Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
DNF
A few years ago I got Hex Hall from my library. I was really looking forward to reading it. I skimped the whole book and knew the premise of the book. When it came to actually reading it I couldn't find the time to do it and after some time I lost interest in it. I remember liking all that I skimped but for some reason I never went back to it. I found School Spirits and thought it would be interesting to read a book series about the Barnnicks.
School Spirits off with Izzy trying to kill a vampire. During the battle the vampire manages to read her mind and the audience finds out that her sister Finnely went missing a year ago on this really easy mission. The vampire also finds that Izzy suspects that Torin (the man trapped in the mirror) knows what happened to her sister that night. She is momentarily distracted and the vampire escapes. Her mother has to come in and save her. For another mission Izzy is told that she has to go to high school (she's always been home schooled) and find out what exactly is happening with the ghost at the school.
It sounded pretty interesting. Then I skimped the book (I know I really should stop doing that) and found out that she still has no idea what became of her sister. Having a sister myself this really bothered me. I would've understood if this was actually book series that had been set up and in the other books she would find some clues to her sister's disappearance. But that's not the case. Initially Rachel Hawkins was going to turn this into a book series. Then something happened I guess she changed her mind and announced that it may be continued as a short story on wattpad. I don't think one short would be enough for Izzy finding her sister. If there really only be one short story then I assume it will be rushed.
I really tried to continue the book even after realizing this but I just couldn't do it. Therefore I DNFed it. This does not mean that I will stop reading Rachel Hawkins books. I do plan on reading Rebel Belle after all. Anyways onto the next book.
A few years ago I got Hex Hall from my library. I was really looking forward to reading it. I skimped the whole book and knew the premise of the book. When it came to actually reading it I couldn't find the time to do it and after some time I lost interest in it. I remember liking all that I skimped but for some reason I never went back to it. I found School Spirits and thought it would be interesting to read a book series about the Barnnicks.
School Spirits off with Izzy trying to kill a vampire. During the battle the vampire manages to read her mind and the audience finds out that her sister Finnely went missing a year ago on this really easy mission. The vampire also finds that Izzy suspects that Torin (the man trapped in the mirror) knows what happened to her sister that night. She is momentarily distracted and the vampire escapes. Her mother has to come in and save her. For another mission Izzy is told that she has to go to high school (she's always been home schooled) and find out what exactly is happening with the ghost at the school.
It sounded pretty interesting. Then I skimped the book (I know I really should stop doing that) and found out that she still has no idea what became of her sister. Having a sister myself this really bothered me. I would've understood if this was actually book series that had been set up and in the other books she would find some clues to her sister's disappearance. But that's not the case. Initially Rachel Hawkins was going to turn this into a book series. Then something happened I guess she changed her mind and announced that it may be continued as a short story on wattpad. I don't think one short would be enough for Izzy finding her sister. If there really only be one short story then I assume it will be rushed.
I really tried to continue the book even after realizing this but I just couldn't do it. Therefore I DNFed it. This does not mean that I will stop reading Rachel Hawkins books. I do plan on reading Rebel Belle after all. Anyways onto the next book.
3.5 stars
School Spirits, a Hex Hall spin-off has in Izzy Brannick its leading character. Remember her?
She appears in the last Hex Hall book: She's Sophie's younger cousin.
More "grounded" on earth, Izzy is nothing like her demon cousin. Well for starters she tends to hunt people with magic...
The Brannicks have been fighting monsters for all their lives, and have been paying the price for that.
The most recent casualty has been Izzy's older sister, Finn, who has disappeared without a trace.
Izzy's confidence is shaken, and her mother decides to give her a small "case" in order to boast the girl's confidence.
Now, how can someone who has been raised away from the civilization know how to adapt, when faced with the prospect of having to attend High School?
.....
She buys lots and lots of teen series dvd's....
I'm serious.
*Gulp* Poor girl.
The case Izzy's mother decides to give her, involves a somewhat run of the mill...situation involving a ghost. Which according to Izzy is just plain boring.
That is, until the basic "exorcism" techniques stop working : you know, the basic stuff like going into graveyards at night to drop salt into the ghost grave.
“You can’t just go around following people,” I told Dex as I tossed the empty salt carton into my backpack. “It’s creepy. And inappropriate.”
