keep my graduate assistantship, which allows me to teach. I also decided that instead of graduating early with my MA in a year or a year and a half, I'd spend the full two years in the program (I mean, it IS paid for) so I could come out with a solid two years of teaching experience to put on my CV. The great thing about this is that my course load this coming year will be much lighter than this past year, which means I'll (hopefully) have extra time to work on my degree papers, Ph.D applications, and comprehensive exams. 

So, other than taking classes and teaching them, what have I been up to? Well, in March, I presented at the Popular Culture Association Conference in Washington D.C. along with a few of my other colleagues. Our topic was one many of you would probably be interested in: whitewashing in young adult literature and media. You can check out the abstract here if you want to know more. I later presented my portion of the project at my own university's Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference.

This past semester, I also enrolled in a MOOC, or Massive Open Online Course (as if I didn't have enough schoolwork already)! The topic of the MOOC was Gender Through Comic Books, and it was a wonderfully interesting and fulfilling course. For those of you who are interested in free, educational experiences, MOOCs are fantastic! I was a little hesitant because this MOOC was my first, but I loved the experience, and I'm planning on enrolling in more MOOCs in the future! As a matter of fact, this MOOC inspired me to write my Critical Theory seminar paper on violence against women in superhero comics, so I got to branch out a bit and explore a side of literature that I hadn't done a lot with in the past.

What I've Read/Been Reading

I'm still working on Blackout, but the rest of these were finished over the past semester.

What I've Watched/Been Watching

With the exception of Hemlock Grove, I'm behind on ALL of these shows. 

Plans for the Summer

As you all already know, I am planning a return to blogging this summer. However, because of other commitments (weddings, graduations, birthdays, family vacations, studying for comps, lesson planning for the fall, putting together Ph.D applications, you get the picture), I'm not sure yet as to HOW active that return will be. My tentative goal for the moment is to shoot for a post or two a week at the beginning and see how that works out. I also have thousands of posts from other book blogs that are sitting in my feed reader, and I'd really like to catch up on them at some point. 

I'm also planning on incorporating some posts about comics and graphic novels into my summer blogging. I read a LOT of great material while taking the Gender Through Comic Books MOOC and while doing research for my paper, and I can't wait to share some of it with you! 

Anyways, I've missed you all, and I'm excited to get back in the game. Here's to a happy, healthy vacation, filled with lots of awesome people and awesome books! 

Book Feature and Giveaway: The Tale of Raw Head and Bloody Bones by Jack Wolf

Hey guys! 

So those of you who know me well know that I'm not much for featuring books on my blog that I haven't yet read. However, The Tale of Rawhead and Bloody Bones by Jack Wolf is one of those rare exceptions. When the book was pitched to me as part of a blog tour, I eagerly agreed because it sounded right up my alley. Originally, I was supposed to post my review along with a giveaway of the book today, but due to some ongoing medical circumstances (don't worry, I'm okay!), I was unable to finish the book in time. So, with the disclaimer that I have not yet gotten the chance to delve into The Tale of Rawhead and Bloody Bones, I'm still featuring it on my blog because it's a new release that I'm extremely excited about. Science? Madness? Superstition? Existentialism? All set in mid-eighteenth century Britain? What's not to be excited about? Okay, so I realize I'm letting my geek flag fly here, but The Tale of Rawhead and Bloody Bones is definitely a book I'm excited to read and share my thoughts on. But for now, you'll have to settle a peek at the synopsis and a chance to win your own copy! 

An explosive and daring debut novel set during the Enlightenment that tells the tale of a promising young surgeon-in-training whose study of anatomy is deeply complicated by his uncontrollable sadistic tendencies.

Meet Tristan Hart, a brilliant young man of means. The year is 1751, and Mr Hart leaves his Berkshire home for London to lodge with his father's friend, the novelist and dramatist Henry Fielding, and study medicine at the great hospital of University College. It will be a momentous year for the cultured and intellectually ambitious Mr Hart, who, as well as being a student of Locke and Descartes and a promising young physician, is also, alas, a psychopath. His obsession is the nature of pain, and preventing it during medical procedures. His equally strong and far more unpredictable obsession is the nature of pain, and causing it. Desperate to understand his own deviant desires before they derail his career and drive him mad, Tristan sifts through his childhood memories, memories that are informed by dark superstitions about faeries and goblins and shape-shifting gypsies. Will the new tools of the age-reason and science and skepticism-be enough to save him?

Unexpectedly funny, profoundly imaginative, and with a strange love story at its heart, The Tale of Raw Head and Bloody Bones is a novel about the Enlightenment, the relationship between the mind and body, sex, madness, the nature of pain, and the existence of God.



For more information about this book or its author, you can visit the following links! 

