Review: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Published: May 14th 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Page Count: Hardcover, 297
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Find the Author: Twitter, Blog, Tumblr
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.
Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.
Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt? 
Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as theNew York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance! - Good Reads

Based on my previous experience with Rachel, I knew I had to grab this book. I loved her Hex Hall trilogy. And this book even managed to exceed my expectations! The first few pages of a book are almost always tough for me to get through. Usually once I make it past, no one can pry the book away from my face, which is what happened with School Spirits.

Rachel Hawkins is a fabulous writer. Buckets full of green envy splurges out of me when I read her books, because she has such a knack for writing humour and banter! 

I absolutely loved Izzy. I found it very easy to relate to her despite us being wildly different. You know, since I haven't had the opportunity to kill any monsters and the lack of red hair. I loved Izzy's development throughout the book and I found the relationship between Izzy and her Mother to be a very nice touch to the overall storyline as well. 

The romance of the book was nice and light. As usual, I'm always shipping the "wrong couple". But seriously, Izzy + Torin = THEY NEED TO GET TOGETHER RIGHT NOW! MAKE IT HAPPEN! I'm serious. 

I would recommend School Spirits to those that enjoy a lighter paranormal read laced with plenty of humour and romance. Please read it and tell me I'm not the only one daydreaming about Izzy and Torin ending up together! 

UPDATE: I was under the impression that there would be more than one book. After further investigation I have discovered that this will be the only book. 

Review: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Published: March 22d 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Page Count: Hardcover, 359
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Blog, Good Reads, Twitter, Tumblr
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. 
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth. 
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers. 
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she? - Good Reads

***BIG, BIG WARNING! SPOILERS IN THE SUMMARY ABOVE! AND BELOW! DO NOT READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST BOOK OR YOU WILL BE VERY, VERY SORRY***

Yeah, I had to point that out because that summary totally spoiled me. While reading Hex Hall I became so excited to read the next book that I decided I needed to put Demonglass on hold, because getting a hold of a good book at my local library is like A SERIOUS COMPETITION. I'm third on the list for Shatter Me. Yeah, I thought I was ahead of the game last month pre-holding it before they even got it in. Hell to the no. Apparently two others beat me to it. Anyway, while putting it on hold the summary caught my eye and I read it. Big mistake. I had no idea that Sophie was a demon at that point and I was a little sad that I missed out on that big discovery.

The first book in this trilogy Hex Hall quickly became a serious favourite of mine. I think the biggest thing I loved about Hex Hall and Demonglass is that it's totally and completely my style of book. For a mixture of reasons:

#1. I love the main character Sophie. She's funny, she's irrational, she's rational, she's proud, but she knows when to give in and listen and she is incredibly smart. She's just a very, very lovable character to read and I love following her and watching her grow. And I felt she did quite a bit of growing and learning in Demonglass. 

#2. A lot of paranormal books have a darker vibe to them, which I like, but this series shocked me because it was so typical, yet so different. It felt light, but not light to the point where I couldn't take anything seriously and get emotionally involved or feel for the characters.

#3. The romance. Archer definitely falls into the studly and swoon-worthy category of fictional boys. I love that boy. 

There is a "love triangle", if you can call it that, in this book, but it's not your typical love triangle. I normally dislike love triangles because for some reason I always root for the boy who loses the girl. It's apparently a condition I have. In Demonglass though, the second guy isn't what you'd think - Sophie isn't running around London lusting after two different boys. She stays true to her original feelings, but the element of the love triangle is there and you'll see why if you continue into Demonglass. It's really not what you'd think though. I even think love triangle might be too strong of a definition because it sort of implies the wrong idea. 

RECOMMENDED TO

Anybody who loves a fun and interesting Young Adult Paranormal and a heroine that is fun to keep up with! 

BEST QUOTE

“Dad, she's just going to freak. And probably come here and get me, and then you guys will start yelling at each other, and I'll have to act out by wearing lots of eyeliner and doing drugs” 

                             5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Published: March 2'd 2010
Publisher: Hyperion
Page Count: Hardcover, 323
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy:  Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

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. - Good Reads

I had seen this series around, but never paid too much attention. I don't know why: maybe because I know Hyperion is owned by Disney and somehow I felt that would make it a little too kiddish for my tastes? I think that was the big factor. And boy, do I feel like an ass now. Because I am seriously in love! 

The main character Sophie is hilarious and sarcastic and everything that is good in a heroine. I absolutely adored her. The supporting cast is full of interesting faces: three bitches witches that like to rule the school, have a hidden agenda all the while they treat Sophie like garbage, especially the leader of their little witch pack. Sophie's roommate is 10 shades of amazing as well. And of course there's a boy who's totally swoon-worthy and made this book even more awesome than it already was. Rachel Hawkins does an amazingamazingamazing job at building the romantic tension and she's the queen of writing witty and sarcastic banter. I'm not sure I've ever seen any better actually! 

RECOMMENDED TO:

Anyone and everyone! PICK THIS UP ASAP! It has quickly become one of the best series I've ever read. I literally sped through it - couldn't bear to put it down. I kept sneaking it around work and reading even when I wasn't supposed to. *hangs head in shame* Good, good, good stuff. If you love Young Adult paranormal that has a sarcastic and amusing tune to it and isn't completely gloomy and doomy with a kick-ass and funny heroine - read this! Oh, those who love books that center around boarding schools, especially the paranormal type of boarding schools: you'll most likely enjoy this. 

If I could give it more Hello Kitties, I WOULD!

                            5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Waiting on Wednesday: Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating! 


SPELL BOUND (HEX HALL #3) BY RACHEL HAWKINS
Release Date: March 13'th 2012

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted. 
Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident. 
Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late? - Good Reads

I just finished the first two books in this trilogy (look out for the reviews this week!) and I TOTALLY TORE THROUGH THEM! I'm literally counting the days until Spell Bound comes out now! March, pleasepleaseprettyplease, come quicker!