Author(s): Rachel Hawkins
Edition: ARC, 3o4 pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
Source: Received from publisher
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Inkwood Books
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 the New York Times bestselling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!
I was so excited to find out Hawkins was writing a companion series to Hex Hall. I loved reading about Sophie and the Prodigium, but when I got a look into the Brannicks history in Spell Bound I wanted to learn more about them! Izzy is a great main character to follow. She's witty and strong, but so very awkward. That's probably her most endearing quality right off the bat. She has to learn how to fit into a completely alien situation, and as most of us know, high school is alien even for teens who grew up "normal". But in her awkward actions in the social department, her hunter skills are graceful. She has such potential and I can't wait to see what Hawkins has in store for her.
On top of the great characterization (all the supporting characters have unique personalities and quirks that make them pop from the page), Hawkins always has some of the best dialogue. School Spirits is no different, with Izzy and Co. going back and forth with the witticisms and snark that make their journey so much fun! Of course the best at this is Torin, the "poor" Warlock locked in the Brannick's family mirror. He is a wily character that always has a sharp retort or dry observation to impart on Izzy. I love when books are imbued with humor because it makes the violence/emotions/problems that much easier to read. It is a pull for me, and one of the reasons I will read anything Hawkins writes!
There is a lot going on in this first book that is left unanswered, and instead of that being annoying, it makes me ache for the next book! I want to know what will happen to Dex, where the heck her sister Finley is, what are Torin's motives, and just what kind of "special" is Izzy? Hopefully all will be answered in the coming books! In the mean time, go grab yourself a copy of School Spirits, out today, May 14th (links to buy up above). And while you're at it, grab the entire Hex Hall series (books are down below). Definitely a much needed addition to any supernatural fantasy collection!
Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 46/50: A-
Edition: ARC, 3o4 pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
Source: Received from publisher
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Inkwood Books
The Summary
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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 the New York Times bestselling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!
My Opinion
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Fans and newcomers alike will fall in love with Rachel Hawkins' newest book, School Spirits. The start of a companion series to her New York Times bestselling series Hex Hall, School Spirits stars Izzy Brannick, the youngest Brannick and cousin to Sophie Mercer (our resident Demon). Her mom, her sister, and she are the only surviving Brannicks, and as such are charged with keeping the creepy crawlies at bay. But when Izzy's sister disapeers, her mom decides to take a break from hunting. But in true Hawkins fashion, a break is far from what happens!I was so excited to find out Hawkins was writing a companion series to Hex Hall. I loved reading about Sophie and the Prodigium, but when I got a look into the Brannicks history in Spell Bound I wanted to learn more about them! Izzy is a great main character to follow. She's witty and strong, but so very awkward. That's probably her most endearing quality right off the bat. She has to learn how to fit into a completely alien situation, and as most of us know, high school is alien even for teens who grew up "normal". But in her awkward actions in the social department, her hunter skills are graceful. She has such potential and I can't wait to see what Hawkins has in store for her.
On top of the great characterization (all the supporting characters have unique personalities and quirks that make them pop from the page), Hawkins always has some of the best dialogue. School Spirits is no different, with Izzy and Co. going back and forth with the witticisms and snark that make their journey so much fun! Of course the best at this is Torin, the "poor" Warlock locked in the Brannick's family mirror. He is a wily character that always has a sharp retort or dry observation to impart on Izzy. I love when books are imbued with humor because it makes the violence/emotions/problems that much easier to read. It is a pull for me, and one of the reasons I will read anything Hawkins writes!
There is a lot going on in this first book that is left unanswered, and instead of that being annoying, it makes me ache for the next book! I want to know what will happen to Dex, where the heck her sister Finley is, what are Torin's motives, and just what kind of "special" is Izzy? Hopefully all will be answered in the coming books! In the mean time, go grab yourself a copy of School Spirits, out today, May 14th (links to buy up above). And while you're at it, grab the entire Hex Hall series (books are down below). Definitely a much needed addition to any supernatural fantasy collection!
Extras
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If you like School Spirits then you HAVE to check out Rachel Hawkins' other series Hex Hall! Click the images below to be taken to the books' Goodreads pages.
Final Rating
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Book Cover: 4/5Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 46/50: A-
I loved this one too!! Ahh! I wanna know all those things as well. I agree, I'll read anything Rachel Hawkins writes.
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