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Hexes & Hazards #1
Alive & Hexing
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Home is supposed to be where a witch is always welcome.
Except when you neglect to call your four furry best friends after being gone for five years.
So, they decided to pay me back, Hazard style.
I wanted to deny that they could be cruel to me.
It even took me awhile to admit it - but it's a fact -
The Hazard Boys Suck.
They're not the only ones. A mysterious romeo is leaving me presents of the dead kind.
Now, I need to show all of them that girls aren't just made from sugar, spice and everything nice.
Especially me. We're also made of something better...
Mean.
*This is a slow-slow burn Young Adult, Reverse Harem with some mature content and cursing*
Home is supposed to be where a witch is always welcome.
Except when you neglect to call your four furry best friends after being gone for five years.
So, they decided to pay me back, Hazard style.
I wanted to deny that they could be cruel to me.
It even took me awhile to admit it - but it's a fact -
The Hazard Boys Suck.
They're not the only ones. A mysterious romeo is leaving me presents of the dead kind.
Now, I need to show all of them that girls aren't just made from sugar, spice and everything nice.
Especially me. We're also made of something better...
Mean.
*This is a slow-slow burn Young Adult, Reverse Harem with some mature content and cursing*
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2019
53 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 30, 2019
Would round it to 3.5 stars
Ok so the beginning portion of the book, i was thinking to myself... here we go again with the whining , damsel in distress, special snowflake with the horrible past, who doesnt know anything. Yes Nora is a bit of some of those things but she's so much more and surprised the hell out of me.
The book starts with her moving back to the small town she moved from 5 years ago, where something bad happened. She reconnects with her 4 best friends but things dont go according to plan. They for their reasons are pissed and angry at her that she just disappeared and not contact them at all during the 5 years away.
So there were some thing i didnt enjoy while reading this book:
1) I felt sooooo old while reading this, there was so much slang and the way the Nora talked had me cringing a lot (just to note i am not that old, very early 30's lol)
2) the amount of girl hate going around
On the other hand some of my favourite things in the book:
1)Nora being a total knife throwing, throat punching badass.
2)Teddy
3) They way she handled the "bullying"from the guys. This is what made me like the book and will be continuing in the series.
4)The fact she was confidant in her powers as a witch
5)
I was so close to dnfíng this book in the beginning but i'm so glad i stuck with it and really looking forward to the next one
Ok so the beginning portion of the book, i was thinking to myself... here we go again with the whining , damsel in distress, special snowflake with the horrible past, who doesnt know anything. Yes Nora is a bit of some of those things but she's so much more and surprised the hell out of me.
The book starts with her moving back to the small town she moved from 5 years ago, where something bad happened. She reconnects with her 4 best friends but things dont go according to plan. They for their reasons are pissed and angry at her that she just disappeared and not contact them at all during the 5 years away.
So there were some thing i didnt enjoy while reading this book:
1) I felt sooooo old while reading this, there was so much slang and the way the Nora talked had me cringing a lot (just to note i am not that old, very early 30's lol)
2) the amount of girl hate going around
On the other hand some of my favourite things in the book:
1)Nora being a total knife throwing, throat punching badass.
2)Teddy
3) They way she handled the "bullying"from the guys. This is what made me like the book and will be continuing in the series.
4)The fact she was confidant in her powers as a witch
5)
I was so close to dnfíng this book in the beginning but i'm so glad i stuck with it and really looking forward to the next one
did-not-finish
August 21, 2019Alright well, another one that isn't for me. It's not a bad book at all, I think it's just a personal preference when I say that I struggle reading about 16 yr old kids and their sexual interests.
I'm in my mid twenties and every time I see teenagers and sex I feel awkward.
It's just kinda like, "welp time to call the police and turn myself in 8'D"
Not for me but i'm sure many will adore this!
I'm in my mid twenties and every time I see teenagers and sex I feel awkward.
It's just kinda like, "welp time to call the police and turn myself in 8'D"
Not for me but i'm sure many will adore this!
