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.