Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1)

by Rachel Hawkins

In the wake of a love spell gone horribly wrong, Sophie Mercer, a sixteen-year-old witch, is shipped off to Hecate Hall, a boarding school for witches, shapeshifters and faeries. The traumas of mortal high school are nothing compared to the goings on at "Freak High." It's bad enough that she has to deal with a trio of mean girls led by the glamorous Elodie, but it's even worse when she begins to fall for Elodie's gorgeous boyfriend, Archer Cross, and frankly terrifying that the trio are an extremely powerful coven of dark witches. But when Sophie begins to learn the disturbing truth about her father, she is forced to face demons both metaphorical and real, and come to terms with her own growing power as a witch.

Reviewed by Suz @ Bookish Revelations on

4 of 5 stars

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Hex Hall is the perfect blend of humor, realism, pop culture references, snarky/sacrastic witty banter and excitement combined for a novel of this genre in the young adult market. There are a number of things to enjoy about this novel and Hawkins does not fail in delivering the goods.

The character's were strong, funny, and real. Plus, there was a great mash-up of character's from shifters to faeries, to witches and warlocks, and vampires too. Sophie was pretty amazing and very well developed, she possessed this likable quality about her that made it easy to connect with her and relate to her situation and what she was going through, being sent to Hectate Hall (or Hex Hall as the other students often referred to it).

The character's were average or about as average as one paranormal can be, not over-the-top dramatic, and very relatable in their interactions and exchanges with one another through out Hex Hall. You had your mean girls, which consisted of Elodie, Chaston, and Anna. Then you had your social outcasts, which pretty much cosnsisted of Jenna and of course Sophie the better part of the time, since she refused to join "The Trio's" coven. And, of course, round all that out with the mysterious bad boy himself, Archer, and you have the perfect set-up.

Hawkins unique brand of humor in this novel, was very enjoyable. One of my favorite moments from the book happened towards the beginning when Sophie first arrives at Hectate Hall and she's attacked by a werewolf practically out of nowhere and the only thing she could think of to say was, "Bad dog."

The world building and history of the Prodigium was very well developed and fleshed out. I enjoyed getting to know who Sophie really was, where she came from, the fear and danger that she had to watch out for (can true evil really be inherited?), as well as getting to know her great grandmother Alice and finding out how she came to be whom the reader's later discover she was. I am excited to start Demonglass as soon as I can, to find out what comes next for Sophie.

The over-all pacing of Hex Hall was great, it moved along pretty quick and smoothly, keeping me glued to my seat in anticipation of what was going happen next and how it was going to end. There was mystery, intrigue, and a few twists thrown in for good measure. For any Buffy or House of Night fan, I would definitely recommend this book.

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  • Started reading
  • 16 July, 2011: Finished reading
  • 16 July, 2011: Reviewed