August 24, 2019
Pages: 196
My rating (stars): 3.5
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
Alive & Hexing was a quick read. It’s about a girl who has to leave a town after she witnessed her mother being murdered and returns after several year. She never had contact with her closed (guy-)friends during this time. When she came back, she has changed a lot but also her guy friends have changed. This book is about learning about the lives they had during they were apart, getting reacquainted and about the reason why Nora’s mum was murdered.
The book entertained me and I give it 3.5 stars. But I round it up to 3 in the rating above.
August 27, 2019
Bit of weird one. I gave this one 4 stars even though the bad points outweigh the good. I enjoyed the story, the plot was interesting and the Hazard boys were great. I would say no bullying, more a kids’ argument with child like revenge. I liked that the girl was stronger than the guys and that the MC wasn’t a damsel in distress.
I hated the MC. The woe is me monologues got on my nerves, then we have the daddy and mommy issues, the victim complex and the way she treats the guys. She’s selfish, arrogant and needs a serious personality transplant.
I loved the guys. For how much they suffered, they went super easy. All four of them are sweet, it will be interesting to see what happens to them next.
The story itself is choppy, divided into three parts. The Hazard boys, the stalker and the new gay best friend. Everything else is the MC’s ego. The best friend was random, as were the plot twists. But as long as its not taken serious, then it’s a short fun read.
I hated the MC. The woe is me monologues got on my nerves, then we have the daddy and mommy issues, the victim complex and the way she treats the guys. She’s selfish, arrogant and needs a serious personality transplant.
I loved the guys. For how much they suffered, they went super easy. All four of them are sweet, it will be interesting to see what happens to them next.
The story itself is choppy, divided into three parts. The Hazard boys, the stalker and the new gay best friend. Everything else is the MC’s ego. The best friend was random, as were the plot twists. But as long as its not taken serious, then it’s a short fun read.
August 10, 2019
Read!!!
Anyone that likes this genre read this. Anyone that likes badass female leads read this. Anyone that likes a good story written with feeling READ this....now.....yeah now.
Anyone that likes this genre read this. Anyone that likes badass female leads read this. Anyone that likes a good story written with feeling READ this....now.....yeah now.
March 1, 2022
This isn't quite a five but it is more than a four. You have the description, so need to repeat.
FMC has some baggage from her mother's death, a cold and distant father, and moving around a lot over the last five years. She moves back to her home town and is reunited.
The main character guys are kind of jerks to start off, but not enough to be the bully trope, meaning you aren't screaming at the book when the FMC ends up with them wondering how she has any self-respect never if magic is involved. Don't get me wrong, they are jerks, but in a way that is fitting for a bunch of stupid 16 year olds with their heads up their peaches making 16 year old decisions off of circumstances of others creating. Basically, when they get out of their peaches you can forgive them.
The FMC is also different than most in this trope. She literally has no time for the guys' b.s. or the cliche but required (something the author mocks) catty girl bullies who want the guys. The FMC stands up for herself without being a dog of a witch. She is human, wrestling with some guilt towards the guys' situation, but doesn't let that push her into being walked all over like so many FMC in this genere inevitably and annoyingly do. Still, she is hard on the outside with at least pockets of softness and kindness and vulnerabilities inside which make her likeable.
The guys are okay. There isn't a huge amount given about them. Most of what we learn about them is info dumps of the FMC remembering how they were. There are moments of individual ncharacter development sprinkled in, but not strong enough that after reading the first book you would be able to answer a quiz identifying each guy.
There is an interesting twist, and an underlying mystery that is interesting and add an additional mystery. Nice bomb shell dropped that wasn't blantently apparent. There is the obligatory you need to be trained, but in a nice twist the FMC isn't the character who needs to hit the mat. Also nice, we are spared the mundane pages of training on the mats and complaint of being sore.
