camillac's profile picture

camillac 's review for:

Red Rising by Pierce Brown
3.75
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Red Rising starts off slowly, and I found myself tempted to put it down during the first half. However, that initial sluggishness serves a purpose, laying a crucial foundation for understanding Darrow's motivations and driving forces throughout the rest of the story. Pierce Brown has crafted a complex and immersive world, but in the first half, the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, serving mostly as tools to propel Darrow forward.

Thankfully, the second half redeems the book. The character development improves dramatically, and even minor supporting characters gain depth, with distinct personalities and motivations that enrich the narrative. While the weak start impacts my overall rating, Red Rising is undeniably worth reading. I’m eager to continue with the series and see where Darrow’s journey leads.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings