Every time I come across a book that completely captivates me, I like to come up with a catchy tagline to persuade my friends to read it. Sometimes I exaggerate, but when I say Red Rising is better than The Hunger Games, I genuinely believe it!
Imagine this: Red Rising is like a mix of Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Ender’s Game, and Game of Thrones, all wrapped into one. It’s a dystopian, sci-fi space adventure that still feels unique! I’m confident this thought-provoking tagline will pique your interest enough to at least look at the back cover in a bookstore.
Here’s why you should definitely read Red Rising:
The story revolves around Darrow, a sixteen-year-old Red living on Mars. You might be skeptical about a young male narrator, but trust me, Darrow is a compelling protagonist. Raised in tough conditions, his life revolves around mining, with the belief that his work is paving the way for future settlers on Mars. He loves his wife, Eo, deeply, but soon discovers they’ve been lied to—they’re essentially slaves while other colors live in luxury.
Darrow gets recruited by a rebel group to infiltrate the Golds, the ruling class, and dismantle the oppressive regime from within. Think of it like Katniss Everdeen pretending to be from the Capitol to topple President Snow, but with even more depth and complexity. The world-building in Red Rising is outstanding, with a society where status is determined by color: Golds at the top, Reds at the bottom, and various other colors fulfilling different roles like scientists, enforcers, and warriors.
In order to become a full-fledged Gold, Darrow has to enter the Institute, undergo intense training, and get sorted into Houses named after Roman and Greek deities, like Mars and Athena. The students must survive in a wilderness setting, fight for dominance, secure resources, and navigate corrupt alliances. It’s not just a game; it challenges their loyalties, friendships, and strategic skills.
Darrow’s journey through this brutal competition involves making alliances, questioning his purpose, and strategizing for survival. The dual nature of his struggle—both external battles and his inner conflicts—keeps the narrative gripping. The intricate plots and evolving relationships add depth to the thrilling action scenes.
What I loved most about Red Rising is its richly imagined world and well-developed characters. Since Darrow is new to the Gold society, we learn about this dystopian world alongside him, making it easy to follow. The political intrigue, inspired by Roman motifs of nobility and betrayal, adds an extra layer of excitement and complexity.
Pierce Brown, the author, won accolades for Red Rising, including the Debut Goodreads Author award in 2014 and the Best Science Fiction Goodreads award in 2015 for its sequel, Golden Son. That speaks volumes about the quality of the series.
In essence, if you love a great blend of sci-fi, dystopian settings, and well-fleshed-out characters with a lot of strategic and survival-driven plot twists, Red Rising is a must-read. It’s perfect for fans of Harry Potter’s friendships, The Hunger Games’ survival elements, Ender’s Game’s space battles, Game of Thrones’ political treachery, Lord of the Rings’ inspiring rise of the underdog, and even the adventurous spirit akin to Star Wars.
Red Rising truly lived up to its hype for me. It’s a perfect balance of heart-pounding action, a well-thought-out plot, and multi-dimensional characters. The series holds a special place in my heart, and I believe it will for you too. Give it a read—you won’t regret it!
Content Note: The book contains violence, references to rape (though not graphically described), and some profanity.
I’m convinced Red Rising is one of the standout reads of recent years. Have you read it? If so, let’s discuss it more!
