Helpful Score: 2
Hex Hall is a quick, light read that fans of other "supernatural school" series like Vampire Academy and House of Night will likely enjoy. Author Rachel Hawkins covers some familiar territory in her series debut, but the colorful characters and lively dialogue help Hex Hall hold its own in a sea of similar YA reads.
Teenage witch Sophie is sent to Hex Hall after a love spell goes horribly awry and her powers attract too much attention. The reformatory school is a haven for other Prodigium like her -- young witches, warlocks, fairies and shapeshifters who have broken the rules that keep the supernatural races safe from human detection. Sophie is already at a loss -- she was raised by her human mother, and has never met her mysterious, absentee warlock father. She doesn't know much about witchcraft, the history of her people or what to expect at her new school. However, she quickly makes friends -- and enemies -- and unravels a mystery that has to power to destry not only Sophie, but all Prodigium everywhere.
Hawkins' pacing of the novel is good, and there is a lot of funny material presented, often by sarcastic herione Sophie in her exchanges with her vampire roommate, Jenna. However, the book is fairly formulaic. I had correctly guessed most of the big "twists" doled out in the novel simply because I've read a lot of books in the genre. In fact, I'd venture a guess that I also have quite a few of the twists set up for book two unraveled, too. If you aren't bothered by the predictability, however, the book is definitely worth a read. It was enjoyable, but not one I'd probably read again.
One final note of criticism: the ending of Hex Hall was abrupt and almost seemed to be tagged on as an afterthought to create a cliff-hanger ending tease for the next book. I actually flipped a few pages back to see if I had missed a transition. In my mind, the ending did the entire book a disservice. I hope the author is afforded a bit more attention to the ending of the second Hex Hall book, due out in 2011.
Teenage witch Sophie is sent to Hex Hall after a love spell goes horribly awry and her powers attract too much attention. The reformatory school is a haven for other Prodigium like her -- young witches, warlocks, fairies and shapeshifters who have broken the rules that keep the supernatural races safe from human detection. Sophie is already at a loss -- she was raised by her human mother, and has never met her mysterious, absentee warlock father. She doesn't know much about witchcraft, the history of her people or what to expect at her new school. However, she quickly makes friends -- and enemies -- and unravels a mystery that has to power to destry not only Sophie, but all Prodigium everywhere.
Hawkins' pacing of the novel is good, and there is a lot of funny material presented, often by sarcastic herione Sophie in her exchanges with her vampire roommate, Jenna. However, the book is fairly formulaic. I had correctly guessed most of the big "twists" doled out in the novel simply because I've read a lot of books in the genre. In fact, I'd venture a guess that I also have quite a few of the twists set up for book two unraveled, too. If you aren't bothered by the predictability, however, the book is definitely worth a read. It was enjoyable, but not one I'd probably read again.
One final note of criticism: the ending of Hex Hall was abrupt and almost seemed to be tagged on as an afterthought to create a cliff-hanger ending tease for the next book. I actually flipped a few pages back to see if I had missed a transition. In my mind, the ending did the entire book a disservice. I hope the author is afforded a bit more attention to the ending of the second Hex Hall book, due out in 2011.
Helpful Score: 2
Very entertaining book. I read it in under 3 hours. It's definitely geared more to the teen or younger crowd. But, at age 27, I still enjoy such books immensely. The plot wasn't transparent as some YA books tend to be, and I thought the main character was very likable. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Helpful Score: 1
Harry Potter fans rejoice! In this fresh new take on a magical school, Sophia is sent away to Hecate Hall aka:Hex Hall, a reform school for prodigium children who cannot control their powers. We have witches, faires, werevolves and vampires attending the school.
Sophia is roomated with the only vamp in the school, Jenna, who loves everything pink. Shes also approached by a trio of dark witches who want her to join their coven.
Soon the coven girls start getting attacked, one by one, and all the fingers are pointing to Jenna. Sofie trys to clear her name with the help of a michievious ghost in the woods, and cant help but swoon over the cutie Archer.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! Not only did it have a mystery with a twist, but the magic was really cool!!!! This is a MUST READ for paranormal fans out there!
Sophia is roomated with the only vamp in the school, Jenna, who loves everything pink. Shes also approached by a trio of dark witches who want her to join their coven.
Soon the coven girls start getting attacked, one by one, and all the fingers are pointing to Jenna. Sofie trys to clear her name with the help of a michievious ghost in the woods, and cant help but swoon over the cutie Archer.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! Not only did it have a mystery with a twist, but the magic was really cool!!!! This is a MUST READ for paranormal fans out there!
Helpful Score: 1
Wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I was pleasantly surprised by the character development and the way the author's dialogue flowed so easily. I unfortunately read the synopsis of the second book before finishing the first book, so I hosed myself, and didn't get the ooh, ahh surprises the book has inside. Not a bad read for pre-teens, I've certainly read books that I don't think are appropriate for pre-teens, yet they are categorized as YA novels. This is a highly recommended read, it had me laughing out loud and a little sad at times. I found it difficult to put down, and it kept me thoroughly entertained through the whole book. I dig this new author, and I'm looking forward to the next book. I borrowed this from the library to read, but it's one I think I might like to keep in my library.
Helpful Score: 1
Sophie Mercer was only trying to help a fellow student. Now because she has outed herself as a witch (for the 19th time) and her mother has no choice but to ship her only daughter off to Hecate Hall, a boarding school for wayward supernaturals. Not knowing who her father is, she is met with hostility from many of the students. But that is the least of her worries. Students are turning up dead and trying to figure out who is doing this is very important, considering Sophie could be next on the list. Also, a coven of witches want her for their fourth. And these witches you do not want to cross.
One of the suspects is Sophies own roommate, Jenna, the resident vampire. Vampires are new to Hecate and are considered beneath the elite supernaturals. Also suspected is a group called The Eye of God. Their job is to hunt down and kill supernaturals in order to protect the human world but because supposedly they shouldnt be able to breach the spell that protects Hecate.
The reader is taken on a very imaginative journey of discovery. Discovery of who Sophie actually is, what The Eye of God are about and the reader discovers that sometimes you need to accept people that may be slightly different than you. The author takes interesting characteristics out of Roman and Egyptian history and weaves them into the plot of Hex Hall.
I couldnt stop flipping the pages on this one. Even though it seems to be the same old storyline that we have been seeing a lot in the YA genre but I thought the aspects that were thrown in added the extra needed to keep the reader enthralled. Thought it was a very strong first book and I do look forward to the next installment.
One of the suspects is Sophies own roommate, Jenna, the resident vampire. Vampires are new to Hecate and are considered beneath the elite supernaturals. Also suspected is a group called The Eye of God. Their job is to hunt down and kill supernaturals in order to protect the human world but because supposedly they shouldnt be able to breach the spell that protects Hecate.
The reader is taken on a very imaginative journey of discovery. Discovery of who Sophie actually is, what The Eye of God are about and the reader discovers that sometimes you need to accept people that may be slightly different than you. The author takes interesting characteristics out of Roman and Egyptian history and weaves them into the plot of Hex Hall.
I couldnt stop flipping the pages on this one. Even though it seems to be the same old storyline that we have been seeing a lot in the YA genre but I thought the aspects that were thrown in added the extra needed to keep the reader enthralled. Thought it was a very strong first book and I do look forward to the next installment.
