Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle, #1)

 

Author:Rachel Hawkins
Series: Rebel Belle, #1
Pages: 345
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2015
Genre: Fantasy
Acquired:Library
Rating: ★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

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 is the perfect student, friend, and girlfriend. Her life is great right up until she finds out that she is destined to protect the one guy in the world that she hates most, David Stark.

Harper is the picture perfect girl, she gets straight As, is involved in nearly every organization known to Pine Grove, and has the hottest- most sought out guy on her arm. Life should be great, but that was until she got thrust into the world of a centuries old prophecy that deems her sole protector of the one guy she likes least on the planet.

I found Harper to be smart, determined, and extremely stubborn! It was great watching her character understand her responsibility and to make the difficult choice of protecting her nemesis and never having a normal life again.... orrrrr trying to put it all behind her and attempt to act like nothing ever happened to assume her normal life again. I really loved that she reacted to the situation as a normal person would react. I feel that sometimes in books like these you get characters that are all TOO willing and calm to assume certain responsibilities, and Harper was definitely not one of those characters!

I liked that this book surprised me a little, I didn't expect to get the action- packed and interesting storyline that I got! From the cover I was expecting something lighter with maybe a bit of magic or a secret spy/assassin type of book, but what I got was definitely more intriguing and it worked because I really enjoyed the back story and overall setup of this book!

Liked Most: David and Harper's snarkyness and their witty and sarcastic comments to each other
Liked Least: I wasn't a huge fan of the ending actually, I liked the whole set up, but I thought the execution of some of the scenes lacked the punch it could've had. I wanted it to either blow me away with the events of the climax or to be left in more of an interesting cliffhanger, sadly I felt I got neither :( Nonetheless, I was content with what I got.

This was really enjoyable, it was medium-paced throughout... but slower in some parts of the book. Read this in 2 sittings.

I will say that in the beginning I saw a couple of things coming, but near the end, a couple of events surprised me so it was an okay balance in that aspect. The plot was interesting with the historical bits (fiction) thrown in about the Paladins and its connection to the story and the characters. I'm a sucker for good back story, and well thought out "historical" aspects (whether true or fiction)!

Ending: I was content with it. Could it have been better?... yes....but I was satisfied with how it ended. I do plan to continue on with this series/trilogy. :)
Cover: 7/10... I love now that I've read the book, I understand the cover better!
Rating: 4/5.... Overall I really enjoyed this book's plot and characters, it was a really good book!
Recommend: I would recommend to those who like fantasy books not so heavy on the fantasy with elements of magic, prophecies, and light romance

I hope to continue on with Miss Mayhem as I found this to be a very enjoyable read! I also want to try out Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall series to see her take on witches.

If you have read this book, let me know your thoughts below!!

*****