Review: Raising Demons by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Raising Demons
Series: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Books
Publication Date: 3 Mar 2011

Source: UK Book Tours - Lyns is awesome [ : D ]



Synopsis: From Amazon
Sophie Mercer's first term at Hex Hall turned out to be quite eventful. First the ghost of her evil grandmother haunted her every move, then her best friend was accused of murder and of course there was the discovery that Archer Cross, aka the boy of her dreams, was actually an undercover demon hunter - which would probably be something she could have worked on, if she hadn't also discovered that she was actually the demon Archer was hunting...So, despite their issues, Sophie is actually relieved to be spending the summer in London with her father. But when your father is Head of The Council of Prodigium and your summer is being spent at the headquarters of everything magical, then a quiet holiday isn't really that likely. And, as Sophie struggles to come to terms with her new found demon powers, she finds herself thrust once again into a world of dark magic and conspiracies. The only thing that could possibly make things more complicated would be for Archer Cross to show up again, which of course he wouldn't, would he?

Review: May contain spoilers for Hex Hall

We join Sophie a few months after the jaw dropping ending to Hex Hall, travelling to London to either endure the removal of her powers or let her father convince her to keep them. I just adore Sophie's spirit and snarky sense of humour.

Getting to know the father she has never met before, his distant and uptight manner does not endear him to her (or me) initially but as the story progresses and more background details are revealed Sophie's (and my) opinion of him altered, understanding for his manner quickly overrides any lingering dislike. His emotional tie to Sophie's mother really tugged at my heart strings.

The way in which the title of the book had dual meaning when applied to the narrative was ingenious. I love stuff like that.

Although I am burnt-out on the whole love triangle element this one did seem 'different'. You can completely understand the pull Sophie feels towards Archer, although the 'apparent' betrayal from the first book weighs heavily on Sophie she cannot stop the way she feels about him. The idea of soul-mates immediately jumped into my head *swoon*. Sympathy is drawn for Archer as the details are revealed of his childhood and upbringing. The chemistry between them sends sparks across the page.

Cal plays a larger role than in Hex Hall and provided a nice piece of eye-candy for my imagination. His personality was a complete contrast to Archer but I had the feeling that there was something else lurking below the surface with Cal. Lots of hidden depths and secrets yet to be revealed there.

More background details are tantalisingly dropped into the plot revealing details piece by piece; you have to pay attention.  The action is fast paced and compelling. Betrayal, double cross and good old fashioned back stabbing ensue. The twists and turns that the plot undertook made for compulsive reading, nothing could be taken for granted. The surprise revelation hinted at in the last few pages has left me desperate for the next installment to confirm or dispel my theories.

A great sequel that only adds to the impatient wait for the next installment.