A pretty interesting read, one I did in a single two hour sitting. The best thing about Hex Hall is that, unlike most recent YA, it didn't drag the story out. Two hundred or so pages was enough to set up the world, set up the plot, and follow through with it all.

There was some interesting world building, the romance subplot didn't want to make me tear my hair out, Sophie was actually a pretty decent protagonist, and even the typical Mean Girl vs Our Hero plot wasn't so bad.

It didn't get my motor running, that's all. I'm still interested in the world building and I'll be checking out the next book when it's out, for sure.

An extremely delightful little book that may mean more to adults than the children it was written for. I want a Wyverary of my own.

I am much too groggy to come up with a clear review. I enjoyed the world building and what the author was trying to do very much, but the writing and lukewarm romance kinda killed things a little for me.

Beaaaautiful.

At times it felt like Karou was too interesting and trendy and unique, but it worked well within the world Laini Taylor created. Everything about this was great, though I was a little upset that it ended on such an open note (I dislike first novels that make it so obvious they're going into a series).

3.5 stars.

I'm still struggling to decide how I feel about Imaginary Girls. I enjoyed it. I liked the story, the mystery was engaging enough that I had to know how it all ended, and the writing was very...let's say...poetic. It never quite reached that other P-word, but it got close.

The relationship between the sisters is an entirely different animal, despite it being central to the novel. Ruby and Chloe have the sort of co-dependent relationship that doesn't make me happy the way it does in Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series, or in the television show Supernatural. It's the sort that made me uncomfortable, made me squirm as I read. It's unhealthy despite the love the sisters had for each other, and ultimately, my personal feelings on that matter are what's so conflicting for me about this book. I also sort of hated Ruby at times. I'm still not sure whether that was intentional or not, because despite the really shitty things Ruby does to other people (except her sister, of course) and despite Chloe being aware of them, Ruby is still a goddess in her sister's eyes. It's one thing I have to credit the author for; seeing Ruby through the eyes of a worshipful younger sister and still being incredibly uncomfortable about her (as I think was the intention) is impressive.

Impressive. That's the word I wanted. Imaginary Girls is an impressive novel. It might not have the same impression on everyone, but it does leave one.

Fell a little short of my expectations, mainly because I didn't particularly relate to or like Gretchen and Greer. The additional boy-related mysteries felt shoved in there for something to do other than have the girls discover each other and themselves. It was an interesting take on mythology, however, and I did enjoy it as a quick, fun read.

But I haaaaaate books with endings that are so obviously left open to make readers pick up the next book.

2.5 stars. Finished because some incredibly stubborn part of me willed it so.