Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Review by: Samantha M. Siciliano

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Quick Summary:

Red Rising is set in the future where humanity has colonized the Milky Way, and a harsh caste system rules the galaxy. At the bottom are Reds, mining in the bowels of Mars for Helium 3, believing their sacrifices will one day make Mars a habitable place for future generations. This sci-fi, dystopian story follows Darrow, who quickly learns that the promise of reward is an absolute lie. Lost love leaves Darrow with a yearning for justice, a pining to destroy those who have enslaved his people. Darrow decides that risking everything to infiltrate the Golds is the only way to bring freedom and justice. 

The Review:

Listening to the audiobook, narrated by Tim Gerald Reynolds, was a treat! The Irish accent made Mars seem like a different place from where I live in America. 

***

I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.

WHAT AN OPENING! I am hooked!

***

Red Rising is an insanely fast-paced book that kept me engaged throughout the whole story. I found myself so engrossed that hours slipped by unnoticed. After I closed the book for the night, I continued thinking about what could happen next. The plot is packed with twists and turns, some predictable and others quite surprising, keeping both my attention and the tension high throughout.  

Pierce Brown’s world-building was impressive. Mars is vividly imagined with the advanced technology, strict social hierarchies and their expectations, and political intrigue woven into every aspect of life. The contrast between the Reds and Golds is stark: while the Golds flaunt their power and control - even leaving food uneaten to show self-control - the Reds struggle for survival, their lives focused on family. Themes of control, power, and rebellion are ever-present, making the story feel both epic and frustrating. 

Darrow’s character arc is one of the novel’s strengths. He starts as a confident Helldiver, one of the best, but as the story unfolds, he’s forced to adopt the mindset of the Golds while clinging to memories of his Red past. I found myself wanting more insight into the supporting characters of Cassius, Goblin, Mustang, and Jackal. I wanted to be a brain worm and know what they were thinking, how their survival, conquest, struggles, and accomplishments were going. I wish I had known what adventures Goblin was enjoying. I wanted to know what Cassius was doing after his betrayal. I needed to know what Mustang was thinking during the time she was taking care of him and what her strategy was. I wanted to see how the Jackal was a terrifying conqueror who seemed to deserve to win. It also would have been fun to be in the head of a Proctor or two. However, all of this could have potentially ruined a few of the twists that had occurred. Maybe a 1.5 book should be in the works!

Sevro was my favorite character. Sevro was able to think outside the box to not only survive but thrive. He stood out for his loyalty, resourcefulness, and quirky personality. His contributions to Darrow’s missions were invaluable, and his shenanigans brought much-needed levity to the story. He and his Howlers were a blast to follow!

My biggest qualm with this book was the sexual violence. While it may serve to highlight the brutality of the Gold’s society or mimic early Greek culture, it is a difficult topic that deserves thoughtful handling. This topic is something that our society takes lightly, and it pisses me off. The impact on the assaulted victim is lasting, and I feel like when authors use this subject in their story, it continues to normalize it. Victims must live with the pain of the memories of what happened to them, while in many cases, the perpetrators walk or get a measly slap on the wrist. 

Despite these darker moments, my overall experience with Red Rising was fantastic. The high-stakes action and rich world-building makes for a thrilling read. This book shall receive a 4.7/5. If you want a fast-paced, thought-provoking sci-fi dystopian novel with rebellion, intrigue, and heart, I highly recommend you READ THE FRACKING BOOK!

Up Next: Til Freedom Do Us Part by Seven Nelson and Aleeza Nelson