Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)
Rachel Hawkins 

March 1st, 2011

368 pages (hardcover)

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Source: Publicist

Summary:

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?

Hawkins weaves her magic once again in Demonglass, which doesn't fail to shine brightly and stand out in comparison to the first novel - if anything, it may be even better than the first book.

Sophie is as hilarious and endearing as ever, even when she's freaking out about her chaotic powers (among other issues in her life). But hey, at least she gets to hang out in London with her best friend Jenna while she waits to make her final decision regarding the Removal. A few new characters make an appearance, although we the reader don't get to know too much about them - except for the fact that they aren't too different from Sophie in certain aspects. Cal's more present in this story too, and I loved that he was around more - he is officially awesome. Besides, who needs Archer when you've got Cal?

But life can't just be easy for Sophie. The Eye is out to get her, at any cost. Not to mention  that she's discovering some very intriguing secrets...and the revelations will shock and surprise.  If you love magic, mysteries, and endings that leave you breathless, get busy on Hex Hall, because you don't want to miss out on Demonglass. After reading Demonglass, I'm tempted to hunt down Hawkins and demand the third book immediately (but then she'd probably call the police...so there goes that plan). 

Highlights: Unlike a good amount of sequels, Demonglass doesn't get caught in a "sequel slump" -- where the book just doesn't compare or live up to the previous novel -- Demonglass had that same spark it's predecessor had, and Sophie is still very much her sassy and humorous self. She doesn't make ridiculously stupid decisions, like some sequel heroines do. The humor is there, the mystery and romance lingering in every chapter...it captured my attention fully and completely, and the ending definitely left me excited for the third novel. Hawkins managed to do something else only a great author can do - she made me care about the characters. By the time I reached the end, I was panicking and worrying for some of them. These characters are just so wonderful, I can't get enough of them. 

Lowlights: But, I won't lie, there were some moments of "come on and get going already" in Demonglass. Not enough to bother me too much, though. 

Rating:  4.5 out of 5