Hex Hall had the usual markers for a story that’d be up my alley: a magic society living among humans and a school for their magical (delinquent) teens. That also meant I was in danger of cliches so I entered the series with caution - and anticipation of not caring enough to continue the series afterwards if I’m being honest.

I was most taken with Sophie’s vampire roommate, Jenna. In a world full of fairies and witches, she was the most realistic character. She had a solid backstory that contributed to her actions and worldview. She was also hilarious and the only LGBT character, so there’s that. Our main character Sophie began the story a bit like a Mary Sue, but she showed a more developed worldview as the story went on. I can’t say the same for Archer, the classic bad-boy love interest, who I did NOT have any fondness for through the entire story.

Rachel Hawkins writes with humor similar to Rick Riordan and Cassandra Clare, and how the story was written kept me engaged more than the plot. Still, I found Hex Hall thoroughly enjoyable. The world building was a little rocky at times, but the first book gave me enough to be curious about in the coming books that I kept on reading them.