albon's review against another edition
3.0
2016 review:
I would definitely have enjoyed this more when I was younger, but it was still a decent read. Rachel Hawkins is a very witty writer, as evident in this book and in her Rebel Belle series. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue this series or not. I mostly just read this to get it off my shelf, where it has been sitting for years and years, but it was definitely good enough for me to consider reading the next book if I'm ever in the mood.
I would definitely have enjoyed this more when I was younger, but it was still a decent read. Rachel Hawkins is a very witty writer, as evident in this book and in her Rebel Belle series. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue this series or not. I mostly just read this to get it off my shelf, where it has been sitting for years and years, but it was definitely good enough for me to consider reading the next book if I'm ever in the mood.
READING PROGRESS
August 26, 2012 – Shelved
October 18, 2016 – Started Reading
October 18, 2016 – Shelved as: to-read
October 18, 2016 –
page 0 0.0% "I have a feeling that I will probably feel too old for this book, but it's been on my shelf for years and years now (I actually think it was one of the first books I ever bought online, it's that bad), and I want to read every book on my shelf no matter what, so I'm gonna read this anyway."
page 0 0.0% "I have a feeling that I will probably feel too old for this book, but it's been on my shelf for years and years now (I actually think it was one of the first books I ever bought online, it's that bad), and I want to read every book on my shelf no matter what, so I'm gonna read this anyway."
October 18, 2016 –
page 107 33.13% "Not gonna lie, despite how juvenile this is, I have already laughed out loud multiple times while reading. Rachel Hawkins' humor is spot on as usual."
page 107 33.13% "Not gonna lie, despite how juvenile this is, I have already laughed out loud multiple times while reading. Rachel Hawkins' humor is spot on as usual."
October 19, 2016 – Finished Reading
dianasaur8's review against another edition
4.0
First off, I have to say that this book is hilarious. The main character is snarky, witty, sarcastic, and quick with comebacks. I love it. She's quite likable and easy to connect with.
However, there are certain points during the trilogy where I get so frustrated because she does the stupidest things sometimes. All the parts where she thinks, "I know I should have ______" or "I know I shouldn't have _____" are what lead her to trouble.
I really liked this for a young adult series. Some of the, drag on and on, but this one finishes up nicely.
Anyways, I was Team Cal all the way. Forget Archer!
However, there are certain points during the trilogy where I get so frustrated because she does the stupidest things sometimes. All the parts where she thinks, "I know I should have ______" or "I know I shouldn't have _____" are what lead her to trouble.
I really liked this for a young adult series. Some of the, drag on and on, but this one finishes up nicely.
Anyways, I was Team Cal all the way. Forget Archer!
mariethelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
So this was appearently very addictive.. And what an ending!! It was refreshing to read about witches and not just vampires. I really liked it :D
janicewangg's review against another edition
5.0
This book took me awhile to read. Not because it was boring or anything like that, but because I was in a terrible book hangover/slump and I don't think hex hall was the book to bring me out of in. However, in the end, I really enjoyed it! I picked up this book because I had recently read Rachel Hawkins new book rebel belle which I loved and I heard hex hall was even better. Let me tell you. It was. I could not stop laughing because it was so flipping hilarious. I'm definitely continuing the series and I'm going to start demo glass soon!
SPOILERS NOWvvv
Okay so while I was reading early on in the book, I kept thinking about who the murderer could be. As the narrator, Sophie kept contemplating the idea of Jenna being the murderer, so naturally I did too, but then I kept thinking it was WAYYYYYY to obvious and I think we all knew that Jenna wasn't the murderer. So then I start thinking of all the possibilities. First I was really suspicious of the head mistress lady who ran Hecate. Then I started thinking, "how shocking would it be if archer was the murderer? I mean the hunky heartthrobs in the books are usually never the betrayer, I think archer is the one." You would not believe how happy but at the same time sad I was when we found out that archer was a member of l'ochio di dio or whatever they're called. Granted, he wasn't the one who actually murdered anyone, so I feel like he's going to get his redemption. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding because I really loved his relationship with Sophie. They were cutsie and adorable. I don't like the idea of the groundskeeper and Sophie. I mean he's nice, but I guess I'm still stuck on archer. Anyways, yeah. This book was pretty amazing. OMG I thought the cover was so ugly, but now after reading the book, I see the significance. Read this book!