The one major complaint is a problem that is common in books like this. The author wants to have characters that are young enough that they are still under the authority of adult and kept in the dark by said adults, but also wants to have a formerly created love. In this case, the FMC left town and the guys when everyone was 11. This results in the now 16 year old FMC talking about how her love life is always x or she always does y in dating and how worrying about how her loves from years ago will respond. You were 11. That were not your loves. Also, you are 16, you don't have a i always do anything in my love life. And this isn't even a universe with fated mates, so the author can't fall back on magic to ease some of that issue. The issue could easily be solved by saying in the magic community they don't mature into their powers until they are 25 or 30 in human years and then you can have 21 year olds who left behind their high school sweethearts and have had a string of not great relationships and now they are back in town for whatever reason. This approach would work particularly well in this series where the school doesn't play a pivital role. There isn't a teacher. All of the school scenes could easily happen at a college or within the community or some magic group like Young Life that all the not of age magic things have to attend.
Also, the climax at the end is a little rushed. I would have liked more of a build up as the involved characters get into the scene. It can literally be build up in the place of the scene with the same jump, (keeping it vague for spoiler avoidance) but more of whomever going to that thing at the place and more of the thoughts as they are going in and it is playing out. I would have liked to have been taken along with the emotions of what was going on more so that i came out of it needing a glass of something strong. It's a good climax, or has the potential if it is a little more flushed, so having that tension and emotion built in would have made the whole thing killer. It's not bad the way it is done, it's just not going to blow any socks off.
Definitely looking forward to book two and already not happy that there doesn't seem to be a book 3, (boo waiting, but also, buy book from series that aren't complete. If you don't you're a monster and are the reason I have series who haven't been completed because the author abandoned them) unless that means the story is completed in two books then yay for getting the whole story but oh no, will that be enough?! Basically I'm hooked and want more.
FMC has some baggage from her mother's death, a cold and distant father, and moving around a lot over the last five years. She moves back to her home town and is reunited.
The main character guys are kind of jerks to start off, but not enough to be the bully trope, meaning you aren't screaming at the book when the FMC ends up with them wondering how she has any self-respect never if magic is involved. Don't get me wrong, they are jerks, but in a way that is fitting for a bunch of stupid 16 year olds with their heads up their peaches making 16 year old decisions off of circumstances of others creating. Basically, when they get out of their peaches you can forgive them.
The FMC is also different than most in this trope. She literally has no time for the guys' b.s. or the cliche but required (something the author mocks) catty girl bullies who want the guys. The FMC stands up for herself without being a dog of a witch. She is human, wrestling with some guilt towards the guys' situation, but doesn't let that push her into being walked all over like so many FMC in this genere inevitably and annoyingly do. Still, she is hard on the outside with at least pockets of softness and kindness and vulnerabilities inside which make her likeable.
The guys are okay. There isn't a huge amount given about them. Most of what we learn about them is info dumps of the FMC remembering how they were. There are moments of individual ncharacter development sprinkled in, but not strong enough that after reading the first book you would be able to answer a quiz identifying each guy.
There is an interesting twist, and an underlying mystery that is interesting and add an additional mystery. Nice bomb shell dropped that wasn't blantently apparent. There is the obligatory you need to be trained, but in a nice twist the FMC isn't the character who needs to hit the mat. Also nice, we are spared the mundane pages of training on the mats and complaint of being sore.
The one major complaint is a problem that is common in books like this. The author wants to have characters that are young enough that they are still under the authority of adult and kept in the dark by said adults, but also wants to have a formerly created love. In this case, the FMC left town and the guys when everyone was 11. This results in the now 16 year old FMC talking about how her love life is always x or she always does y in dating and how worrying about how her loves from years ago will respond. You were 11. That were not your loves. Also, you are 16, you don't have a i always do anything in my love life. And this isn't even a universe with fated mates, so the author can't fall back on magic to ease some of that issue. The issue could easily be solved by saying in the magic community they don't mature into their powers until they are 25 or 30 in human years and then you can have 21 year olds who left behind their high school sweethearts and have had a string of not great relationships and now they are back in town for whatever reason. This approach would work particularly well in this series where the school doesn't play a pivital role. There isn't a teacher. All of the school scenes could easily happen at a college or within the community or some magic group like Young Life that all the not of age magic things have to attend.
