You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
3.5
The first half of the book was exactly like Paranormalcy (except more supernatural, less paranormal, if that makes sense).
The second half FINALLY became it's own book, and the plot picked up, and I actually really liked it! LOVED the plot twists at the end, as well!
Big thing: Okay, so 50 or so pages into the book, you'll look at the cover again, and think you understand the entire plot - DO NOT BELIEVE yourself! The cover has absolutely NOTHING to do with the story!
But, honestly, I ADORED how the 'romance' played out, and the supernatural elements were fantabulous, as well. I just wish there was more actual monster slaying, but, all in all,
I'm 16, and I recommend this book!
The first half of the book was exactly like Paranormalcy (except more supernatural, less paranormal, if that makes sense).
The second half FINALLY became it's own book, and the plot picked up, and I actually really liked it! LOVED the plot twists at the end, as well!
Big thing: Okay, so 50 or so pages into the book, you'll look at the cover again, and think you understand the entire plot - DO NOT BELIEVE yourself! The cover has absolutely NOTHING to do with the story!
But, honestly, I ADORED how the 'romance' played out, and the supernatural elements were fantabulous, as well. I just wish there was more actual monster slaying, but, all in all,
I'm 16, and I recommend this book!
I always think that Rachel Hawkins' books will be insipid bits of fluff that I will get frustrated with. That's really never the case. Oh yes, this is fluff. Monster slaying homeschool girl takes on high school for the first time in order to banish a murderous ghost. But, as always, great characters, funny and charming dialogue and a decent plotline. Delightful!
School spirits was a really fun read. It was cute and magicky and funny, and Izzy was an awesome heroine. I sort of wish that it explained more about Finley and her disappearance and how they were trying to find her, though. Dexter was a well thought out character, and I liked his humor and romance ish thing with Izzy, and I totally called the ending, so it was kind of predictable. Can't wait for the next book!
The beginning seemed promising but after a while, it became the same thing over and over again. Her other books were much better than this!
i finished this book in two days it was quite enjoyable just like the hex hall series.
Although not as great as "Hex Hall," "School Spirits" was an incredibly fun read. For a young adult book, it had everything I could hope for: Ghosts! Female friendship! Warlocks trapped in mirrors!
"School Spirits" focuses on Izzy Brannick, cousin of "Hex Hall" protagonist Sophie Mercer. Izzy wasn't as charming as Sophie, but she held her own as a strong female character.
After learning of a ghost haunting at a high school, Izzy and her mother go undercover to solve the case. Having never attended a real school before (and never having a friend outsider her family either) Izzy faces extreme culture shock trying to be a normal American teenager. With the help of some cheesy high school soap operas on DVD, Izzy tries her best to fit in. And she finds her own group of friends after joining the school's Paranormal Management Society (a.k.a. PMS).
Things I Loved:
-Torin, the warlock trapped in the Brannick's mirror. He was honestly my favorite part of the book. I even ended up shipping Izzy/Torin. Their dynamic was great and I loved the banter back and forth. Give me banter and I'll probably end up loving it.
-Izzy's friendship with Romy. While their friendship started off rocky, their friendship was actually pretty great. They bonded over ghost hunting, rather than boys or gossip. And when they did talk about the latter, it didn't make them less of a character, it just made them normal teenage girls. And I wasn't mad at that.
-Izzy constantly referencing things that happened on the TV show she watched. The show was perfectly dramatic and reminded me of the (now cancelled) shows on the CW like Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill.
Things I Did Not Love:
-Dex. I didn't hate Dex, but he was a bit too much of a Nice Guy for me. He literally says, "m'lady," which just confirmed everything I was already thinking about the character. Is it a stretch to think of him a fedora wearing meninist? Probably. But that didn't stop me from cringing almost every time he appeared.
From what I've read, "School Spirits" is a standalone novel. Apparently Hawkins said there could be some bonus materials published at a later date, but considering "School Spirits" came out in 2013, I don't think that's happening, as disappointing as it is. There were so many things left unresolved at the end and it left me wanting more.
"School Spirits" focuses on Izzy Brannick, cousin of "Hex Hall" protagonist Sophie Mercer. Izzy wasn't as charming as Sophie, but she held her own as a strong female character.
After learning of a ghost haunting at a high school, Izzy and her mother go undercover to solve the case. Having never attended a real school before (and never having a friend outsider her family either) Izzy faces extreme culture shock trying to be a normal American teenager. With the help of some cheesy high school soap operas on DVD, Izzy tries her best to fit in. And she finds her own group of friends after joining the school's Paranormal Management Society (a.k.a. PMS).
Things I Loved:
-Torin, the warlock trapped in the Brannick's mirror. He was honestly my favorite part of the book. I even ended up shipping Izzy/Torin. Their dynamic was great and I loved the banter back and forth. Give me banter and I'll probably end up loving it.
-Izzy's friendship with Romy. While their friendship started off rocky, their friendship was actually pretty great. They bonded over ghost hunting, rather than boys or gossip. And when they did talk about the latter, it didn't make them less of a character, it just made them normal teenage girls. And I wasn't mad at that.
-Izzy constantly referencing things that happened on the TV show she watched. The show was perfectly dramatic and reminded me of the (now cancelled) shows on the CW like Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill.
Things I Did Not Love:
-Dex. I didn't hate Dex, but he was a bit too much of a Nice Guy for me. He literally says, "m'lady," which just confirmed everything I was already thinking about the character. Is it a stretch to think of him a fedora wearing meninist? Probably. But that didn't stop me from cringing almost every time he appeared.
From what I've read, "School Spirits" is a standalone novel. Apparently Hawkins said there could be some bonus materials published at a later date, but considering "School Spirits" came out in 2013, I don't think that's happening, as disappointing as it is. There were so many things left unresolved at the end and it left me wanting more.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not as good as the other Hex Hall books and the way this book ended was so unsatisfying. Izzy deserved a better story especially with all that her family has been through. Finn deserved better as well.
This was an enjoyable read. I liked that we got to see more of the Brannicks and my beloved Torin. We actually got to see the story from the eyes of the hunters and not the hunted. But I have to say, I was left with so many unanswered questions. It finished so abruptly, it feels like there should be a sequel, but unfortunately there isn't one. It would have been better if everything had tied up nicely, like for example we should have found out what happened to Finley and if Torin will actually come out of the mirror finally. I would also would have liked to know more things about Torins' passed since I loved him so much as a character. But, alas, I have to settle with what I learned from this book and hope that in the future there might actually be a sequel. All in all, it was a very quick read and I think I would have enjoyed a lot more if I were younger. But I think if you're a teenager, you would definitely like this.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes