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Hell's Belles #00
Hell's Belles: The Prequel
"They'll bless your heart before they hex your ass."
California girl Emma Ayers' life has just been shaken by sudden tragedy.
On top of losing everything, she's also been forced to move across the country to Charleston, South Carolina. Emma now lives in the infamous South-of-Broad section of the city, surrounded by old money and even older mystery. It's a universe away from her normal teenage life and not just because of distance. Charleston holds its share of secrets, and Emma seems to be part of the biggest one of all.
She just doesn't know it yet.
That's where Hell's Belles come in. It's one of the oldest debutante societies in the south, and yet no one knows anything about them, only that you don't mess with a Belle.
Living among the mansions and manors of the Holy City, the Belles use their wiles and not a small bit of witchcraft to achieve their every mysterious ambition.
Their world and the old aristocratic rules they live by are about to collide with Emma's mundane and doleful life. Emma has always felt there was nothing extraordinary about her. What happens to a girl who finds out there's more to everything than she ever could have imagined?
Disclaimer: This is a full-length prequel to the HELL'S BELLES series.
California girl Emma Ayers' life has just been shaken by sudden tragedy.
On top of losing everything, she's also been forced to move across the country to Charleston, South Carolina. Emma now lives in the infamous South-of-Broad section of the city, surrounded by old money and even older mystery. It's a universe away from her normal teenage life and not just because of distance. Charleston holds its share of secrets, and Emma seems to be part of the biggest one of all.
She just doesn't know it yet.
That's where Hell's Belles come in. It's one of the oldest debutante societies in the south, and yet no one knows anything about them, only that you don't mess with a Belle.
Living among the mansions and manors of the Holy City, the Belles use their wiles and not a small bit of witchcraft to achieve their every mysterious ambition.
Their world and the old aristocratic rules they live by are about to collide with Emma's mundane and doleful life. Emma has always felt there was nothing extraordinary about her. What happens to a girl who finds out there's more to everything than she ever could have imagined?
Disclaimer: This is a full-length prequel to the HELL'S BELLES series.
- GenresFantasyParanormalMagic
225 pages, ebook
First published March 7, 2017
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 3, 2023
I have been craving the Hell's Belles series more and more with each little bread crumb update Alison Claire has dropped over the last few months on Facebook and the prequel makes me even more excited for this series. The characters are complex and either lovable or extremely dislikable (I'm not a fan of the word 'hate'). Plus the story is set in the South and full of all the southern culture and sassiness that comes with it, which only adds to the amazing story Alison Claire has concocted. This prequel combines heartbreaking, funny, and suspenseful moments to create a full length (yes FULL length) novel introducing us into the mysterious world of Virginia Ember's belles.
November 24, 2017
Amazing start to both a new series and new author for me. Wonderfully written and paced with playfully infused intrigue woven throughout.
What starts as a melancholy look at a teen's quite crappy start to life morphs into a fairytale adventure filled with wonder and shrouded in mystery. Our protagonist soon discovers a whole new life heavily steeped in the paranormal, with new powers and fraught with danger.
This series is so intriguing I can't wait until the novels start being released.
** I do have concerns about the marketing of the book and what looks to be less than transparent explanations regarding publication and the author.
My copy of this work was provided through a Urban Fantasy giveaway and was marketed as "the first half of Book 1 of Hell's Belles" with a different cover in situ.
While trying to find the book on Goodreads to post a review under I came across a series with the EXACT same title and blurbs, but written by the author Alison Perry **
What starts as a melancholy look at a teen's quite crappy start to life morphs into a fairytale adventure filled with wonder and shrouded in mystery. Our protagonist soon discovers a whole new life heavily steeped in the paranormal, with new powers and fraught with danger.
This series is so intriguing I can't wait until the novels start being released.
** I do have concerns about the marketing of the book and what looks to be less than transparent explanations regarding publication and the author.
My copy of this work was provided through a Urban Fantasy giveaway and was marketed as "the first half of Book 1 of Hell's Belles" with a different cover in situ.
