Hello Loves!
Welcome to August 🙂 I’m starting off the month with a recent audiobook read! I’m not really one to listen to audiobooks because I usually get way too distracted to listen to them. But I’ve been trying to listen to them some more while I commute and walk around the city. My latest audiobook was Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins. Check out my thoughts below!
Also, if you’re sort on time, then check out my Need to Know section for a quick summary of my review!
Hex Hall by
Rachel Hawkins Series: Hex Hall #1 Published by Hyperion Book CH on 2 March 2010
Genres: YA Paranormal & Supernatural Pages: 323
Format: Audiobook Source: Library 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 tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student 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.
Ownership: Borrowed from the library via OverDrive
Genre: YA paranormal
Publisher: Hyperion
Published: 2010
Pages: 323
Price: $8.99 (paperback)
Place: Amazon, Audible, B & N, Book Depository, GoodReads, IndieBound
My Rating:
Hex Hall follows Sophie, a teenage girl with magical powers. Sophie discovered she was a witch about three years ago, but even knowing this hasn’t helped her with her spells. Each spell she’s done in the past either works too well or doesn’t work correctly at all. After the last mishap, Sophie is sent to Hecate Hall (humorously renamed Hex Hall by the students), a reform school for wayward Prodigium (think a boarding school for all the fey). Sophie quickly learns that she’s on the bottom of the popularity totem pole as she makes enemies with the three beautiful witches and barely escapes a werewolf charging at her the day she moves in. Luckily Sophie’s roommate Jenna quickly becomes an ally. Then someone or something begins attacking the witches on campus. The number one suspect is Sophie’s new friend Jenna, but Sophie doesn’t believe the allegations or rumors surrounding Jenna. Add in a ghost only Sophie can see and an unwanted crush on Archer, the most wanted boy at the school, and Sophie has more than one problem to deal with as she tries to survive her first term at Hex Hall.
Sophie was a great MC. It was enjoyable to “read”/listen from her POV. I loved how she pushed against some of the things at the school, but also maturely accepted that she had to be there. And while I had trepidations about her quick crush on Archer (because it seemed so predictable) I still ended up enjoying seeing their feelings for each other develop. As my friend Heather pointed out, Sophie does do a great job of pointing out how she does not want to have a crush on him because it’s predictable (and because everyone has a crush on him *eyes roll*). So I do really like how Sophie at least acknowledges this throughout the story. Sophie does come across as a naive character but it works well with the context of this story. She’s completely new to the inside world of witches and other fey people. She always knew she was a witch but hadn’t interacted with anyone else of her kind, so I can buy into her niaevity even though I wanted to yell at her a few times 😂
I think my favorite part of the whole story was the twist at the end. I definitely had an inkling about what was going to happen with the one character, but the other one I was so surprised about. Maybe because I was listening via audiobook and not reading so I missed some of the signs but either way I didn’t see that turn of events coming. So when a book surprises me that a great plus!
I also enjoyed Sophie’s friendship with Jenna. I loved how Sophie stayed loyal but also (like all humans) wavered slightly in her loyalty as she had some small doubts creep into her head. I think that’s completely realistic since Sophie was meeting Jenna for the first time and this was her first encounter with a vampire. But really outside of a few doubtful thoughts, Sophie’s actions spoke always of loyalty for Jenna and I loved that part of this book. Friendship relationships in books are so important and I love finding strong ones in YA. I also enjoyed seeing how this friendship developed. My heart definitely went out to Jenna as we learned some more about her as a character. I’m hoping we get to see more of her as the story progresses in the next books.
The pacing of the novel was quick. It was an easy listen which I appreciated because sometimes I have a hard time concentrating when it comes to audiobooks. I also liked that it was a light paranormal read. It had its suspense definitely but it wasn’t one blow after another that some other paranormal books can get caught up in. I feel like it would be a great YA for younger readers as nothing too violent or hot and heavy happen. There is one scene that gets a little heated but nothing too much. However I haven’t read the rest of the series, so I’ll get back to you on that 😉
Overall I really enjoyed this one. It had all the elements for a quick enjoyable read! I’m a sucker for the paranormal genre and I felt like this didn’t disappoint. Also, the book was really great as an audiobook listen and I finished it within a few days of walking places. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an easygoing read with paranormal elements. I can’t wait to start on book 2!!
- Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins follows Sophie, a teenage girl with magical powers who’s sent to Hex Hall–a reform school for fey.
- Sophie was a great MC! It was enjoyable to read from her POV. She had some pushback and some naivety, but was also mature. Sophie naivety works well with the context of this story.
- And while I had trepidations about Sophie’s quick crush on Archer (because it seemed so predictable) I still ended up enjoying seeing their feelings for each other develop.
- I also enjoyed Sophie’s friendship with Jenna. I loved how Sophie stayed loyal but also (like all humans) wavered slightly in her loyalty as she had some small doubts creep into her head. Her friendship with Jenna came across as realistic.
- The pacing of the novel was quick. It was an easy listen which I appreciated because sometimes I have a hard time concentrating when it comes to audiobooks.
- 4 stars! Overall I really enjoyed this one. It had all the elements for a quick enjoyable read! I’m a sucker for the paranormal genre and I felt like this didn’t disappoint! Can’t wait for book 2!
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you’ve read this book! If you have, what are your thoughts on Sophie & Archer? Sophie’s revelations at the end? What do you think will happen next book? If you haven’t read this one, what audiobooks have you listened to? Always looking for recommendations! Let me know in the comments below 🙂
As always, Happy Reading!
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3 Comments
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Aldii
2 August 2016 at 9:14 pmI read Hex Hall a long time ago and I think I gave it 4/5 stars too or 3.5/5 stars. Happy to see you enjoyed it!!
NicoleLynn
2 August 2016 at 9:51 pmThank you! It was an easy listen and just what I needed during a stressful few weeks 🙂