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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Is this a zombie?
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2013/comments_10/school_spirits.html
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2013/comments_10/school_spirits.html
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was... so disappointing... I LOVED the Hex Hall series, the characters, the humour, the plot twist... Everything was so engaging! The beginning of the book was interesting, I was really invested with the disappearance of Issy's sister and liked the new friends that Izzy made in her new school. I was somewhat disappointed that Sophie wasn't in this story but that isn't a deal breaker for me... The ending was just sooo rushed, like the author wanted to get the story over with. I was ok with the rushed ending until I found out that the story ended there! The series was cut short! I have still so many questions!! What happens with Torin? Will Izzy ever free him? That was so important to the whole story! And what will happen to Dex? And Izzy's sister?? We never know what happened to her in the end...
It looked like a promising first book of a serie, but without a continuation, I strongly suggest not reading this book... The Hex Hall trilogy though, is still so good!
It looked like a promising first book of a serie, but without a continuation, I strongly suggest not reading this book... The Hex Hall trilogy though, is still so good!
I read the debut of Rachel Hawkins' first series, Hex Hall, way back when it first released and found it to be a fun, light twist on the paranormal phenomenon that was saturating bookstores. I still have not read the third book in that series because of my inability to keep up with series when so many other books are out there, but I happily began School Spirits, the new spin-off, and found it to be almost as delightful as Hex Hall.
Although I admit my memories of Hex Hall are rather fuzzy, being that I read the book so long ago, I do remember the humorous, even spunky, tone of heroine Sophie Mercer. Izzy, the narrator of School Spirits, is not quite as bubbly as her cousin, but she's fun all the same. Her upbringing as a paranormal cop of sorts makes her both capable of handling the more dangerous aspects of her job with ease, a badass trait if there ever was one, as well as rather practical and level-headed. I greatly appreciated this practicality when she headed out into the "real world" for the first time, since she so easily could have been obnoxiously enthusiastic or unaware of how things at high school go. Instead, she takes in her new surroundings trying to act as normally as possible, which really makes her mishaps funnier. Plus, her ease going in makes her new friendships seem so much more valid, since she doesn't judge her peers quite like everybody else does. Being that these people become so important to the story, this normalcy was greatly appreciated.
I do like Izzy quite a lot, but with other aspects of this book I am a bit more torn. I love that even when Izzy isn't dealing directly with paranormal happenings, there is always a sense of them in the background. Whether it's with her friends, love interest, or the guy trapped in the mirror at her house, there's always a sense of magic and ghosts about, which makes even the high school P.E. scenes fun to read. However, I think this book attempted far too much in such a short amount of time. There's Izzy's new school life, her ghost-hunting friends, and possibly magical love interest to worry about, plus a missing sister, emotionless relationship between Izzy and her mother, the actual ghost hauntings, and a slew of other conflicts. It's far too much for a 300 page book (with no sequel) to cover, so much of it ended up feeling shallow and emotionless. Everything ended up rushed and unresolved, which sucks considering it was such a delight until then.
Too short to handle all it tries to cover, School Spirits is nevertheless a fun read, with a heroine that matches the balance between silly and serious in this book's many conflicts.
Although I admit my memories of Hex Hall are rather fuzzy, being that I read the book so long ago, I do remember the humorous, even spunky, tone of heroine Sophie Mercer. Izzy, the narrator of School Spirits, is not quite as bubbly as her cousin, but she's fun all the same. Her upbringing as a paranormal cop of sorts makes her both capable of handling the more dangerous aspects of her job with ease, a badass trait if there ever was one, as well as rather practical and level-headed. I greatly appreciated this practicality when she headed out into the "real world" for the first time, since she so easily could have been obnoxiously enthusiastic or unaware of how things at high school go. Instead, she takes in her new surroundings trying to act as normally as possible, which really makes her mishaps funnier. Plus, her ease going in makes her new friendships seem so much more valid, since she doesn't judge her peers quite like everybody else does. Being that these people become so important to the story, this normalcy was greatly appreciated.
