YA Book Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
© 2 March 2010 by Hyperion Books

Goodreads description:

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 student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

 Thoughts, Ramblings, Musings...

I have to say I wasn't sure about this one when I picked it up.  However, I did eventually pick it up (obviously!) because (a) I think the cover is cool and (b) it got some good ratings on Goodreads.  That being said, all the positive reviews and high ratings gave me some high expectations of the book.  Did it deliver? Yes!

From start to finish, I really liked the narrator.  Sophie is a snarky little thing and I loved it.  She had me laughing out loud at many points (which, in case you were curious, is a tad embarrassing when you're on the stationary bike at the gym).  She may have been a little clueless at points but not the extreme cluelessness that shows up in so many YA females these days.  She's mostly just clueless about the whole Prodigum "thing," which makes sense because she was raised by a normal human.  (Which, on another note, thank you Rachel Hawkins for not writing a magical character who automatically accepts and is awesome at all things magic-related.)

The storyline was fun and quick-paced, which I enjoy in a novel.  The character development was good--not necessarily as deep as it might have gone, but I felt like I at least knew the characters as slightly more than a basic acquaintance .There was a good amount of foreshadowing but the plot twists still kept me on the edge of my seat.  (I want to tell you all about how --------------------------------------------------------------(!) but I won't because I don't want to spoil it if you haven't read it and want to!)

Overall, very enjoyable read.  I'd definitely recommend it.