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deanswallow's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Red Rising is a fast paced book with a constant flow of events and action, the authors writing style really lends itself to the fast paced narrative that this book presents. However as a side effect, alot of information is left out and sometimes I found myself having to reread/relisten to sections as I thought I had missed something. Unfortunately alot of descriptions for locations/items are not present, which while it does leave it to the readers imagination, I found it also left me with little to no starting point or inspiration. The themes behind the book are really great, seeing almost a parody of what real life demographics could evolve into in the extreme.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Bullying, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug abuse and Cannibalism
rubyroses's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Red Rising is marketed as a mix between the Hunger Games & Enders Game. Like the Hunger Games the society of this novel is fractioned into classes all with specific job and varying hierarchies. Meanwhile, like Enders Game it focus more on a battle arena type school then an all out Hunger Games killing fest. Yet, even with all this being said Red Rising is a unique novel. It’s premise is fresh and feels unheard off even in the vast sea of YA dystopian sci-fi that exists.
Our main character Darrow is an interesting one. The journey he goes on is long and never ending. He’s a smart boy who is always struggling to stay ahead and often is falling one step behind but when he wins he doesn’t it magnificently. It’s the struggle that makes him interesting. Like most characters he is not perfect at the beginning and he is not perfect at the end. He is overwhelmingly human (😉).
But, don’t read this book just for Darrow. Every character from Cassius to Servo (he’s my favourite) have their own brilliant moments. The writing is genuinely hilariously witty even in the most tense moments.
Our main character Darrow is an interesting one. The journey he goes on is long and never ending. He’s a smart boy who is always struggling to stay ahead and often is falling one step behind but when he wins he doesn’t it magnificently. It’s the struggle that makes him interesting. Like most characters he is not perfect at the beginning and he is not perfect at the end. He is overwhelmingly human (😉).
But, don’t read this book just for Darrow. Every character from Cassius to Servo (he’s my favourite) have their own brilliant moments. The writing is genuinely hilariously witty even in the most tense moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, Torture, Vomit, Blood, Body horror, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, Death, Excrement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Medical content, Classism, War, Animal death, Colonisation, Police brutality, and Sexual assault
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