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Friday, November 21, 2014

Hexed (The Witch Hunter #1) by Michelle Krys Review (light spoilers)


Hexed by Michelle Krys
Hardcover, 369 pages.
Published by Delacorte Press
Publication Date: June 10, 2014
Rating 3.5/5 Stars

Synopsis: If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid. 

This book makes no apologies. It knows that its plot and characters fits the mold of a typical YA fantasy book but instead of trying so hard to distract us from these details, it makes fun of them. It's really a character driven book. The characters are so  well-developed that it makes up for the drops in the plot. At first I had a hard time getting into this book because Indie is not an easy girl to get on board with but eventually I saw how real she was and I found myself rooting for her. 

I can't say that this book has me hooked, on more than one occasion, I found it easy for me to put it down and come back to it later even if I was in the middle of one of the main dramatic scenes. It's definitely a good read, and worth the time I spent with it but I'm not in love. I'm reading Charmed next so, who knows. It could happen. 

Strengths/Likes: 

1) Indie is a really interesting character, at first I hated her for not seeing that those closest to her were clearly douchebags and pushing away the people who really cared about her. Then I realized that this is real life; this is reality. There are so many times that we keep those toxic relationships in our lives while we push away the ones that we truly need. She's not the typical YA heroine. She's popular, shallow, and a bit of a snob. It takes some time to peel back her layers before you get around to liking her but believe me I did. She's such a strong person and a great role model for girls and women.

2) I'm happy with the development of Indie and Bishop's relationship. It's not an instant love affair, but you can feel the intrigue in each other when they first meet. They both come with baggage and have several personality flaws but I thought they were cute. 

3) I loved the magic in this book. So many times it's happened when I'm reading a fantasy novel, I wonder why can't they magically make cash or conjure up whatever they need to help themselves out. Finally, this book has granted my wish and gave me what I wanted without any lame limitations. 

4) Bishop is hilarious. He's not the typical gorgeous, well-versed, well-groomed, rich YA guy. He's a grungy, punk-rock, kind of guy with a tattoo of a naked Betty Boop on his neck. So, physically he's not my type but his personality and snark make up for that. 

5) I loved how Krys still keeps Indie's school life tied into the plot. In a lot of popular fantasy novel's it's like the heroine never goes to school and her mystical parts of her life never interfere in her every day life. Krys marries these two very well together without going to overboard.

6) Jezebel. She's an awesome badass character. Sure, she's a bit of a bitch but I like how she didn't do things just because they were "the right thing to do." She cared about her wants and needs first. This is a very realistic quality in people, why should she put herself in danger for a complete stranger?


Weaknesses/Dislikes: 

1) It doesn't make any sense to me who all of these dangerous and magical things are happening around Indie and no one ever bats an eye as why any of it is happening. There are murders, strange accidents, things being destroyed and we are given no explanation as to how or if it's all being hidden from the mass public all around. 

2) The fight scenes are over really quickly and seemingly easily. When everyone can conjure up whatever they want, I expected more dramatic and drawn out actions but they seem to be over just as soon as they started. Also, with the exception of the first death in this book, the action seems kind of silly. The seem to have the greatest powers in the world and yet they conjure up animals to do the work for them. One dog, a tiger, and a dragon. You want to think dragon is badass...but no it's really not. It sounds more like the characters are being chased by King Bowser. 

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "Mom has to literally drag me out of bed on Monday morning. She shovels Cocoa Puffs into my mouth and even goes so far as to try to dress me in this hideous last-season tracksuit she dug out of the dregs of my closest. I snap out of it long enough to throw on jeans and a tank top instead.

I'm almost out the door when I decide that a little makeup wouldn't hurt. And what the hell, why not wear some cute sunglasses and those wedge sandals I bought last week? I mean, just because my boyfriend cheated on me, my best friend betrayed me, Bishop deserted me, I might be a witch and evil sorcerers could try to kill me with the Bible they stole from my family doesn't mean I can't look good, right?" (142). 

2) "Before I know it, I'm singing along too. Bishop smiles. I smile. There's a whole lot of smiling going on. And I just know that this memory will be forever burned into my brain, because this kind of magic--the kind that can't be conjured with a spell, where everything is just right, and all your problems vanish for three perfect minutes--doesn't happen every day" (275-6). 

3) "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"Um, yeah. The shop, the party, the Hollywood sign, just now at your house--"

"Before that, I mean."

He rubs his forehead. "God, now I feel bad. I slept with you, didn't I? Oh, this is terribly embarrassing. This happens sometimes, you know. But it's so hard to remember all the faces, all the names--"

"Very funny" (177).

4) "Bishop?"

"You expecting another ridiculously handsome man to appear right now?"

"Oh, Bishop, thank God it's you!" I push to my feet and plow into his chest, wrapping my arms around his middle and holding on to him like he might disappear at any moment."

"Uh, okay." He laughs, then pats my back. "Not exactly what I was expecting, but I'll take it. Shall we find a bedroom, or is here good for you?" (169). 


2 comments:

  1. this book is filled with emotions it made me laugh when indie and bishop are bickering and it made me cry when indies mum was killed. this book lest me on a cliff-hanger and I cant wait to read charmed once I find a copy at the shops

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    1. I'm sorry that I didn't see this comment sooner!

      I didn't cry when Indie's mom died but it was really sad. I hope that you have read Charmed and enjoyed it =)

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