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Hex Hall A Hex Hall Novel Rachel Hawkins Books

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Hex Hall A Hex Hall Novel Rachel Hawkins Books

It's not easy being a witch, especially when you're raised by your human mother. Sophie Mercer knows this all too well, and it doesn't help that every time she tries to use her magic, it goes wrong and other humans notice. Meaning she and her mom have to move ... again.

Now she's been sentenced to Hecate Hall, also known as Hex Hall, a last chance reform school for magical beings that have defied the Council. Her classmates are witches, weres, faeries ... and her roommate is a vampire.

And here Sophie thought her last high school was hell. At least there, you didn't run the risk of literally meeting a demon.

Hex Hall is a fun, laugh-out-loud read, with plenty of action, some mystery, and a teeny bit of drama thrown in. I immediately fell in love with the main character, Sophie. She's so sassy and real - I swear, she has some of the wittiest lines in the entire book. Who wouldn't love a girl who screams 'Bad dog!' at an attacking werewolf? And that's just one of my favorites - seriously, the entire first chapter detailing how Sophie wrecks prom is a GEM. I can't even quote it, because I wouldn't want to ruin the humor by pulling lines out of context, but let me tell you that it is absolutely hilarious.

I also love that I didn't see some of the twists and turns coming in the story. I read so much that many times I can vaguely predict where the story is going - not so with Hex Hall. I adore being surprised by writers, and Rachel Hawkins did a fantastic job of adding in plenty of surprises. There were two huge plot twists I didn't see coming ... and I'm not all that sure I'm thrilled with how the romance turned out. Mostly, I'm still confused and in a little shock: much like Sophie.

I would heartily recommend this book to fans of paranormal fantasy, the young adult genre, or to anyone who likes a little snark in their heroines. Or a lot of snark, as this case my be.

I don't have much in the way of disclaimers, except there is a vampire, so there's some mention of blood and death.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure you can get an eBook copy for $2.99 until Halloween. Go grab one! Here are the links for kindle and nook.


Tags : Amazon.com: Hex Hall (A Hex Hall Novel) (9781423121305): Rachel Hawkins: Books,Rachel Hawkins,Hex Hall (A Hex Hall Novel),Hyperion Books,1423121309,JUV037000,Fantasy - General,School & Education - General,Social Themes - General,High school students,Interpersonal relations;Fiction.,Reformatories,Supernatural,Supernatural;Fiction.,Witches,Witches;Fiction.,Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9),Fantasy & Magic,Fiction,Fiction-Fantasy,Interpersonal relations,JUVENILE,JUVENILE FICTION Fantasy & Magic,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Fiction General,Juvenile FictionParanormal, Occult & Supernatural,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,Paranormal,Science fiction (Children's Teenage),TEEN'S FICTION FANTASY,United States,YOUNG ADULT FICTION,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Fantasy General,YOUNG ADULT FICTION School & Education General,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes General (see also headings under Family)

Hex Hall A Hex Hall Novel Rachel Hawkins Books Reviews

Actual rating 3.75 stars.

For some reason I did not connect that this was the same author that had written the ‘Rebel Belle’ trilogy – more stupid me! I had a lot of fun reading that Palladin adventure, and so too did I enjoy this witchy-demon-magic boarding school romp through the grounds of Hecate Hall.

I’d seen this book pop up in my recommendations repeatedly on several different sites – but something about the cover art, and it being a witch-based tale had me dismissing it. But because I was looking for some quick reads to help reach my reading goals back in 2017 (futilely) ‘Hex Hall’ fit the bill... and I was pleasantly surprised. This was not some mass produced paranormal romance I’d predicted. While still in the YA wheelhouse of tone, our protagonist Sophie had some wit and humour that kept me engaged, and I never felt bored for a moment. With a murder mystery entwined into the storyline, a romance, a fish-out-of-water arc, I was always waiting to see what would unfold on the next page. Needless to say this novel was a wonderful surprise and an engaging read. I’m definitely looking forward to adding the rest of this collection to my library as soon as possible.

