Thursday 18 March 2010

ARC Review: Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins

When sixteen-year-old Sophie Mercer discovers she's a witch, she imagines life will be full of magic, fun and ... well ... broomsticks!  But her first attempt at a love spell goes disastrously wrong and, as punishment, Sophie is shipped off to Hectacte "Hex" Hall, a reform school for witches, shapeshifters and faeries.

By the end of her first day among her fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person on campus and the only vampire.

Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students and her only friend is the number-one suspect...

Hex Hall is being released in the UK on 1st April 2010
Rachel Hawkins is currently writing a sequel

For more information visit Rachel Hawkins' website

Review:
Sophie is a witch but being raised by a human mother means she's had no training and she doesn't know how to control her talents.  After an unfortunate incident at her school prom she is sent to Hex Hall to learn how to keep her powers secret from normal humans.  The last thing she wants is to be sent to boarding school but she doesn't have a choice in the matter so she's going to have to make the most of it.

Having struggled to fit in at any of her other schools (and she's been to a LOT of schools) Sophie secretly hopes that at Hex Hall she will finally find a place where she belongs.  However, by the end of her first day she has managed to make enemies of a coven of 3 dark witches, deveolped a crush on a cute warlock who just happens to be dating a member of the coven and found herself a ghostly stalker.  Not only that but she's also stuck with the most hated girl in the school (who also happens to be the school's only vampire) as her new roommate.  It isn't the greatest start and leaves Sophie wondering how she is going to survive the next 2 years.

I was really impressed with Rachel Hawkins' debut novel and can't wait to read future books in the series.  I really loved Sophie and her best friend Jenna - Rachel really brought their characters to life and their friendship comes across as very real.  There was plenty of action and there were some fantastic twists that I really didn't see coming.  The dialogue had me laughing out loud in places and I'm really looking forward to getting to know some of the other students better in the future.

Source: Recieved for review from publisher Simon & Schuster

Other Reviews:
Book Crazy
Unbound
Katie's Book Blog
Wondrous Reads
La femme Readers
The Story Siren
Nayu's Reading Corner
Girls Without a Bookshelf
He Followed Me Home...Can I Keep Him?
Lily's Bookshelf
The Bookshelf Sophisticate
Story Wings
What Book Is That?
Chrissie's Corner
Darlyn & Books
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

19 comments:

  1. I cant wait to read this book, it's on my tbr list. The school sounds amazing, full with witches and their amazing powers. Fun to read. Thanks for the great review.

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  2. I so want to read this..it sounds fab!

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  3. Glad you enjoyed it :) I hope I will too when I get around to reading it ;)

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  4. Whoops! I pre-ordered this one from WHSmith with Perfect Chemistry- excitedddd!

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  5. @ Nina - I'm sure you're going to lvoe this one! Can't wait to read your review :o)

    @ Rhiana - I was a bit worried that this wouldn't live up to the hype but I was very happy to find that it did - a very impressive debut :o)

    @ Maria - I'm sure you'll enjoy it - I'll keep an eye out for your review :o)

    @ Dwayne - YAY!!! This & Perfect Chemistry - you're going to LOVE them!!! Can't wait to read your reviews :o)

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  6. I can't wait to read this one! I am so glad you liked it! :D

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  7. *closes eyes to review*
    This is on my TBR pile, I'm pretty excited about it.

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  8. @ Lily - I hope you enjoy it :o) Was a great read!

    @ Yunaleska - LOL I'm sure you're going to enjoy this one. Let me know when you've posted a review & I'll add your link :o)

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  9. Awesome review, Sarah! I am SO looking forward to reading this book, it sounds amazing! I'm stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment though. Trudging through the book I'm currently reading, and then having to read another book afterwards that I just don't fancy. It's taking too bloody long, lol. Thanks for the review! Hopefully I'll pick it up soon! :)

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  10. I hate getting stuck in a reading rut Jo! I hope you manage to get through those 2 books really quickly so you can start on something you'll enjoy. Can't wait to see what you think of Hex Hall! I started a book I'd been sent for review last week & just couldn't get into it at all. I don't think it's a bad book - it just isn't my kind of thing. I thought I'd take a break & then go back to it but I really don't think I'm going to be able to finish it :o( Not too sure what I'm supposed to do about that LOL

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  11. What a great review and I really want to read this one!

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  12. I can't wait to read this. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I loved your review. The premise reminded me a little bit of Firespell which is also on my TBR list. Have you read that one?

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  13. @ Sheila - I really liked Hex Hall so I hope you enjoy it too :o)

    @ Christina - I've not actually read Firespell yet but it's on my wishlist so hopefully I'll get to it soon :o) I hope you like Hex Hall!

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  14. Awesome review, thanks for adding my link! :)

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  15. I can't wait to read this. I'm glad you posted about it. :)

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  16. I hope you enjoy it Sarah :o)

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  17. Hi Sarah. Great review! I loved this book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

    My review of Hex Hall is here: http://www.chrissiescorner.co.uk/?p=2394

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  18. Thanks Chrissie, I'm glad you liked this one too :o) I'll add your link now

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