Red Rising by Pierce Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In Ancient Rome, the mines are the most feared punishment next to crucifixion. That our Spartacan hero, Darrow, lives in the mines of Mars speaks volumes about where his story will go—and that Mr. P. Brown is an obvious Ancient Roman enthusiast. I say obvious because the Ancient Roman references in Red Rising are as in-your-face as slumdogs in the Subura. The blatant use of these references (praetor, imperator, etc.) left me stunned and disoriented for a while, and midway into the book I felt that it was getting all pompous on me (it didn’t help that I have read a lot on Ancient Rome).
But when I reached 70 percent, I felt that Mr. Brown’s second installment may deserve a read. Then two-thirds into the book—Redemption. Finally.
“Tactics win battles. Strategy wins wars.”—Darrow the Helldiver-turned-Hellraiser.
Brilliant tactic, Mr. Brown (or should I say, Mr. Gold?). Now let’s see your strategy for the rest of the trilogy.
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