Book Review: Hex Hall

Title: Hex Hall

Writer: Rachel Hawkins

Translated by: Dina Begum

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (US) / Simon and Schuster Children (UK) / Fantasious, PT. Ufuk Publishing House (Indonesia)

Publication date: March 2/ April 1 2010, August 2014 (Indonesia)

Hardcover: 336 pages (US) / Paperback: 336 pages

Stand alone or series: First book in trilogy (#2 Demon Glass, #3 Spell Bound)

Synopsis:

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.

  

Why did I read this book: 

I was searching for stationeries in a bookstore, right when I was walking past novel section, this book had me captivated by its cover and the interesting synopsis. It makes want to read the novel. I’m interested in fantasy + romance novels (of course including high school stories, witches, magic, and fairies).

Review: 

This book is totally awesome. I don’t judge books by their cover, because like I said before, the story line is what makes me want to buy this novel. After reading the novel I’m craving for more. The mysteries that arose in the first novel aren’t solved yet. I need more drama! But sadly I haven’t got the chance to buy another novel of this trilogy. I’m willing to read them when I got the chance to.

At first I thought Hex Hall was going to be a funny, light, mindless read. I espected that this novel was just an easy to read, highschool romance plus some magic and all that. And in the first chapters, that’s what I found. But suddenly the story got darker and richer with mysteries that happen around the heroine. She slowly searched and found the truth about the magic, the school, her friends, her family, or even herself, even though it’s not all finishes in one book. After a while, those parameters changed as Hex Hall proved to be something altogether different, a darker story than I expected and much, much better than what I expected it to be.

This fantasy novel is about a reform school where werewolves, fairies, witches, and warlocks roam -- and some not-so-friendly ghosts and demons. Whenever the ghosts and demons appear, this quixotic tale quickly becomes dark and eerie. This book is the first in a series featuring a witty, powerful main character who makes the right decisions, even when they're difficult.

The main character of this novel is Sophie Mercer. She’s the truest heroine of the story. Sophie is an awesome protagonist.  She is so funny and snarky.  She has a comeback for everything, and her dialog is full of witty sarcasm.  She is a witch with an attitude and I loved her.  There are a lot of layers to Sophie’s character and as the story unfolds you get to see so many sides of her.  She has insecurities like any young girl, and she can be emotional. But she also speaks her mind and sticks up for those she cares about.  She was such an easy character to like and I loved being inside her head. And that’s exactly what I love in a main character.

Sophie Mercer is a witch and has been since she was 12 years old.  Her parents broke up before she was born and her mom never let her meet her dad.  Her magic comes from her father, he’s a warlock and her mother is human.  Sophie has never really stayed in one place for long.  She has lived in 19 different states and gone to many different schools.  She always seems to get herself in trouble and when that happens her and her mom just pack up and move.   Her last mistake (which was a love spell gone wrong) lands her in Hecate Hall.  A school for all different prodigium that can’t fit into normal society, and can’t afford a private school.

Sophie Mercer is also the kind of witch to alienate the supernatural outcasts in a reform school on her first day, thus finding herself a freak among the freaks. The attractive bad boy laughs at her. The popular girl clique hates her. The fairies think themselves above her. The Vampire roommate is okay, when she isn't trying to eat her. As for the rest? They despise her. Oh, and the teachers aren't her biggest fans, either.

This was such a fun read for me. Laced with mystery, adventure and adorable romance. This is the type of book that I like to read, and it was impossible to put down! The pacing is great and there are some big twists that I wasn’t expecting. The characters are very engaging and fun to get to know.  The story is fun and entertaining.  I loved this book and I know the rest of the series is going to be great. And if you think that this book would just be the same with the typical fantasy books, then you’re wrong. Rachel Hawkins brings a new vision and much fresher ideas about witches and magic. I would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys a fun paranormal book that is an easy light read.

Rachel Hawkins' first novel is both enchanting and engaging. Readers will be swept up in the fantasy details immediately: At Hecate Hall, furniture changes form, werewolves prowl the courtyard, and fairies float by elegantly (and a little arrogantly) on iridescent wings. And the creativity continues throughout Sophie's story. Her clever first-person narration, as well as the authentic dialogue between teen characters, makes the book fun and accessible. Readers will quickly be simply spellbound by this first novel -- and be excited to continue this magical story in the sequel, Demonglass.

Rating:

4.5/5