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| Goodreads |
Published March 2nd 2010 by Hyperion Book CH
Source: library
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goodreads 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.
My review:
Major headbang-For not having picked up this series sooner.
Hex Hall was the funniest and most entertaining YA paranormal that I've read in a while, so it's no wonder that I devoured it in a few hours. I fell in love with it from the first page. It's a light read, quick, easy-flowing and laugh-out-loud funny. Even though it tends to stay on the surface without unnecessary dwelling on details, Hawkins has managed to incorporate a lot of important themes, like bullying, tolerance, self-discovery, coming of age, true friendship, family ties...
Sophie's voice was absolutely refreshing. I liked the character arc of some of the supporting cast, while other stay stereotypical and one-dimensional. The plot is interesting enough, and a cliff-hangerish ending will have you tap your fingers impatiently for the sequel.
From the cover and synopsis, I expected...don't know what, something even lighter? Maybe middle grade? Hex Hall has a fair share of grit and scare as well, and a romantic situation probably not suited for middle grade.
Four stars for the sole reason that I prefer my magic and witches much darker. Also, four stars because some scenes were too Harry Potter.
