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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
At a Glance:
Like Hex Hall, the series that this spin-off started from, School Spirits is a quick, fun, and highly enjoyable paranormal read. Rachel Hawkins does a fantastic job of making every moment count, entertaining us from beginning to end with her quick wit and quirky sense of humor.
Spin-off:
This book is a spin-off of Hex Hall, but can be read separately. You won't really miss anything by not having read that series first. But you're going to want to read it anyway.
Cover:
I love that the cover stayed true to the original Hex Hall books, but with a twist. I've always thought these covers were lots of fun, and really reflected the spirit of the book.
Action:
There was a lot of excitement going on in Izzy's life, which you might expect from a Monster Hunter. The Brannicks have always hunted the creatures that go bump in the night, and Izzy is just doing what she's always done. In this book, there's a creepy ghost that's haunting the school she's just started, and figuring out the mystery motive of this nasty ghost makes this book really creepy and fantastic.
Romance:
I really enjoyed the little mini-romancey moments in this book. Romance wasn't a main point, and it actually seemed more realistic than a lot of books written for this age. This is usually a time for little crushes and "testing the waters" which is what Izzy experiences.
Heroine:
Izzy was awesome! I loved being inside her head. She isn't familiar with normal teenage life because she's been kept away from all of that her entire life. Listening to her try to decide what the right way to respond to any given situation was so funny. I was afraid that she would just be a clone of Sophie (from Hex Hall), but she was funny and endearing in a completely different way. I just really enjoyed her.
Hero:
I guess that Dex would be considered the hero-ish :P I loved him so much! He was so quirky and.....kind of Magnus-y, if you know what I mean. The interaction between Dex and Izzy was great, which isn't surprising, considering banter seems to be Hawkins' specialty.
Favorite Supporting Character:
I'm going to have to go with Torin! I absolutely loved him! Torin is a presumed dark warlock who is trapped in a mirror because of a spell gone wrong. He's mysterious and snarky and I really want to know what happened to him.
Something I loved:
I just really love the light feel that this book has, while still having a mystery and intelligent dialog.
Something I hate:
Sadly, I learned that there are no plans at this time to continue this series.
This really drives me crazy! I don't know why this is happening, but my guess is, of course, money. :( I just hate that they would publish the first book in this series without seeing it through (I know this is not the author's decision). This book is not a stand-alone. I mean, the main arc of this particular story is resolved, but there are so many other things this book brings up that aren't even close to being wrapped up. What happened to Finley? Why is Torin trapped in a mirror? He foretold things that he saw in the future, but we don't ever see that come into play. And other things I can't mention. It seriously kills me that I may never know. It's like when you start watching a tv series, and it just gets cancelled without any finale. It just sucks.
Cliffhanger?
No cliffhanger exactly, but many things are not resolved.
Would I recommend it?
Hmmm.....this is a tough one. I really liked it a lot, and if the rest of the series was being published, I'd say YES, DEFINITELY. But, since there's no guarantee that you'll ever get the full story, I'll say read at your own risk. I think it was worth it, but you have been warned.
Moral of the Story:
You should just home school. Also, if you decide to be a cheerleader, you're probably going to die.
Book Doppelgangers:
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, Clarity by Kim Harrington
Content:
Profanity: Mild
Sexual Content: Mild
Violence: Moderate
For more details, check out School Spirits on Parentalbookreviews.com
Like Hex Hall, the series that this spin-off started from, School Spirits is a quick, fun, and highly enjoyable paranormal read. Rachel Hawkins does a fantastic job of making every moment count, entertaining us from beginning to end with her quick wit and quirky sense of humor.
Spin-off:
This book is a spin-off of Hex Hall, but can be read separately. You won't really miss anything by not having read that series first. But you're going to want to read it anyway.
Cover:
I love that the cover stayed true to the original Hex Hall books, but with a twist. I've always thought these covers were lots of fun, and really reflected the spirit of the book.
Action:
There was a lot of excitement going on in Izzy's life, which you might expect from a Monster Hunter. The Brannicks have always hunted the creatures that go bump in the night, and Izzy is just doing what she's always done. In this book, there's a creepy ghost that's haunting the school she's just started, and figuring out the mystery motive of this nasty ghost makes this book really creepy and fantastic.
Romance:
I really enjoyed the little mini-romancey moments in this book. Romance wasn't a main point, and it actually seemed more realistic than a lot of books written for this age. This is usually a time for little crushes and "testing the waters" which is what Izzy experiences.
