Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1)

Two chapters into Hex Hall Book One I was worried it was another hackneyed reshuffling of witches, werewolves and vampires, but Rachel Hawkins’s expert character development made this book a winner. Characters you think are two dimensional turn out to have real depth (like Elodie) and there’s a big twist at the end that I did not see coming.

The book’s premise is that Sophie gets banished to a reform school for magical creatures after her disastrous use of magic at a school dance. “Hex Hall” as it is nicknamed by the witches, shape shifters, and fairies that attend, is not necessarily a fun place to be, but it’s not all bad either. Sophie’s roommate Jenna is a vampire, which makes life interesting, but other than that things are okay.

The real drama begins when a classmate is drained of blood and all eyes turn to Jenna. Sophie struggles to maintain her roommate’s innocence while at the same time dealing with surprising revelations about her own personal history.

Certainly a lot of readers are tired of reading another book about witches and vampires–and I can definitely see their point, but others of us are always up for more paranormal titles, especially if they’re clever enough.

P.S. After reading Hex Hall I will never look at a Capri Suns the same way again.

Sophie Mercer is a crack up. She is very fluent in sarcasm, as Archer has said. I love this novel and even the second one. The third is already out, can't wait to get a copy. Any who, the story is inviting, you'll want to keep reading, a complete page turner to readers, like myself, who love Paranormal genre books.

Reader reviewed by Jess

I cannot believe I waited until 2011 to read this book! It was great! Sophie was a quirky, funny character who repeatedly made me laugh. Although this story has definitely been done before, Hawkins definitely managed to make the characters and classes extremely original. It was a fast-paced read and I finished it quickly. If anything, I would have liked for the story to slow down a bit to lengthen the book. Still, it was very creative and Im looking forward to Demonglass (3/1/11).

Reader reviewed by Nikki (sng2098)

This book was a lot better than I expected.  I've heard a few people compare it to Harry Potter, I didn't think it was anything like Harry Potter.  Rachel Hawkins did an amazing job with the suspense in the book, and I was VERY surprised by the turn the story takes! I do reccommend this book!