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beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Rain White is the sole protector for her younger brother. He is ill. He has Alzheimer's. Rain has heard that the planet Edge where the Mercs live can cure Rain’s brother. Rain has no money. Rain meets Johnny. Johnny will take Rain and her brother on his starship for a price…Rain’s virginity. Rain agrees. What Rain does not know is the fate she just sealed for herself with the devil.
I have been hooked lately on the “young adult” genre. So even though this book is being marketed at the teen audience, adults will enjoy it as well. I do want to say however that even though this book is aimed at the teen audience I would suggest that the teen readers start at age 16+. This is because of some of the subject matter in this book like the loss of virginity and prostitution. On the other hand however, I did find this book to be intriguing and refreshing. The world and the concept is not something that I have read yet. The way things are described as people like Rain see them in color. For example the facts that the color of her hair being “true red” is very important and is considered to be a very high commodity like gold. As everything views things in color like gray. Also people who are affected by Alzheimer's are feared and considered to be “touched”.
There is a nice romance that is formed in this book with Rain. The guy is nice so that helped. I hated Johnny as he was mean. Which I am sure was the point the author was trying to portray about Johnny. As much as I did like this book, it did take a few chapters for me to really get into this book and for it to pick up speed. You better put on your technicolor goggles as you take a journey with The Color of Rain.
I have been hooked lately on the “young adult” genre. So even though this book is being marketed at the teen audience, adults will enjoy it as well. I do want to say however that even though this book is aimed at the teen audience I would suggest that the teen readers start at age 16+. This is because of some of the subject matter in this book like the loss of virginity and prostitution. On the other hand however, I did find this book to be intriguing and refreshing. The world and the concept is not something that I have read yet. The way things are described as people like Rain see them in color. For example the facts that the color of her hair being “true red” is very important and is considered to be a very high commodity like gold. As everything views things in color like gray. Also people who are affected by Alzheimer's are feared and considered to be “touched”.
There is a nice romance that is formed in this book with Rain. The guy is nice so that helped. I hated Johnny as he was mean. Which I am sure was the point the author was trying to portray about Johnny. As much as I did like this book, it did take a few chapters for me to really get into this book and for it to pick up speed. You better put on your technicolor goggles as you take a journey with The Color of Rain.
amydieg's review against another edition
4.0
This book was not perfect, but OH MAN was it good. Action and intrigue and honesty. Rain is a great protagonist, and her relationship with Ben is refreshing in the current climate of YA. These two are a true TEAM in their problems and plans.
samantha_89's review against another edition
5.0
Why is this book not a bestseller? Why was this book at the Dollar Tree? Why is this book not being made in to a movie? Hi, my name is Samantha and I loved this book. The Color of Rain is an edgy young adult/new adult novel that is just so unique from everything I've read in a long time. Cori McCarthy takes her readers seriously and didn't both to censor the edgy content to make the reading more pleasant and safe.
Rain may be one of my favorite characters ever. The fact that she was willing to do whatever it took to save her brother touched me as I too have a very close relationship with my brother. I loved that it was familial love that started the adventure in this book. One thing that I found interesting about this novel is I found that an interesting choice by the author. There doesn't appear to be a sequel coming along either.
Rain may be one of my favorite characters ever. The fact that she was willing to do whatever it took to save her brother touched me as I too have a very close relationship with my brother. I loved that it was familial love that started the adventure in this book. One thing that I found interesting about this novel is
Spoiler
that the goal of saving her brother goes unreached at the end.moirwyn's review against another edition
4.0
Although the novel is being marketed as Young Adult, I think that it’s a prime example of the New Adult genre. It’s written in a similar style as YA novels, but because sexual violence and coercion is a major plot element, it’s more appropriate to older teens or college students.
The relationship between Rain and Johnny can best be described as a battle of wills. Both of them are the type of people, for better or worse, who will stop at nothing to get what they want. The scenes between Johnny and Rain resemble a game of cat-and-mouse, but Rain quickly realizes that she can manipulate Johnny by playing up his view of the ideal woman.
For a full review, see:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/the-color-of-rain-by-cori-mccarthy/
The relationship between Rain and Johnny can best be described as a battle of wills. Both of them are the type of people, for better or worse, who will stop at nothing to get what they want. The scenes between Johnny and Rain resemble a game of cat-and-mouse, but Rain quickly realizes that she can manipulate Johnny by playing up his view of the ideal woman.
