Saturday, March 16, 2013

REVIEW: "HEX HALL" (Hex Hall, #1) - by Rachel Hawkins


Title: “Hex Hall
Series: (Hex Hall, #1)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Date: April 1, 2010
Genre: YA
Reviewed by: Books4Tomorrow
Source: Purchased
My star rating: 4/5

SUMMARY

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 student 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

I’m convinced I was already hooked after seeing the exquisite book cover for the first time. Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m a sucker for eye-catching book covers. Why read the blurb when the cover already sells it for me, right? I was instantly curious to know how these two women were connected or if maybe it could be the same person. So I made myself comfortable and dug in…and oh wow, what an amazing read! Somehow I just knew right from the start that Hex Hall wasn’t going to disappoint me. I am now without a doubt a Rachel Hawkins fangirl.

Sophie is a well-meaning witch using her magic to help others, but it gets her into trouble and before she knows it she’s shipped-off to Hecate Hall – “the premier reformatory institution for Prodigium adolescents” - for her own protection from elements who want to kill her and others like her. At Hecate, or better known as Hex Hall, Sophie also makes new friends and learns how to use her magic. A clean-cut, straightforward, uncomplicated plot, right? Uncomplicated, yes, straightforward and clean-cut, yes. Full of surprises, twists, revealed secrets, a hottie, and a few vixens? Definitely!

So, what did I love about this book? Well, I’m usually all about the characters and in Hex Hall we meet a ton of interesting, likeable, and not so likeable characters. But what I enjoyed most about this fantastic story was the world building. Even after I finished the book, I could still feel the magical effect it had on me. Hecate is an amazing place to be and I love the detail in which the author brings it to life and the way it tickled my imagination trying to envision myself in this enchanting academy.

The story was really interesting and moved at an easy pace. An assortment of fascinating characters kept me glued to the pages and although I read Hex Hall in fits and starts, I couldn’t put it down once it started building up to the finale when all the loose ends came together to reveal the villain(s). This is a terrific read for when you’re on vacation and you need your brain to switch off. It really is a clean read suitable for readers aged twelve and up, and the tongue-in-cheek humor throughout the story will appeal to readers of all ages.  This is a read well worth every penny and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!





 


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Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins has 4194 reviews on Goodreads. Read it here.

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4 comments:

The Cover Contessa said...

I really enjoyed this book when I read it. I am gearing up to dive into the second and third books to get ready for School Spirits! Great review

Dazzling Mage said...

I LOVE this series!

Unknown said...

This series is awesome. Can't wait for School Spirits! Great review.

Unknown said...

I was also drawn by the cover, it looked really awesome (and I love her dress :P)

I haven't read a review of it at the time cause I had just bought some books. But I'm glad you enjoyed, I think I'll have to buy it after all

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