“Says the girl pouring salt onto graves.”
I glared at him. “This is…part of my religion.”
Suddenly, teachers, and students alike seem to have been turned into a target...and not even the family "heirloom" Torin, the guy who has been stuck in a mirror for more than four hundred years, knows what to do.
In high school Izzy makes some friends and meets a potential love interest...but how can a girl less than ordinary, get to live a plain old life?
Just like the Hex Hall series, School Spirits reads itself in a blink of an eye.
Unlike Hex Hall, and despite continuing to have a very particular sense of humour, I am happy to say that Izzy doesn't try to emulate her cousin's peculiar sense of humour!
Don't get me wrong! I love Sophie...but after awhile the girl drives a person insane!
This had a strong plot. I honestly had no idea who was the guilty part up until the end, which is always a bonus.
The sidekicks were all interesting people, and of course I couldn't help but love Dex's charm! Who cares if the guy likes his coats in purple?
They look good on him! lol
“It’s just…purple suits you. Which is good since you wear so much of it.”
Preening, Dex raised his head and pushed his shoulders back. “It brings out the color of my eyes.”
The end...delivered quite a kick in the gut, and despite wishing that some things had been more developed _and questioning Aislin's ability to, lets say...receive another person in the Brannick family _ I have to admit being pretty happy with how this one turned out . *Thumbs up*
In the end, my only question is:
For when the second one? :)
Oh, I just read this on the author's Tumblr:
"(..)there are no more School Spirits books coming in the near future. Never say never and all of that, but for now, those are over."
Excuse me:
School Spirits, a Hex Hall spin-off has in Izzy Brannick its leading character. Remember her?
She appears in the last Hex Hall book: She's Sophie's younger cousin.
More "grounded" on earth, Izzy is nothing like her demon cousin. Well for starters she tends to hunt people with magic...
The Brannicks have been fighting monsters for all their lives, and have been paying the price for that.
The most recent casualty has been Izzy's older sister, Finn, who has disappeared without a trace.
Izzy's confidence is shaken, and her mother decides to give her a small "case" in order to boast the girl's confidence.
Now, how can someone who has been raised away from the civilization know how to adapt, when faced with the prospect of having to attend High School?
.....
She buys lots and lots of teen series dvd's....
I'm serious.
*Gulp* Poor girl.
The case Izzy's mother decides to give her, involves a somewhat run of the mill...situation involving a ghost. Which according to Izzy is just plain boring.
That is, until the basic "exorcism" techniques stop working : you know, the basic stuff like going into graveyards at night to drop salt into the ghost grave.
“You can’t just go around following people,” I told Dex as I tossed the empty salt carton into my backpack. “It’s creepy. And inappropriate.”
“Says the girl pouring salt onto graves.”
I glared at him. “This is…part of my religion.”
Suddenly, teachers, and students alike seem to have been turned into a target...and not even the family "heirloom" Torin, the guy who has been stuck in a mirror for more than four hundred years, knows what to do.
In high school Izzy makes some friends and meets a potential love interest...but how can a girl less than ordinary, get to live a plain old life?
Just like the Hex Hall series, School Spirits reads itself in a blink of an eye.
Unlike Hex Hall, and despite continuing to have a very particular sense of humour, I am happy to say that Izzy doesn't try to emulate her cousin's peculiar sense of humour!
Don't get me wrong! I love Sophie...but after awhile the girl drives a person insane!
This had a strong plot. I honestly had no idea who was the guilty part up until the end, which is always a bonus.
The sidekicks were all interesting people, and of course I couldn't help but love Dex's charm! Who cares if the guy likes his coats in purple?
They look good on him! lol
“It’s just…purple suits you. Which is good since you wear so much of it.”
Preening, Dex raised his head and pushed his shoulders back. “It brings out the color of my eyes.”
The end...delivered quite a kick in the gut, and despite wishing that some things had been more developed _and questioning Aislin's ability to, lets say...receive another person in the Brannick family _ I have to admit being pretty happy with how this one turned out . *Thumbs up*
In the end, my only question is:
For when the second one? :)
Oh, I just read this on the author's Tumblr:
"(..)there are no more School Spirits books coming in the near future. Never say never and all of that, but for now, those are over."
