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aschmitttyy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Torture, Slavery, War, and Gore
Minor: Sexual assault and Cannibalism
qgg's review against another edition
4.5
The story in Red Rising is far more complex than Hunger Games (the book this one seems most often compared to) if you ask me. Darrow has grown older than his actual years in hunger and want, but the betrayal of reality is sharp. Eo’s dream cut deep and it’s felt through the writing. He’s not confused in a love triangle for 3 books. And the systemic imbalance of power spans not a continent but a freaking solar system. The body modifications and technology are not for fashion but for brute force (plus unattainable beauty standards).
And the institute or “school” that is referenced is unlike any seen before in YA books. This is closer to Game of Thrones—gore, piss, filth, and r*pe off scene. When “students” sometimes wear animal carcasses before battle, you can’t compare the book to others out there.
The audiobook is truly excellent.
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Medical trauma, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, War, Body horror, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Violence
themetalotaku's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death, Slavery, and Child death
Minor: Cannibalism, Rape, and Sexual violence
bookfulthoughts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
“I am the spark that will set the worlds afire. I am the hammer that cracks the chains.”
I really liked this one! The story was extremely well written and interesting. The world building was excellent and extremely detailed. I was able to visualize exactly what was happening and what everyone looked like! I like that the plot was never lost in the storytelling and this book sets up for the rest of the books in the series perfectly. I do believe that I can see this book becoming a classic in the near future. I loved the concept of the color classism and how that was presented. In my opinion, that was a unique aspect of the story. I also loved that Darrow wasn’t perfect! I he has many flaws but that’s what makes this book good. It gives his character room to grow and develop in complexity.
My reasoning for not giving it 5 stars. Personally, in certain parts of the book it was very reminiscent of the Hunger Games. Having inspiration is fine and I have no problem with that. I’m not sure if it's just me but some scenes felt too familiar. Another thing I took points off for was the fact that I felt like I should have been more emotionally attached to certain characters but I didn’t feel much when things happened. I felt like it was a little cold at times with other characters. Besides these issues, I really liked this book and I do plan on reading the rest of the series in the near future.
Graphic: Sexual violence, War, Violence, Toxic friendship, Torture, Sexual assault, Murder, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Stalking, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Racism, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Genocide, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Animal death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death of parent, Cannibalism, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Self harm
amacat's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, War, Toxic friendship, and Death
Minor: Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Slavery
baghaii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Slavery, Sexism, and Sexual violence
Minor: Homophobia
lthintz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Minor: Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, and Rape
meridith_bex's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, Murder, Colonisation, War, Torture, and Classism
Moderate: Rape, Blood, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Cannibalism and Blood
bex4dayz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Classism, Violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Rape
malday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, War, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence