theladygonzalez's review against another edition
4.0
Hexbound picks up soon after Firespell ends and dives immediately into action once again. Neill continues some of the same storylines (like what are Lily’s parents really doing in Germany? And Lily’s strange almost relationship with Sebastian) why seamlessly transitioning the Adept gang into a new, exciting adventure.
This time around the Adepts are forced to deal with a disgusting slimy, gooey, super gross new monster. Our fab four (Lily, Scout, Michael & Jason) come across these strange mutants while patrolling the tunnels one night. The enclave is understandably confused by these weirdos and they team up with a few girls from a neighboring enclave to solve the mystery.
These new two adepts, Detroit and Naya both have different powers – Detroit is a machinist and Naya communicates with ghosts. While I liked both of these characters (I especially enjoy Detroit), I can’t help but feel like their addition caused us to lose out on some development with the old characters. Hexbound is a relatively short book and I still don’t really have a good sense of some of the main characters – like Michael and Jason. I have to say though; I really enjoyed what little we saw of Lesley (Scout & Lily’s cello playing suitemate) in this book. She pops up a few different times and we get to know her a little bit better. She is so quirky and off-the-wall; I just love her to pieces. I hope she takes more of a front seat in the upcoming books.
However, there were two characters in particular who I got a better sense of in Hexbound – Scout and Lily.
Lily has to deal with a lot in this book – she has few different internal struggles. First and foremost, she continues to question her parents and what they are really up to – Scout claims they are secretly developing new mascara, but I’m not buying it. Lily makes a few discoveries that really make her doubt them and it puts her in a very difficult place. She is also put in a weird spot with her relationship with Sebastian. She is defiantly wary of him and she does not trust him, but he really makes an effort in Hexbound to connect with her. I have to say, I like the character of Sebastian and I am all for them forming a friendship, but I hope they don’t become romantically involved. I am pulling for the resident werewolf, Jason.
You also gain a great deal of insight to my favorite character, Scout. After what happened to her in Firespell, she begins to lose some of her self-confidence and you see that she has some weaknesses. I really appreciated this because it fleshes her character out a bit more.
Lily is also starting to come into her own with her powers and it sort of evens out the playing field a bit. She and Scout settle into a partnership, which I really appreciate. A lot of times one character is sort of the sidekick, but I feel like Lily and Scout are becoming equals. They work wonderfully together and balance each other out. They respect, depend on and trust each other. I also love the snarky banter between these two – their friendship is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
I also want to point out what an amazing job Neill did with imagery. She paints such a vivd picture - every setting was beautifully described. She also roots some scenes in real locations which gives a realistic feel to the fantastic story. I don’t think I will ever be able to walk the pedway again without looking over my shoulder for some creeptastic vampires.
While overall I really enjoyed Firespell, I was put off a bit with the pacing. It isn’t that the book dragged (quite the contrary, actually) – it is just that there wasn’t really a climax. Everything just kind of kept chugging along. The book was packed with action, but the pot never really came to a boil, if you know what I mean.
However, all things considered, Hexbound was an excellent read. Neill created an exciting, intriguing adventure with truly likable characters. The plot wasn’t the least bit predictable - Neill was able to bring in some new elements (like new characters, vampires and creepy mutants) to spice things up. I can’t wait to see where she takes Lily and the Adept gang next.
This time around the Adepts are forced to deal with a disgusting slimy, gooey, super gross new monster. Our fab four (Lily, Scout, Michael & Jason) come across these strange mutants while patrolling the tunnels one night. The enclave is understandably confused by these weirdos and they team up with a few girls from a neighboring enclave to solve the mystery.
These new two adepts, Detroit and Naya both have different powers – Detroit is a machinist and Naya communicates with ghosts. While I liked both of these characters (I especially enjoy Detroit), I can’t help but feel like their addition caused us to lose out on some development with the old characters. Hexbound is a relatively short book and I still don’t really have a good sense of some of the main characters – like Michael and Jason. I have to say though; I really enjoyed what little we saw of Lesley (Scout & Lily’s cello playing suitemate) in this book. She pops up a few different times and we get to know her a little bit better. She is so quirky and off-the-wall; I just love her to pieces. I hope she takes more of a front seat in the upcoming books.
However, there were two characters in particular who I got a better sense of in Hexbound – Scout and Lily.