Jack Wolf's website
The Tale of Raw Head and Bloody Bones on Goodreads

The following giveaway is U.S. only because of shipping costs. I apologize to my international readers. There will be more opportunities for you in the future! 

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Review and Giveaway of Stung by Bethany Wiggins

Title: Stung      Author: Bethany Wiggins Publication Date: April 2nd, 2013 Publisher: Walker Children's Source: Received for review

Back Cover

There is no cure for being stung.

Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered—her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand—a black oval with five marks on either side—that she doesn’t remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. She’s right.

Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.

Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone—and on the wrong side of the wall.


In a Sentence

Though Stung took place in an engrossing, unique, and creative post-apocalyptic world, the characters populating its pages seemed mediocre at best.

My Thoughts

When I was offered a chance to review Stung for this blog tour, I had to accept. As many of my frequent visitors know, I've been on a seldom-broken hiatus for the majority of this semester due to grad school, teaching, and some ongoing medical issues. In spite of this, I couldn't pass up the chance to look at a promising post-apocalyptic YA release, considering that post-apocalyptic literature is one of my favorite genres.

In some ways, I was really pleased with how Stung turned out. Wiggins took an idea that many of us are familiar with in modern times (the mysterious case of the disappearing bees),  and imagined what would happen to humankind in the future if this problem escalated. The result is the complete breakdown of society and government as we know it, and as fans of dystopian and post-apocalyptic lit. can probably guess, when safety and order go out the window, the rest of our collective sanity tends to go with it. 

Anyways, I really did enjoy the world-building. Where Stung fell flat for me was in its characters. Many of them seemed to only exist on one, or maybe two levels, and for those of you who know me well, I like my characters to be multifaceted--to be complex and well-developed. In Stung, I felt that the characters were kind of cookie-cutter. Other than the world that they lived in, the characters seemed like they could have been pulled from a number of other books that I've read in the genre.Another issue I had while reading Stung is that I felt as if the creative potential that existed within this broken, despotic world was sacrificed (or at least reduced) in order to throw a love story in the mix, and not an especially original love story at that.

Finally, I found myself being a little skeptical of some of the ways men were described as a result of the breakdown of society. In this new world, there are seven men alive for every one woman, so the continuing existence of humanity is at risk. However, the reason why women are so much more rare than men is never really explained, and it seems like, without having a steady source of womanly love at their beck and call, a large percentage of the male population turn into chauvinists and rapists. Here's just one quote that bothered me:

"But that's not the main problem."

"Then what is?"

"They know you're a girl."

I frown, confused.

"Most of them haven't set eyes on a woman in more than a year, Fo. Let alone a young, pretty woman." **

And that's just the description of the guys in the militia. Let's not even talk about the ones who exist outside the government (they're flat out described as rapists and murderers). Even the main male character, Bowen, is described as having some of these latent urges (though he vehemently struggles against them)

"No," he says. "You cannot wear that." 

I look down at the sundress. "What's wrong with it?"

He drags a hand over his weary face. "You look like a . . . woman. It's not safe." 

I think of the raiders and look back down at the dress. "When we leave, I'll change," I say. "But for now, it's comfortable. I feel like the old me." 

. . . "Fo, you're not safe from me. . . . Fo, I'm a man, and you're a beautiful woman. But you're also a Level Ten, and when I look at you, especially when you're dressed like this, I can't think straight, because even though my brain tells me you're the most dangerous thing I've ever encountered, my heart . . . my body--" **

Furthermore, Bowen, being the embodiment of virtuous manhood, develops a protector complex for Fiona that, wait for it, turns into love, true love. Fiona rarely shows the capacity (or even desire) to be the agent of her own life, and relies almost completely upon Bowen not only for her safety, but for food, water, and shelter as well. 

Don't get me wrong, I think that Wiggins displayed a lot of talent in the way she crafted the world of Stung. I flew through this book in a matter of hours despite my issues with the characterization and stereotypes mentioned above. After finishing the book though, I was left feeling unsatisfied. However, if Stung sounds like your kind of thing, don't let me discourage you. Plenty of other readers have really enjoyed it, as you can tell by reading other reviews on Goodreads. 

**Quotes taken from e-ARC and may not be the same as in final copy.**

Links

Add Stung to your to-read list on Goodreads.

Find author Bethany Wiggins online.

Not sure about this review? Compare our tastes in books. (Goodreads)

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Rating

Had trouble getting through it

Giveaway

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Book Blogger Love-a-Thon and Interview with Erika from Moonlight Book Reviews!

Welcome to Book Blogger Love-a-Thon, hosted by Katelyn at Kate's Tales of Books and Bands and Alexa from Alexa Loves Books! The title of the event is pretty self-explanatory...it's to share the love among all of us book bloggers, but if you'd like a more in-depth explanation, you can check out Alexa's intro post here! If you want to participate, it's not too late! This is an all day event, and even if you didn't sign up, you can find out other ways to join in by checking out this description of the day's events.

