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: 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: 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.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book in the Hex Hall trilogy. It was a cute YA paranormal read. There isnt a lot special here but the book was generally well written and well done. I especially enjoyed Sophies quirky sense of humor.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. Sophie sounds exactly like I would imagine her to. The narrator did an excellent job of distinguishing between character voices.
Sophie Mercer is a witch and when a love spell she does for a friend goes horribly wrong, her dad decides her punishment will be to transfer her to Hex Hall. Hex Hall is a school of magical deliquents, those students of non-human nature who just cant seem to control their powers. While there Sophie gets involved in a mystery where other Dark Witches are being attacked. If Sophie cant figure out whats going on, and quickly, then she might be the next witch attacked.
This is a cute young adult read about a school full of witches, faeries, vampires and werewolves. It was a fun quick read and the characters were engaging. There was a good mystery to be solved, although it was pretty predictable.
Sophie kind of makes the story. She has an absolutely quirky and cutting sense of humor that gets her into trouble a lot. Her roommate, a vampire addicted to hot pink, adds even more fun to the mix.
This is a pretty typical YA paranormal read. Sophie has to deal with the mean girl group, the only twist being that these mean girls want her to join their coven. Sophie also ends up falling for the hottest guy in school, the totally untouchable Archer Cross. Sophie and Archer had pretty good chemistry together and it was cute to watch them get to know each other.
The vamps, weres, and witches are pretty typical...theres nothing all that special about them in this world. The world-building in general isnt all that great. This book is driven more by the mystery behind all of the witches being attacked. Much of the book is also dedicated to Sophie getting settled in her new school and learning more about being a witch.
Overall a fun and quick paranormal YA read. While there wasnt a ton that was super creative here, it was still and cute and fun read. This is just a light book to read quickly. The characters are engaging and well done and there is a good mystery here to be solved. I will probably check out the second book in the series, mainly because Sophie is just so much fun and so quirky. Recommended to fans of YA paranormal books.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. Sophie sounds exactly like I would imagine her to. The narrator did an excellent job of distinguishing between character voices.
Sophie Mercer is a witch and when a love spell she does for a friend goes horribly wrong, her dad decides her punishment will be to transfer her to Hex Hall. Hex Hall is a school of magical deliquents, those students of non-human nature who just cant seem to control their powers. While there Sophie gets involved in a mystery where other Dark Witches are being attacked. If Sophie cant figure out whats going on, and quickly, then she might be the next witch attacked.
This is a cute young adult read about a school full of witches, faeries, vampires and werewolves. It was a fun quick read and the characters were engaging. There was a good mystery to be solved, although it was pretty predictable.
Sophie kind of makes the story. She has an absolutely quirky and cutting sense of humor that gets her into trouble a lot. Her roommate, a vampire addicted to hot pink, adds even more fun to the mix.
This is a pretty typical YA paranormal read. Sophie has to deal with the mean girl group, the only twist being that these mean girls want her to join their coven. Sophie also ends up falling for the hottest guy in school, the totally untouchable Archer Cross. Sophie and Archer had pretty good chemistry together and it was cute to watch them get to know each other.
The vamps, weres, and witches are pretty typical...theres nothing all that special about them in this world. The world-building in general isnt all that great. This book is driven more by the mystery behind all of the witches being attacked. Much of the book is also dedicated to Sophie getting settled in her new school and learning more about being a witch.
Overall a fun and quick paranormal YA read. While there wasnt a ton that was super creative here, it was still and cute and fun read. This is just a light book to read quickly. The characters are engaging and well done and there is a good mystery here to be solved. I will probably check out the second book in the series, mainly because Sophie is just so much fun and so quirky. Recommended to fans of YA paranormal books.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful read!I read it all in one day, simply because I couldn't put it down! Has great characters, a bit of humor and fantastic twists. This book had me anticipating what happens next and trying to guess for myself what the twists were, only to find I was close, but yet way off. wonderful read and I cant wait to read the next one!
Was a page turner,couldn't put it down.
Reviewed by http://bibliophile-bestiary.blogspot.com/
I can NOT believe how much I was sucked into this book! It was like MAGIC! (*hehe corny, I know*) But it was incredible! The lead character, Sophie, was great. She was funny and not snotty, she had a good sense of humor. The mystery of it all was very suspenseful and honestly I didn't guess what was happening until the end. That is a very good thing for me since I read so many books and sometimes it can be annoying to have figured it out half way through.
The magical aspect was very cool too. I love that there are all types of beings in the book, but I do wish there was more magic, or more history of the magic. But I really can't complain because the book was awesome!
I am so looking forward to continuing this series. I am angry at myself that it took this long for me to start it! 5 out of 5 stars!
I can NOT believe how much I was sucked into this book! It was like MAGIC! (*hehe corny, I know*) But it was incredible! The lead character, Sophie, was great. She was funny and not snotty, she had a good sense of humor. The mystery of it all was very suspenseful and honestly I didn't guess what was happening until the end. That is a very good thing for me since I read so many books and sometimes it can be annoying to have figured it out half way through.