SPOILERS NOWvvv
Okay so while I was reading early on in the book, I kept thinking about who the murderer could be. As the narrator, Sophie kept contemplating the idea of Jenna being the murderer, so naturally I did too, but then I kept thinking it was WAYYYYYY to obvious and I think we all knew that Jenna wasn't the murderer. So then I start thinking of all the possibilities. First I was really suspicious of the head mistress lady who ran Hecate. Then I started thinking, "how shocking would it be if archer was the murderer? I mean the hunky heartthrobs in the books are usually never the betrayer, I think archer is the one." You would not believe how happy but at the same time sad I was when we found out that archer was a member of l'ochio di dio or whatever they're called. Granted, he wasn't the one who actually murdered anyone, so I feel like he's going to get his redemption. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding because I really loved his relationship with Sophie. They were cutsie and adorable. I don't like the idea of the groundskeeper and Sophie. I mean he's nice, but I guess I'm still stuck on archer. Anyways, yeah. This book was pretty amazing. OMG I thought the cover was so ugly, but now after reading the book, I see the significance. Read this book!
nodressrehearsals's review against another edition
1.0
This book puts the YOUNG in young adult. Our MC & first-person narrator is 16-year-old Sophie who acts like she's 12. She's supposed to be this awkward and sarcastic but lovable teenager. Except, this is her use of "sarcasm" :
“Archer?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. Hey, you might be able to take away my magical powers, but the power of sarcasm was still at my disposal. “Is your last name Newport or Vanderbilt? Maybe followed by some numbers? Ooh!” I said, widening my eyes, “or maybe even Esquire!”
This isn't sarcastic, at all.
While I might be able to let it pass because the character is 16, except this kind of flaw is rampant throughout the novel. The use of language is often poor (or wrong). We're told things are one way (like Sophie saying she's sarcastic) but then shown them not that way at all.
The book also focuses on these weird details that don't matter in the long run. For example, the first chapter has SIX references to how hot it is:
While I might be able to let it pass because the character is 16, except this kind of flaw is rampant throughout the novel. The use of language is often poor (or wrong). We're told things are one way (like Sophie saying she's sarcastic) but then shown them not that way at all.
The book also focuses on these weird details that don't matter in the long run. For example, the first chapter has SIX references to how hot it is:
- the hot thick heat of August in Georgia.
- Thanks to the humidity, my hair felt like it had tripled in size. I could feel it trying to devour my sunglasses like some sort of carnivorous jungle plant.
- wondered why a school in the middle of the Deep South would have wool uniforms
- I could feel sweat pooling up in weird places where I was pretty sure I had never sweat before. How can your ears sweat?
- Or maybe they were staring at me as I tried to discreetely wipe sweat from between my breasts without appearing to get to second base with myself.
- meaning the heat diminished by maybe half a degree.
But the heat (or weather at all) doesn't play a role in the story going forward. At least 5% of this chapter was devoted to telling us that it's hot and sweaty... for no reason. Again, it's not a huge deal and I could let it pass (in fact I did, I kept reading) except it's the kind of thing that happens ALL THROUGH the book. We're given all these details and spend all this time explaining stuff and then explaining it some more that just bogs down what IS important.
I would not recommend this book and will not read the rest of the series.
I would not recommend this book and will not read the rest of the series.
goodbetterbetsy's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect too much from this book and I was pleasantly surprised. It really delivered! The characters were interesting and the story moved along quickly.
Brief summary: Sophie gets sent to Hecate Hall, which is basically a boarding school for witches, shifters, and fairies who keep misusing their powers. Sophie learns from her roommate, Jenna, that she has replaced Holly, a witch who was killed a few months earlier. No one knew who killed Holly, but everyone suspected it was her roommate, Jenna the vampire. But Jenna was allowed to stay at Hex Hall because there wasn't enough proof. But not other witches are being attacked. Sophie is sure that some how a member of The Eye, and organization determined to rid the world of beings like her, has gotten onto the island where Hex Hall is located, but no one believes her.
Possible spoiler!!!!......It is pretty exciting. My only complaint is Sophie learns something about a character and thinks she's solved the mystery of who's been attacking students, but really if she thought about it, she'd realize she was with this one character when one of the attacks happens.
End possible spoiler.
I would definitely recommend this to someone who is interested in the paranormal. There is also a little dash of romance mixed in, which I thought rounded out the story nicely. Who doesn't like a little romance?
Brief summary: Sophie gets sent to Hecate Hall, which is basically a boarding school for witches, shifters, and fairies who keep misusing their powers. Sophie learns from her roommate, Jenna, that she has replaced Holly, a witch who was killed a few months earlier. No one knew who killed Holly, but everyone suspected it was her roommate, Jenna the vampire. But Jenna was allowed to stay at Hex Hall because there wasn't enough proof. But not other witches are being attacked. Sophie is sure that some how a member of The Eye, and organization determined to rid the world of beings like her, has gotten onto the island where Hex Hall is located, but no one believes her.
Possible spoiler!!!!......It is pretty exciting. My only complaint is Sophie learns something about a character and thinks she's solved the mystery of who's been attacking students, but really if she thought about it, she'd realize she was with this one character when one of the attacks happens.
End possible spoiler.
I would definitely recommend this to someone who is interested in the paranormal. There is also a little dash of romance mixed in, which I thought rounded out the story nicely. Who doesn't like a little romance?
luna_rondo's review against another edition
2.0
This is one of these books that had I been 14 or 15, would have loved. But now I'm meh about.
iamliterate's review against another edition
5.0
Sophie is snarky and awkward and I love her for it!
efi_man's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5