Anyways, moving on to the purpose of this post. Part of the event involved getting paired up with other book bloggers and swapping interviews. My partner is the lovely Erika from Moonlight Book Reviews. Not only is Erika a fellow book blogger, but she also loves Doctor Who, which means she's one awesomely cool lady. Here's Erika!

What do you look for most in a "good read?"

I look for characterization the most. If I can't relate to a character and the characters in the book aren't believable then I usually don't finish a book. I also like plot lines that keep it hopping but yet can slow it down enough to have close, intense moments between characters. I primarily like anything that isn't contemporary fiction. I even love the classics! I recently am getting into New Adult fiction and am starting a new blog with my friend DJ that bridges the gap for readers who are exiting the YA age genre and are entering the adult genre. (incurableromantics.wordpress.com)

What are you currently reading and what do you think of it so far?

I'm currently reading Wait For You by J. Lynn.  It has a tortoise. It's new adult, I love it. Though I do love everything Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn is a pen name) writes. 

If you had to pick a song to match the book(s) you're currently reading, what would it be and why?

Kiss me by: Ed Sheeran. I've been reading a lot of lovey dovey books lately! It fits because it's just so good! It talks about Kissing someone like you mean it so that they can love you back without second guessing it. 

What genre/author/series have you always wanted to try but never gotten around to?

Ahh this one is hard and I have a list of the somewhere around here!!!  I'd really like to get around to reading all of Stephanie Perkins books. A friend of mine assured me that even though I don't read YA contemps that I would adore them! Plus I've met Stephanie and she is awesome! 

I'd also love to read more adult urban fiction and new adult novels. I'm sort of addicted! 

What is one part of being a book blogger that completely surprised you?

I'm so attached to my blog! I never expected to feel the guilt I do when I don't post everyday. I also didn't expect all the support from authors or the overwhelming amount of emails. There's all the experiences that have taken my life by storm: BEA twice, book signings, romantic times etc.. 

I hear you're a Doctor Who fan. Me too! If you had to recommend a book (Or two. Or five.) for fans of that fantastic show, what would you suggest?

Woah this is a fantastic question!!! Even though it doesn't have time traveling I would have to say The Study Series by Maria V. Snyder. It's a brilliant novel that will keep your mind whirling! 

What does your life look like outside of book blogging?

HA!!!! I don't have a life; I'm a nursing student! No seriously I study all day and night and barely have time to blog and read. I adore my university's hockey team (Ferris State University) and have been to almost every game this season here at home. I really like the snow so even though it's icy I take breaks and go for walks around campus. I also workout a ton with my friends, we're currently in the insanity workout video kick and my butt is so sore guys!!! I didn't even know I had a butt until today, for real! 

My dorm room is tiny!! I barely have room for books!!! 

The thing I miss the most about being away at college is snuggling with my scottish terrier back home! 

I get into some ridiculous shenanigans with friends up here that ends in all of us laughing hysterically! 

It's Book Blogger Love-a-thon, so here's YOUR chance to share the love! What are some other book blogs that you absolutely adore and would like to share with my readers?

DJ @ DJ's Life In Fiction (My book signing partner in crime and the first real friend I made while blogging) 

Tirzah @ The Compulsive Reader  (She's a senior at Ferris here with me! She's hilarious and I traveled to BEA and roomed with her there last year!!) 

John @ Dreaming In Books (He has a utterly unique perspective on books that I enjoy reading and he's awesome to talk to!)

Erica @ The Book Cellar (She's my name twin! Always helps me with technical difficulties and is always there for support) 

Theres so many more but those are just a few! I'd name your blog too Natalie if I weren't already here! 

Thanks so much for having me! 

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Thanks so much for stopping by, Erika! It was a lot of fun getting to know more about you, and I'll have to check out some of those blogs you listed (I think the middle two are completely new to me)! 

For those of you who are interested in seeing MY answers to Erika's questions, you can stop by her blog today!

Help Me Out? (And a Brief Life Update)

Hey guys! 

So the new semester is underway, and things have gotten quite busy even though it feels like we've barely started. First of all, between now and my last "life update" at the beginning of November, I've been dealing with some health problems. Basically, at the end of November, I started having severe back pain--so bad at times that I was starting to lose feeling in my legs and had trouble standing up. Long story short, I went to the doctor, had an MRI done, and found out that I had two protruding discs in my lower back. Winter break consisted of three corticosteroid injections (giant needles in your back are a LOT of fun, I'm telling you), an arsenal of different medications, lots of physical therapy, and a number of trips to the doctor's office for follow-up appointments (and one after I had an allergic reaction to Celebrex). The problem is much more under control now, but I'm still on muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories around the clock, and if I sit for too long, I DEFINITELY notice it. It's nice to have the back of a 90 year-old woman at 22! The biggest thing that bothers me is that I have to take it easy. Too much bending, lifting, sitting, standing, or walking can put me in muscle spasms for hours, and I'm not used to taking it easy, especially since I started graduate school and teaching, but hey, it could always be worse. 