While trying to find the book on Goodreads to post a review under I came across a series with the EXACT same title and blurbs, but written by the author Alison Perry **
December 31, 2017
I LOVED this book!! Such great characters shrouded in mystery and so intriguing!! I cannot wait to learn more about each of these girls, the Belles. Beautifully written, I couldn't put it down! A delicious prequel to a series I am very much looking forward to!!
May 10, 2017
This prequel was a very nice start to a series. I can't wait to read the next book. While a YA yarn it still held this old gals attention!
December 11, 2017
This is the first book in the Hell's Belles trilogy. Emma first loses her parents and sister, and then right after the funeral, her grandmother dies. Not sure what’s going to happen to her, a woman she’s never heard of picks her up and whisks her off to a mansion to live with a couple other girls. Because Emma is part of a bigger picture, a picture that includes magic. And there is more to her than she knows, including those who would like her dead. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I am an instant fan! Ms. Claire has a great way with words, and she reveals mysteries in a slow but fascinating way that keeps you glued to the page just to see what’s going to happen next. She also has a great way with details and history that make them feel like you are there, reliving everything like everything is part of your history. This book is just so well-written, and it has a great plot! I am so drawn into this story, I don’t know how I can wait for the next book to find out more. If you love urban fantasy with magic, you will love this one; I can’t recommend it enough! Thanks to the author for the e-book which I reviewed voluntarily.
June 3, 2017
Amazing, captivating and well written YA prequel that has me going through wide range of emotions and hungry for more of this story. This series starter weaves you thru the lives of some of some very extraordinarily unique young and very old people. This isn't just Emma's story and the discovery of her talent, this is an introduction to all the Hell's Bells their talents, history and coming together. I would highly recommend this to all and I'm anxious for the next in the series. I will definitely be on the look for more Hell's Bells.
June 26, 2017
OMG! This is so good. Emma has lost her whole family, leaving her and her grandmother to pick up the pieces. However, grandma dies and the distant aunt she is staying with cannot keep her anymore. A "friend" of her grandma, Virginia Embers, shows up to take her to a whole new life. Emma is introduced to a whole new world where her view of normal is changing. This book is set in the South, full of historical references and magic I thoroughly enjoyed this prequel and I'm waiting (not so) patiently for book one. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 10, 2017
I have to say that I really LOVED this prequel! The story reminds me of a cross between X-Men and American Horror Story: Coven. The characters were bold, strong and mysterious. I'm hoping I don't have a long wait for the first book of the series. I was hooked from the very beginning. You absolutely need to read this!
November 25, 2017
I stumbled across this story in an large Urban Fantasy giveaway and it has been one of, if not the best of the bunch so far. The story is well written and an interesting intro to the series. However, I have only been able to read the 1st half of the prequel and am still waiting for the 2nd half or a link to be e-mailed.
May 10, 2017
Wow, just wow, this is the prequel to a new series set in the south, and I have to say, Alison has done her homework for the authenticity of this story, very mysterious. Its an amazing start and I cannot wait for the rest of the books.......Highly Recommended!!
May 14, 2017
Lots of mystery and intriguing characters to keep you reading. Loved reviewing
March 12, 2017
An Incredible story that you won't forget. Brilliant writing, excellent cast of characters in a realm of their own as you find out in this great tale. I loved it! Get your copy today.
December 8, 2017
Welcome to the world of Hell’s Bell, a place where fascinating things happen but at the same time beware of the evil that is behind. Emma gets swept away by Virginia Embers when she remains the only survivor of her family. Emma is not aware of being special but when she encounters the other girls with the same gifts, she will realized that she is finally home. I loved reading this book. I admit, I was quite skeptic but at the same time I was so curious about these girls that I embraced this story with great expectation and luckily I was gratified by a great read. The characters are mysterious and fascinating. Alison has a great ability with the description of past events and truly I must say she has done her homework well when dealing with history. Now I will be anxiously awaiting for the release of the other books. I
April 25, 2017
This book will capture you in and not let go until you finish! I stayed up most of the night reading! I've read 100s of books and lots of genres - though paranormal is my favorite. This book has strong female leads with mystery at each page. I love how interspersed are chapters introducing you to each character-giving you a taste of what makes each character tick. I don't want to give anything away- but this is a must- read!!! I'm looking forward to read the rest of the series!! I don't even want to start anything new so as to keep the story fresh!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews