Red rising (Red rising #1, Pierce Brown)
Genre: Dystopian, Sci-fi
Rating: 4/5
"Rise, there are duties for you to fill. Ride, there are honours for you to take. Rise for glory, for power, for conquest and dominion over lesser men. Rise, my son. Rise."
This is the first time I've really appreciated the book but totally hated the main character, and I'm not kidding (the only exception is Clary Fairchild). On the book cover is even written "Ender, Katniss and now Darrow".
Where the goryhell is that... lunatic, pitiful, manipulative, creepy, crazy, scheming Reaper (Darrow) similar to my dear Katniss?! He. Is. Not. And I totally can't stand him. I'm still mourning poor little Eo and trying to understand what did she find so amazing in him.
But ok, let's skip this painful topic.
During the first fourth of the book my reaction was "Why have I started this thing?". I was completely confused by all social classes, groups and subgroups, organizations, Houses, and roles. Really, really too many divisions. Not to mention that naming social classes with colors' names is a bit... childish? It reminded me of the Teletubbies, to be frank.
"The Golds dance in pairs, Obsidians in threes, Greys in dozens. We dance alone, because only alone do Helldivers drill. Only alone can a boy become a man."
So yes, as you can understand my first approach was a total disaster. But, but. There's a huge but. Because all the part regarding the Insitute and the "war" between the Houses was so amazing, well described... such a brainwave! It was like a written version of a strategy videogame, and I was totally into it. Alliances, traps, fights, cheats, clamorous discoveries and unconceivable relationships. I remained speechless more than once do to some amazing coups de théatre that I didn't think possible.
Not to mention the wide variety of characters, each one with his/her own story and personality. Without any doubt my favourite one is and will remain Sevro. Sarcastic, mysterious, sometimes vicious, yes, but also very loyal. It's a shame that some characters (like Mickey or Harmony) are left aside, because they made me quite curious.
The big question is: is it worth it reading? Well, I'd definitely say yes.
