Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Hex Hall

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: YA fantasy
Page Count: 323
Why I read it: looked fun
Grade: C

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.

My review:
I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, so I haven't got a whole lot read.  This book should have taken me a day or two to read, instead of the few days it took.  A lot of the young adult novels I read don't really feel like young adult.  I don't ever feel like I'm reading a book for younger readers.  But with Hex Hall, I really felt it.

I've read a few reviews where the readers thought the main character was sassy and funny, but the humor all just seemed very young.  Like things kids in junior high might think was funny.  Maybe it's just my mood, and that would account for the reading slump and the not finding humor in things.  Sophie was okay, but definitely not a favorite character for me.

I would probably recommend this to younger YA fans, or maybe just someone who's in a better mood than I am.  It wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything very memorable.

4 comments:

  1. I've read a lot of positive reviews of this, but as an older reader of YA fiction, I'll keep yours in mind. Hex Hall arrived in the post for me today. Wonder what I'll make of it...it does sound like fun, though!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I read this one too - I thought it was worth reading. There are some areas where it seems young, but all in all I enjoyed the story and will read the sequel when it comes out. Sometimes books just aren't right for the day we choose to read them. Perhaps the sequel will be better for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I haven't read it yet, but I kept thinking that my mood often affects how much I enjoy or dislike a book. Glad to know I'm not the only one :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have an award for you. :)

    http://smallaccomplishment.blogspot.com/2010/04/smile-youre-on-awards-show.html

    ReplyDelete