The Red Harlequin

The Red Harlequin #1

by Roberto Ricci

Book 1 of the Fantasy Series that's taking the throne away from Vampires & Wizards!


In a world where everyone wears masks and superstitions abound, the color of your chrome determines who you are and where you will live.

And if you will live.

Here, Asheva, a 14 year old Chrome of the Black Nation, will see his world crumble underneath him, as events too big for his age will force him to run away from his native city of Axyum.

A new journey will take him to lands with different colors and different ways from the Black. From a desperate escape through the hills and forests of the Black Nation to the vast Blue Plains of the city of Ayas, Asheva will learn to face the dangers of the wilderness but also to face the even more dangerous nature of the Chromes, including the worst accusation a Chrome can be charged with.

Only then he will realize that beneath the masks that all Chromes wear, nothing is what it seems.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopia

106 pages, ebook

First published May 29, 2012

About the author

Roberto Ricci is a fiction novel, short story and screenplay writer. He is best known for The Red Harlequin, his best selling YA Fantasy series. The series has been translated in French and adapted into graphic novels. A TV project is currently under way.

During his long and varied career Roberto has worked as a journalist, been an officer in the Italian Army and a Senior Executive at Rainbow, a leading children's entertainment company. He has lived in Tokyo, New York, Rome, Milan, Paris, and London and attended NYU and the European Business School.

He is represented by the Koko Media Agency, based in London.

Reviews

[Sara (A Gingerly Review) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Barely long enough to hold my attention and not very interesting.

[Anastasiia books_flame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Цікаве та легке фентезі, яке читається на одному подиху.

[Anna_nke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Читання тут на пару годин максимум.

Вердикт по першій книзі - світ непоганий, доволі чітко окреслений, герой ріс трохи у інформаційному вакуумі, то ж ми разом з ним дізнаємось подробиці що-хто-де.

Я бачу трохи вайбів Дивергента - поділ на типи по кольорам, ти можеш бути тільки кимось одним, але якщо твоя аура різнокольорова то ти |Дивергент| Арлекін, тебе треба вирахувати і вбити, бо несеш загрозу.

Оповідь динамічна, за 180 сторінок герой вже встиг і дрів наламати, і трохи по світу пошататись і деякі таємниці дізнатись.

Все ще думаю, що така розбивка на томи це зло, бо вся історія реально вмістилась би в одну книгу сторінок на 700.
Тут паче що тут нема якоїсь окремої сюжетної арки, що пояснила б цю розбивку.

Початок мені подобається, тож читатиму далі.

Тґ-канал: 🐉 Книжковий Дракон

[Scrittevolmente · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morte di un Arlecchino è il primo episodio di una trilogia semplice e lineare nel suo dipanarsi, godibile nonostante qualche incertezza e qualche refuso (nulla che non sia rimediabile a seguito di un’attenta rilettura). Per il resto la storia c’è, è interessante. Si descrive un universo, non so quanto parallelo al nostro, in cui i singoli individui si contraddistinguono in base a un’appartenenza tutta particolare: non a partiti, non a origini geografiche, non per idee, non per vicende storiche. O meglio: c’è di più.

Se il colore irrimediabilmente è entrato a far parte del DNA, tale da differenziare un popolo dall’altro e a marcare gruppi di individui, è facile imbattersi non solo in Neri, ma anche in Verdi, Gialli, Rossi, Blu; ciascuno connotato di proprie caratteristiche e di una propria impronta. Il colore assorbe tutto: istanze politiche e partitiche, le questioni geografiche, origini storiche, il bagaglio culturale, tutto ciò che può tanto identificare quanto dividere. Non solo il colore, anche la maschera sul volto da portare in pubblico segna, individua, blinda e imprigiona (ecco le parole giuste). Non mancano altre regole ferree che avvolgono e soffocano temperamenti e inclinazioni. Quasi nessuno tuttavia sembra accorgersene o intende ribellarsi.

L’idea è interessante perché nella storia non mancano per esempio i Bianchi contro i Neri (se al tempo di Dante vi erano i Ghibellini contro i Guelfi, tra i Guelfi vi erano opposte fazioni, appunto i bianchi e i neri). In questo episodio non mancano le beghe e i conflitti tra le diverse schiere: vi sono padri che muoiono in battaglia, figli che rimangono orfani, qualcuno che fugge, qualcuno a cui finalmente si aprono gli occhi (Ashiva).

Per leggere la recensione per intero: QUI

[Daleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book. I received this book from Goodreads and really enjoyed reading it. It is Scifi. It is a story about a land where everyone is divided into various Chrome colors who wear masks at all times. The young chrome is on the run for killing a chrome to protect his mother. I like the characters of this story. It is a cliff hanger with which I cannot wait for the next book. I plan on buying as soon as it comes out.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, this is not a book - at barely more than a hundred pages, this is one chapter torn out of a book and bound separately. It is however, a very fine chapter. I just wish authors (or publishers) didn't feel a need to repackage things awkwardly for marketing purposes.

