Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall	Loved it	Graded
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Elements: Boarding school
Series: Book 1 of a trilogy

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.

I knew I wanted to read Hex Hall when I read the preview and character interviews that Rachel Hawkins posted on her blog. I've waited two months for this, and it didn't disappoint one bit. While the premise is not unusual, it had a distinctively tongue in cheek and real voice that I could immediately relate to.

The prose was easy to get into, straightforward without being blunt. I loved the camaraderie between Sophie and practically anyone she talks to. Right now would seem like the perfect time to say that I love Archer's quips, but honestly I love Rachel Hawkins for giving Archer that.

Hawkins expertly brings fresh dimensions to characters and situations that would usually touch on cliched teritory. Jenna is a good example. She doesn't have the smugness and world-weariness of someone who's been alive for a long time, and would for years more. Being a new vampire, (or so it seems to me) she shows the uncertainty and denial of someone who gets to live forever mixed with a teenager tantrum. This is especially refreshing because it is only shown in books where the main character is faced with such a situation.

"I hate it here!" she cried. "I... I hate taking stupid-ass classes like A History of Nineteenth Century Witches. God, I j-just wanna take algebra or somethin stupid like that. I wanna eat lunch--real lunch--in a cafeteria, and have an after-school job, and go to the prom."

With a sob, she sat down on her bed, like all the anger in her had evaporated. "I don't want to be a vampire," she whispered, and then broke down crying, burying her face in the black t-shirt she was holding.

- page 177, UK paperback edition

Another good example is the light take on paranormal books. It pokes fun at the cliches in its own genre, which I find charming in a book. Rarely do I see a female character who's strong and assured enough to make dirty jokes to the love interest, albeit not on purpose, but for me, it's definitely better than the love interest making sleazy jokes at the MC's expense, and then the MC finding herself turned on by that lame pick up line.

Deceptively simple, but it works wonders.

One thing I had an iffy with: Sophie and Archer's makeout session. It just seemed convinient and abrupt. The chemistry between them was veering more towards 'friend' rather than 'crush'. It was just awkward to read that because honestly, it made Sophie seem desperate and Archer like a playboy trying Sophie out. :/

Another thing I'm curious about: Is the UK cover is supposed to depict the trio of girls that Sophie butts heads with? Because I can see several differences between the cover and the story, with Anna being an African American and Chaston a redhead and uhh, the cover not showing that. If that's the case, the publisher should have known better, what with all the recent controversy.

Towards the end of the second third of Hex Hall, I was wondering if it was going to be all light, frothy fun. The trio of witches seemed like Sophie's only big challenge, and a weak one for all the book time they had.

However, the last few chapters clearly showed Hawkins' talent in balancing the funneh all the way to the other end of the emotional spectrum. Along with a better build up to the last few chapters, I would have loved to have seen more of the serious, intense scenes instead of just ominous notes of it throughout the book.

There were many little things that I was impressed with. All in all, one of the most refreshing takes on the paranormal boarding school plot that I've read in a while. I'll definitely be waiting anxiously for Demonglass as it takes on a darker tone. March 1, 2011! How am I going to wait?

But wait I will.

Now, spoilery stuff. Avert thy eyes if thy hasn't read Hex Hall.

Things I'd love to know more about:
- Jenna's age. What is it? She's almost definitely a new vampire(I'd never ask a vampire her age, so I'll leave that to Rachel.)
- Elodie. Who is she looking for, and why can't she hear Sophie? Or is she just being Elodie and ignoring Sophie?
- Did Elodie and Archer do it?

Do you think that Sarah Rees Brennan's Nick would get along with Sophie? Other than the obvious common factor, they're both on the run from people who'd love to kill them. They're also snarky, but different kinds of snarky.

On the other hand, Nick would eat her up and I can't let that happen. Man, Nick is looking hotter than Archer.