Also, the climax at the end is a little rushed. I would have liked more of a build up as the involved characters get into the scene. It can literally be build up in the place of the scene with the same jump, (keeping it vague for spoiler avoidance) but more of whomever going to that thing at the place and more of the thoughts as they are going in and it is playing out. I would have liked to have been taken along with the emotions of what was going on more so that i came out of it needing a glass of something strong. It's a good climax, or has the potential if it is a little more flushed, so having that tension and emotion built in would have made the whole thing killer. It's not bad the way it is done, it's just not going to blow any socks off.
Definitely looking forward to book two and already not happy that there doesn't seem to be a book 3, (boo waiting, but also, buy book from series that aren't complete. If you don't you're a monster and are the reason I have series who haven't been completed because the author abandoned them) unless that means the story is completed in two books then yay for getting the whole story but oh no, will that be enough?! Basically I'm hooked and want more.
July 20, 2019
Loved this read
Loved this book. Ok we have a amazing heroine who is super strong with a while lotta "don't freaking mess with me or I'll cut ya" attitude! her RH guys start off as dumb little turds that get out in their place when they try to play games with a girl who plays them better. I loved how she stuck up for herself, and she gave as good as she got, she was no door mat, and refused to take anyone's s***** no matter how much she missed these boys. I really loved that this was a really story and not drooling chick who was having her girls bits tingle every 5 minutes. No this was a honest to God real story with s***** hitting the fan, and as I thought I knew where this book was going I was bamboozled! I did not see that freaking coming ( Chris pratt wide eye stare) ok so why not 5 stars, some inconsistencies, she's been gone 5 years since her mom's death, she even tells that she was 11 when she left, so she thinks this counsel is involved and says she's been investigating then for a decade which is odd and doesn't make sense. I also have a issues with her bro g a strong killer at 16, and going on missions ECT. Maybe if she was a senior I could have maybe seen it better, it just doesn't make sense? And then all having tattoos, at 16? And not little ones but big ones, again I feel like I'm reading about grown ppl. All in all I still enjoyed, totally witty, and I'm a sucker for a bad**** . Highly recommend
Loved this book. Ok we have a amazing heroine who is super strong with a while lotta "don't freaking mess with me or I'll cut ya" attitude! her RH guys start off as dumb little turds that get out in their place when they try to play games with a girl who plays them better. I loved how she stuck up for herself, and she gave as good as she got, she was no door mat, and refused to take anyone's s***** no matter how much she missed these boys. I really loved that this was a really story and not drooling chick who was having her girls bits tingle every 5 minutes. No this was a honest to God real story with s***** hitting the fan, and as I thought I knew where this book was going I was bamboozled! I did not see that freaking coming ( Chris pratt wide eye stare) ok so why not 5 stars, some inconsistencies, she's been gone 5 years since her mom's death, she even tells that she was 11 when she left, so she thinks this counsel is involved and says she's been investigating then for a decade which is odd and doesn't make sense. I also have a issues with her bro g a strong killer at 16, and going on missions ECT. Maybe if she was a senior I could have maybe seen it better, it just doesn't make sense? And then all having tattoos, at 16? And not little ones but big ones, again I feel like I'm reading about grown ppl. All in all I still enjoyed, totally witty, and I'm a sucker for a bad**** . Highly recommend
August 16, 2019
Oh my gosh, I have been waiting for this book ever since we got that snip from "Shifting Destiny: A Shifter Anthology." I had just remembered about this after running into another book by Zoe Parker (Shay Cabe.) I loved Nora and how she stood up for herself without being a total B***h nor being meek and helpless. I also loved how, in the end, Nora said no. Came right out and said no to a possible deadly mission. I think more writers should include this in their dialog of "I'm only 16 years old and you want me to go on a deadly mission to save someone I don't know?" Like, for me, this is brilliant that makes Nora and her guys so much more likable. I would keep reading the series for this alone. She also proved herself wise in not running off like a spoiled brat or a miss know it all to risk her life and her boys (who she also stated were not trained and ready to go to "war")
To me, Shay Cabe (Zoe Parker) did a pretty good job with relating the teenage life to supernatural life. Although I would have liked to have gotten more into the juggle of high school and "mystery-solving". I also would have liked for at least 1 shifter (preferably one of Nora's boys) to have shifted. Even as a little tease for the 2nd book. I guess I would say this book could have gone into a lot more detail and have been a little bit longer. But I still give it 5 stars in brilliance.