For a full review, see:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/the-color-of-rain-by-cori-mccarthy/
thestarman's review against another edition
[adult review, YA SciFi book]
IN SHORT: Pimp My Ride. In Space.
ADULT VERDICT: 2+ stars. Feels like 2.35.
YA VERDICT: Hard to say. More mature teens might dig this different kind of tale... but it ain't for kiddies.
Notable for: Very pretty cover, horizontal action.
IN SHORT: Pimp My Ride. In Space.
ADULT VERDICT: 2+ stars. Feels like 2.35.
YA VERDICT: Hard to say. More mature teens might dig this different kind of tale... but it ain't for kiddies.
Notable for: Very pretty cover, horizontal action.
beththebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
Not just another dystopia--this one's got some originality, has a science fiction setting that involves space travel, and has plenty of strong, reasonably three-dimensional characters both female and male. It's just a pretty damn depressing, often raw (extensive semi-forced prostitution and other unpleasant ways of living for the majority of characters) story. But it's compelling enough that I read all the way through the misery. The sex and violence (including torture) are necessary to the story.
Good for teens who like edgy books and whose parents won't freak out over the sexual content.
Good for teens who like edgy books and whose parents won't freak out over the sexual content.
pegahe's review against another edition
5.0
This review and more can be found on The Sirenic Codex.
I'm a little blown away right now. I'm shocked and trying to grasp what I just read. This book shattered my expectations. I don't even know where to start.
I'll start with the abstract; The Color of Rain is incredibly dark and intense. It's on the mature scale of YA and it is horrifying and a little heart breaking. It explores prostitution, something I have never ever read about, and it is so much grittier than I expected. The author didn't try to disgust her readers; she also didn't try to overdose on the darkness. There were some details but I think Cori McCarthy deserves some applause for handling this issue so delicately.
Rain White lives in Earth City, a dismal environment, with just her brother Walker after a strange illness has taken away everyone else in her family, directly and indirectly. Those that are Touched are collected and removed from the general population and Rain is trying her best to save her Touched brother, Walker, from harm. She's heard of a place where Walker can be cured, and after she makes a deal with the Captain of an airship, who is interested in her partially because of her red hair, she has a way of getting there. Needless to say she is way in over her head.
Rain is someone I could like right away. She is fiercely protective of her brother and is willing to do whatever, and I mean whatever, it takes to help him. She's also fiery and passionate. Often, she'll say the wrong thing or challenge the wrong person. What impresses me about Rain is that as broken as she was, she never succumbed to being a victim. It's easy to let go and give up everything. It's harder to continue to feel and care. Rain earned a lot of respect from me for her determination, resourcefulness, and perseverance.
It's hard to describe The Color of Rain without spoiling people so I'll just brush over the rest of the characters. Lo is heartbreaking. She could have given up at any point but her loyalty to Rain is inspiring. Johnny is a fucking bastard and I hate that psychopath. So, obviously McCarthy did a good job at creating a villain. What's most impressive is that I didn't think Johnny would be that bad early on but as the story progressed I hated him more and more. That's fantastic characterization. Ben's character fits his role perfectly. He was entirely believable and well crafted too.
No doubt about it though; this story is about Rain and she ran the show.
Morality was huge issue in The Color of Rain. Do the ends justify the means? How far is too far? And if you've gone too far, how do you go back? Beyond prostitution, there was torture, death, slavery... This book really was dark. It wasn't overwhelming. Well, not often. You see, there was a true storyline that was enthralling in its own right.
Rain's journey takes her all throughout the galaxy and uncovers many disgusting secrets and lies. Although this book is sci-fi, I think pretty much anyone can read it because, with the exception of the beginning, nothing is too hard to follow. And after the beginning it's very easy to catch on. I think the strongest part of this book is the characterization and growth of rain.
