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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. I never finished the Hex Hall series, but I think I might have to after reading this novel. Let's start with the characters.
Izzy- She is one of the famous Brannicks who have fought monsters for eons. However, there are only three, uh, make that two since Finley, Izzy's sister disappeared on a routine case. Finley told Izzy to stay in the car, she had it covered and so Izzy did. Now she blames herself since her disappearance. There is no trace of her sister anywhere. Izzy is not the kind of girl that feels sorry for herself. It seems like affection is not freely given or even talked about in the Brannick family. So she stuffs her feelings down and puts on a show of bravado just like mom. But she misses Finley, her only friend. Brannicks don't have friends. They never stay anywhere long enough. But Izzy is a girl. And when she finds she has to go to high school, something she's more afraid of than the ghost that's haunting it, she buys DVD's of cheesy teen shows and magazines to find out how to be a teenager. She is trying to blend in but is a complete failure at it. Izzy is definitely someone you'd want on your side. She puts humans first and unless you tick her off in dodgeball, you're safer with her than anyone else in high school. She may seem awkward to you at first, but show her the ropes and she'll fit right in.
Mom- Hard ass. Cold, stoic. Hidden behind that is a woman mourning the loss of her oldest daughter and at a loss as to how to comfort her youngest daughter. She thinks she's failed at being a mother, missed out on the things real mothers do for their daughters and now she only has one daughter left. Desperate to find any clues to lead her to Finley. Actually loves Izzy hugely, just afraid of showing any signs of weakness or vulnerability.
PMS Memebers- Yes, that is truly the name of the club. Or their initials. Nope, gotta read the book!
Romy- a girl that I would definitely be friends with. Nerdy, outcast, oblivious to those facts and doesn't let it bother her. She's into ghost hunting and has started a club for it. Quick to forgive. Fun to hang out with.
Anderson- In love with Romy. Will protect Romy with his body if he needs to. Did I say loves Romy. Another outcast and doesn't care. Former jock before he blew out his knee. In love with Romy.
Dex- Very funny, dapper guy. I couldn't tell if maybe he was a ghost, but no he wasn't. He wears cravats and pinstripes and has very bad asthma. He loves Izzy's sense of humor and is also a fellow outcast. Doesn't bother him.
Torin- I'm not going to say much about him but to say he's trapped in something and is about 400 years old. He's been with the Brannick family for a long time. Izzy talks to him for advice. He doesn't always give good advice. And he can never be released from where he is trapped. Bad News!
The World- Apparently Izzy and her mother and Finley before she disappeared lived in a small home that existed as part of a compound that used to house hundreds of Brannicks for training. Then it was just the three of them. Fathers of the girls are picked for their bravery and strength, soldiers, Navy Seals, Green Berets. Travel is done through something called an Iteneris which hurts a bit, but gets you from point A to point B quickly. Otherwise, the world is just like ours. Except for the paranormal things that exist in it.
The Story- Simple- Izzy is supposed to go into Mary Evans High (MEH) and get rid of a ghost, believed to be Mary Evans. Izzy is almost disgusted with the assignment it's so easy. But the hard part is fitting in and on the first day she has an accident in dodge ball that gets her sent outside to run laps where she meets Dex. She becomes his idol after she tells him what she did and a fast friendship begins. Izzy finds out that Romy and Dex are on her bus so they become friends and then she joins their club because they investigate ghost sightings. She's more than a bit worried about the trouble they can get into with that. The rest of the story is investigating her friends, the ghost, and Izzy trying to fit in to high school. She thinks she has things figured out but there's a little twist to that part and it seems that she might actually have to hurt someone in order to get rid of the ghost of Mary Evans as she's gotten so strong. Twist, tragedy and a weird thing happens to the Brannick family. The ending was delicious and I'm not sure it's going to work out quite like Izzy and company want it to, but we'll see.
This is a very clean read and great for fans of Rachel Hawkins Hex Hall series, YA Paranormal stories with a little bit of romance, mysteries with paranormal and romance bits, just lovers of YA.
You can find Rachel Hawkins here-
Blog/ Tumblr/ Twitter
I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. The opinions expressed in this review were not influenced by this and are completely my own.
