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A review by jaeee_reads
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
5.0
Red Rising by Pierce Brown is a gripping, fast-paced dystopian science fiction novel set in a brutal future society divided into color-coded classes. The story follows Darrow, a lowly “Red,” who lives deep underground, mining resources for the ruling Gold class, under the belief that his labor is helping to terraform the surface of Mars. However, Darrow soon discovers that the ruling class has long since colonized the planet and that his people are being used as expendable slaves.
Driven by anger and a desire for justice, Darrow infiltrates the elite Gold society by undergoing a harrowing transformation to become one of them. His mission: to dismantle the system from within. What sets Red Rising apart from other dystopian novels is its blend of high-stakes action, philosophical depth, and emotional complexity. Brown delves into themes of power, oppression, identity, and rebellion, crafting a world that is both richly detailed and horrifyingly plausible.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, combining the visceral, gladiator-style battles within the Golds’ brutal training academies with intricate political maneuvering. Darrow’s journey from oppressed to infiltrator offers a tense psychological struggle as well, as he must hide his true identity and learn to navigate the ruthless world of the Golds. The supporting characters, especially the fellow Golds he meets, are morally ambiguous, adding complexity to the story.
Brown’s prose is sharp and energetic, and his characters—especially Darrow—are complex, flawed, and driven by their circumstances. Though some of the plot elements may feel familiar to fans of dystopian fiction, Red Rising distinguishes itself through its rich world-building, intense emotional stakes, and moral depth.
Overall, Red Rising is a compelling, action-packed start to an epic series, with enough twists, emotional weight, and strategic complexity to keep readers hooked from beginning to end.
Driven by anger and a desire for justice, Darrow infiltrates the elite Gold society by undergoing a harrowing transformation to become one of them. His mission: to dismantle the system from within. What sets Red Rising apart from other dystopian novels is its blend of high-stakes action, philosophical depth, and emotional complexity. Brown delves into themes of power, oppression, identity, and rebellion, crafting a world that is both richly detailed and horrifyingly plausible.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, combining the visceral, gladiator-style battles within the Golds’ brutal training academies with intricate political maneuvering. Darrow’s journey from oppressed to infiltrator offers a tense psychological struggle as well, as he must hide his true identity and learn to navigate the ruthless world of the Golds. The supporting characters, especially the fellow Golds he meets, are morally ambiguous, adding complexity to the story.
Brown’s prose is sharp and energetic, and his characters—especially Darrow—are complex, flawed, and driven by their circumstances. Though some of the plot elements may feel familiar to fans of dystopian fiction, Red Rising distinguishes itself through its rich world-building, intense emotional stakes, and moral depth.
Overall, Red Rising is a compelling, action-packed start to an epic series, with enough twists, emotional weight, and strategic complexity to keep readers hooked from beginning to end.