Review: Hex Hall

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

publisher: Hyperion Books CH

release date: March 2, 2010

hardcover, 323 pages

intended audience: Young adult

rating:


Description from goodreads:
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 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.

Review: What a fun book! Hex Hall has it all: excellent writing, a great main character, interesting supporting characters, and a intriguing storyline, and some heart-stoppingly spooky moments! Hawkins' writing style was comedic and casual at times, but brought in the intensity where it was needed. The witty way she wrote the main character gave a perfect sense of who Sophie Mercer was---a strong willed teenager with a quirky sense of humor and desire to find her way in a world that she feels completely lost in.

Sophie is a witch, but she was raised by her non-magical mother. The magic comes from her dad, who has been out of the picture since before Sophie was born, so this leaves Sophie completely lost in the magical world. She has gotten into trouble time and time again by using her magic, but the last straw is when she tries to help a girl at school with a love spell that goes completely awry. This scores her a one-way ticket to Hex Hall, a sort of reform school for prodigium (witches, werewolves, rogue fairies, etc.) who need a little help learning to control their powers. Here she meets her roommate, Jenna, the only vampire in the school, Archer, the cute warlock who Sophie can't decide if she loves or hates, and three dark witches who are trying to get Sophie to join their coven. She also finds out more about her Dad and his place in the witch world.

I loved Sophie! She was a strong character who didn't take crap from anyone. She is trying so hard to figure this whole witch thing out and it keeps backfiring on her, yet she has such a sharp wit and humor through it all, and her comebacks were always hilarious. Example:

Favorite Sophie quote (When being told about Dark and White Witches) : "Dark and White? What, are we like chicken meat?"

I really like Jenna, she was a great friend to Sophie and I worried about her through the whole story that things would turn out okay for her!! Loved Archer,too, and I can't wait to see where the next book takes this character, because by his actions at the end, I think there is a lot more to him than meets the eye! Bit of a steep cliffhanger at the end, but as long as the next book is in sight, I'm okay with that!

Pick this one up soon if you haven't, its a great Halloween read! The next book in the series, Demonglass, comes out in March of 2011!!
Visit Rachel Hawkins website here.

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