The story is just as good as "Shades of Grey". But I had to deduct half a star because of the standard of copy editing in this otherwise-superb sequel. Ironically, in Fforde's acknowledgements at the rear of the book, Fforde thanks his old editor (who was superb) and then says "thanks are also due" to his new editor. I can't decide whether he was being ironic. It's so annoying when such a great story is compromised by poor copy-editing. ( )

You'll certainly want to have read Shades of Grey before this one, or it won't make much sense, but the weird color-based madness world-building continues apace in this one, which brings in some even darker dystopian elements. A typically Ffordian delight.

I had to deduct half a star because of the introduction of some elements (I don't want to give spoilers), since for me "Shades of Grey" was a perfect book on its own. ( )

I think it is important to first read the previous book in this now two part series, Shades of Grey. That was terrific and so is this. Such imagination, and for what is really a dystopian comedy, this contains real depth.
How frustrating for the author that his previous title Shades of Grey was swamped by 50 other shades. This series has nothing in common with that. This series is funny, touching and intelligent. ( )

Continuing the weirdness. Very important to have read Shades of Gray (no not that one) first. There is a little repetition of the world set-up in the early chapters, but not I think enough for a new reader to understand what is going on.

The story picks up straight after SoG. Eddie and Jane are back from their trip and now have to face the consequences from one of the Prefects going missing. Jane is adamant that this is one of the rare opportunities to overthrow the entire corrupt colour system. However she hasn't quite banked on the degree to which the powers that be will go to preserve the existing status-quo and indeed understands even less than she thinks about how the world works. Eddie also has to balance his attraction to Jane and her crusade versus what she wants him to do, his status as a high-Red and the opportunities this brings him with the powerful Purple families. In a parallel to the previous book (and for little other justified reason) the pair are sent on another trip to a another abandoned neighbouring village, and here much of the truth is revealed to the reader, although Eddie and Jane still don't understand much of it.

I enjoyed this, it's much darker than SoG and that was already quite dystopian. I'm not sure the explanation given for the world is going to be all that believable, but it's a waiting game now for the conclusions to see how it all wraps up. ( )