I do like Izzy quite a lot, but with other aspects of this book I am a bit more torn. I love that even when Izzy isn't dealing directly with paranormal happenings, there is always a sense of them in the background. Whether it's with her friends, love interest, or the guy trapped in the mirror at her house, there's always a sense of magic and ghosts about, which makes even the high school P.E. scenes fun to read. However, I think this book attempted far too much in such a short amount of time. There's Izzy's new school life, her ghost-hunting friends, and possibly magical love interest to worry about, plus a missing sister, emotionless relationship between Izzy and her mother, the actual ghost hauntings, and a slew of other conflicts. It's far too much for a 300 page book (with no sequel) to cover, so much of it ended up feeling shallow and emotionless. Everything ended up rushed and unresolved, which sucks considering it was such a delight until then.
Too short to handle all it tries to cover, School Spirits is nevertheless a fun read, with a heroine that matches the balance between silly and serious in this book's many conflicts.
I read the hex hall series a few years ago and was so excited when I saw this on the shelves of my local library. I blew through it and absolutely loved it. Izzy was such a lovable protagonist and I fell in love with all the new characters and the mystery and I was absolutely crushed when I found out there wouldn't be a sequel. I'm hoping someday Hawkins will decide to write the rest of the series, because I will definitely be there to pick it up!
3.5 stars
This is a spin-off series to the Hex Hall books and, though I enjoyed it, I don't think it quite lived up to that series.
The plot reminded me so much of Richelle Mead's spin-off series to Vampire Academy - Bloodlines. Home-schooled girl now attends normal high school. There was also the fact that Izzy/Sydney are humans aware of the supernatural world around them. But that didn't really bother me much. It was a fun plot and I liked Izzy. However, I loved Sophie way more! Izzy didn't hold the dry humour that made reading the Hex Hall series so much fun.
My new favourite character, however, is Torin. I think I mentioned how much I loved him in Spell Bound and I was so excited to find him more of a main character in this series. He is absolutely hilarious and I adore him. As a result, I didn't really care for Dex. I just want Izzy to end up with Torin! If I continue this series, it will be all because of Torin.
The plot was pretty predictable at times and the end a little rushed, but overall it was fun and sweet. I liked it, but preferred Hex Hall.
This is a spin-off series to the Hex Hall books and, though I enjoyed it, I don't think it quite lived up to that series.
The plot reminded me so much of Richelle Mead's spin-off series to Vampire Academy - Bloodlines. Home-schooled girl now attends normal high school. There was also the fact that Izzy/Sydney are humans aware of the supernatural world around them. But that didn't really bother me much. It was a fun plot and I liked Izzy. However, I loved Sophie way more! Izzy didn't hold the dry humour that made reading the Hex Hall series so much fun.
My new favourite character, however, is Torin. I think I mentioned how much I loved him in Spell Bound and I was so excited to find him more of a main character in this series. He is absolutely hilarious and I adore him. As a result, I didn't really care for Dex. I just want Izzy to end up with Torin! If I continue this series, it will be all because of Torin.
The plot was pretty predictable at times and the end a little rushed, but overall it was fun and sweet. I liked it, but preferred Hex Hall.
Love, Love, LOVE!!! This book is a spin off of the Hex Hall series and I liked it just as much as the previous series! It's listed as a #1 an I cannot wait to read the other books in the series! I've really enjoyed everything by Rachel Hawkins I've read and I'm excited that she has another series for me read! :-D
XXOO
~Hope
XXOO
~Hope
Originally posted at OMFG!Books
What a cute read! I'm a huge fan of supernatural hunter type books or TV shows. I grew up on Buffy and watch Supernatural to this day. I'm a huge fan of Teen Wolf and The Vampire Diaries which also have hunter elements in them. It was only natural that School Spirits would appeal to me. I mean look at the cover! It's basically a ginger Buffy.
Izzy aka Isolde was awesome. I really enjoyed her as a character. She's such a strong female lead. She was likeable, strong, brave, witty and all around awesome. She had trouble adjusting into high school life since she hadn't been in a school ever. She was awkward in the most normal social circumstances but she still dove in head first. I loved that. She was witty about it and took it all in stride.