Izzy- She is one of the famous Brannicks who have fought monsters for eons. However, there are only three, uh, make that two since Finley, Izzy's sister disappeared on a routine case. Finley told Izzy to stay in the car, she had it covered and so Izzy did. Now she blames herself since her disappearance. There is no trace of her sister anywhere. Izzy is not the kind of girl that feels sorry for herself. It seems like affection is not freely given or even talked about in the Brannick family. So she stuffs her feelings down and puts on a show of bravado just like mom. But she misses Finley, her only friend. Brannicks don't have friends. They never stay anywhere long enough. But Izzy is a girl. And when she finds she has to go to high school, something she's more afraid of than the ghost that's haunting it, she buys DVD's of cheesy teen shows and magazines to find out how to be a teenager. She is trying to blend in but is a complete failure at it. Izzy is definitely someone you'd want on your side. She puts humans first and unless you tick her off in dodgeball, you're safer with her than anyone else in high school. She may seem awkward to you at first, but show her the ropes and she'll fit right in.
Mom- Hard ass. Cold, stoic. Hidden behind that is a woman mourning the loss of her oldest daughter and at a loss as to how to comfort her youngest daughter. She thinks she's failed at being a mother, missed out on the things real mothers do for their daughters and now she only has one daughter left. Desperate to find any clues to lead her to Finley. Actually loves Izzy hugely, just afraid of showing any signs of weakness or vulnerability.
PMS Memebers- Yes, that is truly the name of the club. Or their initials. Nope, gotta read the book!
Romy- a girl that I would definitely be friends with. Nerdy, outcast, oblivious to those facts and doesn't let it bother her. She's into ghost hunting and has started a club for it. Quick to forgive. Fun to hang out with.
Anderson- In love with Romy. Will protect Romy with his body if he needs to. Did I say loves Romy. Another outcast and doesn't care. Former jock before he blew out his knee. In love with Romy.
Dex- Very funny, dapper guy. I couldn't tell if maybe he was a ghost, but no he wasn't. He wears cravats and pinstripes and has very bad asthma. He loves Izzy's sense of humor and is also a fellow outcast. Doesn't bother him.
Torin- I'm not going to say much about him but to say he's trapped in something and is about 400 years old. He's been with the Brannick family for a long time. Izzy talks to him for advice. He doesn't always give good advice. And he can never be released from where he is trapped. Bad News!
The World- Apparently Izzy and her mother and Finley before she disappeared lived in a small home that existed as part of a compound that used to house hundreds of Brannicks for training. Then it was just the three of them. Fathers of the girls are picked for their bravery and strength, soldiers, Navy Seals, Green Berets. Travel is done through something called an Iteneris which hurts a bit, but gets you from point A to point B quickly. Otherwise, the world is just like ours. Except for the paranormal things that exist in it.
The Story- Simple- Izzy is supposed to go into Mary Evans High (MEH) and get rid of a ghost, believed to be Mary Evans. Izzy is almost disgusted with the assignment it's so easy. But the hard part is fitting in and on the first day she has an accident in dodge ball that gets her sent outside to run laps where she meets Dex. She becomes his idol after she tells him what she did and a fast friendship begins. Izzy finds out that Romy and Dex are on her bus so they become friends and then she joins their club because they investigate ghost sightings. She's more than a bit worried about the trouble they can get into with that. The rest of the story is investigating her friends, the ghost, and Izzy trying to fit in to high school. She thinks she has things figured out but there's a little twist to that part and it seems that she might actually have to hurt someone in order to get rid of the ghost of Mary Evans as she's gotten so strong. Twist, tragedy and a weird thing happens to the Brannick family. The ending was delicious and I'm not sure it's going to work out quite like Izzy and company want it to, but we'll see.
This is a very clean read and great for fans of Rachel Hawkins Hex Hall series, YA Paranormal stories with a little bit of romance, mysteries with paranormal and romance bits, just lovers of YA.
You can find Rachel Hawkins here-
Blog/ Tumblr/ Twitter
I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. The opinions expressed in this review were not influenced by this and are completely my own.
4.5 stars
*slight spoilers for The Hex Hall series, and minor spoilers for the actual book
There's something about Rachel Hawkins' books that make them so enjoyable to read. They're always funny, promising a witty and sarcastic heroine, and a good sense of paranormal mixed in.
School Spirits follow the story of Izzy Branwick, our beloved Sophie Mercer's cousin, as she sets off to explore a completely dangerous and unknown territory: HIGH SCHOOL.
Can I just say how much I loved Izzy? Some people might think that "Oh, both of them are sarcastic. Izzy must be like Sophie then." HEY HEY, sarcasm runs in the family, but Izzy is a very different person. She's no where as reckless as Sophie, and has an extreme sense of justice to her. (Dislocating that boy's arm? Awesomeness.)
The mystery and the paranormal sense is not as emphasized in this story, (although I have a feel it will be in the next book) as this is focusing on Izzy exploring a normal life (as if any of their lives are normal). It was fun to read, filled with hilarious cute moments, and Romy: I think I love her as a sidekick even more than Jenna. Too bad the chances of her returning are incredibly low.
