Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: #1 of Hex Hall
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Supernatural School
Age restriction? 12+
An immensely fun read, with everything you'd expect from a supernatural boarding school book plus a great voice and lots of humour.
Description: 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. ...more
REVIEW: This was such a fun read! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the book delivers on everything it promises.
Sophie was a character that I truly treasured - vulnerable, scared and insecure yet trying to hide behind sarcasm and jokes. There were many times while reading a book that I actually laughed out loud.
Sure, there is a kind of "plot-by-numbers" feel and you've probably read the same story a million different times (starting with Harry Potter), and the characters, while pretty much stock (your "cool-but-evil" trinity, your "hot, popular and hates you" crush, your "misfit BFF", even your "strong and sexy ranger-type") but the dialogue is fresh, the writing absolutely sparkles and exploring this well-known plot through the eyes and thoughts of the indomitable Sophie was a blast.
As far as escapism fiction goes it doesn't get much better than this!
Who would like this book: If you're looking for a quick, fun read that's exactly what you expect, only with more fun and theatrics, this is the book for you. If you're looking for something different from or more than the standard New Misfit at Supernatural School tm yarn, don't bother.
Mm, sounds like a fun quick quirky read. Might consider it, but my list of books to read is so long already, that I need to start being picky. XD
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty much spot-on how I felt about the book. I would've liked a little more plot intrigue and character depth, but it was a fast, fun read and I loved Sophie's voice. She was genuinely funny and easy to relate to.
ReplyDeleteI have Demonglass sitting on my coffee table, and I'm excited to follow Sophie on her next adventure.
Thanks for the review. I liked reading it. :)
Katja, I'd highly recommend it, though I hear you about having to be more selective. Sometimes I look at my "to-read" list and think that there will never be enough time in the world for all that reading!
ReplyDeleteKrispy - I loved Demonglass too, the review is coming up next week. Can't wait for the third one now!
I am so happy to hear that you give this book such high kudos! I have this book and Demonglass waiting for me to read in my closet. you make me want to push the book I'm reading to the side and read Hex Hall! :)
ReplyDeleteHow are you liking the Weekend Review Club! I LOVE it! I was wanting to do it for a while now. I am happy that ur participating!
I love the Weekend Review Club so much! It's such a great idea, thanks for starting it.
ReplyDeleteHey there - glad to see you also enjoyed this fun read. I'm really looking forward to see what happens to Sophie next. And I get a feeling that the atmosphere is going to become a lot more serious and tense.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from a fellow South African!
Shelagh (New Follower)
The Word Fiend