Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Goodreads Summary: "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."


Review: This represents the latest installment in my fascination with books about boarding schools. I'm not sure why, but for some reason they rivet me.


Anyway, my reaction to this one was so-so. There were two big "Bad Guy Reveals," one of which blindsided me, the other of which did not. I was so-so on the romance; I guess the angst on Sophie's part didn't quite ring true. There was a little humor, which I appreciated (I find that many so-called "comedies" aren't all that funny), but I would have liked a little more wit.


The pacing of the story felt a little off; I felt like I was just getting done with the first third or so, and realized I was about two-thirds of the way through the book. I felt like the last hundred pages or so were rushed, like the author suddenly got bored of writing. (I can sympathize with that, to an extent. But... you really ought to retain your attention span and fully develop the rest of the story.) On the other hand, maybe I was just expecting a more intricate plot.


One last thing: The little "twist ending cliffhanger" thing you pulled? Yeah, right. I already know there are more books coming. You can't fool me.


**Note on the cover:** It bothers a lot of people, and it bothers me too; what's with the cat?? When you have so few visual elements on the cover, every single one of them needs to be important and significant to the plot. Epic fail, cover illustrator.


Goodreads Shelves: addictive, fluffy, funny, is-this-a-kissing-book, popular

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