L.M. Poplin's Reviews > Loophole

Alex Hugie’s Loophole is that rare gem of a novel that holds up a mirror to the parts of ourselves we would prefer to keep hidden while making us laugh out loud, grateful for the experience. Without lecturing or moralizing, Hugie exposes our tendencies to make instant, superficial, black-and-white judgements of others without allowing for context, compassion, or ambiguity—through the voice of a witty, pop-culture savvy, delightfully self-aware heroine whose character undergoes significant growth over the course of the novel.

The summer before starting university, Alannah accepts an internship at Extrospect, a magazine in Colorado Springs (where her brother, Tuck, also works) and where she is confronted by a gang of vicious criminals, corrupt government officials, and her own prejudice. When the magazine starts publishing her slightly rebellious yet funny cartoons, Alannah gets caught up in an underground movement to redeem the Specks, a group of tarnished outcasts, whose past mistakes have, through Visage, condemned them to a life of misery. But before she can redeem anyone else, Alannah must wrestle with her own temptations and vulnerabilities, her mistakes drawing her further into a web of betrayal and danger.

Although Hugie doesn’t shy away from difficult situations and drastic consequences, Alannah’s funny perspective and refreshing candor make Loophole a vastly entertaining and fast-paced read. Despite the mysterious circumstances of Alannah’s upbringing, we can easily identify with her feelings for Tuck, Jordan, and Kasper, which motivate her decisions and endear her to the reader. Watching Alannah take responsibility for her decisions and rooting for her against all odds (even those of her own making) is both enjoyable and deeply satisfying.

Loophole gives us closure but keeps the door open for further adventures--answering our most immediate questions while sparking our curiosity and leaving us wanting more!