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.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
