Showing posts with label Witch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Witch. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Raising Demons by Rachel Hawkins

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
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Raising Demons is the explosive second book of the Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins.
The story starts where it left off, at Hex Hall. it's been six months since the last book, and not much has changed, unlike Sophie's life so far. And there's more to come. So much more.
Picture from fictionalfantasy.com

This summer Sophie has even more to think about. The mysteries keep unfolding and the tables keep on turning. This book really does have twists an turns that I did not expect, although some I really did.
I also managed to read this within 24 hours. With long breaks. That includes sleeping and a film.

The characters are just as lovable, especially Jenna, the pink-loving Vampire, and the story may just grab hold of you even more than the first book.
I really looked forward to reading this one, and the next one I'll definitely be buying as soon as possible.

As before with Rachel Hawkins the book flows well, with laughs here and there, elegant descriptions, ghosts, demons and men. Everything a good book should most definitely have.

So, after what seems a pretty glowing review, I'd better give it 5 out of 5, and admit that these books are kind of addictive.
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Hex Hall Series Website
Review on Wondrous Reads
Raising Demons on Amazon.co.uk

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

I have literally just put the book down.
I only started it yesterday.

I think that tells you that this books was an easy read with plenty of twists and plot lines to keep me hooked. It was just one of those books.
Book Cover - From Google/Waterstones
This is the story of 16 year old Sophie, who, upon casting a pretty disastrous love spell, is relocated to Hecate/Hex Hall, a magical reform school. Even the first day of this school goes wrong, and Sophie finds she's left at a weird school where she doesn't fit in.
But what's under the surface of this school is the interesting part.
And this book tells the story of Sophie's discoveries of the best kept secrets the school has.

Although the story may not be overly original, and I could see what was going to happen in the book, it happened in a different way to what I had expected. There were twists and turns and the characters have some substance. There are always layers beneath what Hawkins has already shown us.

It was like an older version of a mash up between Harry Potter and the Worst Witch, only set in America, and with other creatures at the school. You could definitely see the inspiration from R.K Rowling's masterpiece sluicing through the book. And although Rachel Hawkins adored the use of the word 'heinous' I can forgive her because some of the circumstances were just that.

Also, I loved the ending. A bit of a cliffhanger and there are now endless possibilities running through my head.

At times the book was funny, sad, scary. But not a complete emotional roller coaster. And possibly a little on the younger side for the young adult readers out there. But still, I am very much looking forward to the next installment.

4 out of 5 stars

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Links.

The Hex Hall Website