Looking around the review blogosphere, I often get ideas for other books to read. One of the books (and authors) that I hadn’t heard of before and sounded interesting was Grey by Jon Armstrong. The review I read made it sound fun and quirky. Based off the bio on the back of the book, Armstrong has come from a fashion background (which explains the basic concepts in the book) and bummed around the world for a few years before becoming a writer. The book is obviously the work of a new author, but it has an interesting energy to it. So, let’s see what’s so Grey?

Michael Rivers is the heir apparent to his family’s high-tech security company in a media drenched future. His father is part Machiavelli, part Hugh Hefner and all narcissist. Michael’s mother had dropped out of society since she hated the life and really wanted Michael to leave the city. Michael is young, but is technically on his second life. He used to be a dancer for the leading clubs, but after his heart attack he turned into a fashion maven. Now he followed the trends set by an underground magazine named Pure H.

At the start of the book, Michael is on a date with Nora, the heiress of a smaller company. After their date, the relationship will then lead to a marriage that will seal the merger between the two companies. But someone slips through the security and shoots Michael. This event kicks off a chain of events that scuttles the merger and puts Michael on a crash course with his father and his future.

The book is a Romeo and Juliet tale of star crossed lovers whose fathers are keeping them apart. But it has a futuristic fashionista twist. Michael has a unique view of the world of fashion based on his love of the Pure H magazine, which is also his main attraction to Nora. She has the same fashion sense. So, in addition to his tutor (who is teaching him how to read and interact in the world), he has a tailor on retainer to create any new suit he can imagine. His fascination with the magazine and it’s ethos has also led Michael to have surgery to remove the cones from his eyes, so that he can no longer see color. The title of the book refers to how Michael sees the world.

Michael’s relationship with his father is complicated. His father sees Michael as a puppet to move around life as needed. Michael see his father as a fashion disaster, but one who helps pay his way through life. The relationship triangle between Michael, his father and Nora is what drives the book through it’s plot. The story is fairly thin and all of the characters are plot elements more than real characters. But the energy of the book makes it readable and fun. If you’re looking for a well-written plot-driven story, then this isn’t for you. If you are looking for a quirky fun read, then this is something for you to look for. Mildly recommended.