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A review by estellegodard
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
a very fast paced and exciting book. the story takes us through so many phases of the main character’s life which really aids in establishing his role in the grander story. I found that certain portions of the book were a slog to get through, especially when the games first commence. I did love all the action sequences and the ruses used to capture the enemy. I actually enjoyed the violence and thought it was just the right amount of gore without it becoming torture-porn.
what I struggled with most was following tactic development and the slight of hands from each house/proctor. the amount of characters and moving parts in this book often makes it tricky to follow and I had to trust that eventually I’d understand where all of it was heading.
I also think I would have appreciated this more if everyone was older and not 16 when we first begin the book. I understand they are supposed to be children and in school, but it is fundamentally difficult to believe high schoolers could act this way, and frankly they read more as young adults than teenagers. I think I am simply beyond the “high schoolers fighting for their lives” trop.
overall, I expected this book to be a bit more immersive and there were definitely some rocky patches, but I am excited to read the rest of the trilogy.
what I struggled with most was following tactic development and the slight of hands from each house/proctor. the amount of characters and moving parts in this book often makes it tricky to follow and I had to trust that eventually I’d understand where all of it was heading.
I also think I would have appreciated this more if everyone was older and not 16 when we first begin the book. I understand they are supposed to be children and in school, but it is fundamentally difficult to believe high schoolers could act this way, and frankly they read more as young adults than teenagers. I think I am simply beyond the “high schoolers fighting for their lives” trop.
overall, I expected this book to be a bit more immersive and there were definitely some rocky patches, but I am excited to read the rest of the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Violence, Blood, and War