Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Pages: 323
Published by Hyperion Books CH
Hex Hall #1
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: (From 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 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.
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 always had a slight obsession with magic.  See it all started out with this movie, a japanese anime called Kiki's delivery service. I was quite little when I watched for the first time, and after that, I was hooked. The girl in the movie becomes a witch at the age of thirteen, and can fly a broomstick. I was convinced that I was going to be a witch when I turned thirteen. I was absolutely, positively convinced that I would be able to fly a broomstick. So, for about 4 years, I was Kiki every year for Halloween. I watched the movie over and over. Then there was alot more phases, which I will not bore you to death with the details. Then there was the most fantastic thing to ever happen in the world to me: I started to read Harry Potter. I was immediately obsessed. Man, I would have killed to go to Hogwarts. I was absolutely obsessed with the Harry Potter books through my pre-teen years. I still love it to this day.

 So, that leads me to make the most obvious statement: Hex Hall was an awesome blast of a book. I love love love (times 10) loved it. I really enjoyed the overall idea; in some ways it was a very classic magic & witch story....but it's so much more, and very original. The setting at the school for Prodigium (witches, faeries and shapeshifters,) was somewhere I would just live to go to. Move over, Hogwarts! I felt as if I was walking the halls and walking the grounds of Hex Hall, in it's authentic descriptions and irresistible setting.

 The characters. Aaah...the characters. I was enthralled with them. Sophie was one of the most hilarious, witty, and strong main characters I have ever read about! I seriously loved her saracastic narration....there was so many times that I laughed out loud! She was strong and sassy, and I can't wait for another dose of her in book two, Demonglass. The other characters were pretty spunky and strong, too. All of the characters in this book were well thought-out brilliant and either hot or hilarious! Rachel Hawkins did a great job creating a cast of very lovable characters that I couldn't get enough of! (And who else loved Archer? I know I had a crush on him....)

 Hex Hall had a pretty wicked plot too. I loved how there were so many surprised woven into it, coming this way and that, pow, pow, and kabam! The plot was original and also well thought-out. There was not a minute I did not enjoy reading this book, eagerly gobbling down the words and awaiting the next twist!

 You're in for a great thrill ride with Hex Hall! What's not to love about a fantabulous cast of hilarious and strong characters, a crazy plot, an original storyline, and a classic-like (but totally original, at the same time,) magic school?!