Excuse me:
Like 3.5 rather than 4. I loved the characters, especially Izzy. But it was quite slow up until 3/4 of the way through and it wasn't as good as the Hex Hall series. An enjoyable read though.
When I received School Spirits for review I had just started reading Demonglass and I was really excited however upon reading Spell Bound that quickly changed to apprehension. I knew that the main character in the Hex Hall spin-off series was going to be Izzy Brannick, Sophie’s cousin and I was a bit disappointed. I wasn’t sure how great Izzy would be as a main character, I did enjoy her in Spell Bound but she was just so young and I wasn’t sure how that would make for a spin-off series to do enough justice to its original.
Obviously I had no cause for alarm because I instantly took to Izzy and not to mention this takes place when she is 15, more than a year after the events in Spell Bound. I thought Izzy was actually more sweet than Sophie was(because let’s be honest, I’m obviously going to compare her). She was completely naive to the world around her and I found it endearing. Finley being missing just radiated sadness through Izzy and that really hit an emotional cord for me. I did miss the snarkiness that was so prominent in the Hex Hall series but alas, this is a new series so it has to be a bit different I adored Romy, Dex and Anderson. I thought they were fantastic friends for Izzy and I loved their unique qualities. One thing that I adored from every Rachel Hawkins book was her great secondary characters. They really supported the main character and played a strong role, unlike some secondary characters who are just in the background.
The plot is interesting and quite suspenseful. I actually didn’t know who the culprit was until the very end, about 4 pages before it was revealed so it certainly had an element of surprise. We are also introduced to “hedge” witches as well as a more in-depth “ghost” world. I enjoyed that two “new” paranormals were introduced and focused on, it added something different to the story to set it aside from Hex Hall.
Much like Rachel Hawkins other books, School Spirits is insanely easy to read. I read it in two sittings, I could not put it down. Her writing is almost addictive and she certainly knows how to draw you in. I was a bit emotional at several parts during it but that was quickly counteracted by the random wit and banter that is thrown in.
I’m extremely interested to see what’s going to happen in the second installment of School Spirits. I think I know where the story is headed but I can’t wait to read all about it
Highly recommend this to ALL fans of the Hex Hall series, and to anyone who loves a light, fun paranormal read!
Obviously I had no cause for alarm because I instantly took to Izzy and not to mention this takes place when she is 15, more than a year after the events in Spell Bound. I thought Izzy was actually more sweet than Sophie was(because let’s be honest, I’m obviously going to compare her). She was completely naive to the world around her and I found it endearing. Finley being missing just radiated sadness through Izzy and that really hit an emotional cord for me. I did miss the snarkiness that was so prominent in the Hex Hall series but alas, this is a new series so it has to be a bit different I adored Romy, Dex and Anderson. I thought they were fantastic friends for Izzy and I loved their unique qualities. One thing that I adored from every Rachel Hawkins book was her great secondary characters. They really supported the main character and played a strong role, unlike some secondary characters who are just in the background.
The plot is interesting and quite suspenseful. I actually didn’t know who the culprit was until the very end, about 4 pages before it was revealed so it certainly had an element of surprise. We are also introduced to “hedge” witches as well as a more in-depth “ghost” world. I enjoyed that two “new” paranormals were introduced and focused on, it added something different to the story to set it aside from Hex Hall.
Much like Rachel Hawkins other books, School Spirits is insanely easy to read. I read it in two sittings, I could not put it down. Her writing is almost addictive and she certainly knows how to draw you in. I was a bit emotional at several parts during it but that was quickly counteracted by the random wit and banter that is thrown in.
I’m extremely interested to see what’s going to happen in the second installment of School Spirits. I think I know where the story is headed but I can’t wait to read all about it
Highly recommend this to ALL fans of the Hex Hall series, and to anyone who loves a light, fun paranormal read!
Honestly, I recommend everything that Rachel Hawkins writes. She is definitely one of my favorite authors. I'm so excited for Rebel Belle coming out this month.
She left me wanting more, as usual. Her writing style is witty, so much fun to read. Did not disappoint at all! :) Definitely pick it up if you've read the Hex Hall series, and if you haven't read that, READ IT.
