The Story...In Hex, we meet two siblings called Wraith and Raven, not their real names. They are the product of living in the 23rd century somewhere in the States. However, the States is not where the story takes place, the stage of the story is London. Perhaps now is the time to tell you a little about the title... what is the Hex? Imagine having a Hex gene... a mutant gene that allows you incredible control of computers, and I don't just mean giving you quick fingers on the Keyboard, no, with this gene you can actually enter the Net and control anything related to computers. Raven, a young girl, possesses the Hex gene. In fact, she was one of the lucky ones, one of those who escaped the clutches of the CPS (Centre for Paranormal Studies), who works for the government, to rid the world of the Hexes. The Hex is obviously something to be feared, although it was government scientists that created the Hex genes.Wraith and Raven has another, younger sister called Rachel. She was adobted and carried off to England before either of the two siblings could do anything about it. They want to find their sister, and have therefore travelled all the way across the ocean. London has changed, it has become a vertical metropolis with skyscrapers of up to 3 miles, very impressive and a little bit scary, really.They acquire the help of a young ganger named Kez, but also a powerful person called the Countess. Their search reveals that Rachel also posses the Hex gene and has been taken by the CPS, taken to some place hidden, some place with no computers, at least not any computers that Raven has the power to control.The question now becomes... is Rachel alive? How to bring her back, if she is alive, and where is it, exactly, that the CPS takes the Hexes? My Judgement...Hex is obviously Cyberpunk, and not Sci-fi in the classical sense. It focuses on the Computer aspect, but also on themes such as the manipulation of genes, how far can and should we go... However, it doesn't really dwell on this last point, in fact, Hex is mostly an action-packed story about two siblings looking for their sister. They have the world against them and find friends in the strangest places, friends that will help them find their sister.It's easy to read, perhaps a little too easy. I would have liked some deeper themes, but the book is only 216 pages long and its not a large book. It's obviously meant to be pure entertainment, with gun fights, cool Web cruising and lots of partying.Furthermore, Hex is the first book in a large series, so if you like it more than I did, you can pick up the others and find out what happens next. I'm sure I wont be picking up the rest, but thats ok. It's not a bad book, but you definitely have to like the Cyberpunk genre and you have to like action and lots of it.
I was about 14 when I read this and it was a good, if not great, introduction to cyberpunk fiction- a genre I have since grown to love. It's not perfect, the characters are a little flat, but if you can get over that, which the target audience probably will, it's a fun romp through a bleak world, that mixes technology with elements of magic. I would recommend this for younger audiences interested in cyberpunk but who aren't quite ready for the likes of Neuromancer or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.It's definitely a guilty pleasure of mine as I can't quite seem to remove the nostalgia tinted glasses when thinking about this book, despite its flaws.
What do You think about Hex (2001)?
Vor Jahren habe ich das Buch mal gelesen und mochte es. Also beschloss ich es noch einmal zu lesen, als ich es in im Bücherregal meiner Schwester sah, während ich meine Eltern besuchen war.Im Gegensatz zu damals las ich die Infos über die Autorin. Sie hat das Buch mit 17 geschrieben und ich dachte mir zuerst: wow. das ist echt bewundernswert. Und dann auch noch ein gutes Buch. Diese Meinung änderte sich schnell, als ich anfing, zu lesen. Ich weiß nicht, ob es teilweise an der Übersetzung liegt, aber der Schreibstil - vor allem die Dialoge - erinnerte mich sehr an die Schulaufsätze, die Klassenkameraden von mir oder ich früher geschrieben haben. Ich kann es an nichts genauem festmachen, aber die Wortwahl klingt oft unbeholfen, Beschreibungen wurden eingefügt als ob Rhiannon Lassiter sich gedacht hat: verdammt, ich sollte vllt diese Szene etwas strecken. Dafür mag ich die Geschichte ganz gerne. Die Idee, dass Menschen durch eine Mutation in Kontakt mit Maschinen treten können, ist zwar wissenschaftlich gesehen ziemlicher Schwachsinn, aber eine originelle Idee und wir damit umgegangen wird, scheint mir realistisch. Außerdem mochte ich das Ende sehr, weil es kein unrealistisches Friede - Freude - Eierkuchen Ende ist. Die Charaktere hingegen sind nur recht oberflächlich entworfen. Jeder Charakter hat klar definierte Eigenschaften, die immer im Vordergrund stehen, keiner ist mehrschichtig angelegt. Das, zusammen mit dem Schreibstil, hat es für mich irgendwie unangenehm gemacht, das Buch zu lesen. Nicht so sehr, dass ich aufgehört hätte. Aber so, dass ich es vermutlich nie wieder lesen werde. Insgesamt also ein Buch, das ganz nett ist. Ganz nett in dem Sinne, dass es die kleine Schwester von Scheiße ist.
—Hanna
This trilogy is just great. I've read all three books several times now, and am in the middle of another read-through. Compelling characters, government-conspiracy element, political themes of eugenics/disability, thrilling action with adept pacing. And written when the author was 17, no less. A fast, enjoyable read. On a virgo note, the number of typos in the paperback editions of all three books in the trilogy drives me NUTS--there are easily over ten in each book-- Get a competent proof-reader, Simon Pulse! haha.
—Colin
Raven has mutant Hex-genes that enable her to be perfectly in tune with any computer. She's better, faster and more efficient than the best hacker, making her illegal, and very dangerous. She's helping her brother White to find their sister, Rachel, and that means going to the place of certain death, the CPS's lab. The CPS had the legal right to dispose of anyone suspected of having the Hex gene. That means if she get's caught, White will not lose just one but even two younger sisters. On their way the two of them make some new friends and tons of enemies.[return]Although this one is recommended for ages 8-12 I'd say it's a book every SciFi-fan will like.
—Filia Libri
