Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 323

Published: March 2, 2010

Publisher: Hyperion

Rating: 4/5 Stars

"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." ~Goodreads

I have an admission to make.  I am a giant cover whore.  I can't help it, if I see a cover I love I have to have the book.  Now, of course, I read the description and make sure the story sounds mildly interesting before I blow twenty bucks on a hardback, but the cover definitely is the first draw for me.  Sometimes I even keep books that I really didn't like, just because I love the cover so much. And trust me, with my lack of shelf space, this is a sin.  So naturally when I saw the cover for Hex Hall (well the American cover at least, some of the international covers are just terrible) it was love at first sight, add in a reform school for wayward magic-types and we have some real long-term relationship material here.  But, as with all budding love affairs, there was some apprehension.  What if it was cheesy?  What if it was a thinly-veiled Harry Potter knock-off?  Worst of all, what if there was (dun dun....duuuun) INSTA-LOVE?!  Luckily for me and everyone else, my fears were unfounded.  I got totally wrapped up in Sophie's world and thoroughly enjoyed this magical read.

LIKES:

• Sophie and Jenna: Sophie, our main character, is not your average YA fledgling witch.  She likes having powers, isn't afraid to use them, and is pretty sure of herself.  Once she gets to Hex she realizes she has some major improving to do and works hard to better herself.  There's none of the usual "but I don't want to be a witch" or "I just want a normal life, why must I be so awesome? why?" crap.  She has moments where she questions where her life will go, as we all do, but she is a strong character with plenty of personality to boot.  Jenna is a vampire.  A blood-sucking beastie who happens to love hot pink and sleeps with a stuffed lion named Bram.  She is also Sophie's new roommate and the only vampire student in the whole school.  Her character represents being strong in the face of stereotypes and adversity and I love that about her. 
• Cliches (but in a good way):  Normally cliches are frowned upon in this day and age, but I loved the classic elements of this story.  It was cool to have witches that actually fly on broomsticks, vampires who (without a special talisman) can't eat garlic or go out in the sun and  fairies that have fairy wings and bad attitudes.  It made the book so much fun and it felt so much more familiar.
• So many surprises:  I'm a sucker for twists and this book had quite a few.  Maybe I'm just bad at foreshadowing but most of them caught me off guard and that always makes reading more fun.
• It was just lots of fun.  Nuf said.
  

DISLIKES:

• Atmosphere: The author chose a great setting and I was really looking forward to a creepy, atmospheric feel to this book.  However,  I just don't feel like it was developed enough.  I wanted to know more about the school and its grounds and I found that I could really picture much of it.  I'm hoping this gets better in the next two books.

Isn't it just lovely when cover-love works out?  I can't wait to get my hands on Demonglass and see where Sophie and Jenna's adventures take them.  Oh and did I mention that even though this series is through Rachel Hawkins is coming out with a new spin-off series starting with School Spirits in May of this year?  Yes, we don't have to say goodbye just yet.  I'm so excited to see what Hawkins has planned.  I haven't even finished this series and I'm ready for the next one.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, the cover for School Spirits is just as awesome.  My addiction continues.

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Pages: 332

Published: August 16, 2007

Publisher: Razorbill

Rating: 4/5 Stars

"St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever." ~Goodreads

 Well, I finally did it.  I finally read Vampire Academy!  The series has been out since 2007 and hoards of adoring fans rave about it, but I just never got around to reading it.  So, when I saw a super cheap copy of the first book at my local used book store I decided to pick it up.  I'm so happy I did!  This is really a different kind of vampire book and the characters are honest and refreshing.  The story is mysterious and captivating while still being fun.  I can't say I loved everything about it but I still think Mead is deserving of all the praise she has received, at least based on the first book.

LIKES:

• Rose and Lissa.  The friendship that these two share is really incredible.  Rose is headstrong and wild and fiercely protective of her best friend, the sweet, unstable Lissa.  Lissa, in turn, trusts and respects Rose, despite her lower social status and questionable reputation.  There were definitely times where I forgot that this book was about Vampires at all because Rose and Lissa's friendship was so commanding.  Lissa is intensely vulnerable after the deaths of her parents and brother.  Although she is a royal Moroi vampire, she has few real friends at school but Rose makes up for this completely.  Rose, in addition to being her best friend, is also her guardian and has devoted her life to protecting Lissa.  However, Rose does not act out of duty but rather out of love and loyalty.  There's really nothing like a best friend, even if you're a vampire.
• The Vampires.  I was really expecting the vampires in this book to be tough, powerful, bloodthirsty immortals - you know, vampires.  I'm usually a purist when it comes to these sorts of things, but Mead really put the humanity back into these guys.  At least, some of them.  There are two types of vampires, Strigoi and Moroi.  Strigoi are more like the classic vampire: undead, ruthless, soulless monsters.  Moroi, though, are alive and connected to the earth.  And while they are strong and need blood to survive, they also need regular food and sleep and protection.  They are hunted by the Strigoi and they need half-vamps to protect them.  Their vulnerability makes them relate-able and easy to understand.  It also makes it necessary for them to bond with their protectors.  I just really liked they weren't huge bad-asses.  And that surprised me.
• It doesn't feel like an intro.  Finally, I like that this book doesn't feel like it's just here to set up the rest of the series.  There are so many first books that do this and it is one of my pet peeves.  Vampire Academy could almost be a stand-alone novel.  It isn't a cop-out.  

DISLIKES:

• Adult Themes.  First, let me say that I don't have problems with adult themes in YA books, as long as they are dealt with tastefully and responsibly.  Part of being a teenager is learning how to deal with "adult" things so I see no problem with putting them in YA literature.  There were a couple of things about this book that bothered me.  First of all, the language was a little iffy.  I was sort of surprised by the amount of cursing throughout the book.  I am no prude when it comes to language, but I thought Mead went overboard sometimes.  Second, self-mutilation is a huge issue in this book.  This is something that real teenagers sometimes have to deal with, whether it be with their friends or themselves, but I think it was handled a bit too lightly in some place.  For instance Rose refers to Lissa's cutting as "her weird way of coping" at one point.  I think that's a bit flippant, personally.  To be fair, this issue is dealt with on a more responsible level later on, but it still bothered me.  
• Lots of dead/mutilated animals.  This sort of goes hand-in-hand with my first problem.  The shear amount of animal mutilation in this book is a little startling.  I get it, it's a book about vampires, who cares if a bunny gets ripped apart when people are dropping like flies.  But, it was just a little gratuitous.
• Pedo-alert?  Okay, this one might make some of you angry because I know how much you all love Dimitri, but seriously, Rose is in high school!  He's in his mid-twenties.  I'm 25 and I would go to jail if I were involved with a high school-er.  Plus, yuck.  I know, he's super hot and moody and ripped, but couldn't they be a little closer in age.  Maybe as the books go on this gets less creepy as Rose gets a little older.  Here's hoping.

Overall, I really enjoyed Vampire Academy.  I think it was just what I needed after a stressful couple of weeks.  It has adventure, action, horror and romance.  It's a great summer read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!