And now... The romance.
Can I just say..
WHY ARE YOU SO INCREDIBLY GOOD AT FRUSTRATING US WITH THE ROMANCE RACHEL!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
There was some foreshadowing in this novel (at least that's what I thought) to the next book, and from hat I can glean from it: I'm pumped. It looks like there's a possible chance of a love triangle (a one sided love triangle. Relax.) but it might not happen. This is only my guess.
The ending of this book gave a very final and clean ending to this chapter of Izzy's life: she has to accept that she's not a normal teenager and that even if she tries to run away from the paranormal- they will run after her and she will have to accept it as her future. (But not like that's a bad thing.) I'm thrilled to see the next chapter of Izzy's life and just quietly pray for a certain someone to get a move on *COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH :D
School Spirits is a hilarious fun novel with a delightful heroine- I'm excited for the next installment of this series!
*slight spoilers for The Hex Hall series, and minor spoilers for the actual book
There's something about Rachel Hawkins' books that make them so enjoyable to read. They're always funny, promising a witty and sarcastic heroine, and a good sense of paranormal mixed in.
School Spirits follow the story of Izzy Branwick, our beloved Sophie Mercer's cousin, as she sets off to explore a completely dangerous and unknown territory: HIGH SCHOOL.
Can I just say how much I loved Izzy? Some people might think that "Oh, both of them are sarcastic. Izzy must be like Sophie then." HEY HEY, sarcasm runs in the family, but Izzy is a very different person. She's no where as reckless as Sophie, and has an extreme sense of justice to her. (Dislocating that boy's arm? Awesomeness.)
The mystery and the paranormal sense is not as emphasized in this story, (although I have a feel it will be in the next book) as this is focusing on Izzy exploring a normal life (as if any of their lives are normal). It was fun to read, filled with hilarious cute moments, and Romy: I think I love her as a sidekick even more than Jenna. Too bad the chances of her returning are incredibly low.
And now... The romance.
Can I just say..
WHY ARE YOU SO INCREDIBLY GOOD AT FRUSTRATING US WITH THE ROMANCE RACHEL!!!!
Spoiler
FIRST in Hex Hall it's that Archer turns out to be part of the Eye, AND NOW WE HAVE A FRIENDZONE SITUATION. LIKE WHAT. WHY. NO. DEXXXXXXXXXXAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
There was some foreshadowing in this novel (at least that's what I thought) to the next book, and from hat I can glean from it: I'm pumped. It looks like there's a possible chance of a love triangle (a one sided love triangle. Relax.) but it might not happen. This is only my guess.
Spoiler
TOOOOORIN. He's giving me a really bad feeling right now that the next book... Izzy will free him. And he seems somehow desperately in love with her. (Probably cause he wants her to free him.) AIIIYA.The ending of this book gave a very final and clean ending to this chapter of Izzy's life: she has to accept that she's not a normal teenager and that even if she tries to run away from the paranormal- they will run after her and she will have to accept it as her future. (But not like that's a bad thing.) I'm thrilled to see the next chapter of Izzy's life and just quietly pray for a certain someone to get a move on *COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH :D
School Spirits is a hilarious fun novel with a delightful heroine- I'm excited for the next installment of this series!
Why I Loved It: First off, I loved the Hex Hall series. I mean the books were incredible. I just finished Spell Bound the other day *because I was determined to finish it before I read this one*, so that review will probably come next week. Anyways, Ms. Hawkins is delightfully funny with just the right amount of snark to the humor in her books. I adore that quality in her writing. But enough for now. I could ramble on and rave for pages about how much I love the humor in her books.
But on to the book. So School Spirits is a spin-off from the Hex Hall series. *Caution* If you have not read Spell Bound, there is a bit of a spoiler ahead. So when Sophie finds out that her mom is a Brannick, we meet her cousins Izzy and Finley. Well this book focuses on Izzy. In Spell Bound, Izzy sort of had Sophie's sense of humor which we get a taste for in this book. It's nice. *Ok I'm really done now* The story focuses on Izzy and her life as a Brannick. Sadly, Finley has disappeared. I will say that that part of the story is how I know there will have to be another book, or I will cry. The book dives into Izzy's first assignment to conquer on her own *sorta* in the foreign land of high school. I mean seriously. It may as well be another planet for Izzy. There's a serious ghost problem at the school, which should be an easy fix. Of course, magic always tends to complicate things. Plus, Izzy has never had to worry about having friends....