The magical aspect was very cool too. I love that there are all types of beings in the book, but I do wish there was more magic, or more history of the magic. But I really can't complain because the book was awesome!
I am so looking forward to continuing this series. I am angry at myself that it took this long for me to start it! 5 out of 5 stars!
What started out as an interesting story quickly morphed into a typical teenaged angst novel. The outcast (Sophie) is thrust into a new school (for the 20th time) and quickly bonds with the most hated student (the vampire, Jenna). Of course the popular girls (Anna, Chaston and Elodie), who are also dark witches, feel slighted when Sophie declines their invite to join their coven. Then the tricks begin. Like I said, a typical teenage storyline. I've heard such good things about this series, that I was disappointed when the book shifted into this realm. It's an ok story with a few surprises but all in all a series that I won't continue.
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Sophie found out she's a witch. Three years without guidance and one extremely bad love potion later, she lands herself a one-way pass to Hex Hall.
Hex Hall is a boarding school for magical creatures and beings in need of a little more training and lots of rules. Other inmates include werewolves, shapeshifters, faeries, and one vampire who happens to be Sophie's new roommate and the one girl everyone loves to hate.
Jenna loves pink and seems sweet, but there's a dangerous rumor floating around about her and the death of a girl last year.
Sophie's not sure who to trust, but despite rumors, she becomes fast friends with Jenna while crushing over the hottest boy in school - and gaining his girlfriend as an enemy.
When another girl is attacked, everyone wants the truth. Did a coven of witches raise a demon? Could a ghost from Sophie's past be more powerful than she suspects? Are the vampires really responsible for these attacks? Either way, the truth must come out...
Rachel Hawkins writes a perfect debut novel filled with paranormal creatures, a dark mystery, a deep, strange society, and one hot guy. This start of a new series left me breathless with anticipation for the next installment.
Sophie found out she's a witch. Three years without guidance and one extremely bad love potion later, she lands herself a one-way pass to Hex Hall.
Hex Hall is a boarding school for magical creatures and beings in need of a little more training and lots of rules. Other inmates include werewolves, shapeshifters, faeries, and one vampire who happens to be Sophie's new roommate and the one girl everyone loves to hate.
Jenna loves pink and seems sweet, but there's a dangerous rumor floating around about her and the death of a girl last year.
Sophie's not sure who to trust, but despite rumors, she becomes fast friends with Jenna while crushing over the hottest boy in school - and gaining his girlfriend as an enemy.
When another girl is attacked, everyone wants the truth. Did a coven of witches raise a demon? Could a ghost from Sophie's past be more powerful than she suspects? Are the vampires really responsible for these attacks? Either way, the truth must come out...
Rachel Hawkins writes a perfect debut novel filled with paranormal creatures, a dark mystery, a deep, strange society, and one hot guy. This start of a new series left me breathless with anticipation for the next installment.
Felicia Miller was crying in the bathroom.
Sophie Mercer came into her magical powers when she was twelve. Three years later she is outed a her school's prom when she tries to help a fellow outsider with a love spell. This lands her at Hecate Hall, a sort of juvie reform school for misbehaving magical teens.
Hecate Hall is Sophie's 20th school. She befriends her
outcast vampire roommate, Jenna who is suspected of killing a former witch at the school. A trio of witches is looking for a fourth to complete a complicated spell that fell short when their fourth was murdered.
The usual YA formula is here with teen angst, mean girls and a hunky guy. Throw in a powerful head mistress, a demented "gym" teacher and a healing groundskeeper for a quick fun read.
The demon element did not appear until late in the book which surprised me a bit since it was listed so high on the demons shelf.
I enjoyed Sophie and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Sophie Mercer came into her magical powers when she was twelve. Three years later she is outed a her school's prom when she tries to help a fellow outsider with a love spell. This lands her at Hecate Hall, a sort of juvie reform school for misbehaving magical teens.
Hecate Hall is Sophie's 20th school. She befriends her
outcast vampire roommate, Jenna who is suspected of killing a former witch at the school. A trio of witches is looking for a fourth to complete a complicated spell that fell short when their fourth was murdered.
The usual YA formula is here with teen angst, mean girls and a hunky guy. Throw in a powerful head mistress, a demented "gym" teacher and a healing groundskeeper for a quick fun read.
The demon element did not appear until late in the book which surprised me a bit since it was listed so high on the demons shelf.
I enjoyed Sophie and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I loved this book. Sophie is an awesome heroine and I love the fact that the book takes place at a magical boarding school. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series. Read my full review at http://bourg.info/2012/05/12/hex-hall-by-rachel-hawkins/
This was good for a debut book. It's paranormal and YA but has some interesting plot twists and reads quickly. Good story and will read the follow-up - Demonglass when I get it.
A great book. Quite entertaining as well. I highly recommend this series.