She left me wanting more, as usual. Her writing style is witty, so much fun to read. Did not disappoint at all! :) Definitely pick it up if you've read the Hex Hall series, and if you haven't read that, READ IT.
After the disappointment I had with the last Hex Hall book, I admit that I was a bit reluctant to return. True, Hawkins had moved on to a new character, one with a completely different backstory, and there were no promises that this would be dragged out into its own trilogy, but I knew it was still a matter of whether the writing itself had changed or not.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, I enjoyed School Spirits more than I thought I would. It still had some eye-roll moments, but that's pretty much one of the staples of the series by now. I'd easily recommend it for those who like YA urban fantasy with a bit of romance in the mix, and I think both newbies and veterans of the Hex Hall series will find it enjoyable. No violence or language in the mix, plus PG-rated make-outs put this at a comfortable middle school level, though high school and up may enjoy the romantic bits a bit more. So if your shelf is lacking on snarky, ghost-hunting heroines, you may want to put School Spirits on your list.
Approximate Reading Time: 3.5 hours
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, I enjoyed School Spirits more than I thought I would. It still had some eye-roll moments, but that's pretty much one of the staples of the series by now. I'd easily recommend it for those who like YA urban fantasy with a bit of romance in the mix, and I think both newbies and veterans of the Hex Hall series will find it enjoyable. No violence or language in the mix, plus PG-rated make-outs put this at a comfortable middle school level, though high school and up may enjoy the romantic bits a bit more. So if your shelf is lacking on snarky, ghost-hunting heroines, you may want to put School Spirits on your list.
Approximate Reading Time: 3.5 hours
When I saw this book listed in netgalley I immediately prayed to all the book gods that I would be approved for it. A few days later... I looked like this.
See, I loved Hex Hall, I enjoyed the story and the characters and when I heard that Rachel Hawkins was going to do a spin-off series I jumped for joy, but was admittedly a tiny bit worried what it would be about.
In School Spirits, we're better introduced to the Brannicks. If you've read the Hex Hall series, you might remember them as the family of red-headed women who fight and hunt magical creatures.
As you can imagine, Izzy's life doesn't lend itself to a traditional type of upbringing. After the mysterious disappearance of Izzy's sister, her mom decides that they need to take a break from everything and hone Izzy's skills by looking into a haunting at a high school. It will be Izzy's first time attending school and spending great amounts of time with people her own age, other than her sister. Only this isn't your typical haunting and Izzy gets to meet some wonderful characters.
I really enjoyed all the characters that Hawkins has created here again. Torin is back and still trapped in his mirror of course. But Izzy has definitely become a favorite. Pushed into this world where she has absolutely no clue and is watching an over dramatic high school television series in order to get an idea about what high school might entail had me chuckling. She of course seems to meet up with the class misfits right off the bat, and I truly like both Romy and Dex.
"What's your name?" Romy asked. A tiny dimple flashed in one cheek. "I mean, in my head, you'll always be The Girl Who Took My Desk, but that's kind of an awkward thing to call you all the time."
I instantly loved Romy - She was the perfect match to Izzy introducing her to friendship and girl talk and painting toes and gossip. Romy is the head of one of the school clubs... PMS or Paranormal Management Society, so what starts out as a means to get to the bottom of the ghost issues, turns into more. It also turns out that the simple haunting happening at the high school and to students really isn't as simple as initially thought.
And Dex...
I adore him. He's charismatic, witty, and sweet and oh so adorable.
Maybe it was his grin, which was a nice change from the glares/looks of horror I'd gotten in the gym, but I found myself giving a little smile in return. "Izzy. And there, uh, was a dodgeball incident."
"Perhaps the most intriguing phrase I've heard uttered in some time," Dex said, rocking back on his heels. "I'm obviously going to need you to elaborate."
or
Sorry. We probably haven't reached the inappropriate touching stage of our friendship yet."
or
"The clothes, I mean," he said, gesturing to his coat. "I know that I'm fashionable and well-groomed, and yes, I have been known to rock the occasional manbracelet."
He lifted his wrist, jangling the bracelet I'd noticed earlier. I could see now that it was plain silver, just a series of links.