Heroine:
Izzy was awesome! I loved being inside her head. She isn't familiar with normal teenage life because she's been kept away from all of that her entire life. Listening to her try to decide what the right way to respond to any given situation was so funny. I was afraid that she would just be a clone of Sophie (from Hex Hall), but she was funny and endearing in a completely different way. I just really enjoyed her.
Hero:
I guess that Dex would be considered the hero-ish :P I loved him so much! He was so quirky and.....kind of Magnus-y, if you know what I mean. The interaction between Dex and Izzy was great, which isn't surprising, considering banter seems to be Hawkins' specialty.
Favorite Supporting Character:
I'm going to have to go with Torin! I absolutely loved him! Torin is a presumed dark warlock who is trapped in a mirror because of a spell gone wrong. He's mysterious and snarky and I really want to know what happened to him.
Something I loved:
I just really love the light feel that this book has, while still having a mystery and intelligent dialog.
Something I hate:
Sadly, I learned that there are no plans at this time to continue this series.
This really drives me crazy! I don't know why this is happening, but my guess is, of course, money. :( I just hate that they would publish the first book in this series without seeing it through (I know this is not the author's decision). This book is not a stand-alone. I mean, the main arc of this particular story is resolved, but there are so many other things this book brings up that aren't even close to being wrapped up. What happened to Finley? Why is Torin trapped in a mirror? He foretold things that he saw in the future, but we don't ever see that come into play. And other things I can't mention. It seriously kills me that I may never know. It's like when you start watching a tv series, and it just gets cancelled without any finale. It just sucks.
Cliffhanger?
No cliffhanger exactly, but many things are not resolved.
Would I recommend it?
Hmmm.....this is a tough one. I really liked it a lot, and if the rest of the series was being published, I'd say YES, DEFINITELY. But, since there's no guarantee that you'll ever get the full story, I'll say read at your own risk. I think it was worth it, but you have been warned.
Moral of the Story:
You should just home school. Also, if you decide to be a cheerleader, you're probably going to die.
Book Doppelgangers:
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, Clarity by Kim Harrington
Content:
Profanity: Mild
Sexual Content: Mild
Violence: Moderate
For more details, check out School Spirits on Parentalbookreviews.com
Challenge #8 POPSUGAR 2020: A book with an upside-down image on the cover:
Good book to read I love.
Good book to read I love.
Full review on Reader's Dialogue: http://readersdialogue.blogspot.com/2013/06/school-spirits.html
I loved the Hex Hall series, its wit and sass and action and emotion, so of course I was eager to read School Spirits. And it doesn't disappoint! It's just as full of wit and sass, action and emotion, and Izzy is just as much a great character as Sophie is. I love the seemingly effortless tone, as if Izzy is just talking to us , telling the story to a circle of friends - now that she has friends. The way she has to integrate into school life after not having contact with kids her own age all her life is really great to watch. It affirms her strength of character, as she doesn't freak out about it, just observes what she has to change and does so. I'm not sure I liked that she had to change her all-black ensemble in order to fit in. If there was a reason she dressed all in black, maybe she could have joined the kids who had the same reason to dress in black? Unless, of course, the only reason is that she was raised as a monster-hunter and she really belongs in a different crowd. She makes friends quickly enough, but they're not the popular, bright and cheery students - they are witch-hunters, after all, as amateur as they are!
I love the romance with Dex, and all his purple, and everything that happens around it. That's all I'm saying. And Torin, for all his obnoxiousness, is a pretty great character too.
I loved the Hex Hall series, its wit and sass and action and emotion, so of course I was eager to read School Spirits. And it doesn't disappoint! It's just as full of wit and sass, action and emotion, and Izzy is just as much a great character as Sophie is. I love the seemingly effortless tone, as if Izzy is just talking to us , telling the story to a circle of friends - now that she has friends. The way she has to integrate into school life after not having contact with kids her own age all her life is really great to watch. It affirms her strength of character, as she doesn't freak out about it, just observes what she has to change and does so. I'm not sure I liked that she had to change her all-black ensemble in order to fit in. If there was a reason she dressed all in black, maybe she could have joined the kids who had the same reason to dress in black? Unless, of course, the only reason is that she was raised as a monster-hunter and she really belongs in a different crowd. She makes friends quickly enough, but they're not the popular, bright and cheery students - they are witch-hunters, after all, as amateur as they are!
I love the romance with Dex, and all his purple, and everything that happens around it. That's all I'm saying. And Torin, for all his obnoxiousness, is a pretty great character too.
I'm kind of really mad this series is not bring continued?! like... I need answers. It bothers me how this was a hex hall spin-off and it doesn't even finish. I loved the book but am so annoyed by no definitive ending.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I can't help but love these books. They're just so much fun to read. The characters are funny and interesting and the plot is always intriguing.