Now though, entering the world of high school, she has to deal with all kinds of things that being trained as a Brannick never trained her for. Like girlfriends, cute boys, kissing, and the sport of dodgeball. Fitting in is not exactly the easiest thing for her. She has a lot to learn.
I really enjoyed getting a deeper look into the Brannick family and getting to know Izzy better. Plus, the book shares more information about Torin, who I found to be incredibly interesting in Spell Bound. Izzy has such an interesting perspective, and seeing her explore the world of high school was pretty interesting. Plus, seeing the world of Prodigium through someone that isn't exactly Prodigium was a nice change. I have to say that Izzy's relationship with her mom was a little sad, and I wasn't entirely thrilled with it most of the time. I mean I get that all relationships aren't super happy and rainbows and unicorns, but I still get sad when I see them like this.
Ok so last but not least, the book's love interest is named Dex. He is adorably goofy with a funny sense of humor that I adored. His word play tends more towards pretentious but in a way I can admire and not want to slap him. He pulls it off well. Izzy and his interactions were one of my favorite parts of the book, but I loved that the romance didn't overwhelm or take over the story. It was just a fun part that was included. The ending was a bit abrupt, but if there is to be another book I think I can try and be content with it.
Low Points: Not quite as fast-paced and action packed as the Hex Hall series. The ending kind of drove me crazy when it came to the Izzy/Dex relationship. I shall not give any spoilers though.
High Points: Snarky and silly humor. The adorably pretentious Dex. Cute ghost story. Brannicks and high school crazy combination.
Who Should Read It: For those of you who loved Hex Hall, I think we all know you are dying to pick up the spin-off. Plus, if you just like a good ghost story and a good dose of snark, why not? *I will say that there is no new book in the series being published probably in the next couple of years. Ms. Hawkins is focusing on her new series Rebel Belles, so it could be a little frustrating with the lack of resolution in the ending*
But on to the book. So School Spirits is a spin-off from the Hex Hall series. *Caution* If you have not read Spell Bound, there is a bit of a spoiler ahead. So when Sophie finds out that her mom is a Brannick, we meet her cousins Izzy and Finley. Well this book focuses on Izzy. In Spell Bound, Izzy sort of had Sophie's sense of humor which we get a taste for in this book. It's nice. *Ok I'm really done now* The story focuses on Izzy and her life as a Brannick. Sadly, Finley has disappeared. I will say that that part of the story is how I know there will have to be another book, or I will cry. The book dives into Izzy's first assignment to conquer on her own *sorta* in the foreign land of high school. I mean seriously. It may as well be another planet for Izzy. There's a serious ghost problem at the school, which should be an easy fix. Of course, magic always tends to complicate things. Plus, Izzy has never had to worry about having friends....
Now though, entering the world of high school, she has to deal with all kinds of things that being trained as a Brannick never trained her for. Like girlfriends, cute boys, kissing, and the sport of dodgeball. Fitting in is not exactly the easiest thing for her. She has a lot to learn.
I really enjoyed getting a deeper look into the Brannick family and getting to know Izzy better. Plus, the book shares more information about Torin, who I found to be incredibly interesting in Spell Bound. Izzy has such an interesting perspective, and seeing her explore the world of high school was pretty interesting. Plus, seeing the world of Prodigium through someone that isn't exactly Prodigium was a nice change. I have to say that Izzy's relationship with her mom was a little sad, and I wasn't entirely thrilled with it most of the time. I mean I get that all relationships aren't super happy and rainbows and unicorns, but I still get sad when I see them like this.
Ok so last but not least, the book's love interest is named Dex. He is adorably goofy with a funny sense of humor that I adored. His word play tends more towards pretentious but in a way I can admire and not want to slap him. He pulls it off well. Izzy and his interactions were one of my favorite parts of the book, but I loved that the romance didn't overwhelm or take over the story. It was just a fun part that was included. The ending was a bit abrupt, but if there is to be another book I think I can try and be content with it.
Low Points: Not quite as fast-paced and action packed as the Hex Hall series. The ending kind of drove me crazy when it came to the Izzy/Dex relationship. I shall not give any spoilers though.
High Points: Snarky and silly humor. The adorably pretentious Dex. Cute ghost story. Brannicks and high school crazy combination.
