Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Book Review: School Spirits, by Rachel Hawkins @LadyHawkins


Having never read any of the Hex Hall novels, I wasn't sure what to expect from School Spirits. I really enjoyed the story and now I'm even more interested in reading the original series.

Izzy is a Brannick. She and her mom are the only ones left. Their job is to hunt down supernatural creatures and send them away -- or kill them. It's not always an easy job. Izzy's sister disappeared during a job several years ago, and Izzy and her mom are still trying to find her.

Her mother moves Izzy to a small town to take care of a ghost that has been haunting the high school and has become dangerous. Izzy has never attended a real high school before, so it is a new experience posing as a "regular" teen. But, she finds a group of students that have formed a paranormal investigations club at the high school. I know -- it's a big coincidence, but I didn't care.

I loved Izzy. She really steals the show. I enjoyed her turmoil -- trying to be the demon hunter, but also wanting so bad to experience a little of what it's like to be a plain old high school teen. But she won't admit that's what she really wants. She actually makes a friend and has a romantic interest. The friends are interesting too and help move the plot along, but to me School Spirits is all about Izzy. OK, the guy in the mirror, Torin, is too much! He's funny and I enjoyed their banter too.

Izzy is trying to figure out who might be messing with magic and stirring up this evil ghost. She has her suspicions, and I won't tell you if she is correct. The ending is touching, cute, and nicely wrapped up. A little cheesy, perhaps, but I'm invested. I'm ready to see what happens in the next book.

If you enjoyed Hex Hall, I expect you would enjoy this book too, although I don't know that for sure. Anyone who likes a paranormal story that isn't too dark, but has enough drama to go with some humor is in for a treat with School Spirits. It is a relatively short book, too, and sometimes that's what we're looking for.

Published by Disney-Hyperion, May 14, 2013
eARC obtained from NetGalley
304 pages

Rating: 4/5




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2 comments:

  1. Oh I really loved her previous series and I am so excited to read this one:))) Glad you liked it so much!! woot!

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  2. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this on its own, without having read Hex Hall before! I loved Hex Hall but it's been a long time since I've read the series. I just finished School Spirits and loved it too, but I did wonder how much of my enjoyment came from having the world already ready for me. I agree, there were definitely a few convenient coincidences (there were some of those in Hex Hall too). I guess I just don't care as much because I love the writing and liked Izzy. :-) Fabulous review Annette!

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