A review by bthebookworm
Red Rising by Pierce Brown

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! It’s such a thrilling and heart-wrenching story. When I read it the first time (April 2023), I did have some trouble getting into it because of the world building and language. For someone who was fairly new to reading sci-fi, it was too many things to keep track off. A color coded caste system, people’s names, places, weapons, tools, etc, all with their own various intricacies. The first 100ish pages do drag a tiny bit compared to the latter half when they’re in the Institute. Once we get there, the pace picks up and hits breakneck speed lol. 

Reading it this second time around (Jan 2024), it was easier to retain. I had to read it so soon after because I could not stop thinking about this series! Loved getting to see the characters in a different lens— Darrow’s journey just breaks your heart to see. He wants to do the right thing and go about it the right way but, he can’t. He has to get his hands dirty and it eats away at him. One of my favorite tropes. Yes, lots of the characters are not as fleshed out as would be ideal, but you have to remember that’s it’s part of a series! Plus, it’s only the first installment, there’s only so much time.
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