A review by rubyreadfox
Red Rising by Pierce Brown

adventurous challenging emotional fast-paced

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

3.5

 A science fiction saga reminiscent of Star Wars and Hunger Games. I learned early on that I could not trust a single person, even Darrow. Every moment was a wild ride trying to guess what happened next. The characters were perfectly complex and written beautifully. I felt like I knew them well and saw them as well rounded people. The strategy used by Darrow is so complex and looks deeper than just the surface answers. He struggles with who he is and what is right the entire time. It was everything I needed to dive into a thick immersive series to lose myself in. I do think it is important to acknowledge Pierce Brown’s support of Israel and their committing of a genocide. It is interesting to me that an author can write a dystopian overthrowing of an oppressive government, supporting an actively colonizing state. I also believe that there could have been more acknowledgment of oppression and how it affects a people, however it seems Darrow was immediately taken from being impoverished to living to being of high society. We don’t see much of the people that are being oppressed but focus is on those who are oppressed. I did enjoy the series and plan on reading the second half later on but hope these issues are further addressed.