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isxelle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
reader4evr's review against another edition
4.0
rating: 4.5
This wasn't a 5 star book like the 1st one but I still really liked it. I actually guessed correct on some of the things that happened. I can't wait to read the next one!
This wasn't a 5 star book like the 1st one but I still really liked it. I actually guessed correct on some of the things that happened. I can't wait to read the next one!
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
When I read Hex Hall, I was a little worried because, at times, it felt too derivative. I imagine this would be the case when you're writing about a magical boarding school, given the omnipresence of Harry Potter and its associated mythology. Still, I thought it was a pretty fun, fresh tale with a likable heroine, and the ending left me eager for the next installment. There will be a few mild spoilers in this review.
This book picks up where the last left off. Sophie finally gets to meet her father, and takes a trip to England with her best friend Jenna and Cal, the caretaker from Hex Hall. Sophie is still grappling with her guilt over what happened at Hex Hall and, though she seems to have resolved to go through the Removal, various and assorted characters try to talk her out of it.
I thought this was the first aspect of the book that went awry. Yes, Sophie is a teenager who has dealt with a traumatic event, but her feelings about whether or not she wants to go through the Removal just never really struck me as genuine. Instead, they came across as a plot device of the your-powers-are-too-awesome-for-you-to-throw-them-away variety. While the series seems to strive more for levity than depth of feeling, I really think Sophie's feelings could have been a lot more nuanced, especially since this book is written from her perspective. Sophie's attitude about the Removal just struck me as shallow and insincere.
However, there are some nice moments in the book, particularly when it comes to the friendship between Jenna and Sophie. I liked the tension in this book as it did portray a depth of feeling that the whole Removal situation lacked. I liked that Sophie and Jenna have their ups and downs but, at the end of the day, they are two young women who are very loyal to one another and very serious about the bonds of friendship.
Another aspect that I did not like was the addition of the love triangle. Please, authors of young adult fiction, can we ditch this device? It is growing so tired, and I found it such a stretch here. Sophie spends so much of the book mooning over Archer and defying everyone for him that I just did not find it feasible that she was also developing a crush on Cal. This may be because her conflicted romantic feelings are also shallowly portrayed but, either way, this angle adds nothing to the series.
Finally, I have to take some issue with the snark factor in these books. While I do enjoy Sophie's snappy remarks, for the most part, they are sometimes cartoonish and inappropriate to the scene. No scene more exemplifies this than the battle between Sophie, Archer, and some ghouls. I felt like that entire sequence was written by the author of a B action movie. Hawkins gets too heavy-handed with her attempts at humor, and it would benefit the books if she painted a little more lightly.
Still, I did like the ending of the book, though it wasn't entirely unpredictable, and even though it raises some questions about abilities used at the end of the book (why wouldn't these be used in all situations at all time, to ensure a specific outcome?). Hawkins does have a knack for leaving the action off right at a crucial point, once again making me eager to read the next in the series to see what happens. It's not high literature, but it's a reasonably well-done and enjoyable read.
This book picks up where the last left off. Sophie finally gets to meet her father, and takes a trip to England with her best friend Jenna and Cal, the caretaker from Hex Hall. Sophie is still grappling with her guilt over what happened at Hex Hall and, though she seems to have resolved to go through the Removal, various and assorted characters try to talk her out of it.
I thought this was the first aspect of the book that went awry. Yes, Sophie is a teenager who has dealt with a traumatic event, but her feelings about whether or not she wants to go through the Removal just never really struck me as genuine. Instead, they came across as a plot device of the your-powers-are-too-awesome-for-you-to-throw-them-away variety. While the series seems to strive more for levity than depth of feeling, I really think Sophie's feelings could have been a lot more nuanced, especially since this book is written from her perspective. Sophie's attitude about the Removal just struck me as shallow and insincere.
However, there are some nice moments in the book, particularly when it comes to the friendship between Jenna and Sophie. I liked the tension in this book as it did portray a depth of feeling that the whole Removal situation lacked. I liked that Sophie and Jenna have their ups and downs but, at the end of the day, they are two young women who are very loyal to one another and very serious about the bonds of friendship.
Another aspect that I did not like was the addition of the love triangle. Please, authors of young adult fiction, can we ditch this device? It is growing so tired, and I found it such a stretch here. Sophie spends so much of the book mooning over Archer and defying everyone for him that I just did not find it feasible that she was also developing a crush on Cal. This may be because her conflicted romantic feelings are also shallowly portrayed but, either way, this angle adds nothing to the series.
Finally, I have to take some issue with the snark factor in these books. While I do enjoy Sophie's snappy remarks, for the most part, they are sometimes cartoonish and inappropriate to the scene. No scene more exemplifies this than the battle between Sophie, Archer, and some ghouls. I felt like that entire sequence was written by the author of a B action movie. Hawkins gets too heavy-handed with her attempts at humor, and it would benefit the books if she painted a little more lightly.
