The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima

Title: The Exiled Queen
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Release Date: September 28th, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book
Pages: 586
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: The Demon King
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret. Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

This, by far, is much better than the first book. I was actually captivated for once and not completely annoyed with the characters. I don't know what happened but it seemed like when the character's were thrust into a new environment they just took on a new form and brought to life.

Raisa, for once, thought rationally. I actually felt sorry for her and Amon, because of everything they had to go through. But, I feel like when she went to the academy and started learning new materials, she started to take her ideas and started to sort them out. I don't know what's going to happen with her and Amon, because obviously Cinda has other plans for both, but this is only the second in the series, so I'm hoping for something surprising to happen.

As for Han, I was laughing at all the moments for this poor guy. A once theft-turned-wizard now has to mingle with the blue bloods, and he sticks out like a sore thumb. Of course he would have to deal with the likes of Micah and Fiona, because nothing would be interesting. And there a lot of good moments between the three of them.

At Oden's Ford, Han will learn to master his skill as a wizard, but soon he gains unwanted attention from people who are playing on all sides of what could be an impending war in the Fells. And everyone wants to make sure that Han is on their side. Especially, with his new wizard tutor, Crow, who has his own agenda up his sleeves that could prove deadly to Han.

This book, I feel is packed with much more action than the last one. I feel like there's a lot more going on, and the complicated political situation in the Fells has gone from bad to worse in a matter of months. And then there's the romance. The love interest for these characters seemed to take center stage a little more, but I think it's because now that all the main characters are within a school and not spread out across the realm, paths are bound to cross and people will spend a little more time with each other. I won't say who ended up with whom or what happened, but they are all interesting.

Overall, I feel like this book had a little more in everything, which proved to be in Chima's best interest. The book felt more alive to me because now I could put myself into the character's shoes and feel what they do. I felt like Chima did an excellent job making the character's believable. There wasn't much instant love, because that would make such a crappy book.

It was well written. There was an oops, because at one point Raisa refers to herself as seventeen, when she is only sixteen. But it was only one scene and I'm not so mean as to drop a star for one little grammar mistake, besides it's not like I'm the editor of this novel.

It was captivating, imaginative, adventures, romantic, and full of secrets and suspense at every dark corner that leaves the character's questioning who is trustworthy and who is the enemy. This book will keep a reader on their toes.

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

Title: The Demon King
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Release Date: November 9th, 2009
Publisher: Hyperion Book
Pages: 506
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 3 Stars

Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for himself, his mother, and his sister Mari.  Ironically, the only thing of value he has is something he can’t sell.  For as long as Han can remember, he’s worn thick silver cuffs engraved with runes.  They’re clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he’s never been able to get them off. While out hunting one day, Han and his Clan friend, Dancer catch three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea.   After a confrontation, Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against them.  Han soon learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago.  With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back. Meanwhile, Raisa ana’Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight.  She’s just returned to court after three years of relative freedom with her father’s family at Demonai camp – riding, hunting, and working the famous Clan markets.  Although Raisa will become eligible for marriage after her sixteenth name-day, she isn't looking forward to trading in her common sense and new skills for etiquette tutors and stuffy parties. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems like her mother has other plans for her--plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.

I'm having a really hard time falling in love with this book. When I first came across it so many people were telling me great things about it. Like how awesome this high fantasy world is, how it's George R.R. Martin but for teens, how the strong the heroine is, and so on. I mean, there was so much that when I came across the book I knew I had to buy it.

But as the story got going and as the characters started to really open up to me, I found myself more and more annoyed with them. Let's start with Raisa. I understand what Chima is trying to do with her, I can see that she wants to make her this strong, stubborn girl who will make a great Queen. But the more I read of Raisa, the more I felt like she was just a little girl pretending to be grown. She plays with fire and at some point it goes from being a strong, independent character to simple childish games on, "How can I make my mother angry today." Not to mention for a girl who thinks about reputation she sure has no problem throwing herself at every cute boy she sees.

Then there's Han. Okay, he is completely different than Raisa, which gives me an idea on how the other side lives. Yet, he is also just another kid who keeps pretending to be an adult. He has good intentions, especially considering the background he came from, but there is just something about him that keeps nagging at me. Maybe it was that he has no personality what's so ever. I have not read of such a dry character before, since reading a certain novel years ago. There is no color to him. He's so mute. And Dancer is just the same way.

I feel like that is my problem when it comes to the main characters; they are too bland.

At first, when Raisa and Han first meet, I think, "Finally, we have some action going!" And I was all excited, but than Chima started to go backwards on me and go back to this monotone writing where the characters, again, express no emotions or give me some evidence that there is life in them.

Overall I was a little disappointed, and had to force myself to read through the ending. The ending was a little surprising, but I had already had some idea about the secrets of Han because of his silver cuffs, I mean, it was a little obvious, but Chima did surprise me with some character developments in the last few pages with all the characters. I mean, I never would have made the connection between Han and his ancestors. And as for Raisa, well, I actually saw some rational thinking on her side for once. I mean, I don't like that it took the book 400 pages before the character's started to get some life in them, but this leaves a wanting to read the second book.

I give this novel a three because despite heavy character flaws and some dull plot movement, this very complicated world that Chima created feels fresh and intriguing. Chima, no doubt about it, is excellent at creating worlds and making conflict that feels seriously disoriented in the beginning but as the story develops, slowly, the conflicts start to merge together and make sense. I also like how, despite her hints or best efforts, there wasn't much of a love story here. It was made obvious what the main point of the story was and not point it to finding romantic interest. Even if Raisa thinks otherwise.

An interesting tale that hopefully shows some promise for the coming novels in the series.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 323
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 Stars

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

I was excited at first of this book. I love witches and if it weren't for vampires and fallen angels I know they'd be the next big thing. And not to mention, this was so unique. I have not read a book like this before, at least I don't think I have.

As I was reading this book I became less and less unsure if I should pick up the next two books in the series. I fell in love with Archer, and was surprised how after one day so did Sophie. I was hoping a little more will power from her, but I guess you can't have it all. I was also a little shocked that Archer would be with someone like Elodie, who by the way, is such a bitch. I was also a little surprised how they just automatically claimed Sophie as a dark witch, but if they had explored this a little more, I'm sure Rachel could have done a lot more.

Besides being a clumsy witch, Sophie was definitely funny. I think it takes someone who speaks sarcasm as a second language to appreciate those characters who pull it off very well. And if not for the way things ended, I'm sure she and Archer would have a good relationship. As I was finishing with the book I realized that there had to be something that I wasn't being told about, and obviously there was, with Archer that is, and I have to know, but what I don't know is if I should waste my money buying the second book and not getting what I wanted.

Whoever has read the sequel, please let me know if it is worth it. Will I find out more about Archer and what he's really doing?

I thought that Jenna was a great character because she was different and real. Not to mention you don't see too many lesbian vampires in literature. And I know for sure that Cal will have to play a bigger role.

The only thing I didn't like that got it a four was that it went to fast, I felt like there were unbelievable moments, and I'm not sure, there was just something I didn't like. I definitely didn't like how short lived the relationship between Sophie and Archer was.

But funny and original saved the novel from any lower score.