To me, Shay Cabe (Zoe Parker) did a pretty good job with relating the teenage life to supernatural life. Although I would have liked to have gotten more into the juggle of high school and "mystery-solving". I also would have liked for at least 1 shifter (preferably one of Nora's boys) to have shifted. Even as a little tease for the 2nd book. I guess I would say this book could have gone into a lot more detail and have been a little bit longer. But I still give it 5 stars in brilliance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2020
Not an idiot heroine
Our main character is logical but still a teen girl and acknowledges as much as well as other things. She hasn��t seen her childhood best friends in 5 years and points out anyone with eyes can see they all 5 are hot and popular and she’s a teenager with hormones and lets her walls down she’s been holding up for the 5 years she’s basically been on her own since her mother passed. It doesn’t take her pass her first day back to realize there is a revenge game in play. Instead of continuing to eat up the attention of these hot rare species for shifters, she calls them out on it and demands her respect and gives them the opportunity to prove it. She even puts some logic on an adult that once mentored her and she respected. There is a touch of arrogance that you’ll realize she stating her facts and does know and knowledge her short coming and heeds them.
Our main character is logical but still a teen girl and acknowledges as much as well as other things. She hasn��t seen her childhood best friends in 5 years and points out anyone with eyes can see they all 5 are hot and popular and she’s a teenager with hormones and lets her walls down she’s been holding up for the 5 years she’s basically been on her own since her mother passed. It doesn’t take her pass her first day back to realize there is a revenge game in play. Instead of continuing to eat up the attention of these hot rare species for shifters, she calls them out on it and demands her respect and gives them the opportunity to prove it. She even puts some logic on an adult that once mentored her and she respected. There is a touch of arrogance that you’ll realize she stating her facts and does know and knowledge her short coming and heeds them.
October 16, 2019
I just wanted to draw attention to the fact that the following is a real, un-ironic sentence written with complete seriousness about a character in the book.
Full translation of what this reads as for the unindoctrinated in youth lingo:
Other than that, the book was pretty average with an underdeveloped but interesting main plot and overarching mystery. The heroine is powerful and actually trains herself to fight—and following an independent queen is always a win in my books—but the harem are pretty interchangeable, which is unfortunate but not entirely unexpected.
Pretty standard YA fanfare.
"There's only one way to deal with a bitten that's yeeted off the cliff of sanity."Yes, once again guys the word yeeted is actually used.
Full translation of what this reads as for the unindoctrinated in youth lingo:
Other than that, the book was pretty average with an underdeveloped but interesting main plot and overarching mystery. The heroine is powerful and actually trains herself to fight—and following an independent queen is always a win in my books—but the harem are pretty interchangeable, which is unfortunate but not entirely unexpected.
Pretty standard YA fanfare.
August 19, 2019
5 blown away stars
I always hesitate before reading a book revolving around teenagers. 99% of the time I fond them so irrealistically immature that I want to bash their heads.
Well, if you're like me, rest assured. Those teenagers kick asses ! They have flaws and a bit of angst, like all good-written characters, and the dynamics between them is increadibly well depicted.
The mystery subplot grows until we begin to see this book as the tree hiding the forest that it is. By the end, we get to grasp the true stakes and the depth of the series' plot. And oh my, how entertaining a ride it's gonna be !
I always hesitate before reading a book revolving around teenagers. 99% of the time I fond them so irrealistically immature that I want to bash their heads.
Well, if you're like me, rest assured. Those teenagers kick asses ! They have flaws and a bit of angst, like all good-written characters, and the dynamics between them is increadibly well depicted.
