"Red Side Story" (Shades of Grey #2) by Jasper Fforde

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eddie Russett is back! "Red Side Story" is the sequel to "Shades of Grey" and continues the story of twenty-year-old Eddie Russett and Jane Grey who live on the fringes of Red Sector West. Jasper Fforde is one of my favorite authors. I loved the "Thursday Next" series and "Shades of Grey," so I was delighted to get an ARC of this book.

Welcome to Chromatacia, a world divided into four sectors known as Red, Green, Yellow, and Grey. Society is color-vision-segregated, and the societal hierarchy is regulated by one's color perception, with Red being the highest class and Grey the lowest. This is a rigid society that reminds one of the Nazi regime, with its strict rules, codes of conduct one must follow, and culling of the undesirables. The Yellows are fanatic enforcers of the rules, following the Munsellian Doctrine based on Munsell's Book of Harmony. Original thought is frowned upon, as is questioning the rules.

Eddie is forced into an arranged marriage with Violet, the daughter of the powerful DeMauve family, although his heart belongs to Jane. Complementary colors are forbidden to fraternize, so Eddie and Jane can't get married. Eddie and Jane try to figure out the riddle of life and break free from the shackles of society, while a death sentence hovers over their heads for a murder they didn’t commit.

I loved the book. It is even better than the first book, which I loved. Full of social criticism, great world-building, and strong character development, the author weaves an excellent story that draws readers in from the start. The book is written in a natural, flowing style. Although the book was very witty and quite easy to read, it explores several serious subjects and themes, such as family bonds, loyalty and friendship, fallible human nature, and racism. The author does a tremendous job of capturing the personalities of his characters.

It's a delightful read with engaging, multifaceted characters. The storyline is easy to follow, and the author gives an excellent sense of setting. I really loved the world-building, and the ending was satisfying. Jasper Fforde crafted a world that was unique in its own right and overflowing with imaginative depth. Although the book can be read on its own, it is preferable to start with the first book to understand the background. In this book, the reader finally gets an explanation of how the world came about and the meaning behind it. "Red Side Story" is a breath of fresh air, a book that surpassed every expectation I had set for it. People who loved the first book in the series will surely love this one. Highly recommended, and full stars from me!

* Thank you  Edelweiss and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Red Side Story