Skin color matters... mask color matters... a refreshing look at racial prejudice, and just how arbitrary and artificial it actually is.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is less a book, and more the first few chapters of a book. And this book is less of a story, and more of an introduction to a world. At no time does the protagonist have a goal. He only reacts to what the world throws at him.

[Kylie Corley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really didn't go much of anywhere. To me, it was very predictable. But I will continue with the series, because it did leave me with enough curiosity to keep going to see where the other books will go.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "blurb" is much more interesting than the book itself is. The ending was the only reason it got two stars instead of just the one.

[Alberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was okay. A well-plotted world with characters trying to change their points of view.

The only thing that slightly annoyed me about this story is the repetition of words.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this series through the graphic novels, but, like most comics, I found it too short, and the pacing a little quick. So, when I saw they were also written out books, I jumped at the chance to read them. I was not disappointed. Sure there might be grammatical mistakes, but I don't judge too harshly on that, because the story is really cool. The World is very well developed and I find it fun to read. It's definitely worth the time to get into these books.

[Shiva Sai · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall series is engaging but not enthralling. The twists are not that great (atleast for me). But its a good read. I read it for the sake of completing the series and not with the curiosity or anxiety to find what happens next.

Waiting for book 6. Will definitely read to see how the author drives the story.

[czyta_natka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nie spodziewałam się tak ciekawej i fajnej fantastyki! WOW! Świat stworzony przez autora nie jest w żadnym stopniu podobny do tego co znałam, totalna odejście od schematu co dla mnie jest wielkim plusem. Dodatkowo bohaterowie też są fajni, przyjemnie czyta się o ich losach. Czytając w ogóle się nie nudziłam, cały czas się coś działo. Co prawda nie jestem na tyke skłonna żeby wyszukać gdzieś i kupić całą serię, ale jak pojawią się ebooki nowych tomów to chętnie przeczytam 💖 Mega polecjaka dka tych, którzy chcą poznać nową, ciekawą fantastykę odbiegającą od wszystkich schematów!

[Julie]

A beautiful twist on dystopian writing

I can relate to Asheva more than many characters I’ve read. The author tells a brilliant story and I can’t wait to continue the series!

[Ana Coryedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un principio interesante de un mundo dividido en colores...
Diez capítulos introductorios y que dejan la miel en los labios.
Seguiré leyendo.

[Mehmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very good

[Anna Schermak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mais uma mulher sofrendo pro protagonista poder crescer...
Em pleno 2024

[Oksana Nikolenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Досить цікава історія. Поставила 4 лише через те, що це перша книга циклу і по суті є лише його зав’язкою і дозовано знайомить із Всесвітом.

[Lisa P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asheva's world is one of competing, warring, structured yet deceptive Nations. In public, you wear masks, stereotypes of each nation abound as does the fear of the Harlequins. This is a story of Asheva's journey as he becomes more aware of how society really works outside of his sheltered life. It's a strong start to the series.

[_fukurumi_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho scoperto questo libro praticamente per caso, vagando su Audible alla ricerca di un nuovo fantasy.
E che scoperta! Ho voluto acquistare il cartaceo appena l'ho finito, insieme ai due libri successivi che erano disponibili al tempo (stanno uscendo gli ultimi due). Il worldbuilding è molto interessante, così come sono buoni lo stile e la caratterizzazione dei personaggi. Alla fine avevo proprio voglia di sapere come andava avanti. Non ci sono parti superflue e questa la trovo una cosa molto buona... considerato che nello stesso periodo ho letto un altro fantasy che invece fa del superfluo il suo marchio di fabbrica.
Validissimo e consigliatissimo!

[Heather Langston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book and a light read. Would have liked it to be a bit longer though. The ending does provide an answer or two but did end slightly abruptly (not really in a bad way in my opinion). It piqued my interest enough that I'll probably look into the next in the near future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[jennifer glowacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read; too soon over

A plot line that keeps you predicting with some surprising twists. Even when you can predict correctly, the resultant outcome is surprising. Characterization is flawless as one hardly realizes it's being done. There are certainly several relevant themes at play. Thumbs up. I'm getting them all.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different story - I started it and didn't put it down until the end. The belief that individuals were born with different color auras was an interesting one. Societies with unique social structures based on color with different attitudes about the others was also interesting. Will definitely read book 2 to see what happens to Asheva next.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly had no expectations when starting this book... I was looking for a book to read that might capture the interest of a young man... But I found it an enjoyable read myself. Not fast paced but steady enough and a good message I think... A taste of adventure and survival...

[Janet Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The red harlequin book 1 of masks and chromed

The book was great, but it was too short. It didn't even get to a climax in the story. All the 3 books should have been incorporated into just one book. It would have read much better.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Looking forward to see how the story progresses! Highly recommend this author and this series!

[Artur Grubii · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to find some words to describe this book but it left me speechles. I loved it , the plot, the idea was one of the most inspiring to me, i wish there were more books like this.

[Audrey Cocci · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5.

I think it's a fairly original story, but it's a little boring. I'll keep reading the series, but maybe not one right after the other.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK YA title. Clearly a book designed to set up the rest of the story arc.

[Samanta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads in one breath :)