"But," Dex continued, dragging another one of my fries through ketchup, "I also like ladies. And not as shopping buddies, but in the carnal sense."
But, Dex is special and Izzy still hasn't quite figured out what his deal is... she thinks he's prodigium but isn't sure and that's odd for her because she can always tell.
The good news for those of you new to Rachel Hawkins is that you don't really need to read the Hex Hall series in order to jump into this one. While you will have a better understanding of what the Brannick's do and who they are, you get a pretty good understanding right off the bat in School Spirits. And there is only brief mentions of Sophie and Archer in this book. The other good news is that you definitely have time to read the Hex Hall series before this one comes out in May 2013, so really you could read the three books in that series and be ready for this one come release day.
If you're looking for a YA Paranormal series with a bit of romance and a lot of fun this is definitely a perfect series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for the early copy in return for an honest review.
Please note that this is of course an early copy so the quotes are subject to change.
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
See, I loved Hex Hall, I enjoyed the story and the characters and when I heard that Rachel Hawkins was going to do a spin-off series I jumped for joy, but was admittedly a tiny bit worried what it would be about.
In School Spirits, we're better introduced to the Brannicks. If you've read the Hex Hall series, you might remember them as the family of red-headed women who fight and hunt magical creatures.
As you can imagine, Izzy's life doesn't lend itself to a traditional type of upbringing. After the mysterious disappearance of Izzy's sister, her mom decides that they need to take a break from everything and hone Izzy's skills by looking into a haunting at a high school. It will be Izzy's first time attending school and spending great amounts of time with people her own age, other than her sister. Only this isn't your typical haunting and Izzy gets to meet some wonderful characters.
I really enjoyed all the characters that Hawkins has created here again. Torin is back and still trapped in his mirror of course. But Izzy has definitely become a favorite. Pushed into this world where she has absolutely no clue and is watching an over dramatic high school television series in order to get an idea about what high school might entail had me chuckling. She of course seems to meet up with the class misfits right off the bat, and I truly like both Romy and Dex.
"What's your name?" Romy asked. A tiny dimple flashed in one cheek. "I mean, in my head, you'll always be The Girl Who Took My Desk, but that's kind of an awkward thing to call you all the time."
I instantly loved Romy - She was the perfect match to Izzy introducing her to friendship and girl talk and painting toes and gossip. Romy is the head of one of the school clubs... PMS or Paranormal Management Society, so what starts out as a means to get to the bottom of the ghost issues, turns into more. It also turns out that the simple haunting happening at the high school and to students really isn't as simple as initially thought.
And Dex...
I adore him. He's charismatic, witty, and sweet and oh so adorable.
Maybe it was his grin, which was a nice change from the glares/looks of horror I'd gotten in the gym, but I found myself giving a little smile in return. "Izzy. And there, uh, was a dodgeball incident."
"Perhaps the most intriguing phrase I've heard uttered in some time," Dex said, rocking back on his heels. "I'm obviously going to need you to elaborate."
or
Sorry. We probably haven't reached the inappropriate touching stage of our friendship yet."
or
"The clothes, I mean," he said, gesturing to his coat. "I know that I'm fashionable and well-groomed, and yes, I have been known to rock the occasional manbracelet."
He lifted his wrist, jangling the bracelet I'd noticed earlier. I could see now that it was plain silver, just a series of links.
"But," Dex continued, dragging another one of my fries through ketchup, "I also like ladies. And not as shopping buddies, but in the carnal sense."
But, Dex is special and Izzy still hasn't quite figured out what his deal is... she thinks he's prodigium but isn't sure and that's odd for her because she can always tell.
The good news for those of you new to Rachel Hawkins is that you don't really need to read the Hex Hall series in order to jump into this one. While you will have a better understanding of what the Brannick's do and who they are, you get a pretty good understanding right off the bat in School Spirits. And there is only brief mentions of Sophie and Archer in this book. The other good news is that you definitely have time to read the Hex Hall series before this one comes out in May 2013, so really you could read the three books in that series and be ready for this one come release day.
If you're looking for a YA Paranormal series with a bit of romance and a lot of fun this is definitely a perfect series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for the early copy in return for an honest review.
Please note that this is of course an early copy so the quotes are subject to change.
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare: