Review: Hex Hall

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 323
Source: Bought
Series: Hex Hall #1
[add on Goodreads]

Summary:  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.

My Favorite Line(s):  

"But this room looked like it had been decorated by the unholy lovechild of Barbie and Strawberry Shortcake."

"I felt electrified from the top of my head to my toes, and somewhere in the back of my mind I heard Alice saying that love had a power all its own.  She was right: this was magic."

Why I Loved It:  Rachel Hawkins is SO funny.  There were moments when I just laughed and laughed.  Sophie's sarcasm was fantastically refreshing.  I never wanted to put down the book.  Sophie was awkward and clueless (at times) and so me at fifteen, minus the magical powers of course.  I loved that her big heart always seemed to get her in sticky situations.  I've read books with fey and witches and wizards before, but I'm sure no one creates a world quite like Rachel Hawkins.  I reread half of the book the night I had finished it just to enjoy the pleasure again.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into other than the good things I had heard.  I had just begun to creep into paranormal books, but I'm so thankful that since I waited so long to read the book, there are two more books in the series ready to be devoured.  Rachel Hawkins won my heart and my five stars without a second thought.

Who Should Read It:  Do you love paranormal?  Do you love a good murder mystery?  And do you have the pleasure of enjoying sarcastic humor galore?  If you answered yes to any of the above, well guess what, this book is for you.