Short Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: January 1st, 2011

Publisher: Disney

Format: Paperback

Purchase at: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | The Book Depository | Fullybooked | National Bookstore

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact 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 either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They’re demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons 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?

Unlike how much I liked Hex Hall, Demonglass didn’t appeal to me as much. Nonetheless, it was still good. I liked the changed of setting, though it’s sad that I didn’t get to explore the new place that much.

Demonglass was set in London. FYI, United Kingdom and France are on my top list of country goals to visit. And I was too excited after knowing that we’ll be in London! But unfortunately, the story of Demonglass didn’t allow us to indulge the city of London. It only focused on Thorne Abbey, the place where Sophie spent her summer break with the council of Prodigium and some close friends (Jenna and Cal).

This is a lot more serious than Hex Hall. In Hex Hall, the atmosphere was very light. Even though there were conflicts, Sophie always opt for witty remarks that will make you laugh or smile despite the issues. In Demonglass, we saw a lot less lively Sophie. She’s still funny at some point, but considering the change of surroundings and with the issues with Archer and the other Prodigium stuff, Sophie became a little dull in Demonglass. I wasn’t entertained as much as on Hex Hall.

I also mentioned on my Hex Hall reading update on Goodreads that I like Cal more than Archer. Well, it changed in Demonglass. I’m back to team Archer! lol. I think it was a very smart move from Rachel Hawkins to give Cal a lesser exposure even though he’s basically in the same place, house or circle with Sophie on the whole book.

And lastly, I was so amused on how the book ended. You know, usually, when all hell break loose, the main protagonist will go super powerful because of all her mighty rage and then she’ll finish all the hullabaloos instantly. But no, in there, Sophia was so helpless (because stuff happened, she can’t use her magic) that she fled away. I thought it was really funny. I mean, for a magic-themed novel, it was quite realistic than unleashing a power you didn’t know you have. lol

Oh, and by the way, the twists? I saw those coming from book 1. lol. Not quite surprising, but well, still entertaining.