 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hex Hall
- By Rachel Hawkins
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Enchanting book about witty teen witch at reform school.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fantasy novel is about a reform school where werewolves, fairies, witches, and warlocks roam -- and some not-so-friendly ghosts and demons. Whenever the ghosts and demons appear, this quixotic tale quickly becomes dark and eerie. Sensitive tweens might be frightened by the white and black magic talk, along with the mysterious demon that may or may not be killing off students. Parents should also know that certain characters are segregated and bullied, and a graphic discussion about hate crimes against magical beings takes place. This book is the first in a series featuring a witty, powerful main character who makes the right decisions, even when they're difficult.
What's the story?
Sophie Mercer has an unbelievable first day at Hecate -- or Hex -- Hall,
a special kind of reform school for kids trying to tame their magical
powers. When she arrives, school heartthrob Archer Cross immediately
saves her from a werewolf -- and she makes enemies out of the three most
popular girls. From there, life only gets more intense for Sophie, who discovers that her powers are
stronger than any other Prodigium (the collective name for shapeshifters, witches, and faeries). She's even stronger than her father, the head of the Prodigium and Hex Hall's benefactor. But Sophie has a lot to learn about who she can and cannot trust at Hex Hall. Luckily, she has her roommate and best friend, Jenna -- the school's only vampire -- on her side.
Is it any good?
Rachel Hawkins' first novel is both enchanting and engaging. Readers will be swept up in the fantasy details immediately: At Hecate Hall, furniture changes form, werewolves prowl the courtyard, and fairies float by elegantly (and a little arrogantly) on iridescent wings. And the creativity continues throughout Sophie's story. For example, Lord Byron is the head English teacher (the romantic writer accepted the position at Hex Hall after adopting Vampirism on his death bed). The quick-witted main character herself is an American girl
version of Harry Potter. Her clever first-person narration, as well as the authentic dialogue between teen characters, makes the book fun and accessible. Readers will quickly be simply spellbound by this first novel -- and be excited to continue this magical story in the sequel, Demonglass.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what this story has in common with Harry Potter. Why are tales about witches, warlocks, and other fantasy creatures so popular with tween and teen readers?
This book has a sequel, Demonglass. Will you read that book? Are sequels usually as good as the original installment? Do they typically get more violent or mature in other ways?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
May 15, 2011
AGE
great for teens
Even though the book was totally awesome, i dont think its appropriate for tweens or children. it had a lot of dying, blood and fighting, some innapropriate stuff in the romance section that im not going to say because im only 11, and some frequently used mild curse words such as b***h, h**l, and d**n.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 28, 2011
AGE
Hex Hall
Hex Hall is a fantastic book that never got boring. The plot was very mysterious and it kept you guessing. I finished the book in one day!!!
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AGE
I LOVED this book. It did not get boring at all, and it was very surprising-- there were a lot of plot twists and a ton of mystery that always kept me on edge and wondering. Plus, there was nothing that I could guess about. I can usually guess what is going to happen, but not here! There was also enough fantasy to keep it very enjoyable. Another plus: I read it in two days on the Kindle, and I do no usually read fast on the Kindle. That is how good it was! I do not have anything bad to say about it, except that I was sad for it to end. Also, it is not too weird and unrealistic. Unlike Harry Potter (as an example) which I thought was a little silly and hard to believe at times, Hex Hall was more believable than you might expect.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 8, 2011
AGE
Really Good Book
I havent read it yet but i saw it in the bookstore and read a couple of sentences and loved it. I am going to go on a long trip and i am thinking about reading it!!
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Kid, 12 years old
May 10, 2011
AGE
I really liked this book
I thought that this was a really good book. It was surprising and suspenseful. If you don't mind that a girl mentions "pledging herself" to a guy, another girl starting to take a guy's clthes off ,saying d--- a few times and one lesbian girl, it's fine.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 20, 2011
AGE
Great book!
the book was interesting.I mean the day I voted 'won't miss it'I could see most votes are 'on the fence'.But no,I don't really want to blame the people who voted for that.It's just the review here on CSM...the points for 'positive role models',messages,educational value,they're high.And I mean you could just look closely at the review if it was a really good or not.And I mean I don't care about the violence,sex,or language.The only thing is that I read the review to see if it looked interesting or not.And to see if it's a fantasy book(I love fantasy).But well yeah,people have their own opinions.
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Kid, 11 years old
May 11, 2011
AGE
review
I really don't know about this book
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AGE
Hex Hall :)
This book was very good although witch, vampire, and werewolf books are very common these days this book is clever and unique. I am thirteen and I thought is was fine but I will tell you that they do use some swear words and there is violence. I think girls will like this book more than boys it has a little romance and a girl is the lead.
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AGE
AMAZING BOOK!!!!
I loved this book! It was amazing!!!!!! Anyone 11 and above can read it. There's not even alot of bad stuff, just one kiss and there is not alot of violence.
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| Author: | Rachel Hawkins |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Hyperion Books for Children |
| Publication date: | February 1, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 336 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 11 - 11 |
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