Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Nook Book, 187 pages
Published March 2, 2010
Disney Book Group
Hex Hall #1
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Recommended for fans of: Harry Potter, Witches, Paranormal, YA


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*
    I guess I should start by saying that I tried reading this before and couldn’t get into it. But then I told my friend that I had read alot of heavy stuff lately and I wanted something light and funny and she said to give this a try. I remembered the author’s voice and I decided I would try it again. And I really loved it!
     This book is absolutely adorable! Yes it is a YA book, but the author’s voice and Sophie make it just cute. The characters are all well fleshed out and they all had their own unique paranormal twist. Like Jenna… Poor Jenna. I hated how everyone in the book was so mean to her. 
     The other thing I really liked was the mystery. I know, it was just a classic “whodunit” tale, but it was unique to the story and with all the other things going on it still had a fresh story. I just wish it had started sooner. Of course the information of the one girl was there, but there wasn’t a huge deal made about it.
     The only thing I really did not enjoy was the predictability of everything. Up until the last few chapters I was calling everything from chapters that had occurred before. But then at the end, everything I thought I knew…… I didn’t. There is definitely an end that I didn’t see coming. I really wish I could elaborate, but I don’t want to give it away. 
     An lastly, all I have to say is one word: Archer! I loved you! I’m so sorry I was thinking bad things of you at a certain time, but hey I just assumed…. Well you get the picture. 
     Overall, this book is a light, fun read and in the strange case that you aren’t intrigued by the mystery going on in the book, maybe the dialogue and Sophie’s wit will keep you captivated.