Cels Reviews: Rachel Hawkins—"Hex Hall 2: Raising Demons"
Life certainly isn’t getting any easier for Sophie Mercer. After all the magic-filled adventures and horrors she had to endure in the prequel you would think she could catch a break. Not likely. There are more secrets and hidden agendas afoot and Sophie still isn’t being told the whole truth about things. And with a mixed up heritage like hers, knowledge could be the only thing stopping a catastrophe.
Sophie is sent to London for the summer to spend some time with her absentee Dad—who just so happens to be the Head of the Council of Prodigium (or big Kahuna when it comes to magical beings) . Sophie and co thought Hex Hall had its fair share of magical blunders and enemies, but it’s nothing compared to London.
Raising Demons has built on all the wonder and delight that makes Hex Hall so enjoyable and added an extra wallop of drama, mystery and action that will again grasp your attention in a vice and have you galloping along at breakneck speed. Sophie is stronger and smarter; and despite all that has happened, she is still quick with the sarcastic quips that add a good dose of giggles to the mayhem.
Character development has remained strong with the evolution of those we have met before, and some believable newcomers. The mystery and subterfuge are again expertly hidden with red herrings aplenty to keep you guessing and the revelations shocking. The cliffhanger ending is such a shock that you will be desperately wishing there were just a few more pages to clear up all the theories racing through your mind.
The Hex Hall series is a brilliant blend of light comedy, magic, monsters and mystery. I can’t find a release date for the next installment, Spell Bound, apart from the fact that it will release sometime in 2012. I for one will be waiting with bated breath and hoping I don’t drive myself mad theorising in the meantime.
Hex Hall 2- Raising Demons—Rachel Hawkins
Published 1 March, 2011 by Simon & Schuster
Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN:978-1-84738-723-3
