Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 359
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Challenges: N/A
Related Reviews: Hex Hall

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Ever heard of a sophomore slump? Rachel Hawkins hasn't. Demonglass is, if anything, even better than its predecessor Hex Hall. We get to keep all the great things from the last book--snarky Sophie, the hot-pink loving vampire Jenna, the sexy eyebrow-quirking Archer, and crazy Prodigium killing cults--but we also get to know a handful of new characters, from the sweet and describedly "quarterback looking" Cal, to Sophie's formidable but really awesome father, and others.

In this book, our beloved characters travel to an abbey in England for summer vacation where they really get thrown into the thick of the Eye vs. Prodigium conflict. Random demons are being raised and no one knows who's responsible; the Eye has murdered more than half the Council members; Prodigium raids are becoming more frequent and lethal. And then there's Sophie, the future head of Council, and the one person the Eye is absolutely determined to get to. And if they have to use Archer to do it? So be it. On top of all this, everyone in Sophie's life is begging her to reconsider her choice to go through the Removal. Though Sophie obviously doesn't want to be a purple tattooed freak, she is really struggling with the knowledge of her demon blood in the wake of crazy grandma Alice. Her inability to control the overwhelming strength of her own powers--which usually lead to "blowing something up"-- terrifies her. Jenna is hungry and looking for a snack? Sophie tries to make her some Doritos and accidentally fills an entire floor of Hex Hall with their cheesy-goodness.

Enter BAMF Council heading father, who teaches Sophie to control herself. Let me just say, Daddy Atherton is awesome. He can give Sophie a run for her money in the sarcasm department, and their banter may have been my favorite part of the entire book. Cal is another old face that we get to know much better in book two. Lets just say that he and Sophie have something that connects them, so he joins their trip to England over summer break. Watching the two of them develop something--though I'm not sure either one of them knows what that something is yet--made me giggle and blush and squee all over the place, because the two of them are just so gosh-darn cute! But then of course there is Archer, the boy with the sex-factor from the enemy side (we get to learn a little more about this), and his chemistry with Sophie is undeniable. Usually when it comes to YA and love triangles, I stand pretty firmly on one side or the other, but I can honestly say I don't know which one of these delectable boys to pick.

This second book in the Hex Hall trilogy is once again addictingly fast paced and full of twists and turns that had me feeling the whole gamut of emotions. If any of you felt indignant at Hex Hall's cliffhanger, than this time around you'll be absolutely affronted. I give Demonglass 5 out of 5 stars, and now you'll have to excuse me as I go run off and start the final installment, Spellbound.

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