Red rising by pierce brown

Red Rising came out a year ago to much hype but maybe because it was classed as YA, I let it pass me by. It was only after it kept appearing on the Best of 2014 lists of people who have very similar tastes to me that I picked it up. I struggled with the first half despite the fact it was beautifully written because I could see the author's influences a little too clearly. I know we all stand on the shoulders of giants these days but it was all a little bit too "Lord Of The Flies on Mars" for my liking. Then just as I was about to give up on it, it hooked me in and never let go. Relentless, edge-of-your-seat stuff.

But the best thing about playing catch up was Book 2 was already out. And my god, it was even better than the first. It was a sequel where everything took off in a truly spectacular way. The ambition of Brown in even attempting to pull off a book like this was to be applauded. The fact he succeeded was incredible. Often the middle book of the trilogy is a let down, moving chest pieces around but nothing actually happens. Forget that with this book. This is how you do it. I have a new favourite author. Unfortunately I now have a year to wait for the final part..