Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
2,5 perchè si sentono tutti i loro anni e perchè il setting è tutto tranne che scifi, anche se finge di esserlo.
Il libro nel suo insieme è godibile, ben scritto e ha delle scene di azione incalzante, ma ha due grandi scogli.
La misoginia e omofobia casuale, che mentre in parte è giustificata dal "la società è terribile", è frequentemente anche figlia di "l'autore non sa scrivere i personaggi femminili ed esistono solo per essere belle, essere soggette a violenza sessuale o morire".
Eo è il più grande esempio di fridging dalla creazione del trope stesso (e c'è una seconda donna morta minore nel background di Darrow, nel caso non fosse abbastanza la moglie morta), ma anche le "badass" sono principalmente definite dal loro essere belle, piuttosto che qualunque altra cosa. E lo stesso LI che dovrebbe essere una tosta e fichissima, finisce per dover essere salvata 2 volte mentre è impossibilitata a fare nulla (compreso di rischio di stupro).
Ah sì, la quantità di violenza sessuale, grazie a dio non descritta, è assolutamente gratuita. Ma la tortura "normale", no eh? Poi ovviamente vittime solo donne.
Ah, la bellezza del ricco worldbuilding del futuro.
Superato questo, il secondo scoglio è che il setting ha pochissimo senso nel contesto scifi se ti fermi a pensarci cinque minuti e avrebbe funzionato meglio o da fantasy o da più vicino nel tempo cyberpunk/distopia. Soprattutto le tempistiche risultano bizzarre perchè sono almeno 500 che la loro società funziona così, nonostante siano sull'orlo di una guerra civile politica di faide ad ogni ricambio generazionele perchè è un sistema, volutamente, costruito per dare vita a suddette faide di sangue tra le famiglie al potere.
Come non si siano ancora cannonneggiate quando al potere c'è gente con PTSD grosso come delle case, addestrati alla violenza e con rancori e vendette in ogni famiglia, il tutto mentre l'intero sistema di caste sembra reggersi sul nulla se non vaga violenza (perchè ha sempre funzionato per tenere in piedi un reggime per secoli oh yeah), è un mistero divino.
Leggero il resto? Se lo trovo usato e se ho modo di leggerlo, come questo, facendo commenti sarcastici con gli amici.
Il libro nel suo insieme è godibile, ben scritto e ha delle scene di azione incalzante, ma ha due grandi scogli.
La misoginia e omofobia casuale, che mentre in parte è giustificata dal "la società è terribile", è frequentemente anche figlia di "l'autore non sa scrivere i personaggi femminili ed esistono solo per essere belle, essere soggette a violenza sessuale o morire".
Eo è il più grande esempio di fridging dalla creazione del trope stesso (e c'è una seconda donna morta minore nel background di Darrow, nel caso non fosse abbastanza la moglie morta), ma anche le "badass" sono principalmente definite dal loro essere belle, piuttosto che qualunque altra cosa. E lo stesso LI che dovrebbe essere una tosta e fichissima, finisce per dover essere salvata 2 volte mentre è impossibilitata a fare nulla (compreso di rischio di stupro).
Ah sì, la quantità di violenza sessuale, grazie a dio non descritta, è assolutamente gratuita. Ma la tortura "normale", no eh? Poi ovviamente vittime solo donne.
Ah, la bellezza del ricco worldbuilding del futuro.
Superato questo, il secondo scoglio è che il setting ha pochissimo senso nel contesto scifi se ti fermi a pensarci cinque minuti e avrebbe funzionato meglio o da fantasy o da più vicino nel tempo cyberpunk/distopia. Soprattutto le tempistiche risultano bizzarre perchè sono almeno 500 che la loro società funziona così, nonostante siano sull'orlo di una guerra civile politica di faide ad ogni ricambio generazionele perchè è un sistema, volutamente, costruito per dare vita a suddette faide di sangue tra le famiglie al potere.
Come non si siano ancora cannonneggiate quando al potere c'è gente con PTSD grosso come delle case, addestrati alla violenza e con rancori e vendette in ogni famiglia, il tutto mentre l'intero sistema di caste sembra reggersi sul nulla se non vaga violenza (perchè ha sempre funzionato per tenere in piedi un reggime per secoli oh yeah), è un mistero divino.
Leggero il resto? Se lo trovo usato e se ho modo di leggerlo, come questo, facendo commenti sarcastici con gli amici.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Cannibalism, War
La misoginia es fuerte en este libro.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have so many conflicting feels about this book.
Potential spoilers and TW for r*pe mention
Overall I enjoyed Red Rising, I liked the setting and the overall story. I don't think it's saying something new or really adding anything of value other than entertainment to the world and sometimes that's ok.
There were multiple times where I felt uncomfortable with the clear misogyny that I don't even know if the author is aware he has written. I admit that it was written 10 years ago but I thought even then that the insult of doing something "like a girl" was outdated. Also to me it feels like there is an undertone of casual homophobia.
Essentially all of the main cast are insufferable and the fact that one character's attempted r*pe of another is so quickly moved on from is hard to swallow, especially since beginning book 2 and realising that they are still around.
At this point, I intend to keep reading but that may change.
Potential spoilers and TW for r*pe mention
There were multiple times where I felt uncomfortable with the clear misogyny that I don't even know if the author is aware he has written. I admit that it was written 10 years ago but I thought even then that the insult of doing something "like a girl" was outdated. Also to me it feels like there is an undertone of casual homophobia.
Essentially all of the main cast are insufferable and the fact that one character's attempted r*pe of another is so quickly moved on from is hard to swallow, especially since beginning book 2 and realising that they are still around.
At this point, I intend to keep reading but that may change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Grief, Cannibalism
Minor: Excrement
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Dysphoria
Minor: Cannibalism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
eBook & Audio. I didn't dislike it and honestly, it was 3 stars until about 60-70% through when I started enjoying it a bit more and gained a half star, but I didn't really enjoy it overall. The writing was very good and the story was fine, it just didn't hit with me. I realized I hadn't read a male main character book in a few months and maybe I just don't like them because I started liking it most when a female character came in much later. They say it's like Hunger Games but in space and those are my two favorite things lol. But this wasn't that. This was nothing like Hunger Games. It's a different vibe with a different structure, motivation, and character behavior. It was a no thanks from me. If they tell you it's like Fourth Wing but space, they lie. Are there some likable characters, yes, but they don't get enough attention. I strongly disliked this book early on and that lightened only a little through the first 50-60%. I switched to audio to push through. I can't stress enough, I actually thought the writing was decent. Like that saying, a book can be good and I can still dislike it or a book can be bad and I can still like it. I could understand people loving this. It didn't help that when I started it I thought it was about dragons and I was really confused about the space part. But Andy Weir is a favorite author of mine so space is normally right up my alley. This wasn't 'really' space though. This was SINO, space in name only. ;)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Murder, Classism
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, War
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
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: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Misogyny
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Classism
dark
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
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!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Slavery, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence