tea. books. love.: [REVIEW] Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Published: March 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: Hex Hall #1

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. (From Goodreads)

Hex Hall is about a, shall we say, "reform" school for Prodigiums. Prodigiums are paranormal beings and once they do something really bad that they threaten the safety of all paranormal beings by letting people know that there are witches, werewolves, fey etc., then they are sent to Hecate, short form Hex Hall. Sophie Mercer is a new witch who does a love spell that went terribly wrong and is sent to live here. In her first week, she already made best friends with the school outcast, is hated by the three most popular girls in school, has a crush with the hottest warlock at school and has celler duty...for the entire term. What more can go wrong? Well, Sophie's going to be in for more trouble because when a mysterious predator comes and kills people the way vampires bite them, all suspicions are on Sophie's best friend, Jenna, the only vampire in the school. What is Sophie going to do when she herself is already so complicated with her own life?

First of all, i will admit that i was very disappointed with this book.

I've read many good reviews and finally decided to give this story a try. Well it wasn't exactly what i expected.

The plot line was pretty good but most of the character development was predictable. Of course, Sophie, the main character, would fall in love with the pretty boy. I also think they introduced him WAY too soon. It's always best, in my opinion, to leave the readers guessing at who the love interest is going to be, in this case, nope. We meet him in the first chapter in which they share a not so nice conversation and Sophie starts to chant prayers of not having a crush on him. See where I'm going?

I also found that although the main focus is on the evil group, "The Eye", that is trying to kill every Prodigium, the story sort of took another route instead. The Eye becomes secondary, instead we find the true villian of this book to be not The Eye but someone much closer.

Some parts of the plot was also very predictable. I feel Hawkins foreshadows too much and gives away means details that would be best be hidden until the surprise at the end. There were many constant surprises in the book and I do appreciate them.

Lastly, the cover of this series is horrible. I thought that this book was about the fact that Sophie was some super reincarnated witch that lay dorment in her, which is why there is a reflection in the water. Well I was somewhat right...not really. The cover has no revelance and it's not really pretty.

Overall, would I read this book again, probably not. Will I read the sequel? Yes, because it's sitting in my pile of books to read and I really hate starting a series and not trying to finish it.
Give it a try and see for yourself. Perhaps you will like it!

Enjoy!