Um, this sounds like [b: Red Rising|15839976|Red Rising (Red Rising, #1)|Pierce Brown|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369153188s/15839976.jpg|21580644]? Like, from the blurb, almost identical to it? Except with a girl? And maybe not the Color system, but some similar style of oppression?

I dunno, I'll probably try it, but that kind of sucks for Jenny Moyer because the comparisons will be well-nigh inescapable. That cover though.

Orion and Dram, miners who bring in the most of the element needed by the city are in constant danger. Danger from the environment, and the government. Of course there is a conspiracy going on here--it is a dystopian, after all. But I liked this one. It's just different enough and scary enough (cave-ins, scary bugs that eat you, venomous bats, and radiation) to keep me interested. I think the danger element, and the non-stop pacing, will draw quite a few of my students' interest. It's a duology, but this one ends well enough that if you didn't want to read the next one you would be satisfied. ( )

4.5 stars ( )

Literary Merit: Okay
Characterization: Poor
Recommended: Recommended
Level: High School
Orion and Dram live on an apocalyptic Earth where the Sun has burned through the atmosphere. Humans have been split between two "races", normals living in the "protected city", and SubPars, that have a natural resistance to the Sun's radiation, enslaved to mine cirium to power tech and the shield that keeps the human race from burning. . Orion has a natural ability to find the ore and is close to collecting her 400 grams for her freedom. After corruption is shown to them, Orion and a group of fellow cavers try to fight the system but is punished by being sent to the flash curtain. There she is forced to collect flash dust. Orion escapes from the clutches of the government and finds a group of resisters that included Dram's father. This novel is continued in FlashTide.

Many mixed feelings about this book. The premise is so original and has a great mix between science fiction and relationships. But the characters are terribly bland. I had no real connection to Orion and Dram. I felt closer to Orion's father and wanted to follow the Conjurers or learn more about the creatures that live in the cave that came from the flash. Orion was so boring and useless, how can such a cool world leave so much to be desired?
Then the story was jumbled. Orion was sent to three different tunnels and fields, escapes the government twice, and lives through things literally everyone else dies from. I only recommend it because teens would be interested in the story, but would probably also see what I mean. It would be good for those into action and sci-fi, but not good for those who read for the story itself. ( )