Still, I did like the ending of the book, though it wasn't entirely unpredictable, and even though it raises some questions about abilities used at the end of the book (why wouldn't these be used in all situations at all time, to ensure a specific outcome?). Hawkins does have a knack for leaving the action off right at a crucial point, once again making me eager to read the next in the series to see what happens. It's not high literature, but it's a reasonably well-done and enjoyable read.
agnesgailx's review against another edition
4.0
Demonglass sort of has the second book syndrome. It is a necessary step in the story, but not a lot really happened in my opinion. But I have to give credit to the author - it wasn't boring. It was still exciting even though I felt like there were a number of scenes that we could have skipped over.
So in general, this book was good. All the action really happens towards the end. It's just a lot of building up to the main event for the most of this book.
One thing for sure though is I actually like Cal more than Archer. I wish that the author would go in the not so predictable direction and make Sophie and Cal end up together, but I highly doubt it. Oh well.
So in general, this book was good. All the action really happens towards the end. It's just a lot of building up to the main event for the most of this book.
One thing for sure though is I actually like Cal more than Archer. I wish that the author would go in the not so predictable direction and make Sophie and Cal end up together, but I highly doubt it. Oh well.
akookieforyou's review against another edition
2.0
N.E.W.T.s Readathon 2020
As far as sequels go, this wasn't half bad... but I'm realizing that this series just isn't a favorite of mine. Even though I read the first book, Hex Hall, just a few months ago I could hardly remember much of anything that had happened. And Demonglass was really hard for me to get into, my mind was constantly wandering to other things. I do have to say that when the plot actually engaged me, it was pretty decent, and I wasn't expecting the plot twists, so that's something. The romance is a little bland for my tastes, but I still found myself caring about Sophie and her love interests. I'm a little torn about reading the last book in the trilogy though, I suppose only time will tell.
As far as sequels go, this wasn't half bad... but I'm realizing that this series just isn't a favorite of mine. Even though I read the first book, Hex Hall, just a few months ago I could hardly remember much of anything that had happened. And Demonglass was really hard for me to get into, my mind was constantly wandering to other things. I do have to say that when the plot actually engaged me, it was pretty decent, and I wasn't expecting the plot twists, so that's something. The romance is a little bland for my tastes, but I still found myself caring about Sophie and her love interests. I'm a little torn about reading the last book in the trilogy though, I suppose only time will tell.
usnebojemesa's review against another edition
4.0
I was reading at night of 15th July and of 16th July. I didn't have the 3rd book so I made a conspiracy scheme and I was freaking out at 0:50. This book was soo good.
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
5.0
So I've just finished and I hate how the book has ended because I want to read the next one now!!! There's so much that has been left open and I really want to find out what happens next! Rachel Hawkins writes a fantastic book, at the end of each chapter I was wanting more and the intensity of everything that happened at the end had my heart beating fast. As a little side note, I liked that we got to know her dad in this book and as always Sophie's sarcasm was hilarious and lightened the book up at times. Highly recommend this series.
laurahappily's review against another edition
2.0
I liked this one better than Hex Hall, but this too had its problems. The pop culture references weren't as frequent, thank goodness, but an annoying love triangle emerged. Worse, Sophie clearly has no thoughts for her actions and how they could hurt her loved ones. It's hard for me to care about Sophie when she acts so selfishly 90% of the time. However, this book was more interesting, with a lot of creative mythology. Lesbian vampire Jenna remains a star in the book yet again, as she avoids being a cliche and is completely charming. The additional characters, like Nick and Daisy, were fun and a great break from the tired characters of Love Interest 1 versus Love Interest 2.
Hawkins can still write and keep the pace. I will be picking up the third in the series, simply for the plotline alone.
Hawkins can still write and keep the pace. I will be picking up the third in the series, simply for the plotline alone.
amandalyn's review against another edition
4.0
Hawkins has me completely and totally hooked on these books. I love them.
Sophie is a great character. She's snarky, funny, and smart, even if she doesn't always makes the right decision. She has her flaws but tries to be better. I love that about her. She felt very real. When she hurt, I hurt. When she was confused and wasn't sure what was right, so was I. I devoured this book in one day because I couldn't stand not knowing how it worked out. All of the characters were three dimensional and I felt like I knew them.
The plot in this one took a darker turn then Hex Hall. Sophie is still dealing with the consequences of her actions in the last book. One of the things I love about these books is that not everything just works itself out with no consequences and sometimes bad things happen to good people. So often in YA books (Twilight, I'm looking at you), things just fix themselves and nothing bad ever happens to the main characters. Which is just not realistic and leaves you feeling cheated.
Anyways, back to the plot. The Eye has starting attacking more and more and are out for Sophie's blood. Her feelings for Archer haven't changed even though he turned out to be one of the bad guys. Neither had mine. I still want them together so badly! But I'm very intrigued by the love triangle that Hawkins started setting up in this book. I love me a good love triangle.
The ending was a tad bit abrupt, but it left you wanting more in a good way.
Four stars for this one.
Sooooo.... When does the next one come out again?!
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
Typical filler book where not much happens until the last few pages. It was darker and more serious than Hex Hall. The plot was very weak and a little slow-paced.
I still really enjoy Sophie's voice, but she got on my nerves in this one.
I still really enjoy Sophie's voice, but she got on my nerves in this one.