Hexbound (Dark Elite, Book 2) Mass Market Paperback – January 4, 2011

There's never a dull moment at St. Sophia's. Ever since Lily Parker arrived at the Chicago boarding school she has been going nonstop.From discovering her suite-mate Scout's secret about being an Adept, one who fights against the Dark Elite to keep the people of Chicago safe, to finding out that she is also an Adept with the power to wield firespell, her arrival in Chicago has been anything but boring.Only weeks since rescuing Scout from the Reapers, a new threat has arisen. This one comes in the form of hideous creatures with fangs and claws that have been leaving slime trails in the tunnels leading to St. Sophia's.Still no closer to discovering the truth about Lily's parents and what they're really working on, she, Scout and the other Adepts in Enclave Three manage to get caught in the middle of vampire territorial wars as they try to uncover the source of these slimy new beings.To top it all off, Sebastian Born, the Reaper who activated Lily's firespell, is following her.And let's not forget Veronica and her brat pack who just can't seem to mind their own business.With Scout still recovering from her abduction by the Reapers and Lily still not in control of her firespell power, will they be able to figure out and defeat whoever is behind this?With the help of some new friends from Enclave Two and a few surprising allies, it may just be possible.***Hexbound is the second book in the Dark Elite series and picks up the story just weeks after the events that occurred in Firespell. Lily Parker is still working with the other Adepts to ensure that the Reapers do not harm the innocent by taking their life force to sustain themselves, when she, Scout, Jason and Michael encounter some never-before-seen creatures in the tunnels connecting to St. Sophia's.In their attempt to get more information about what these disgusting and slimy beings are, who created them and why they are trying to get into the school, they will have to turn enemies into allies and put their trust in someone who should not be trusted.Hexbound, like Firespell, is another delightful and quick read. The banter between Lily and Scout makes this story. If anything, Lily is even more sarcastic and clever in this book than in the first and her humorous interactions with Scout continue to entertain throughout the story.Author Chloe Neill has introduced a few new characters with some different powers, of which Detroit, the petite, blond, punk, techie machinist from Enclave Two, is the most interesting. The author has also made the vampires of Chicago a major player in this story, adding in yet another element to this world.In Hexbound, we do see less of the Reapers, however, aside from Sebastian Born. And, although Veronica and her snooty friends make an appearance, there is less of a focus on them, too.This second book in the series moves the plot forward and the ending wraps up nicely, although there are plenty of questions that still remain open from the first book and a few new questions that have been introduced in Hexbound.Another book in the series is planned which will hopefully explore these answers further.

I don't like to recap a novel's plot in a review because I feel like the book description does a pretty good job of teasing the story in most instances. However, I will tell you why I really enjoyed both books in the Dark Elite series. I am a huge fan of paranormal romance and action novels - vampires, werewolves, witches, etc... if it falls in one of these categories, then I'm interested in reading it. This includes anything from young adult to more r-rated novels - anything goes. However, as I've expanded my love of reading this genre, I've discovered there are just as many horrible writers as there are great ones in this genre. I have been a fan of Chloe Neill's Chicagoland vampire series for quite some time - in fact, it is definitely one of my favorite series in the genre! (Although those books definitely fall in the more adult category). So earlier this year, I decided to give this young adult series a try, and once again, I was not disappointed. While many paranormal books have similar or overlapping themes, I enjoyed Neill's twist on the world of magic in this series. Also, I appreciate that these novels are truly age appropriate for young adults. I have read a few series before that contained very detailed intimate scenes between high school students in books being billed as appropriate for middle and high school aged readers. While I personally enjoy my fair share of juicy scenes, I wouldn't want my daughter reading them one day when she hits middle school age. Therefore, I appreciate Neill's ability to mix innocent age-appropriate romance and flirtations in with the action of these novels' plot. Yet, while these books are certainly age appropriate for young adults, they are not written in a flighty high school tone which would turn off adults. On the contrary, I find a lot of adults (like myself) still really enjoy young adult fiction, and if that's the case, you will not be disappointed in this series. Now if you like a little more spice in your novels... then definitely check out her Chicagoland vampire series! Also, please note this review applies to both the first and second book in the Dark Elite series (Firespell and Hexbound) so I will be posting the same review under both titles. I do recommend reading the stories in book order (i.e. Firespell then Hexbound).

I enjoyed this second visit to the world of the Dark Elite. This one takes place shortly after the end of Firespell. Lily is getting used to the idea that she does have magic. She and her friend Scout are busy with all the usual school things like dealing with classes and bratty classmates. But they are also busy patrolling the underground areas of Chicago to fight the Reapers who want to steal magic and life from other people. In this episode, the group finds some fanged, rat-like beings that leave a trail of slime and attack anyone they see. Even the vampires are worried about the new creatures.Lily is also deepening her relationship with Jason who just happens to be a werewolf. She is also eager to find out the secrets of the Sterling Research Group and to get to the bottom of the mystery of where her parents are and what they are doing. Philosophers shouldn't be doing genetic research but it seems that they are.And then there is Sebastian Born - Reaper and hottie - who is trying to teach Lily about her magic. But can she trust him? What does he really want? Is there really a gray between the black and white that she wants to believe in?This was an excellent addition to the series and would be entertaining for young adult and middle grade lovers of the paranormal. I can't wait to find out what happens next for Lily, Scout, and their friends

The Dark elite series is set in a boarding school in Chicago. The main characters are Adept (teenagers with magical abilities) who are fighting against the Reapers (teenagers who also have magical abilities but gain their power through sacrificing others) at night and trying to appear like normal teenagers during the day. Lily, the main character, has just found herself in this world only recently discovering that she also has such an ability and is trying to work out what that means for her.While I'm not for a minute saying I didn't enjoy this book it certainly had a "middle book in a series" feel to it.The things I enjoyed:I love Lily and Scout as characters. I love how they spark off each other and love that they are feisty wonderful heroines without being bitchy or nasty.I liked delving deeper into the world of the dark elite because I thought book one only scratched the surface.Things that could have been betterI would have liked to have seen more happen. I just thought it this case the book trundled along a bit too slowly and nothing really was different by the end of the bookI wish that we weren't reminded every single chapter (maybe it just feels like that) that Lily is a vegetarian. I really don't care, it's not that interesting.I would have liked more on Lily's own background.I'm definitely still looking forward to seeing how the series pans out but please please give me some more of the kick ass action from book one.

Book was to drawn out and not as gripping as the first book

What can I say Chloe you did it again every time i read one of your books I get transported into another world it's the greatest high in escapes you can get you Cary writing I'll carry reading thanks

Great.

brill would love book four to be written