Lily has to deal with a lot in this book – she has few different internal struggles. First and foremost, she continues to question her parents and what they are really up to – Scout claims they are secretly developing new mascara, but I’m not buying it. Lily makes a few discoveries that really make her doubt them and it puts her in a very difficult place. She is also put in a weird spot with her relationship with Sebastian. She is defiantly wary of him and she does not trust him, but he really makes an effort in Hexbound to connect with her. I have to say, I like the character of Sebastian and I am all for them forming a friendship, but I hope they don’t become romantically involved. I am pulling for the resident werewolf, Jason.
You also gain a great deal of insight to my favorite character, Scout. After what happened to her in Firespell, she begins to lose some of her self-confidence and you see that she has some weaknesses. I really appreciated this because it fleshes her character out a bit more.
Lily is also starting to come into her own with her powers and it sort of evens out the playing field a bit. She and Scout settle into a partnership, which I really appreciate. A lot of times one character is sort of the sidekick, but I feel like Lily and Scout are becoming equals. They work wonderfully together and balance each other out. They respect, depend on and trust each other. I also love the snarky banter between these two – their friendship is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
I also want to point out what an amazing job Neill did with imagery. She paints such a vivd picture - every setting was beautifully described. She also roots some scenes in real locations which gives a realistic feel to the fantastic story. I don’t think I will ever be able to walk the pedway again without looking over my shoulder for some creeptastic vampires.
While overall I really enjoyed Firespell, I was put off a bit with the pacing. It isn’t that the book dragged (quite the contrary, actually) – it is just that there wasn’t really a climax. Everything just kind of kept chugging along. The book was packed with action, but the pot never really came to a boil, if you know what I mean.
However, all things considered, Hexbound was an excellent read. Neill created an exciting, intriguing adventure with truly likable characters. The plot wasn’t the least bit predictable - Neill was able to bring in some new elements (like new characters, vampires and creepy mutants) to spice things up. I can’t wait to see where she takes Lily and the Adept gang next.
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com
Again the characters is what makes me love Chloe Neill's stories. The friendships and relationships between Lily, Jason, Scout, and Michael continue to grow. I'm very much looking forward to finding out more about Sebastian and what he is going to bring to the series. Both stories in the Dark Elite series are quick reads that will leave you laughing out loud many times during the book. Lily is finally settling into what she is and starting to learn more about what exactly she can do. HEXBOUND moves a bit faster than FIRESPELL did which was nice. I found myself having to be reminded that Lily was only 15 years old, since she is so independent being in a boarding school and all it was easy to forget. I thought HEXBOUND continued the Dark Elite series well.
I gave it a 3.5/5
Again the characters is what makes me love Chloe Neill's stories. The friendships and relationships between Lily, Jason, Scout, and Michael continue to grow. I'm very much looking forward to finding out more about Sebastian and what he is going to bring to the series. Both stories in the Dark Elite series are quick reads that will leave you laughing out loud many times during the book. Lily is finally settling into what she is and starting to learn more about what exactly she can do. HEXBOUND moves a bit faster than FIRESPELL did which was nice. I found myself having to be reminded that Lily was only 15 years old, since she is so independent being in a boarding school and all it was easy to forget. I thought HEXBOUND continued the Dark Elite series well.
I gave it a 3.5/5
westcoastchelle's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really digging the strong female lead characters. The book is interesting, great plot, but it loses a star for being really predictable.
frootjoos's review against another edition
3.0
eh. I was expecting more... I dunno. Answers? It's like Lost Season 3 all over again.
stephieb78's review against another edition
4.0
Have I mentioned that I am a HUGE fan of Chloe Neill's writing? I really enjoy this series and can't wait for the 3rd book next week. My only complaint is that I am used to Chloe's cliffhangers (if you don't know what I mean, read Chicagoland Vampires! YOWZA!) and so far I haven't seen that. The action has been a little lacking. I kept waiting for a big show down of good vs evil and never got it. I think we are building up for something to happen in the next book (hopefully...). All in all, I'll give it a generous 4 stars just for the potential that I see. I still love the characters and love the way the author really brings the setting to life with her words.
reading_addict_lemon's review against another edition
3.0
Prima data postata pe http://nervidetoamna.blogspot.ro/
Speram, cand am terminat primul volum ca al doilea va fi mai bun, dar n-a fost sa fie. Fiind o carte subtire, cu scris mare si destul de usoara, m-asteptam sa o citesc in cateva ore. Dar am stat toata ziua dupa ea, citind, mai facand altceva, iar citind si tot asa. Zau, n-aveam asteptari prea mari, pentru ca deja am invatat pe de rost toate cliseele existente in universul YA si nu cred ca ma mai surprinde ceva, chit ca-i paranormal sau nu. Dar conteaza si felul cum e scrisa, iar mie asta mi s-a parut or ca sa fie or la plictiseala, pentru ca n-am simtit nimic, nu m-a interesat de niciun personaj, abia am asteptat sa se termine si chiar daca rar zic asta despre o carte... imi pare rau c-am cumparat-o. Si ca m-am apucat de serie.
