Old Review: To Catch A Pirate, by Jade Parker

To Catch A Pirate, by Jade Parker
Publisher: Scholastic/Point
Release Date: May 1, 2007
Paperback: 230 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Source: Bought
Challenge: none
Date Read: May 2010
Rating: 

Once caught, it’s harder still to let a pirate go
When Annalisa Townsend’s ship is set upon by pirates in search of her father’s treasure, one of the crew, James Sterling, discovers her in the hold.  When he moves to take her necklace, she begs him not to, as it is all she has left of her mother.  He accepts a kiss in exchange for the necklace.  “A fair trade, m’lady,” he tells her afterward, before disappearing.
A year later, with a forged letter of marque, Annalisa is intent on hunting down the wretched James Sterling and reclaiming her father’s treasure from him.  But now she’s in danger of him stealing something far more vulnerable this time: her heart.

This book blew my mind! At first I was worried I wouldn't be able to get into it because I kept getting distracted while reading the beginning of the book. I told myself that if I couldn't get into it after reading up to 50 pages, then I'd have to put it away for another time.

I FINALLY got into it around 50 pages, and was so relieved. It got really interesting and I kept wanting to read more. But by the sixth chapter I couldn't put it down and wanted to keep reading it.

I loved Anna, she was a good strong character and I loved how determined she was to find her father's treasure. She tried so hard during the book to hate James Sterling, but it was impossible.

Nathanial was a sweet guy, but after a while he got really annoying and I kept screaming at the book trying to tell him to leave Anna and Sterling alone. Haha!

The book was filled with twists that I never saw coming, which I absolutely loved! They took me by surprise so many times.

The way they speak most of the time in the book was a bit hard to get used to, but after a while you do.

I love historical romances, but it's hard to find really good ones nowadays. But this one really got up on my list of good ones. And it has pirates! You gotta love the pirates!


Overall, this was a great book. Pick it up. The writing draws you in and holds you. 


Fun fact: Rachel Hawthore, the author of The Dark Guardian series, is the author of this book as well! Jade Parker is just a name she came up with and used for her author name with this book because it was much different than the books she was writing at the time. 


*Note: This is part of my 'Old Review' collection. Where I post reviews randomly that I wrote a while ago before starting this blog.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
(Hex Hall, #1)
Publisher: Hyperion Children's
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Hardcover: 336
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon  
Source: library
Challenge: A to Z, Support Your Local Library, Book Blogger Recommendation
Overall:   

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

To be honest, the first time trying to read this a couple of months ago didn't work out. I couldn't get into it. This time I could and boy did I like this book! It was a great start to a series and I really wish I would have swiped Demonglass, Hex Hall's sequel, when I had the chance because now I'm regretting that big time, wanting to know more about Sophie and what happens to her school. 

And also, hello, what happened about Archer! I mean, how can someone NOT be curious about THAT? I'm not going to say more about it than that because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. 

The writing was intriguing, I finished this book pretty fast after getting into it, and the characters were fun to read about. Even if Elodie and her gang made me incredibly mad basically every time they came into the picture, though Elodie did have her moments.

I love witches. I was a major fangirl of Charmed growing up and I still watch my seasons on DVD once in a while, I've always been fascinated with them and most other things paranormal. I guess that is one of the reasons why I wanted to get through this book so bad. Though I really don't understand why I couldn't get into it the first time, I guess because I wanted to read something else? I dunno.

But overall, I know I didn't say much about this book, other than I liked it. But I just couldn't figure out what to say about it. I really, really liked it and all the magic and awesomeness. You should definitely read it if you are a fan of witches in a school where there are also Fae, vampires and shape shifters. It made an awesome, though sometimes terrifying, pairing.

I really like the cover, I didn't understand it much at first, but if you read this book you'll understand about the reflection in the water. =)

The second book in the series is called Demonglass. It was released on March 22, 2011.