Published: Putnam Juvenile, April 8th, 2014
Pages: 345
Source: Library, hardcover
Genre: Contemporary/ Magical Realism
Rating: 5/5 (95%)
How I felt: I had so much fun reading this books. Rachel describes this book as being a mixture of Legally Blonde and Terminator and that description is spot on! The overall pace of the plot was amazing, it didn't lag or get boring at all. There was always something going on in the story, whether it be friend drama or supernatural drama. The world building was also well explained and built up over the course of the story, adding major anticipation for the sequel. Throughout the course of this book there was some major, well needed character development in the characters that was really enjoyable to watch happen. If you're looking for a book that has mystical elements, with the lighthearted funniness of contemporary I'd definitely recommend this. I've never laughed out loud this much while reading a book. Overall, I think this book is the best of both worlds: heavy paranormal/magic and lighthearted/ easy-going contemporary. This is a must read for everyone.
***Spoilers Beyond This Point***
Let's start off with the characters. Harper was such a great protagonist with a hilarious personality. The things she'd think were so funny I burst out laughing more than once. When we first met Ryan I liked him, I thought he was an okay guy, but then we meet David and I was like okay Ryan you can leave now. David was also a funny character and I loved his interactions with Harper. Bee Franklin is possible the best friend in all of the world, she was so supportive of Harper and loved her no matter what. The whole Paladin, Mage, and Oracle ordeal was very intriguing to me and I felt like it was explained really well throughout the story. In the beginning, when Mr. Hall passes on being a Paladin to Harper the whole scene was awkward and uncomfortable but still very funny. When a person becomes a Paladin they are forever bonded to protecting the Oracle so they inherit these super-human abilities. I found it funny how Heather decided to test hers out by doing a handstand on a fence. It was also funny when she found out she couldn't hit David so she wanted to see if it worked on other people, her way to find out was smacking Bee's boyfriend in the hallway and throwing a pen at an innocent girl in class and blaming in on too much lotion on her hands. (LOL moment). When we found out Saylor was the Mage, sent with Mr. Hall to protect David with their lives, I was shocked because I didn't expect that at all. The scene at the end when they're at Cotillion and the battle is going on was written so excellently, and I could see it play out vividly in my mind. When Blythe turned all the girls into Paladins and kidnapped Bee, that was a huge surprise to me. We need to get Bee back in the next book. I really liked how Harper and David's relationship bloomed over the course of this book, they're so cute together. Overall this book was fantastic, one of my favourites of the year so far, and I can't wait for book 2 to come out.
Favourite Quotes:
- “Harper, did you just... did you just throw a pen at Liz?"
"Oh my gosh, no, Mrs. Ford! I was just... um... writing really fast because there was so much information to take in, and I had, like, some lotion? On my hands? Anyway the pen flew out of my hand and hit Liz” - “Looking back, none of this would have happened if I’d brought lip gloss the night of the Homecoming Dance.”
- “What’s going to happen?” he asked. “Are we all going to stand in a circle and sing ‘Kumbaya’?”
- “The great thing about best friends is that they know you really well. And the terrible thing about best friends is that they know YOU really well.”
- “It was such a relief to be able to sob and have someone know all the reasons why.”
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