Si de parca in cartea asta nu-i destula magie si e si un varcolac autoarea s-a gandit sa mai aduca si alte creaturi si hai si niste colti si mai baga si niste fantome, ca sa fie tot tacamul. Dar mie tot degeaba mi s-a parut, pentru ca a fost o carte plata, iar acum cheful meu de a continua seria/trilogia e mai mort decat un vampir, dar stai, aia inca sunt vii.
Iar acum ar trebui sa va zic de personaje, dar cred ca as repeta ce-am zis la prima recenzie, a primului volum, pentru ca eu n-am observat o evolutie, in niciun sens, iar daca un farmec, doua si niste scantei verzi reprezinta o evolutie atunci....mnda. As putea zice ca-i cea mai slaba continuare pe care am citit-o, dar nu stiu, oricum e una din ele.
In concluzie nu va pot zice ca cititi seria, pentru ca n-as recomanda-o sau daca as face-o n-as stii cui. Cel mai probabil am sa citesc ultimul volum in engleza, pentru ca nu vreau sa las lucrurile neterminate, dar sigur nu-l mai cumpar. Or eu imbatranesc, si n-am decat 20 de ani, or autorii nu mai stiu sa scrie si ce sa scrie, ca sa fie si ceva bun nu doar ceva ce se vinde si inglobeaza mai multe clisee decat contine o mancare ghiveci legume. Oricum, nu ma mai lungesc pentru ca deja am zis tot ce era de spus.
Speram, cand am terminat primul volum ca al doilea va fi mai bun, dar n-a fost sa fie. Fiind o carte subtire, cu scris mare si destul de usoara, m-asteptam sa o citesc in cateva ore. Dar am stat toata ziua dupa ea, citind, mai facand altceva, iar citind si tot asa. Zau, n-aveam asteptari prea mari, pentru ca deja am invatat pe de rost toate cliseele existente in universul YA si nu cred ca ma mai surprinde ceva, chit ca-i paranormal sau nu. Dar conteaza si felul cum e scrisa, iar mie asta mi s-a parut or ca sa fie or la plictiseala, pentru ca n-am simtit nimic, nu m-a interesat de niciun personaj, abia am asteptat sa se termine si chiar daca rar zic asta despre o carte... imi pare rau c-am cumparat-o. Si ca m-am apucat de serie.
Si de parca in cartea asta nu-i destula magie si e si un varcolac autoarea s-a gandit sa mai aduca si alte creaturi si hai si niste colti si mai baga si niste fantome, ca sa fie tot tacamul. Dar mie tot degeaba mi s-a parut, pentru ca a fost o carte plata, iar acum cheful meu de a continua seria/trilogia e mai mort decat un vampir, dar stai, aia inca sunt vii.
Iar acum ar trebui sa va zic de personaje, dar cred ca as repeta ce-am zis la prima recenzie, a primului volum, pentru ca eu n-am observat o evolutie, in niciun sens, iar daca un farmec, doua si niste scantei verzi reprezinta o evolutie atunci....mnda. As putea zice ca-i cea mai slaba continuare pe care am citit-o, dar nu stiu, oricum e una din ele.
In concluzie nu va pot zice ca cititi seria, pentru ca n-as recomanda-o sau daca as face-o n-as stii cui. Cel mai probabil am sa citesc ultimul volum in engleza, pentru ca nu vreau sa las lucrurile neterminate, dar sigur nu-l mai cumpar. Or eu imbatranesc, si n-am decat 20 de ani, or autorii nu mai stiu sa scrie si ce sa scrie, ca sa fie si ceva bun nu doar ceva ce se vinde si inglobeaza mai multe clisee decat contine o mancare ghiveci legume. Oricum, nu ma mai lungesc pentru ca deja am zis tot ce era de spus.