School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

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!


Brannick women are bred tough, trained warriors, fighting the supernaturals that roam the earth and Izzy is no exception. With her sister Finn missing, Izzy and her mother travel wherever their next case is, from rogue vampires, werewolves or your typical garden variety of monster under the bed. This case should be a piece of cake, banish the ghost haunting the high school and move onto their next hunt.

Izzy needs to enroll in high school, blend and exorcise this ghost all before the end of the month. Sounds simple enough, What she didn't factor was that she would enjoy high school, find friends and meet Dex. Dex is flamboyant, articulate and magical. Izzy finds herself drawn to Dex in a way she's never experienced, she's never been a normal girl, but then again, he doesn't strike her as a 'normal' boy either.

Could he be involved in summoning the now enraged and powerful ghost?

I really enjoyed the Hex Hall series. Even with supernatural themes, the books will appeal to a much younger audience, more so with School Spirits. Izzy is a likeable character, she may be able to fight monsters, but she's a girl who just wants normalcy. She has the weight of her missing sister and her mother's expectations on her shoulders and young teens will be able to relate to Izzy struggling with her first crush, trying to relate to her mother while learning the family trade.

It was lacking that certain spark that Hex Hall seemed to provide, but it was a fun, entertaining read that is perfect for young teens and young adult enthusiasts.

Goodreads
School Spirits
(School Spirits: Book One)
Written By Rachel Hawkins
Published: 14 / 05 / 2013
269 Pages

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