The mystery subplot grows until we begin to see this book as the tree hiding the forest that it is. By the end, we get to grasp the true stakes and the depth of the series' plot. And oh my, how entertaining a ride it's gonna be !
October 21, 2021
Great first book to the series
This book was incredible. Love the characters, the plot was well defined and nicely established. Progression of the storyline was on point and I loved the dialogue. The story reads incredibly well and I can't wait to read the next book. My only complaint was some of the editing. There's a few spelling/editing issues that are grave enough to pull the reader out of the moment. Nothing so severe as to detract from the storyline but enough to disrupt the flow of reading. I would really mark the book a 4.5 but it's worth the read and worth the rounding up.
This book was incredible. Love the characters, the plot was well defined and nicely established. Progression of the storyline was on point and I loved the dialogue. The story reads incredibly well and I can't wait to read the next book. My only complaint was some of the editing. There's a few spelling/editing issues that are grave enough to pull the reader out of the moment. Nothing so severe as to detract from the storyline but enough to disrupt the flow of reading. I would really mark the book a 4.5 but it's worth the read and worth the rounding up.
January 17, 2023
This was a really good book. The characters are 16 but written with a background such that it makes sense they act more mature. Nora is likable. The boys aren't as distinguishable as I'd like, but are also likable. The plot was interesting and actually surprised me.
The only negative I can see, there appears to only be one more book (that seems to have many editing errors if the reviews are anything to go by). I think the series may have been abandoned, which is a shame. I'll still read the next book.
The only negative I can see, there appears to only be one more book (that seems to have many editing errors if the reviews are anything to go by). I think the series may have been abandoned, which is a shame. I'll still read the next book.
June 16, 2019
Great job!!
I love the books under her other own name so I figured I’d give this a chance! Awesome job! Great characters emotional and moving. I should have known the MC was going to have emotional issues and I loved it! Cool twist! Didn’t see it coming. Looking forward to book 2!
I love the books under her other own name so I figured I’d give this a chance! Awesome job! Great characters emotional and moving. I should have known the MC was going to have emotional issues and I loved it! Cool twist! Didn’t see it coming. Looking forward to book 2!
June 18, 2019
Loved it!
I have been looking forward to this book after reading the first part in an anthology. The book was amazing! The storyline was engaging and flowed seamlessly. I absolutely love Nora. Her strength and character is awe inspiring. This is definitely a series I will read and follow to the end.
I have been looking forward to this book after reading the first part in an anthology. The book was amazing! The storyline was engaging and flowed seamlessly. I absolutely love Nora. Her strength and character is awe inspiring. This is definitely a series I will read and follow to the end.
March 22, 2021
Good story so far, love the last line in This story
Really enjoyed this book, only issues I had were the inconsistencies between the prequal and this and the occasional written error (e.g and or together). The story runs fairly smoothly and had a good twist to the story can't wait to see what occurs in 2nd book
Really enjoyed this book, only issues I had were the inconsistencies between the prequal and this and the occasional written error (e.g and or together). The story runs fairly smoothly and had a good twist to the story can't wait to see what occurs in 2nd book
February 10, 2022
I want to start by saying that I think this book had potential and that it was probably written and self-published by someone pretty young, much to her credit, but it also explains a lot of things in her writing choices. Some moments made me genuinely laugh and feel a little empathy towards Nora (our MC). However, those good moments were immediately followed by things that made me wince. Lots of clichés, girl hate, plot holes, and a lack of maturity in the characterisation of the adults. And let's not mention the fact that this is a story about a 16-year-old in a reverse harem where the 4 love interests are adopted brothers. Thankfully, nothing happens in this book, otherwise I would have had to set my e-book on fire.
Nora is the kind of MC that a lot of people will consider a strong female character because she can fight and isn't feminine. When will people finally understand that you can be a badass and still think about boys and fashion? Sometimes her thought came out of nowhere and lacked actual thinking (to avoid saying "maturity", since she's 16), but it goes with the boys' behavior.
