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readyforit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.25
4.25⭐️0🌶️0.5💧
I can’t believe this missed me during my 2014 dystopian phase but I’m glad it found me 10 years later. I think I would’ve liked it more if I read had a copy to read while I listened, since there are a lot of fantasy-esque names to remember. I liked the narrator a lot but I had to slow it down since he has an Irish accent so I couldn’t get through it as fast as I normally do with audiobooks. The beginning was a bit slow to start, as most fantasy books are with world-building, but surprisingly it also slowed down in the middle after Darrow entered the institute. This author is really good at jerking you around with his twists and turns though I’ve never had my jaw on the floor as much as when reading this series.
If you liked the hunger games, divergent, or the maze runner, you’ll love this series. I’m definitely going to try listening to the graphic audio and reading along to a physical copy to see if that’s a better experience. Overall, I really liked the book and will reread! I wish this had a larger fan base for a series or movie or better fanart though, since I’m someone who has trouble picturing things in my head.
I can’t believe this missed me during my 2014 dystopian phase but I’m glad it found me 10 years later. I think I would’ve liked it more if I read had a copy to read while I listened, since there are a lot of fantasy-esque names to remember. I liked the narrator a lot but I had to slow it down since he has an Irish accent so I couldn’t get through it as fast as I normally do with audiobooks. The beginning was a bit slow to start, as most fantasy books are with world-building, but surprisingly it also slowed down in the middle after Darrow entered the institute. This author is really good at jerking you around with his twists and turns though I’ve never had my jaw on the floor as much as when reading this series.
If you liked the hunger games, divergent, or the maze runner, you’ll love this series. I’m definitely going to try listening to the graphic audio and reading along to a physical copy to see if that’s a better experience. Overall, I really liked the book and will reread! I wish this had a larger fan base for a series or movie or better fanart though, since I’m someone who has trouble picturing things in my head.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Murder, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Rape
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Cursing, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Vomit, War, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Cannibalism
I’ve seen this labeled as YA but I wouldn’t let your kids read this, it’s really gory. I’d recommend hunger games insteadgoodwillcunting's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Red Rising is a book about power, and about hope, and about all that matters to being human once everything else is made perfect. The cast is messy and complicated in a way that makes you forget who you’re rooting for. The worldbuilding is engaging, but still tethered in reality enough that it comes easily to the reader. The story is full of plot twists, unlikely alliances, and highly detailed action, and I would recommend most to read it. 0.25 stars were taken off for pacing and the other 0.25 for excessive use of the word “piss.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicide attempt, Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Cannibalism, Classism, Excrement, Grief, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Rape, and Trafficking
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, and Death of parent
lily_sutton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Rape
maziemouse's review against another edition
4.75
an appropriate read for pride month 🌈
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Blood, War, and Violence
hummingmarie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Red Rising by Pierce Brown. 4(.5) stars out of 5. Highly recommended for 17+. I borrowed this book from one of my local libraries.
First of all, this book is very violent, but it is set in a dystopian world on Mars, so it was not surprising. The violence was not over the top and fit in with the plot and events that were occurring.
The main character, Darrow, is very well written and has a believable personality. Oppressed and tragic beginning, pain and struggle to rise, more pain and struggle to try and accomplish his goals, etc. He is a character that I found myself rooting for as I read.
When reading a dystopian novel, it is always interesting to see how the people are divided and what “sets” their rank in the hierarchy of power and privilege. Pierce Brown did an excellent job of describing the differences between the colors and their roles in this society.
I did not give this book a full 5 out of 5 because, while I would read it again, I’m not sure I like it enough to purchase it for my library. That may change once I am done reading the series. Excellent book, recommend for upper teens and above.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
saskiajva's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death of parent, Excrement, Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, War, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Grief, Murder, Blood, Classism, Torture, Violence, Body horror, Cannibalism, and Gore
Moderate: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Misogyny
has3000's review against another edition
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).
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).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Rape
Space, rebellion, mars,katharina90's review against another edition
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.
I didn't care for the audiobook narration either.
Not going to pick up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Classism, Kidnapping, Slavery, and Confinement
Minor: Ableism, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
lillygm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
kayadargusch's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Slavery, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and Gore