Hex Hall, by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Release: March 2, 2010

Publisher: Hyperion

Source: Bought

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.

This was a book that I had been wanting to read for the longest time. When I finally found the time to read it, I dived right in, expecting a truly spectacular book. While I did find something quite enjoyable and fun, it wasn’t the magic I was hoping it would be.

Sophie was a good character to carry the story but I wish she, along with the rest of the characters, could have been fleshed out more. They had their own personalities, but they didn’t shine like I want characters I read to. I also didn’t really understand Sophie and Archer’s relationship at all! I am totally team Cal.

I liked the writing style most of the time, but some times there was something about it that distracted me and made me lose focus on the story at hand. I wish the writing could be more young adult and less middle grade because teens say and do bad things… so why try to hide when you’re writing. This happens a lot with young adult books so in no way am I attacking Hawkins individually.

I liked the setting of Hex Hall, but it wasn’t too detailed. I was hoping a brand new magical boarding school setting, filled with magical wondrous things at every turn, but it was pretty much two big houses shoved together. I also wish we could have seen more of the classes they took and more of the magic they did.

I really loved how vampires, demons, faeries, shifters, and werewolves were all brought together under one roof. I also really liked the idea of all the different groups that are out to destroy them. The story in general was really neat, but it was a very “first book in series” plot, just designed to set up the rest of the series.

So even though it wasn’t the mind-blowing spectacular I thought it would be, it was still a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Its sub par characters were outshined by its unique story and new magical world. I cannot wait to see where this series goes in upcoming additions to this series.