But I have to say, Dex was my favorite. He isn't like all the other boys you see in YA novels. Dex is weird. He has asthma. He dresses oddly. He had an old timey way of speaking. He's just different. And that is part of what Izzy likes about him so much. I also loved the gender role reversal. Usually we see the damsel in distress and the pretty boy swoops in to save the day or something along those lines. But with Izzy and Dex, she's the one that has to kind of protect him and make sure he doesn't get hurt.
I really liked all of the other characters as well. I honestly don't think there was a character I had a problem with. I absolutely loved Torin and can't wait to see what happens to him in the future. Romy and Anderson were great. I liked Romy. I loved Izzy's mom. Maya was fantastic. I loved everyone and that's a rare thing for a book.
The plot was great as well. There are points in it that would go over into more books, even though there is no second novel in the works at this point there are things to elaborate on and finish but there was also a very clear start and finish to the case at hand, much like what would happen in a television show (like Supernatural.) I really really do hope there are more books in the series in the future. I really loved it!
What a cute read! I'm a huge fan of supernatural hunter type books or TV shows. I grew up on Buffy and watch Supernatural to this day. I'm a huge fan of Teen Wolf and The Vampire Diaries which also have hunter elements in them. It was only natural that School Spirits would appeal to me. I mean look at the cover! It's basically a ginger Buffy.
Izzy aka Isolde was awesome. I really enjoyed her as a character. She's such a strong female lead. She was likeable, strong, brave, witty and all around awesome. She had trouble adjusting into high school life since she hadn't been in a school ever. She was awkward in the most normal social circumstances but she still dove in head first. I loved that. She was witty about it and took it all in stride.
But I have to say, Dex was my favorite. He isn't like all the other boys you see in YA novels. Dex is weird. He has asthma. He dresses oddly. He had an old timey way of speaking. He's just different. And that is part of what Izzy likes about him so much. I also loved the gender role reversal. Usually we see the damsel in distress and the pretty boy swoops in to save the day or something along those lines. But with Izzy and Dex, she's the one that has to kind of protect him and make sure he doesn't get hurt.
I really liked all of the other characters as well. I honestly don't think there was a character I had a problem with. I absolutely loved Torin and can't wait to see what happens to him in the future. Romy and Anderson were great. I liked Romy. I loved Izzy's mom. Maya was fantastic. I loved everyone and that's a rare thing for a book.
The plot was great as well. There are points in it that would go over into more books, even though there is no second novel in the works at this point there are things to elaborate on and finish but there was also a very clear start and finish to the case at hand, much like what would happen in a television show (like Supernatural.) I really really do hope there are more books in the series in the future. I really loved it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this new installment in the Hex Hall universe from Rachel Hawkins. This spin-off focuses on Izzy, who was a side character in the third Hex Hall novel. It follows Izzy and her mother as they settle in a small town in order to investigate a crime seemingly committed by a ghost who is haunting the local high school. As part of the investigation, Izzy – for the first time – enrolls at a public school and has the opportunity to make some friends and see what non-Brannick life is about.
Because our main character is not herself strongly supernatural, we didn’t have as many paranormal doings in this novel. In fact, while there was a ghost (and Torin, the ever-present warlock in the mirror), the real heart and soul of this novel was about Izzy figuring out what it means to be a teenager. My absolute favorite parts of the novel were not supernatural at all, but were Izzy figuring out what it means to be a “normal” teenager. I loved her mental checklists of things she had to watch or read in order to learn about teen life (note: teen mags and rom-coms are not the way, Izzy!). She stumbles upon a really excellent friend group, and I loved all of those characters, particularly Dex. But I also really loved the female friendship shown in this novel. I’ve said here before that it saddens me to see so many YA novels overlook the power of a great female friend, and I was glad to see a true friendship in this one.
The love story was great, of course – this is Hawkins, after all. It was as much of a slow-burn romance as you can get in a 250-page novel and when the kissing kicked in, it was totally worth the wait. Dex was a fun character, and it was awesome to see a not-so-stereotypical love interest for Izzy.
My main complaint about the book is that it really wrapped up super neat and tidy in the last 30 pages without much warning. Perhaps Hawkins is concerned that the next installment won’t be picked up by Disney Hyperion? I think she wrote it so that it would stand alone without too much issue, but there are plenty of unanswered questions. I demand another Brannick book! Hope someone out there is listening!