Let's talk about the boys. They were all interchangeable. Honestly, there are only two that have somewhat of a personality (though "personality" is a strong word) : Hez, the angry one, and Phoenix, the smarter one (or the less stupid one, depending on your point of view). I remember Oz's name because, well... Oz... And it took me a good 10 seconds to remember Barrett's name. Anyways, all the characters lack depth, you can't get a feel for their personalities, which is a shame, really. Just making the story last over a longer period of time to give us the opportunity to see Nora spend some time with the boys, one on one, to understand who they are would have made a huge difference. It also would have helped me see what she sees in them, aside from their bodies, cuz I sure didn't see it here.
I also think there was a problem with representation. One of the boys is supposed to be Native American (at least in part) and the way Nora says she knows that is... weird. See for yourself:
And let's not talk about the only gay character, who is the absolute walking, talking cliché of the slutty gay looking at every man's ass and who is BFF with the MC. It's painfully obvious that he's gay just so Nora will have a male (sicne all the other girls hate her) friend the other 4 lover boys won't feel threatened by in their fragile masculinity and won't be jealous of. It was hard to read.
TL;DR: It felt like reading a fanfic written by a 16-year-old but I hope Shay Cabe will keep writing what she likes because the only way to get better is by practicing. And it takes guts to self-publish a book, so props to her.
(Full review and French version: here)
Nora is the kind of MC that a lot of people will consider a strong female character because she can fight and isn't feminine. When will people finally understand that you can be a badass and still think about boys and fashion? Sometimes her thought came out of nowhere and lacked actual thinking (to avoid saying "maturity", since she's 16), but it goes with the boys' behavior.
Let's talk about the boys. They were all interchangeable. Honestly, there are only two that have somewhat of a personality (though "personality" is a strong word) : Hez, the angry one, and Phoenix, the smarter one (or the less stupid one, depending on your point of view). I remember Oz's name because, well... Oz... And it took me a good 10 seconds to remember Barrett's name. Anyways, all the characters lack depth, you can't get a feel for their personalities, which is a shame, really. Just making the story last over a longer period of time to give us the opportunity to see Nora spend some time with the boys, one on one, to understand who they are would have made a huge difference. It also would have helped me see what she sees in them, aside from their bodies, cuz I sure didn't see it here.
I also think there was a problem with representation. One of the boys is supposed to be Native American (at least in part) and the way Nora says she knows that is... weird. See for yourself:
"It’s obvious he has Native American blood in him, but I never asked him how much. Seems rude to ask such a thing. I can totally see it now because it’s more than evident in his lightly tanned skin and lean, but tight build. If I were to reach for a fancy word, I’d use the word, sinewy. Mostly because it’s the first time I’ve ever seen someone who pulls it off. His black hair is shoulder length, with a slight curl to the ends of it. It's thick and soft looking."
And let's not talk about the only gay character, who is the absolute walking, talking cliché of the slutty gay looking at every man's ass and who is BFF with the MC. It's painfully obvious that he's gay just so Nora will have a male (sicne all the other girls hate her) friend the other 4 lover boys won't feel threatened by in their fragile masculinity and won't be jealous of. It was hard to read.
TL;DR: It felt like reading a fanfic written by a 16-year-old but I hope Shay Cabe will keep writing what she likes because the only way to get better is by practicing. And it takes guts to self-publish a book, so props to her.
(Full review and French version: here)
June 14, 2019
Read this
I devoured this book as fast as I could. I was not productive at all, I was sucked under and did not come up for air until the last word. Great book, great characters and can’t wait to see how this girl changes the world!!
I devoured this book as fast as I could. I was not productive at all, I was sucked under and did not come up for air until the last word. Great book, great characters and can’t wait to see how this girl changes the world!!
June 14, 2019
Soooo Good!!!!!!
