February 15, 2011
Sophie Mercer is back, brandishing self-deprecating sarcastic wit while suffering from both a broken heart and a sizable chip on her shoulder after discovering that she is not a witch but an extremely powerful demon. In this follow-up to Hex Hall (2010), Sophie's father, head of the Prodigium Council and also the only other known living demon, whisks her off to Prodigium headquarters in England to help her learn how to control her powers, and—he hopes—change her mind about her wish to have her powers removed. Meanwhile, having witnessed the damage unleashed by uncontrolled magical abilities, Sophie's vampire buddy Jenna is desperate to protect her friends and family by becoming a regular girl. Although everyone at Thorne Abbey is solicitous and welcoming, Sophie can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong. Small wonder: First, someone is raising new demons, ones with unstable powers and a penchant for trouble. Adding to the thrills, Prodigium-haters L'Occhio di Dio are still on the hunt for Sophie, with the apparently evil, but crush-worthy, Archer Cross leading the charge. Soon, the plot twists fold back on themselves, revealing treachery within the Prodigium's upper echelons, Archer's own triple-agent leanings and his love for Sophie. The climax leaves chaos and many strings dangling. Brisk pacing, sparkling romantic chemistry and genuine heartache will satisfy fans and attract new readers to the series. (Fantasy. YA)
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July 1, 2011
Gr 7 Up-If Buffy and Spike had had a love child, she might be Sophie; she's pretty, snarky, kick-butt, and...demonic. She has just survived her first year at Hecate Hall, "a.k.a. Juvie for Monsters," and has reluctantly begun to come to terms with her paranormal nature. When her previously absentee father demands her presence at the headquarters of the Prodigium Council, the summer holidays really heat up for Sophie and her blood-sucking best friend, Jenna. Archer Cross, the demon-hunter-in-training on whom she had an ill-advised crush, reappears, seemingly on a mission to destroy her, and her father begins to groom her to be his successor as head of the Council and announces her betrothal to Cal, the 19-year-old groundskeeper of Hecate Hall. It's all just too much for one 16-year-old to deal with. Quick, sarcastic humor spices up the "does he like me or is he just using me to kill my demon father" angst. Girls who like their spooky stuff with a touch of frothy sweetness rather than drunk straight from the vein will find this novel delicious. Recommend Kiersten White's Paranormalcy (HarperTeen) or Brenna Yavanoff's The Replacement (Penguin, both 2010) for those looking for slightly darker selections.-Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
February 15, 2011
Grades 7-11 The second Hex Hall novel follows young demon Sophie Mercer to a huge, gorgeous English country estate with her powerful warlock father, where she can learn more about her heritage and decide whether to go through with her decision to remove her magical powers. Sophie is surrounded by handsome boys: her crush, demon-hunter Archer Cross, and the hunky but taciturn magical healer Cal. Although this second title lacks the plentiful humor of the first, narrator Sophies delivery is still delightfully brash, and the many action scenes lend a cinematic feel. An abrupt ending sets up readers for at least one more title.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2011
Sophie (Hex Hall) agrees to spend the summer with her demon father, "embracing my demon-ness or whatever." They're staying at the massive Council Headquarters in England, which is also where irresistible nemesis Archer was last spotted. Romantic, funny, and suspenseful, the novel ends on a cliffhanger that will leave readers eager for the next installment.
(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)