Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall (Hex Hall Series #1) by Rachel Hawkins: Book CoverHex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

            • Pub. Date: February 2011
            • Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
            • Format: Paperback , 352pp
            • Sales Rank: 17,715
Synopsis:

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 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 Thoughts:

Rachel Hawkins created a story that is something that almost every teen can relate too and that is being different and not really understanding who you are and where you fit.  I really enjoyed the fact that the spell Sophie cast to arrive at Hex Hall was really one that she thought was going to help someone and make her fit in some place, not easy for a witch to do. After moving around so much, one might think that Sophie would be happy to be in one place but yet again she just doesn’t fit in. It is here at Hex Hall that she finally learns who her father really is and that only makes her even more different than the other students.  Not only is she a black witch but her father is the head of the Council, that sentenced every student to this school until they are eighteen, including Sophie’s roommate, who is even more of an outcast because she is a vampire.  The other black witches try to get Sophie to join their coven, but she wants nothing to do with it.  When Sophie finds one of these girls almost dead, all fingers point to her new roommate.  Sophie is determined to clear her friend.  Sophie is going to learn a lot more than she excepts before she solves this mystery and might get her heart broken along the way.

For me, this book started a bit slow but then it picked right up and I could not put it down.  I can remember times when I was a teen that I felt just like Sophie so it was very interesting for me to see how she was going to work some of her issues out and how she would handle the truth about what she really is.  Rachel Hawkins did a wonderful job with creating a story that plays with your emotions and keep you guessing from chapter to chapter.  My favorite single scene in Hex Hall  was when Sophie is trying to use magic to make her All Hallows dress and it keeps turning out horrible .  It made me laugh out loud.

My Rating:

4 Penguins.  I wish I was using half ratings though as it would be 4.5.  The only real reason why is that the story started slow for me.  That doesn’t mean it will be the same for you so check it out!

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

This great meme is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week will share with you the books we are reading, just finished reading and those books we are planning to read this week.

Alright, I do not understand what is going on with me other than maybe it is just really busy, but I had a really hard time finishing just one book this week.  I have got to get over this or August is going to be a huge failure.  David also did zero reading this week.  I know that two days were consumed by work followed by Vacation Bible School and family events this weekend but I hope this week is better.  That being said, I know already that I have 3 nights of VBS and an all day long airshow on Saturday.  I am just going to see how it goes.  I also had to sit aside Scorpio Races for now, I was having trouble focusing on it so I am going to come back to it in a few weeks.
Finished:
Hex Hall (Hex Hall Series #1) by Rachel Hawkins: Book Cover
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins – Review Coming Soon
Currently Reading:
Going Bovine by Libba Bray: Book Cover
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Coming Up Next:
Heist Society (Heist Society Series #1) by Ally Carter: Book Cover
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Like I said before, nothing from David he is a bit stuck right now.
It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It’s where I list all the books I desperately want but haven’t actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It’s also an event that you can join in with too – Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own ‘On My Wishlist’ post. If you want to know more click here.
Happy Saturday Everyone!   I hope you all had a great week!  Walking through my closing Borders gave me some ideas of what to post today so on with it we go.
Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls Series #3) by Maggie Stiefvater: Book Cover Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Synopsis:

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater’s SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce: Book CoverSistersRed by Jackson Pearce

Synopsis:

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris–the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She’s determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls’ bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett’s only friend–but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they’ve worked for?

Demonglass (Hex Hall Series #2) by Rachel Hawkins: Book Cover  Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Synopsis:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Acher to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

So those are some of the books on my wishlist.  What are you wishing for?  Please leave me a comment or link so I can visit.  Also, if you are a new follower please be sure to let me know.