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connorg1216's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
lmaci's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Read this and listened to the graphic audio on Spotify and it was soooo good
h_scharff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
dana004's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
onetrooluff's review against another edition
4.0
It's pretty gory, but not outside of what I could handle (and I'm a medium-level wuss). The world-building is fantastic, and I'm pretty sure that's what's getting Pierce Brown all the raves on this book. The plot is interesting. A lot of people are comparing it to the Hunger Games, but I think it definitely holds its own and plays more like a giant game of Command and Conquer.
I am looking forward to the next book, although I wish authors would write a standalone now and again!!
I am looking forward to the next book, although I wish authors would write a standalone now and again!!
jaeee_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Red Rising by Pierce Brown is a gripping, fast-paced dystopian science fiction novel set in a brutal future society divided into color-coded classes. The story follows Darrow, a lowly “Red,” who lives deep underground, mining resources for the ruling Gold class, under the belief that his labor is helping to terraform the surface of Mars. However, Darrow soon discovers that the ruling class has long since colonized the planet and that his people are being used as expendable slaves.
Driven by anger and a desire for justice, Darrow infiltrates the elite Gold society by undergoing a harrowing transformation to become one of them. His mission: to dismantle the system from within. What sets Red Rising apart from other dystopian novels is its blend of high-stakes action, philosophical depth, and emotional complexity. Brown delves into themes of power, oppression, identity, and rebellion, crafting a world that is both richly detailed and horrifyingly plausible.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, combining the visceral, gladiator-style battles within the Golds’ brutal training academies with intricate political maneuvering. Darrow’s journey from oppressed to infiltrator offers a tense psychological struggle as well, as he must hide his true identity and learn to navigate the ruthless world of the Golds. The supporting characters, especially the fellow Golds he meets, are morally ambiguous, adding complexity to the story.
Brown’s prose is sharp and energetic, and his characters—especially Darrow—are complex, flawed, and driven by their circumstances. Though some of the plot elements may feel familiar to fans of dystopian fiction, Red Rising distinguishes itself through its rich world-building, intense emotional stakes, and moral depth.
Overall, Red Rising is a compelling, action-packed start to an epic series, with enough twists, emotional weight, and strategic complexity to keep readers hooked from beginning to end.
Driven by anger and a desire for justice, Darrow infiltrates the elite Gold society by undergoing a harrowing transformation to become one of them. His mission: to dismantle the system from within. What sets Red Rising apart from other dystopian novels is its blend of high-stakes action, philosophical depth, and emotional complexity. Brown delves into themes of power, oppression, identity, and rebellion, crafting a world that is both richly detailed and horrifyingly plausible.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, combining the visceral, gladiator-style battles within the Golds’ brutal training academies with intricate political maneuvering. Darrow’s journey from oppressed to infiltrator offers a tense psychological struggle as well, as he must hide his true identity and learn to navigate the ruthless world of the Golds. The supporting characters, especially the fellow Golds he meets, are morally ambiguous, adding complexity to the story.
Brown’s prose is sharp and energetic, and his characters—especially Darrow—are complex, flawed, and driven by their circumstances. Though some of the plot elements may feel familiar to fans of dystopian fiction, Red Rising distinguishes itself through its rich world-building, intense emotional stakes, and moral depth.
Overall, Red Rising is a compelling, action-packed start to an epic series, with enough twists, emotional weight, and strategic complexity to keep readers hooked from beginning to end.
whelar56's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
uustin's review
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
voldemin's review against another edition
5.0
3rd reread: Who am I kidding this book deserves as any other book all the stars and I am still reeling from all the emotions because I love my Howlers family so much, Darrow, Mustang, Sevro, Roque, Quinn, Pax, etc. I saw a lot of foreshadowing moments for the next books that I completly missed and I am glad to say that this book - this series - will stay forever in my bookshelves.
2nd Read: OKAY WOW THAT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN THE FIRST READ! I'm so glad I decided to reread it because I forgot like 80% of this book and DAMN I love it! This is more like a 4,5 to me and the only two little reason why I can't give a full five stars are: I hate Eo with all my heart and sometimes I wished I had more description. BUT I loved it and I'm so glad I can continue it on!
I just finished this book and I feel like having a book-hangover.
Despite the similarities with Red Queen, which I didn't like btw, Red Rising was more bloody, more action, more plottwists and less romance. I'm really surprised for liking this book so much. Usually I really don't read distopia books because I don't like the genre and I think the distopia book are very similar. well, Red Rising has the basic distopia points too - cruel society, a main character who wants to fight for the suppressed people - but it was made in likeable and good way.
I think the plot stretched a bit in the middle and could've been shorter. And woah, I didn't expect my heart would be ripped out so many times. I need the second book assap.
2nd Read: OKAY WOW THAT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN THE FIRST READ! I'm so glad I decided to reread it because I forgot like 80% of this book and DAMN I love it! This is more like a 4,5 to me and the only two little reason why I can't give a full five stars are: I hate Eo with all my heart and sometimes I wished I had more description. BUT I loved it and I'm so glad I can continue it on!
I just finished this book and I feel like having a book-hangover.
Despite the similarities with Red Queen, which I didn't like btw, Red Rising was more bloody, more action, more plottwists and less romance. I'm really surprised for liking this book so much. Usually I really don't read distopia books because I don't like the genre and I think the distopia book are very similar. well, Red Rising has the basic distopia points too - cruel society, a main character who wants to fight for the suppressed people - but it was made in likeable and good way.
I think the plot stretched a bit in the middle and could've been shorter. And woah, I didn't expect my heart would be ripped out so many times. I need the second book assap.