Reviews with content warning for Violence - Red Rising

The adult men who make book content on TikTok dickride this book so hard I was expecting something different. Red Rising is an amazing book, but strikingly unoriginal. Tell me why this has the plot of every dystopian novel enjoyed by me and my peers in middle school. " Chosen One" attends an academy for the elite and must fit in and rise to the top. Also, a lot of the twists were similar throughout. Pierce Brown just loves parentship twists. If he wrote Harry Potter Voldemort would’ve been Harry’s dad. Not that this is real criticism, because I EAT these basics up every time, I am just so shocked no one mentions it. Still, Darrow is PEAK. What an amazing protagonist who carries the novel beyond the standard plot. You become so invested in this man and his future: his pain, his passion, everything. Sevro captured my heart too, totally unexpected. I am so eager to read the next book in the series which is insane because in the review of the last book I read, I think I mentioned how much trouble I'm having continuing series. Like I'll read the first book and love it, but for some reason can't get myself to actually start the second. Wild. Thank you Piece Brown for such a compelling novel! The world-building is so intricate I am so obsessed. Brown has really thought of everything, from the most subtle slang and habits to the obtuse. I have an urgent NEED to understand all the loose ends left at the end of this book. What will happen with Cassius?

How will Darrow's new position under the ArchGovernor affect his relationship with Mustang??? With the rest of his peers??? I am also so eager to see Roque recover and their brotherly bond.

UGH I'm just so obsessed with this series!!

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minimoose0's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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sveni's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

No one can convince me that Darrow isn't bisexual. That man couldn't stop talking about the hot honey skin, golden curls, handsome faces, strong jawlines of the Gold Men. Always describing the ways their fingers felt on his skin, their breath on his face, how he would reach out to grab their napes because touch gives words more meaning.

The bi panic wasn't the only reason I enjoyed the book, of course.
I loved that the MC, Darrow, was flawed. His arrogance, anger and at time cruelty not only made him hard to like sometimes, it made him a credible character. It also made character growth possible and had me rooting for him. his motivation, the decisions he makes, make sense considering his experiences.
The supporting characters are amazing as well. Though they aren't exactly good people, have all committed brutal crimes, I came to like them, thanks mostly to their loyalty to Darrow.
The love interests are both okay. Definitely likeable, good people. But Eo was mostly a tool to give Darrow a motivation for what he does (which I think is fine, though, because characters have to be given motivation somehow).
The flatness of Mustang's character (I can't even remember her actual name) bothered me more. While she was likeable, righteous and capable, she wasn't much more. The only motivation, as far as could see, was to do the right thing - which can be enough of a character motivation but not if they are as passive and as quick to give up leadership as she was.
Plot was good (even tough I would have liked to read more about Darrows transformation and Ares Sons - the organization Darrow ends up working for, but that might just be me), pacing was good, well written.

I don't think this passes the Bechdel Test, though.

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wartse's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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abitterknitter's review against another edition

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I just could not care enough about the characters to keep going. It was all just violence.

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mirandyli's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is Brave New World meets Hunger Games, with way more oppression.

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marciareadsandrescues's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I had to get past all the misogyny. It was annoying. Lots of derogatory "like a girl" comments. Among other things, check the trigger warnings. It's a weird book. Good plot and interesting twist on a dystopian fight the hierarchy theme but odd. Probably could've used a glossary. It was If hunger games (more gore), will of the many (with a less endearing MMC), Frankenstein and the avengers (just Thanos) had a baby. I'm questioning if I'm a Scifi dystopian Fantasy fan. Maybe it's me or maybe I was expecting more because of all the hype. The character development was good but I guess I'm among the few who feel like the world building is a bit weak. The class system is well explained but not so much the why or how. I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed much of it but it felt like a giant tossed word salad, at times. I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to finish the series because I'm not sure I like Darrow all that much or that I believe he's passionate about his cause. They should've sent Eo.

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