Who Should Read It: For those of you who loved Hex Hall, I think we all know you are dying to pick up the spin-off. Plus, if you just like a good ghost story and a good dose of snark, why not? *I will say that there is no new book in the series being published probably in the next couple of years. Ms. Hawkins is focusing on her new series Rebel Belles, so it could be a little frustrating with the lack of resolution in the ending*
As a Brannick, Izzy has a family legacy to maintain – to fight things that go bump in the night. But Izzy, her mother and older sister Finley are the only Brannicks left and after Finley goes missing in the middle of a job things are different. Taking some time off to search for Finley, months go by with no sign of the missing teenager. To try to move on Izzy’s mother decides to get back to the monster fighting business and gives Izzy her first true solo mission – find and stop the ghost haunting a high school. Enrolled as a student and working undercover, Izzy gets to experience for the first time just what life as a typical teenager involves. With an evil warlock trapped in her mirror and the closest thing to teenage life Izzy has ever been is watching Ivy Springs (a fictional teen drama) on DVD, the next experience of high school is a novelty for Izzy. But ghosts with evil intentions stop for no one – not even one with best friends and boys on the mind.
I’ve not read Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins and had no idea School Spirits was a spin-off. That said – there’s no assumed knowledge of the world and before I knew it I was swept away in the characters and story in this novel. Izzy is an engaging main character who for all her naivety of “regular teenagers” and life outside of monster hunting is surprisingly relatable. Her mother managed to be both mentor and caring parent. And the members of the Paranormal Management Society (PMS) are delightful. I accepted and loved the team of misfits the way they embraced Izzy – without abandon. Romy, Anderson and Dex are equal parts fun, zany and supportive.
Plot wise I thought it was dramatic and interesting. Paced perfectly, I enjoyed seeing Izzy go from nearly killing a boy in dodge-ball on her very first day to a more confident young woman who is trying to live up to the Brannick name. Torin – the boy in the mirror, is cocky and confident and I’m a little undecided as to whether I love or hate him. He’s just one of those characters that I desperately want to know more about.
Watching Izzy discover boys – specifically Dex – made me smile. She’s awkward and all she knows about romance and relationships with the other sex is from a teen drama. I loved it! And Dex is perfect. He’s quirky and geeky – and the opposite of athletic – and that just made me like him more. He’s an unconventional love interest but somehow it works.
The magic and ghosts are rampant and I liked the supernatural element in School Spirits. There’s drama and excitement with a lot of room for this series to grow in future novels. This is a great book for fans of Rachel Harkins but also anyone who loves a good young adult novel with engaging characters and things that go bump in the night.
I’ve not read Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins and had no idea School Spirits was a spin-off. That said – there’s no assumed knowledge of the world and before I knew it I was swept away in the characters and story in this novel. Izzy is an engaging main character who for all her naivety of “regular teenagers” and life outside of monster hunting is surprisingly relatable. Her mother managed to be both mentor and caring parent. And the members of the Paranormal Management Society (PMS) are delightful. I accepted and loved the team of misfits the way they embraced Izzy – without abandon. Romy, Anderson and Dex are equal parts fun, zany and supportive.
Plot wise I thought it was dramatic and interesting. Paced perfectly, I enjoyed seeing Izzy go from nearly killing a boy in dodge-ball on her very first day to a more confident young woman who is trying to live up to the Brannick name. Torin – the boy in the mirror, is cocky and confident and I’m a little undecided as to whether I love or hate him. He’s just one of those characters that I desperately want to know more about.
Watching Izzy discover boys – specifically Dex – made me smile. She’s awkward and all she knows about romance and relationships with the other sex is from a teen drama. I loved it! And Dex is perfect. He’s quirky and geeky – and the opposite of athletic – and that just made me like him more. He’s an unconventional love interest but somehow it works.
The magic and ghosts are rampant and I liked the supernatural element in School Spirits. There’s drama and excitement with a lot of room for this series to grow in future novels. This is a great book for fans of Rachel Harkins but also anyone who loves a good young adult novel with engaging characters and things that go bump in the night.
7.5/10
A fun paranormal YA book about a girl who has been brought up to fight monsters, and ends up taking a job a high school. I very much enjoyed it, as the characters were believable and well-written (especially Dex...). It does reference Hawkins's other series (Hex Hall) which I haven't read, but is a fun read regardless. Recommended to anyone who likes YA paranormal books but wants something a little more interesting than never ending werewolf-vampire love triangles
A fun paranormal YA book about a girl who has been brought up to fight monsters, and ends up taking a job a high school. I very much enjoyed it, as the characters were believable and well-written (especially Dex...). It does reference Hawkins's other series (Hex Hall) which I haven't read, but is a fun read regardless. Recommended to anyone who likes YA paranormal books but wants something a little more interesting than never ending werewolf-vampire love triangles
still absolutely love this series. wheres the next book? there has to be another!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes