Book Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
After a love spell goes horribly wrong, Sophie Mercer is sent to live, at Hecate Hall. There she and other teen Prodigium, shape shifters, witches, and faeries, learn to use and control their powers so they don’t attract the attention of their mortal enemies. When Sophie arrives, she discovers that something more sinister is lurking inside the protected wall of Hecate Hall, something that will put lives in danger.

At first this book came across as a tamer version of P.C. Cast’s House of Night series mixed in with a little of Rowling’s Harry Potter. Readers may recognize parts of the books that will remind them of other favorite series that they are familiar with. Once past the initial pages, things begin to pick up and become a little more original.

Her characters are wonderful, especially Sophie and her roommate Jenna. Sophie’s naiveté and inability to control what comes out of her mouth when she starts speaking, provides us with a charming and likable heroine with a refreshing dose of humor. Hawkins writes with a wonderful sense of humor, and has some pretty good laugh out loud moments:

“Sophia Mercer, “ Elodie intoned, “we have come to induct you into our sisterhood. Say the five words to begin the ritual.”
I blinked at her. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
Anna gave an exasperated sigh. “No, the five words are, ‘I accept your offer sisters.’” (pg 92)

I like that this book made me laugh, and since it picked up towards the end, I may definitely have to give the sequel a shot. Yes this is the first book in a projected Hex Hall series, and I think that it will be interesting to see where Hawkins will take us next.

Cautions for sensitive readers:  This book had all the fun of House of Night without the mature content.  No language, some violence, and very mild sexuality.

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