School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Published by Disney-Hyperion on May 14th 2013
Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads
Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy's older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break. Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it's not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it's strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush. Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt? Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!
Julie’s Review:
I liked Izzy in the Hex Hall trilogy so having a spin-off with her as the main character is a great idea. I like spin-off novels because the world and characters are already familiar to me and so the story can take me away into a familiar fun reading time. I really liked the Hex Hall books so I expected to enjoy this spin-off just as much.
I did enjoy it, just not as much as I expected. Izzy annoyed me a lot with her “I can handle it” rather than asking for advice on how to deal with some unexpected supernatural situations. I felt like she floundered the entire time and got lucky with the resolution. Also, I knew who the hedge witch was as soon as the bracelet was introduced, and suspected it beforehand, so having it presented like this big surprise made me roll my eyes.
That being said, I loved Dex! I loved his quirky nature and the way he speaks and his bravery and all. I also have to say I enjoy Mr. Mirror Man Torin quite a bit. I also got a chuckle out of Izzy’s complete cluelessness over all things high school.
This clearly was set up to be a series since there are so many loose ends, to include Finley still being missing. I am interested to see this story continue because I want to spend more time with Izzy and Dex.
I loved the first Hex Hall novels, by the time this went live I was over my YA phase. I love Hawkins’ style and imagination though, her work is one of the better MG-YA ones out there
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Loved It: Superheroes Anonymous + Supervillains Anonymous by Lexie Dunne
Me, too, with Dex, Torin, and Izzy not asking for help. And I only missed Cal a little bit. I’m hoping for more of these stories, as well!
I still have to finish the Hex Hall series before I can even think about venturing into the spin-off. I just can’t seem to get a grip on my ever-growing list! :\ Great review, sounds like something I might enjoy. It’s great to “live” with the same characters for a long time 🙂
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I feel you on that ever growing mount TBR! That’s why I enjoy spin-offs: sometimes you just can’t let go of the world/characters just quite yet.
Eh, that attitude always annoys me because a lot of the time so many of the problems could be avoided if the main character would just accept that they’re not invincible. I adored the Hex Hall series but haven’t tried School Spirits out. I remember liking Izzy but she wasn’t someone I loved so I probably won’t end up trying this one. Great review 🙂
Zareena @ The Slanted Bookshelf
Yea that attitude bothers me in YA a lot too. I’m hoping there will eventually be more books and the character will get a chance to grow into something awesome.