Bottom Line
If you loved the Hex Hall books, you should definitely go ahead and read this one. It’s a strong 3.5-4 star quick read with fun characters, focusing on friendship and finding out who you want to be in life. If you haven’t read Hex Hall, I wouldn’t start here because there are some spoilers for the rest of the series.
Originally published at Oh Magic Hour
Because our main character is not herself strongly supernatural, we didn’t have as many paranormal doings in this novel. In fact, while there was a ghost (and Torin, the ever-present warlock in the mirror), the real heart and soul of this novel was about Izzy figuring out what it means to be a teenager. My absolute favorite parts of the novel were not supernatural at all, but were Izzy figuring out what it means to be a “normal” teenager. I loved her mental checklists of things she had to watch or read in order to learn about teen life (note: teen mags and rom-coms are not the way, Izzy!). She stumbles upon a really excellent friend group, and I loved all of those characters, particularly Dex. But I also really loved the female friendship shown in this novel. I’ve said here before that it saddens me to see so many YA novels overlook the power of a great female friend, and I was glad to see a true friendship in this one.
The love story was great, of course – this is Hawkins, after all. It was as much of a slow-burn romance as you can get in a 250-page novel and when the kissing kicked in, it was totally worth the wait. Dex was a fun character, and it was awesome to see a not-so-stereotypical love interest for Izzy.
My main complaint about the book is that it really wrapped up super neat and tidy in the last 30 pages without much warning. Perhaps Hawkins is concerned that the next installment won’t be picked up by Disney Hyperion? I think she wrote it so that it would stand alone without too much issue, but there are plenty of unanswered questions. I demand another Brannick book! Hope someone out there is listening!
Bottom Line
If you loved the Hex Hall books, you should definitely go ahead and read this one. It’s a strong 3.5-4 star quick read with fun characters, focusing on friendship and finding out who you want to be in life. If you haven’t read Hex Hall, I wouldn’t start here because there are some spoilers for the rest of the series.
Originally published at Oh Magic Hour
School Spirits takes place a few years after the events in the main series as Sophie’s cousin, Izzy is now 16. The relationship Izzy has with her mom seems to have taken a major hit. This is most likely due to the eldest Brannick daughter disappearing on the job. That backdrop sets up a story where Izzy is pretty independent from her mom.
The romantic element in this book was...scattered. There was interest from a boy named Adam that wasn’t involved with anything supernatural (50/50 on whether I liked that). Then, it seemed to be setting up another love triangle with a boy that really read more like a friend for Izzy. It didn’t quite get there as Adam dropped off as the story progressed, but then there were also hints that Torin - the wizard stuck in her mirror - could also be a romantic partner? It was really all over the place and I would have preferred if that whole angle had been left out.
School Spirits was just as enjoyable to read as the main Hex Hall series, and even had a better plot. There were some edges I would have smoothed over had I been the editor. Still, I loved Hawkins’ writing style. I smell a spin-off series given the still open matter of Finn’s disappearance, but jury’s out on if I’ll make a point to pick up those future novels or wait for them to crop up on their own.
The romantic element in this book was...scattered. There was interest from a boy named Adam that wasn’t involved with anything supernatural (50/50 on whether I liked that). Then, it seemed to be setting up another love triangle with a boy that really read more like a friend for Izzy. It didn’t quite get there as Adam dropped off as the story progressed, but then there were also hints that Torin - the wizard stuck in her mirror - could also be a romantic partner? It was really all over the place and I would have preferred if that whole angle had been left out.
School Spirits was just as enjoyable to read as the main Hex Hall series, and even had a better plot. There were some edges I would have smoothed over had I been the editor. Still, I loved Hawkins’ writing style. I smell a spin-off series given the still open matter of Finn’s disappearance, but jury’s out on if I’ll make a point to pick up those future novels or wait for them to crop up on their own.
Once you got past the beginning--new girl, "undercover" at a new school to do a job involving ghosts--and any other cliches, it was a good read. I am curious to see if the romance stays out of the second book.