Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Rebel Belle #1
Published by Penguin Teen on April 8, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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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.

Rebel Belle, the first in a new series from Rachel Hawkins, is a fun, fresh addition to the YA genre.  Rachel Hawkins’ fans will definitely love this one.

Rebel Belle has a very unique premise.  Paladins (almost super-hero like people) have powers that must be used to protect someone with the help of a mage.  In this case, Harper is the Paladin and David (her worse enemy) is the person she’s  been tasked with protecting.  The powers are thrust upon Harper out of nowhere and not only does she have to protect David, she’s gotta do it all while trying to figure out how her powers actually work.

Harper is a busybody.  She’s in charge of almost every group at school, she’s head cheerleader, homecoming queen, and preparing for Cotillion.  She is the quintessential southern belle.  When the powers of a Paladin are given to her, she decides that she can manage those too.  She’s a bit annoying in her quest for success in everything but you can’t really fault her for that.  She’s funny, smart, and kind (to everyone but David.)  She also has the perfect boyfriend, Ryan, and a wonderful best friend, Bee.  Then there’s David.  He’s quirky and smart and he can’t stand Harper.  Working with her is just as big a problem for him as it is for Harper.  However, they’re both good people at heart so they eventually start to work together to possibly save the world.

Harper and David have such fun, witty banter going on between them.  It’s easy to see the chemistry between them even though they will do anything to deny it.  They are a lot alike and working together starts to show this.  I loved them together.

The story is fast-paced and fun-filled.  Discovering the extent of Harper’s powers right there alongside her is quite the adventure.  She’s energetic and enthusiastic even in the face of danger.  She definitely cracked me up.  And there are quite a few shocking twists that will have you flipping pages as fast as possible.

Overall, Rebel Belle is beyond awesome.  If you’re looking for something that hasn’t been completely overdone, give this one a shot.

What others are saying about Rebel Belle:

Step Into Fiction’s review: “If you’re in the mood for something light and funny, let me tell you something, Rebel Belle is the book for you!”

Bibliophilia Please’s review: “Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins is my favorite novel to have a protagonist with superpowers in a long time.”

Books and Swoons’ review: “Rebel Belle was a great book to get lost in.”