‘Hex Hall’ has a Harry Potteresque feel. A prodigy magic user/outsider protagonist with a mystery to solve about their past. A magical boarding school with spells and student hijinks. A bully, some beasties and ghosts, wacky teachers and classes, and of course a library. But Sophie stands on her own – there is no Scooby Gang with a like-minded Hermione or Ronald, she does her own research, practices and develops skills and uncovers answers solo. I felt there could have been a bit more establishment of her character for me to connect with her quicker, and there are many tropes that gave this a I’ve-read-this-before vibe. But still, I was entertained and armoured by Sophie and her stumbling existence at Hecate Hall.

Qudos to Sophie’s roommate/vampire/best friend Jenna, by far my favourite character from the novel. She was sarcastic, juxtaposing and quirky... just as a best friend should be. I’m eager to see where this friendship will go in the series.

The writing style lends to an easy read, the tone is very teen-girl, I wanted a bit more sophistication, but it would have not hit its target market and confused readers. Hawkins writing is bang on for the demographic. And as a huge lover of all things YA, was charmed by this story. As there are new challenges and clues mixed with humour constantly scattered every page or so, it keeps the pace and tension building right to the end, and can quite easily be completed in one sitting, however I broke it in two, consuming it over lazy afternoons accompanied by a hot cup of tea.

There is enough of a mystery solved and plenty of resolution to feel like you get a pay-off at the end of the novel, even though this is a debut to a series. Plus, there are enough good teasers to leave you wanting to read on and get your hands on the next book. I’m definitely eager to dive right into ‘Demonglass’ as soon as possible. A super fun read and something I’d recommend to lovers of YA, and light witchy-toned books!
For once, a fresh and ORIGINAL take on teen witches and how they came to be, how they must answer to the Council, and how they make their way in the world. This is not another rubberstamped entry into the field. It reminds me of Diana Wynne Jones and Jane Yolen, with a witty narrator and fun turns of phrase. If you mess up and risk revealing your powers to humans, you'll get sentenced to Hecate Hall, also known as Hex Hall, a reform school for magical beings that have accidentally or on purpose done just one too many spells that could "out" them. Here we find not only witches, but shapeshifters, weres, and faeries--and, new this year, vampires. And demons? Hmmm.

I would have rated this five stars, but towards the end things took a very, very dark turn, and it disturbed me. The rest of the series probably pivots on this revelation, so I don't know if I will read the rest of the series . . . I probably will, but I"ll wait a while. Anyway, I think we should reward someone who does an ORIGINAL take like this! This is really about the power of women as much as it is about "magic" or "paranormal events." You could read some of it as an allegory. (But then most good books can be.)

If you enjoyed this, try DULCINEA or APRIL, MAYBE JUNE, which are not nearly as dark but are also original takes on girls with unusual power.
It's not easy being a witch, especially when you're raised by your human mother. Sophie Mercer knows this all too well, and it doesn't help that every time she tries to use her magic, it goes wrong and other humans notice. Meaning she and her mom have to move ... again.

Now she's been sentenced to Hecate Hall, also known as Hex Hall, a last chance reform school for magical beings that have defied the Council. Her classmates are witches, weres, faeries ... and her roommate is a vampire.

And here Sophie thought her last high school was hell. At least there, you didn't run the risk of literally meeting a demon.

Hex Hall is a fun, laugh-out-loud read, with plenty of action, some mystery, and a teeny bit of drama thrown in. I immediately fell in love with the main character, Sophie. She's so sassy and real - I swear, she has some of the wittiest lines in the entire book. Who wouldn't love a girl who screams 'Bad dog!' at an attacking werewolf? And that's just one of my favorites - seriously, the entire first chapter detailing how Sophie wrecks prom is a GEM. I can't even quote it, because I wouldn't want to ruin the humor by pulling lines out of context, but let me tell you that it is absolutely hilarious.

I also love that I didn't see some of the twists and turns coming in the story. I read so much that many times I can vaguely predict where the story is going - not so with Hex Hall. I adore being surprised by writers, and Rachel Hawkins did a fantastic job of adding in plenty of surprises. There were two huge plot twists I didn't see coming ... and I'm not all that sure I'm thrilled with how the romance turned out. Mostly, I'm still confused and in a little shock much like Sophie.

I would heartily recommend this book to fans of paranormal fantasy, the young adult genre, or to anyone who likes a little snark in their heroines. Or a lot of snark, as this case my be.

I don't have much in the way of disclaimers, except there is a vampire, so there's some mention of blood and death.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure you can get an eBook copy for $2.99 until Halloween. Go grab one! Here are the links for kindle and nook.