Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins, Book Review

Author: Rachel Hawkins (tumblr | twitter | blog)
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Series: Rebel Belle series
Source: Purchased
Purchase: IndieBound | amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

Rating: 5 out of 5 pearly stars

Synopsis: 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.

Clasp your pearls, slip into your debutante heels, pour yourself some sweet tea and get ready for one fun paranormal story. You guys know how much I love Rachel's stories, and I have to admit that I've been looking forward to this for what seems like years. After all, Rachel is writing about one of the things she knows best -- The South and all of those elaborate Southern traditions and not to mention, all those complex Southern character types. If you hear the sound of clapping, it's from me, and I'm clapping with giddiness at all the good in this story.

Rachel has a way of weaving in mythologies (in this case, the Paladin in Charlemagne's court) that makes me want to research the topic a little more. But don't worry, no research is needed because you will follow Harper's story and in it you will discover more about these guardians although these have a paranormal twist.

In Harper, Rachel gives a main character that you will relate to immediately. I loved Harper Price and her seemingly perfect life from the very first page. I loved her relationship with her nemesis, David Stark, the very boy she (in  one heck of an accident) has to protect. And I loved the push-pull feeling of her relationship with her boyfriend as well as the natural tension with her rival, David.

It's no surprise that once again, I've fallen in love with another one of Rachel's series. As an over-achiever myself, I'm looking forward to seeing how Harper will balance out her new responsibilities with her old ones and how her relationship with the two boys will change. So when you're out thinking about which books to add to your summer vacation reading list (yes, I'm running with the assumption that every Mundie Moms has one), add Rebel Belle to it and move it up to the top. The well developed characters, the tense paranormal plot and the laughs you expect in a Rachel story are all there and they will not disappoint, not one little bit.