Anyways, what I REALLY wanted to talk to you guys about was one of the projects I'm working on this semester. As a graduate teaching assistant in the English Department, one of my responsibilities is to help collaborate on the textbook for next year's Writing I (ENG 110) classes. At our university, we have what's called the "public affairs mission," which comes with it's own theme every year. I'm mentioning this because English 110  ties into this theme every year. The upcoming theme is "global perspective," (you can get a definition of exactly what that is by clicking HERE. One of the things I have to do is find an article (or two, or three) that fits this theme to include in the textbook for next year. And, as a book blogger and avid reader, I would LOVE to submit some articles dealing with those areas. I have a couple that I'm looking at, but I know you guys read just as much (if not more) bookish-related posts than I do, so why not ask for a little help and expand my search?

 Here are some really basic specs for what I need:

1) Some sort of blog post, news article, scholarly essay, video clip, etc. that can be tied back to the theme of global perspective in some way, shape, or form. Again, you can find a brief explanation here if you need it. The article doesn't have to be scholarly. We use an amalgamation of sources!

2) Leave me the link (or title and author) in the comments! Feel free to submit as many as you can think of! If I don't end up submitting it for the textbook, there's a pretty good chance I might end up using the material in my own lesson plans!

3) The article doesn't have to be related to books. Though I love to talk about books, I know you guys read a LOT of other interesting things as well, so feel free to submit anything that fits in with the theme! 

4) Keep in mind that these articles are going to be read and analyzed by first-year college composition students (most of my students wind up in the 18-20 year-old range), so try to avoid articles that are aimed for more advanced students (say, Masters or Doctoral students). 

And that's it! I would love, love, LOVE, if you guys would chip in. After all, the book blogosphere represents such a wide variety of cultures, worldviews, and (keyword!) perspectives too, right? 

Review of the Hex Hall Trilogy by Rachel Hawkins

Titles: Hex Hall, Demonglass, and Spellbound       Author: Rachel Hawkins Publication Date: March 2010-March 2012 Publisher: Disney Hyperion Source: Borrowed

Back Cover (First Book Only To Avoid Spoilers)

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 tagalong 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 start to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.


In a Sentence

Though the Hex Hall series has a fun and engaging protagonist, it fell flat in several other areas.

My Thoughts

I've heard quite a few great things about Hex Hall and its sequels ever since the first book was released. I'd made a mental note to myself that I needed to read the series, and when my e-book hold came through at the library at the beginning of the week, I figured that now was as good a time as any to dive in and see what all the fuss was about. 

I immediately loved Sophie as a main character. I loved her humor, her wittiness, and her tendency to get herself into awkward and messy situations. Sometimes writers overdo the sarcasm and snarkiness in an attempt to be funny, but I didn't feel like this was the case with Sophie. Instead, I thought that her humorous side was evenly balanced with her ability to be serious, when the situation called for it. 

I also really enjoyed reading about Sophie's roommate and best friend, Jenna, a vampire and subsequently, an outcast in a school of paranormal teenagers who view vampires as monsters (anyone else see the irony here)? 

However, in spite of my enjoyment of the portrayal of Sophie and Jenna, I had a few issues with the series as well. First of all, the romance aspect of the trilogy included a love triangle, which many of you know is one of my biggest pet peeves. Furthermore, like with many love triangles, I found the one in the Hex Hall series to be full of stereotypes and cliches...not to mention predictable. I also had trouble not being skeptical of Sophie's feelings, not only because she waffled back and forth between two boys, but because her actual relationship with one of those boys seemed to essentially be a glorified crush that didn't have a lot of depth to it. 

In spite of my issues with the series, I read it in three days, so the books were an entertaining way to pass the time. Though I liked Sophie a lot as a main character, and I thought that the first book showed a lot of potential for the series to further develop, what I saw in Demonglass and Spellbound wasn't enough for me to feel satisfied with the story as a whole. I'm still glad that I read them, but I'm glad that I checked them out from the library and didn't purchase them, because I'm fairly certain I won't have a desire to reread them in the future. Still, the Hex Hall series has a lot of fans out there, so you might want to do your own research before deciding to read or pass on them!

Links

Add Hex Hall to your to-read list on Goodreads.

Find author Rachel Hawkins online.

Not sure about this review? Compare our tastes in books. (Goodreads)

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Rating

A few flaws but worth reading