What would you get if you combined Twilight’s paranormal elements with Harry Potter’s school of magic?

Something close to Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

This book — part one of a trilogy — follows Sophie as she is sent to Hectate Hall to confront her witchy side. Quite literally, that is. She’s a witch who has used her powers wrong one too many times, and now her mom has sent her to get herself together.

But what Sophie discovers is that her family may be a lot darker than she first believed. And, quite frankly, she may not be a witch at all.

Hex Hall is not the most original book or premise, but what stands out is a rollicking hilarious main character. I found Sophie a breath of fresh air. She’s sarcastic and drops a good allusion that is worthy of many chuckle.

Hawkins’s book will appeal to paranormal or magic fans, but I think the real appeal will be to people who wonder what the big deal is with those genres. This will make you laugh and will leave you with just enough mystery to keep the story line moving. A couple of deaths — or near death incidents — and a suspect in the only enrolled vampire, who happens to be Sophie’s roommate, propel the plot forward.

The ending gives enough of a twist to make readers seek out the second book. It’s worth the read but it won’t be the next great work, nor will it develop a cult following a la the books from which it lifts elements. Sophisiticated readers will be annoyed, though Sophie will redeem the book for them.

What happens when a girl goes to a spiritual retreat after being dumped by her cheating boyfriend?

The Karma Club: a way to make sure those who do bad also get the bad back at them.

Debut author Jessica Brody’s The Karma Club is a story of girls getting revenge on the boys (and girls!) who’ve done them wrong.

The Karma Club is a readalike to Suzanne Young’s The Naughty List, though it is not an intentionally humorous and at times borders on didactic. The ending wraps up a little too tidily, though that will certainly appeal to a number of readers. The story itself is cleaner, with very minimal language issues.

This is a contemporary book, with references to Facebook and text messaging. Themes include karma and revenge, as well as relationships and how social status can impact those relationships.

Though far from perfect, Brody’s book is an easy read — one I read in an hour on an airplane. It is not a fully fleshed but that will be the big draw for many readers. Reluctant readers may find this a good choice, as well. As mentioned, fans of Young’s book and fans of Elizabeth Eulberg’s The Lonely Hearts Club will find this an excellent reading choice.

The Karma Club publishes in May by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, a Macmillan imprint.

(Is it me or does it seem this is a cover that’s a double? Anyone know its twin?)