Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1)
Rachel Hawkins
Disney Hyperion Books
Released March 2, 2010
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.
I was immediately curious when I started reading, the book jumps right in to let us know that Sophie Mercer is a witch and explains the scene that leads to her being sent to Hecate Hall in the first place. But the plot of this story goes a lot deeper than that. I can’t say much without giving away spoilers, but there are several mysteries and twists along the way that kept me guessing. I couldn’t put it down, and when I wasn’t reading I was thinking about the story and how it might end.
I liked how the story was written. Despite being mysterious and suspenseful, there are a lot of laughs. Rachel Hawkins’ experience as a school teacher must have really prepared her for writing the kind of sense of humor many teenagers have, both in the dialogue and Sophie’s narration. I also found the dialogue in the story is a lot more realistic than many novels I have read.
Sophie’s character is relatable because as an outsider in her own world, she learns along with the reader. Things are explained as the story goes along and while you’re on the edge of your seat, it doesn’t become difficult to follow. The other main characters are some likely suspects in the young adult genre. There’s the quirky best friend, the perfect popular girl and the mysterious tall, dark and handsome male lead, but they don’t remain as flat stereotypes. There’s a lot more to them than it seems.
I am eagerly awaiting the sequel, Demonglass, and I recommend this book for anyone who’s interested in stories about teenage supernatural characters that are not all that they seem!
Read what I thought of the next book in the series, Demonglass, here.
Read what I thought of the next book in the series, Demonglass, here.
