Precious Thing by Collette McBeth

This is a story of friends- real, true, loyal friends- and what happens when a friend is betrayed. 

I thought, at a couple of points, that I had this book all figured out.  In fact, I was kind of disgusted that the author had made it that predictable.  I stuck with it, thinking, hoping, praying I'd be wrong.  I never imagined where Collette McBeth would take it.

We've all had those friends who are more like family to us than friends.  We've all had that one person who knows every single things about us, even if anyone else would be judgmental of us.  Rachel and Clara were just such friends.  I could picture them so clearly, whispering secrets, getting high for the first time together, sharing everything about themselves and still loving each other.
I could also imagine the depths to which one of them would sink.
 I could see, understand even, why she would do such horrible things to the person she loved most in the world.  I could even (almost, but not quite) imagine carrying out such a depraved plan of action in order to keep my friend. 

This one kept me on my toes, and will faintly keep the idea in my mind that maybe not everyone who loves me is as loving as I think.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Darrow, at sixteen, has been working in the mines of Mars for quite a few years.  He has a wife, he has his family, and he has his goal of winning the Laurel.  He's a complex character, allowing the reader into his innermost thoughts, and making us feel as if we want his dreams for him and for us.  Even though his lot in life is small, he makes us proud of who he is and what he's done.That doesn't change throughout the story, even though Darrow's life takes a path I never would have imagined. 

Brown's entire cast is incredible, full of rich characters who practically jump off the page and into life.  They are all stunning examples that not everything is what it seems, and that even the most simple of matters isn't always easy to understand.  The caste system of colors, and layers within those colors, isn't easy to remember, but it does present an excellent view of what life could be like far in the future- and even on other planets.

One thing I would have liked is a pronunciation guide.  Some of the names are almost impossible to imagine actually saying aloud, and sometimes I found it easier to gloss over those names and insert something easier to say.  That's my only wish to make this a better book.  It's amazing how much is packed in to the amount of pages, and I found it hard to put down.

Pierce Brown has built a richly detailed world, and I can't wait for the next installment.

The Hanging Judge by Michael Ponsor

This is an intense story from the first page.  There is everything in this book: murder, suspense, romance, and a deep look into the United States justice system.  I do have a couple of issues with the story, however. 

The inclusion of the story of the unfair trial and execution of two men in 1806 interrupts the flow, overall.  It was interesting, especially the quotes from surviving documentation, but I think it would have worked better for me if it were left until the conclusion of the book.

At times, this was also a pretty deep story through which to wade.  I read the author's note at the beginning and I understand he's a judge, but there was a lot of detail.  It made it a little more difficult for me to get through the book at times. 

Those things aside, this is an excellent book.  The writing is good, the dialogue is realistic, the characters are developed well.  There were plot changes I didn't expect, the narrators couldn't always be trusted to tell the reader what was really going on, and it was steeped in a cloud of uncertainty that had me wondering what would happen until the very last minute.