Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins Review

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
(Rebel Belle #1)
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; 384 pages

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.

If you're in the mood for something light and funny, let me tell you something, Rebel Belle is the book for you!  Of the books I have read this year, this one has probably been the one that I've had the most fun reading.  The book opens full of action.  When I read the first chapter, my first thought was, "Now that's how you open a book!"  I was instantly hooked.

Rebel Belle is the story of Harper Price.  A normal high school girl who is a bit of an overachiever.  She's a cheerleader, president of numerous clubs at her school, and she is also in the running to be her class valedictorian.  You can't help but love Harper.  She's just so bubbly and energetic.  Then one day something so normal as going to the restroom to touch up your lip gloss, causes her to enter a world filled with magic and action and adventure.  I think this was one of the things that I loved the most.  Harper truly was a typical teenager.  It wasn't your usual the lead was always destined to have powers, that aren't awakened until a certain age or something along those lines.  Harper was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

And to make things interesting we're introduced to David.  David is pretty much Harper's nemesis.  You know that person you went to school who you rival in pretty much everything.  That's what David is to Harper.  I seriously loved their relationship.  There is just something about a love/hate relationship that really intrigues me.  There were times were I was seriously screaming, "Just kiss already!"  Watching their relationship evolve was interesting to read as well.  Especially since the two of them are put in a pretty interesting position.

As Harper develops her super strengths, as I reader you never forget that she is a teenager.  She's a teenager with fears.  Often times in books when a character develops super powers things like death suddenly seem unimportant.  But Harper's fears about death were constantly present.  It gave a realism to the story.  Plus Harper's everyday issues didn't disappear as well.  I always felt like I was reading the story of a teenage girl.  Even though you do see her grow, and her priorities did start to change.  But she was still the same Harper from beginning to the end.

If you're looking for a light and quick read, I would definitely recommend Rebel Belle.  Even if you are more of a contemporary reader, I would still recommend it.  Rebel Belle has a bit of everything, so fans of multiple genres would enjoy it!