HEX: Shadows (Book 2)
Rhiannon Lassiter
Simon Pulse
YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy
ISBN: 0743422120
272 pages

At the age of 15, she is Europe's most formidable opponent. Her weapon of choice: a computer (although she is a dead shot with a blaster). Her name is Raven, and she is a Hex, which makes her existence illegal. Hexes aren't supposed to live past their first breath of life, but some survive until their gifts become apparent and then they are killed. When Raven was nine, she realized that she was a Hex, and having no desire to die, she hid herself in the ganglands and evaded death by hacking into the main computers and telling them that she didn't exist. This isn't too hard for her, because a Hex's power lies in his or her ability to enter a computer and roam around the Net the way most people enter a room and walk around. Whenever she wants to appear in public, Raven simply creates a false identity for herself and tells the computer that it is legit. This ability makes her the ultimate hacker.

Now, thanks to a stunt Raven pulled six months ago while rescuing her sister --- now known as Revenge --- along with two other Hexes, Ali and Luciel, she stopped being invisible and became Europe's most wanted criminal. Dr. Kalden, a scientist who specializes in running unthinkable experiments on young Hexes can't wait to get his hands on the girl. It won't be long before his wish is granted. With Raven out of action, it is up to her brother, Wraith, to pursue an alliance with the rebel group Anglecynn. And Ali, who spent the first 18 years of her life as a spoiled rich kid, must lead a tiny group into a battle against the European Confederation itself.

Rhiannon Lassiter's HEX: Shadows is a worthy sequel to HEX. What makes Lassiter such a great author is her characters. Raven is one of the most interesting protagonists that I have ever come across. She's not a particularly good person, she doesn't really care about other people. In any other book she probably would be the bad guy. The only reason she isn't is that the "bad guy" in the HEX series is Kalden, who is much, much worse than Raven. Plus, Raven, for all her faults, has a lot of integrity, which makes her an interesting blend of good and evil --- and makes the HEX series one of the best science fiction series I have ever read.

   --- Reviewed by Kathy Hale


Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.

© Copyright 2003, Teenreads.com. All rights reserved.