Reviews with content warning for Murder - Red Rising

This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. I love the concept and the plot, the whacky and interesting characters you meet, and the detailed world building. It’s often formulaic but it’s a formula i love dearly. This book is fast paced, and occasionally left me wishing the author used more show-don’t-tell, however it was typically the gorier parts that weren’t shown so for many readers I imagine it’s appreciated. There were even a few key moments that happen fully off page, and as someone who loves big epics with intense battles and mind games, i was left wanting more.

Even with these faults, I ended up plowing through this in just a couple days and am excited for book 2 and 3. I highly recommend this for fans of the Hunger Games and anyone who loves world building that features the cruelest of humanity and those moments that make you go “holy shit, that’s messed up”. The audiobook narrator also does a great job, though there was at least one line i couldn’t understand what he said even after rewinding, and it was hard to tell who was talking on occasion, but overall it did not take away from my enjoyment.

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has3000's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense 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

4.5

Well, that was the fastest I’ve finished a book in a long time. In many ways, this has a lot of similarities to the Hunger Games. Dystopian future where young adults fight each other to the death for the entertainment of the rich, as the main character works to undermine the whole society. But in many ways this stands clearly as its own story.

It’s much more of an adult book. Not explicit, but it contains rape, murder, and mutilation. The character interactions and politics are complicated and ever-changing.

One huge point in favor of this book is that it’s across space. The story takes place centuries in the future, after mankind has colonized not just Luna and Mars, but most of the moons in the solar system.

The main character has plenty of flaws, and fights within himself to control his instincts for the sake of the better, harder path. He also grows as a person and his view of others changes from very black and white into more complex hues (if you’ll pardon the pun).

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katharina90's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.0

I could never really get into this. It was boring, I didn't like any of the characters, and the writing/language wasn't my thing.

I didn't care for the audiobook narration either.

Not going to pick up the sequel.

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kayadargusch's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-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

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jacksonmax12's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense 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

4.5

Hunger games for adults with very strong themes of class warfare.

Pros: fast-paced but manageable, accessible sci-fi with exposition woven seamlessly into the story.

Cons: The main character has a lot of plot armor. There is a lot of graphic violence and child death

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guessgreenleaf's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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jordyfrombookclub's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

5.0

A futuristic look at class warfare, set on Mars? I’m sold. I devoured this book and can’t wait to read the next one.

A lot of reviewers note having to trudge through the start of the book. Personally, I could have gone for even more of this world-building story. You have to really experience being underground in the mines to believe our main character’s fury. The book without the first 150 or so pages would fall quite flat.

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kimmy0__0's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark medium-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

This book is a mix of The Hunger Games and Enders Game. Really interesting world building. Lots of turns I didn't expect and they happened in a satisfying way. I'm excited to continue the other books.

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