**Book Review** School Spirits (School Spirits #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Reviewed By: Siobhán

Format: Kindle Ebook

Pages:  297

Published:  14^th May 2013

Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion

Source: Netgalley

Genre:  YA, Paranormal

Buy:Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository

Description:

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!

School Spirit is a spin off to Rachel Hawkins series, Hex Hall. Now I adored Hex Hall I thought it was fun and smart with kick ass characters so of course I was excited for the spin off and a little bit nervous incase it didn’t live up to the original series. And while the book was not perfect there was a few small things that annoyed me. Overall, School Spirit is a great fun read that is packed with excitement.

School Spirits follows young Izzy. She comes from a family of strong women who fight monsters. However, Izzy’s sister disappears and Izzy finds herself being made to go to a normal school by her mum. Izzy has a job to do. Stop the ghost that is haunting Mary Evan’s High School.  And not get involved with regular humans. But can her new friends help her solve the ghost problem before anyone else get hurts? And can Izzy stop herself from growing close to her new friends?

What a fun and exciting read this book is. I devoured it in a few days and for me lately that is quick. Lately it has been taking forever to read anything but this was just the perfect read for me. It was packed with action, humour and kick-ass characters you can’t help but love. Izzy even though she is only 15 she comes across so much older.  When she starts school, straight away she clicks with Romy and Dex.  And with them aswell as Anderson they all form a really strong friendship. They are “outcasts” in school but together they work. Dex, aw he is adorable. Straight away Izzy connects with him and knows he isn’t what he seems but Dex just comes across as a really nice and funny guy. Romy, is kinda quirky and sweet. Anderson, well we don’t really get to know him much so I didn’t really form an opinion on him really.

Rachel Hawkins has created a very good spin off.  Something, other authors seem to fail at. Spin offs aren’t usually my thing. I usually prefer the original and not bother with reading any spin off because for me the magic that is created in the original can never be recreated with different characters. However, Hawkins has managed it.  Her stories are always gripping, smart and full of action. Between her witty humour and ability to make a reader get completely lost within her story she is a genius. Now, School Spirit isn’t perfect.  At times especially at the start I thought it was slow to get going. And I didn't like Izzy's mother. She just irritated me for some reason. Although, for a first book in a new series? A bloody good start!!!  I can’t wait for the next installment to see what is in-store for Izzy and Dex and to see if their relationship will develop into something more that friendships. (I really hope it does)

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you want a quick read that is full of drama, excitement, mystery with a hint of romance!! If you haven’t read Hex Hall yet, you really don’t have to but just because the series is amazing I suggest you do.

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