Absolutely love Nora Hex!!!!!! She is an absolute powerhouse!!!! Definitely not your normal teen, I love how she handles the mean girls and interacts with her guys! I will be on the next book like white on rice!!!😂😂❤️❤️
Absolutely love Nora Hex!!!!!! She is an absolute powerhouse!!!! Definitely not your normal teen, I love how she handles the mean girls and interacts with her guys! I will be on the next book like white on rice!!!😂😂❤️❤️
June 15, 2019
Good book
This is a good book, well written and fun. However the modern slang is over done and dates this story, in a few years a lot of this dialogue won't make any sense and may drive readers away.
This is a good book, well written and fun. However the modern slang is over done and dates this story, in a few years a lot of this dialogue won't make any sense and may drive readers away.
June 17, 2019
New obsession
First in a series and I loved it ! Can’t wait for book 2 ! Twist and turns abound , action , romance and all the feels are there ! Worth the read , get ready for a heck of a ride !
First in a series and I loved it ! Can’t wait for book 2 ! Twist and turns abound , action , romance and all the feels are there ! Worth the read , get ready for a heck of a ride !
June 19, 2019
Wow - Nora is one of the best YA MCs I have read. I loved her fierceness, and resilience. She stands up for herself and holds her own with the Hazards and doesn’t let them get away with their tricks. I am also loving the Hazard boys. I can’t wait to see where this series is going!
June 23, 2019
Awesome book!
Loved our so much. Love the characters and the dynamic of the group. Nora kicks so much ass, she is amazing. Can't wait for the next one. I so highly recommend this book.
Loved our so much. Love the characters and the dynamic of the group. Nora kicks so much ass, she is amazing. Can't wait for the next one. I so highly recommend this book.
June 14, 2019
I thought this was awesome! Can't wait for the next one!
June 20, 2019
Hahahha
This was great! Lots of mystery and excitement. A nice build up and solid worldbuilding. I can't wait for the next one!
This was great! Lots of mystery and excitement. A nice build up and solid worldbuilding. I can't wait for the next one!
July 11, 2019
Awesome
I enjoyed every single part of this book. Awesome beginning to an outstanding series!!!! I can’t wait for book 2.
I enjoyed every single part of this book. Awesome beginning to an outstanding series!!!! I can’t wait for book 2.
July 29, 2019
Awesome
Damn i could not stop reading this, im going to be tired for work tomorrow but worth it. The story is intriguing and flows at a nice pace. Yep i cant wait for the next one.
Damn i could not stop reading this, im going to be tired for work tomorrow but worth it. The story is intriguing and flows at a nice pace. Yep i cant wait for the next one.
March 13, 2021
It was great!
There were, however, missing words and commas that took you out the story sometimes. There were word tense problems too.
I'll still probably read the next book when it comes out.
There were, however, missing words and commas that took you out the story sometimes. There were word tense problems too.
I'll still probably read the next book when it comes out.
October 6, 2021
Good introduction
Like the characters and story. Slow burn and nice. There is some backstory that is needed and some misconceptions but overall a fun read.
Like the characters and story. Slow burn and nice. There is some backstory that is needed and some misconceptions but overall a fun read.
November 20, 2019
Four stars
My rating would have been 5 stars, except the numerous grammatical errors and run-on sentences really detracted from the story. It was impossible to get completely engrossed with the story. I had to reread sentences and try to figure out what the author meant. Some, I am still not certain that I got correct. It is times like this that I want to print out a copy of the book and highlight the errors. Fixing them would definitely change my review. I loved the plot and characters. It was refreshing to have a responsible adult playing a prominent role in a young adult book. I was nervous that it was turning into another one of the numerous bully/school/romance books that are so popular right now. It definitely did not stay that way.
My rating would have been 5 stars, except the numerous grammatical errors and run-on sentences really detracted from the story. It was impossible to get completely engrossed with the story. I had to reread sentences and try to figure out what the author meant. Some, I am still not certain that I got correct. It is times like this that I want to print out a copy of the book and highlight the errors. Fixing them would definitely change my review. I loved the plot and characters. It was refreshing to have a responsible adult playing a prominent role in a young adult book. I was nervous that it was turning into another one of the numerous bully/school/romance books that are so popular right now. It definitely did not stay that way.
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