Review: Hex Hall By Rachel Hawkins

Paperback: Hex Hall (Book 1)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Pages: 352

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Release Date: February 1, 2011

Genre Young Adult/ Paranormal Romance

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

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.

      Hex Hall was nothing short of one fantastic summer read. From page one we witness Sophie’s unfortunate attempt to “fix” a fellow classmates dilemma by creating a super charged love spell on the hottest boy in school. Now don’t doubt Sophie’s ability here, the spell worked. It just worked a little too well. Let’s just say the unfortunate boy may have driven his vehicle into the schools gymnasium and may have punched a teacher in the face in his struggle to reach his one “true love.”  After said failed love spell attempt words like “witch” were cast out against Sophie and as punishment she is charged with attending the remainder of her high schools days at Hecate Hall. In short Hecate Hall or as the students say, Hex Hall is a boarding school for the delinquent witch, warlock, faire and shifter.

     Sophie’s first day at Hex Hall is somewhat comparable to Harry Potter’s first day attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sophie like Harry has never really known any other magical person so she naturally is dazed and overwhelmed by other gifted students before she even gets past the front door. Sophie’s first run in with a shifter is Justin. He is not happy and when he catches Sophie looking over his way he snarls and transforms into a real fircken werewolf. Werewolf. Great. The only thing Sophie can think to do or say is, “bad dog”, as he comes leaping her way with pure fury. Cue, resident bad boy and warlock, Archer Cross.  In one swift moment, Archer has dealt with the “bad dog” and Sophie is reluctantly put off by his manner and attitude (even though the whole package is something to drool over) Mind you, Sophie hasn’t even made it through the front door and she is already set on going home. Sophie is roomed with Jenna. A young, wait for it…. Vampire. Yep. She is the only vampire student among Hecate Hall and a scholarship student at that. So you can only imagine how much the rest of the school detests her and she is considered inferior and a monster. I liked Jenna right away. Even though she has some personal demons to work on she is trying her best to be a good person, err, vampire? Jenna’s side of the room is decked out in electric raspberry pink… EVERYTING, from the bed spread to the streak in her hair. Even though Sophie likes her, the rest of the school thinks she is responsible for a student’s death and has shunned her.

     We learn that Sophie is a dark witch. Yea, I know, she was shocked too. And the only other dark witches happen to also be the queens of high school bitch-dom.  And they want Sophie for their coven. She politely declines after that use their powers to intimidate her. It’s just not her thing, she doesn’t want hurt people. So now she has pissed off these girls life at Hex Hall is going to be difficult. Weird things start to happen. Two girls are attacked and it looks like from a vampire and a strange ghost is following Sophie around and she has taken a special interest in Sophie.

      I really, really, enjoyed Hex Hall.   This book kind of had it all: magical powers, paranormal creatures, intrigue, deceit and plenty of plot twist. I liked it so much, the minute I finished it I ordered book two, Demonglass off Amazon.  Rachel Hawkins left off with a great line and I really cannot wait to see where the story goes in book two.

 ♥♥♥♥♥

Possible pairings:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough and The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray