Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Emily Brown

I'm furious. Not because this book wasn't as ahh-mazing as everyone has said, because it surely was! But because the sequel does not come out until 2011. Yes, this is one of those books that makes you want the sequel even when you're only half-way into it! By page 50 I knew this was going to be on my list of "Top Ten Books of the Year". It was just so refreshing, Rachel Hawkins has an ahh-mazing, new, fresh, exciting, blunt writing style. I love it when I find a new author that I can start worshiping.. and I have definitely found one of those with Hex Hall. One of my favorite things about Hex Hall is Sophie, the main character. I don't know what was so appealing about her to me, I guess the fact that she told it how it is. She's hilarious. On the back cover of the book, there is a quote from Becca Fitzpatrick that says "I laughed every page". Now, when I first got the book I didn't believe Becca, I thought she was just saying that to give a good review.. But once I actually started reading Hex Hall, I understood what she meant. Hex Hall actually does make you laugh, every single page you read. Whether it's the dramatic irony, Sophie's sarcasm, or something else Sophia says or does, you laugh EVERY SINGLE PAGE. On top of that, I also found that Hex Hall is a great mystery. The entire time I was reading it I was postive I knew who the culprit of the book's mysterious events was, but of course my guess was wrong. When I stay up reading into the night, I usually tell myself "Okay, ten more pages then go to bed", but with Hex Hall, counting pages was unimportant. The writing style and Sophie's real personality is what kept me reading late into the night (I'm glad I read Hex Hall over spring break! I would've failed my science test if I read it any other week!) As with any great debut series, there is romance. Sophie finds herself attracted to Archer (as did I!) I also loved how this book used "inapropriate language". Yeah, Sophie cussed. But it wasn't like a sailor, and it surely wasn't glossed over for parental control. It was perfect. Also, the paranormal/supernatural aspects of Hex Hall were great. The entire Prodigium world is very original, but sticks to a lot of traditional european mythology concepts. I'm soooooooooooo very excited to read the sequel. (When it comes out, ughhhhhh. Like are you serious? 2011? Fml.) I reccomend this book to readers who love boarding school-typish books, also fans of the House of Night series would love Hex Hall!