4.5 stars for Red Rising (Red Rising book 1) by Pierce Brown.
This novel is labelled under the Science Fiction genre, but with the exception that it takes place on Mars, there is hardly any science in this fiction. Nevertheless, I have a great time trapped in the layered society of Colours, the Golds, Silvers, Bronzes, Coppers, Obsidians and Reds to name a few. The initial 15-20% of the story is slow moving but hints of potential and great things to come. Boy, am I glad to have persisted beyond because after that, I willingly hold myself captive between the pages of this book.
Oppression. Lies. Rebellion. Freedom. Every sin, every death, every sacrifice, is for freedom. This story is a study of humanity; of political, psychological and behavioural science, how human beings react to one another, how armies function and how tactics win battles but strategies win wars.
I like the placement of Roman mythology in the story even though it is loosely based upon. Twelve Houses, each named for one of the gods of the Roman pantheon. But somehow I feel the need to voice out that the author fails the Mathematics test. When I finally decide to do a count, I find out that there is one extra House to account for. Shouldn't it be twelve Houses in twelve castles based on twelve great Roman deities? And don't get me started on where the twelve Roman Gods reside in - Mount Olympus. OMG! Mount Olympus is the dwelling of the Olympian Gods according to Greek, not Roman mythology. Well, it seems to me that the author wants the best of both mythologies, Roman and Greek. But please, get them right and don't confuse readers by blending them together.
Jupiter-Juno
Neptune-Minerva
Mars-Venus
Apollo-Diana
Vulcan-Bacchus
Mercury-Ceres
Pluto
Now, here comes the irony. Regardless of all the above grievances, Red Rising, with the adult-centric themes of justice, power and war, is a book worthy of my time.