I've written a pretty glowing review so far so I feel the need to mention a few things I would have liked to see. First, more of an emotional connection. I would not have minded if this book was longer and some parts slowed down because I feel like maybe the story would have benefited from seeing even more of Rain. It would be an even darker story and obviously incredibly hard to write but at some points I felt like the author maybe held back emotionally. In terms of plot she went for it but this could be a devastating book to read and Cori McCarthy didn't want to do that to her readers. I'm not sure if this is a bad thing because this is probably on the verge of not being accepted, if it hasn't crossed the line already, by those misinformed people that think YA should be censored. I also would have liked to get to know the other girls a little more. I don't like when the MC is hated by everyone else that is similar to her. It's a little bit of a pet peeve.
To be honest, I think this story is fine the way it is. It toes a line and as dark as it is, it also tells a really good story. I'm not soon going too forget The Color of Rain and I think the best praise I can give it is calling it a 5 star book. It's a unique read that I'll probably have to read again to absorb. It makes me think and question and that is one of the best qualities a book can have.
I'm a little blown away right now. I'm shocked and trying to grasp what I just read. This book shattered my expectations. I don't even know where to start.
I'll start with the abstract; The Color of Rain is incredibly dark and intense. It's on the mature scale of YA and it is horrifying and a little heart breaking. It explores prostitution, something I have never ever read about, and it is so much grittier than I expected. The author didn't try to disgust her readers; she also didn't try to overdose on the darkness. There were some details but I think Cori McCarthy deserves some applause for handling this issue so delicately.
Rain White lives in Earth City, a dismal environment, with just her brother Walker after a strange illness has taken away everyone else in her family, directly and indirectly. Those that are Touched are collected and removed from the general population and Rain is trying her best to save her Touched brother, Walker, from harm. She's heard of a place where Walker can be cured, and after she makes a deal with the Captain of an airship, who is interested in her partially because of her red hair, she has a way of getting there. Needless to say she is way in over her head.
Rain is someone I could like right away. She is fiercely protective of her brother and is willing to do whatever, and I mean whatever, it takes to help him. She's also fiery and passionate. Often, she'll say the wrong thing or challenge the wrong person. What impresses me about Rain is that as broken as she was, she never succumbed to being a victim. It's easy to let go and give up everything. It's harder to continue to feel and care. Rain earned a lot of respect from me for her determination, resourcefulness, and perseverance.
It's hard to describe The Color of Rain without spoiling people so I'll just brush over the rest of the characters. Lo is heartbreaking. She could have given up at any point but her loyalty to Rain is inspiring. Johnny is a fucking bastard and I hate that psychopath. So, obviously McCarthy did a good job at creating a villain. What's most impressive is that I didn't think Johnny would be that bad early on but as the story progressed I hated him more and more. That's fantastic characterization. Ben's character fits his role perfectly. He was entirely believable and well crafted too.
No doubt about it though; this story is about Rain and she ran the show.
Morality was huge issue in The Color of Rain. Do the ends justify the means? How far is too far? And if you've gone too far, how do you go back? Beyond prostitution, there was torture, death, slavery... This book really was dark. It wasn't overwhelming. Well, not often. You see, there was a true storyline that was enthralling in its own right.
Rain's journey takes her all throughout the galaxy and uncovers many disgusting secrets and lies. Although this book is sci-fi, I think pretty much anyone can read it because, with the exception of the beginning, nothing is too hard to follow. And after the beginning it's very easy to catch on. I think the strongest part of this book is the characterization and growth of rain.
I've written a pretty glowing review so far so I feel the need to mention a few things I would have liked to see. First, more of an emotional connection. I would not have minded if this book was longer and some parts slowed down because I feel like maybe the story would have benefited from seeing even more of Rain. It would be an even darker story and obviously incredibly hard to write but at some points I felt like the author maybe held back emotionally. In terms of plot she went for it but this could be a devastating book to read and Cori McCarthy didn't want to do that to her readers. I'm not sure if this is a bad thing because this is probably on the verge of not being accepted, if it hasn't crossed the line already, by those misinformed people that think YA should be censored. I also would have liked to get to know the other girls a little more. I don't like when the MC is hated by everyone else that is similar to her. It's a little bit of a pet peeve.
To be honest, I think this story is fine the way it is. It toes a line and as dark as it is, it also tells a really good story. I'm not soon going too forget The Color of Rain and I think the best praise I can give it is calling it a 5 star book. It's a unique read that I'll probably have to read again to absorb. It makes me think and question and that is one of the best qualities a book can have.
aravaile's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0