Book Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

CHALLENGE BOOK: 2010 Debut Authors

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publication Date: March 2010
Tags: witches, faeries, shapeshifters, vampires, boarding school
Age: 11+
Pages: 336
Series: 1st in a series
Book Acquisition: bought new hardcover

My Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

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.

My Review:
To sum it up, this book was pretty freaken awesome. I read it in a few hours and as soon as I was done I was tempted to read it all over again - it was that good.
From page 1 I felt an immediate connection to Sophie - I knew I was going to like her. The writing really drew me into the story and Sophie's character always seemed very real to me. I could relate to her...you know...except for the 'I'm a witch who was sent away to boarding school because I'm a trouble maker' thing :)
The story itself was very interesting and I really liked the idea that all people with paranormal abilities have a type of relationship together. Although, the vampires are still shunned just a little. Being paired as roommates with the only vampire on campus doesn't help Sophie fit in at Hex Hall but the friendship they develop was really very sweet.
There were some twists I didn't see coming and it was refreshing to be surprised. I really liked the ending - although, it only made me want book 2 like now! Very much looking forward to the rest of this series.
I highly recommend this book to fans of paranormal teen fantasy stories.

Books in the Series:
Hex Hall #1 (March 2010)
Hex Hall #2 (March 2011)
Hex Hall #3 (2012)

Linkage Love:
Hyperion Books
Author's Blog