Overall Rating: 3.5
Characters: 3.6
Plot: 3.5
Cover Art: 3.8
Favorite Line:
"'What is this?' I asked, dusting the dirt and pine needles off my now-sore butt. 'A Star Wars thing? I was supposed to 'sense a disturbance in the Force'?'"
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.
Hex Hall is an indecisive tale with a little left to be desired...
This story started off so well. I loved Sophie for the kind of independent chick every girl wants to be, and her voice was one that I really enjoyed reading in. I also liked the idea of "juvie for monsters" as Sophie put it, and the characters were very interesting. But, alas, I was disappointed in the end. Before the bad though, I'll first go over the good.
The characters are pretty unique and I like that. Instead of the HBIC of Hex Hall having two dumb sidekicks, her posse actually all seem to possess brains, which was refreshing. I love unique things, but the names of some of the people in this book are just... out there. First there's the Queen Bee Elodie. The first this that comes to mind when I think of this is Elodea, a type of bacteria, so maybe I'm biased on that one. Another interesting name is Archer. Seriously, Archer Cross. I actually love Archer, he's very conflicted, but his name is like I said earlier... out there.
The plot is also very good in my opinion up to the end of Hex Hall. The line that the story follows in distinct and not too predictable. Then, the train falls off the tracks. Sophie does something that is completely out of character that left me staring at the book with my mouth literally hanging open. (I'm really trying to stay 'no-spoiler' here.) I will no doubt finish this series, if only just to find out if the story is recovered and the cliff-hangers are... unhung(?). In conclusion, 90% of Hex Hall is great, with just the last 10% being cringe-worthy.
Happy Friday!
