Book Review: The Hex Factor by Harriet Goodwin.

Product details:
Publisher: Stripes Publishing.
Paperback, 192 pages.
Release date: August 1st 2012.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 9+
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Xanthe Fox can't wait to turn thirteen, but as the big day arrives her world starts to fall apart. Set-up at school for something she didn't do, it seems her age-old enemy, Kelly, is making trouble for her...and as things escalate, even her best friend Saul starts to doubt her innocence. With the school threatening to expel her, and mysterious glowing Xs appearing in front of her eyes, Xanthe turns to Grandma Alice for help. But what the old lady tells her will change Xanthe's life for ever...

Xanthe Fox is having the week from hell.  She’s just turned thirteen so this should be a happy time, but instead Xanthe’s spent most of her days in the headmaster’s office.  She’s broken the rules once too often and now she’s in deep, deep trouble.  But the truth is that Xanthe is not a rule breaker. Not at all.  Xanthe is sure that her arch-nemesis, Kelly is out to sabotage her birthday buzz just because she didn’t get an invite to Xanthe’s party. Things keep on getting worse especially when her good friend and boy crush, Saul, begins to doubt her.  And even though Xanthe tries not to let it all get her down, she can’t help but worry when glowing X’s start to appear before her eyes. Bad things keep happening, and Xanthe knows something is very wrong.  While she knew that turning thirteen would herald big changes in her life, Xanthe could never have guessed just how downright weird those changes would be.

Enter Grandma Alice who tells Xanthe a tale that will change her life forever.  All those glowing X’s mean that Xanthe is a witch, but with special powers come dark enemies and Xanthe knows all about that!

The Hex Factor is aimed at younger readers, but, with its universal themes, this is one that readers of all ages will enjoy.  After all, who doesn’t love a good witchy tale? But The Hex Factor is not only about all things supernatural.  Goodwin highlights the importance of friendships and family in this book while also touching on topics of bullying, fear, trust and the importance of knowing when to confide in those close to you.

Overall The Hex factor is a highly enjoyable, fast-paced, fun read and a great start to a new series.  I, for one, can’t wait to find out where Xanthe’s new found powers take her next!