Book Review: Red Rising by Pierce Brown
A gripping dystopian story of injustice, power, rebellion, and revolution. On Mars!
This is a book that I’ve had recommended to me again and again, but had put off for a long time until it finally felt right. Well, a few weeks ago it felt like the right time, so I started the first couple of chapters and got sucked right in.
I really loved this story. A story of injustice, classism, inequalities, disparities, power, rebellion, revolution.
I was immediately drawn into this one because it feels too close to home. Despite this story taking place on Mars and set in the distant future, some things apparently do not change. Classism, racial disparities, slavery all still very much exist. We watch the rise of one from the very lowest to the very top.
The language took a chapter or two to get used to, but the foundation is interesting.
“I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.”
The story moves very quickly - the author does not mince sentences. He is very straight to the point and the pace is fast. It’s an interesting style. Gripping, engrossing, with some really cool world-building and interesting plot devices.
This is the first of a trilogy (Red Rising, Golden Son, and Morning Star), but the story continues into another trilogy after that: Iron Gold, Dark Age, and Light Bringer. Just so you’re aware that you’re in for some really great storytelling.
Final Thoughts: Should You Read It?
I’d rate Red Rising ★★★★.5 (4.5/5 stars).
- If you love rebellion stories, this is definitely for you.
- Quick read, the story moves fast.
- Great first book of many - lots of great writing ahead of you.
I can see why this one is so popular. If you’ve had this on your TBR for a while, maybe go pick up the first few chapters and see what you think. I’d at least give it a good chance, because I have reviews coming for Golden Son and Morning Star and wheewwwww you’re in for a ride.
Do you like dystopian stories? Or do you prefer stories to keep you distracted from our current dystopia? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Book Summary
- Title: Red Rising
- Author: Pierce Brown
- Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
- Who Should Read It? People into dystopian stories but curious about scifi.
Synopsis: Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he toils willingly, trusting that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.
