Red Rising begins in the depth of Mars.



Darrow is a Red, a caste of miners who believe they are mining gas vital for the creation of a livable habitat on the surface of Mars, in preparation for future colonists. But the surface of Mars has been habitable for generations and the Reds whole existence is a lie used to control them, to keep them as slaves in a coloured based hierarchy designed to perpetuate the wealth and power of the Golds.



At first the narrative seems to be standard dystopian; repressed masses, treated cruelly and unfairly by an uncaring elite. Darrow is young, with a lovely wife and little desire to rebel or improve his life even though his family receives barely enough food to survive.

But following a tragedy he is recruited by an infamous resistance group.



At this point the story diverges from the classic dystopian tropes of the underdog fighting oppression and becomes more similar to the tale of an undercover agent; disguising his identity, living among the enemy terrified of being discovered yet concerned about becoming too much like the people he despises, immersed in a new life making friends with the Golds he will eventually have to betray.



The pacing of the narrative is quite slow especially at the beginning when the scenes are set among the red miners. There is an emphasis on the Reds expressing themselves through dance and song. Songs that a much more than entertainment, a yearning conveyed in poetical form so deep and painful that certain songs are banned on pain of death. There is a suggestions that these songs have deeper meaning or significance which is never fully realized in this book but whose potential is left open for future interpretation.



As the book progress we are stunned by how stark and brutal it all is. The narrative is dark and shocking but realistic and believable. The author does not wallow in violence or cruelty but it is present on the page raw and unhidden. Although the writing focuses mainly on strategy and plot the author manages to create a genuine relationships between the characters and a connection with the reader even during the battle scenes when so many characters are in play.



The books was not perfect and at times I was mystified as to where it was headed. There was also a tricky twist at the end which felt tacked on and unnecessary.

However as the first book in a series it provided a proper logical conclusion to this first episode while still leaving plenty to pique our curiosity about the sequels.

I enjoyed this book while reading it, but it didn't really make me want to carry on with the series. It didn't really leave an impression on me.

So this is going to be an unpopular opinion but I am sorry this book is not more than 3 stars for me. I wanted to love it I really did but something just fell flat. Maybe it was too hyped but it just did not blow me away.

I enjoyed the writing and I like the storyline but this felt like it took too long to get going and in the last quarter there was not enough momentum to make me want to keep reading. I was a little invested in finding out who everyone would turn out to be that kept me reading.

To me this seems like one very long set up for a bigger story but without giving much to keep you invested. I am curious about the rest of Darrows' story but not enough to immediately pick up the second book.

A good read but not one I expect to be reading over and over again.

An unbelievably well written and enjoyable book that I can't believe that I have only just discovered. Of the half a dozen books that I've read in the last month, Red Rising has restored my faith in creativity. If I hadn't had to sleep, I would have read his book in just one sitting. In the end, I made the time and read it in two sittings and now, I suspect, I will have t make the same time provisions to read Golden Son and Morning Star.

So, I'll be upfront here, I loved this book! In fact I loved it so much that I couldn't concentrate on anything else once I'd finished it so immediately bought and read book 2 (review coming soon) because it was the only thing I wanted to read. I've also bought book 3 but am holding off on that because I don't want to get into the position of reading book 4 and then having to wait months to find out what happens next.

As I've said in another review, fantasy is not a genre I read much of, sadly neither is sci-fi at the moment, but despite that this book grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let me go. The characters are all richly detailed without extraneous detail used on those who are only in the story for a page or two. I felt like I was with Darrow every step of his journey, felt every emotion he felt and wanted the same goals as he did because I could understand why they were so important to him.

The locations, while not obviously places we are familiar with, felt alive to me, the descriptions were so clear and well-written. I read this story on my kindle and have since bought the paperback and therefore seen the map that is in it, something I didn't have in my ebook. The descriptions were so clear throughout the story that my imagined layout that I had in my mind was almost identical to the map in the book, that's how good the writing is.

This isn't a non-violent book but I felt the violence there was fitted with the story. It's also not a book with a complete ending as it is the first in the series, however, the ending does tie things up to an extent so there is a feeling of an ending of sorts which I liked and don't always get with books that are part of a series.

If you're one of the few people on the planet who have not yet read this book then I would urge you to give it a go. It might not be your usual genre but why not step outside of it and try something different. Life can be boring if we never try new things, at least occasionally.

For anyone who wants a fast paced, well-written read that will keep them glued to the book for hours then I highly recommend this one. The only regret I have in reading this book is that I didn't do it sooner.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has clear similarities to the first of the Hunger Games series but with the setting in space I entirely can forgive this and it definitely stands on its' own. I was wow'ed when I first read the first of the Hunger Games series and was equally wow'ed by this. The first third of the book was not as enthralling as the remainder but if you've picked it up already stick with it and the back story of the first third is wholly needed for the main character building of our hero Darrow ("The Reaper").
I'll be sure to be reading the remainder of the series and wholly recommend this, especially to fans of the Hunger Games and Maze Runner.
Thanks for the copy to review. Fully deserved 5 stars from me.

This book is the beginning of what is hopefully a brilliant series. There is plenty of action and Pierce Brown obviously has a unique and amazing imagination. This story is faced paced and full of surprises. It kept me gripped the whole way though and I can't wait to read more.

This book was an interesting read. I knew of the author but had never read any of his works prior to Red Rising and I am stumped to why it took me so long. The story starts with Darrow a low red miner and his wife Eo. Both young and in love work hard to provide but the system is corrupted. They never gain more then the minimum, working relentlessly to make Mars habitable but reaping no rewards . It's at this point you see the anger in Darrow start to shine. One evening they enter a forbidden area of the mine. Eo is killed becoming a martyr in the process and Darrow grief stricken end up being hanged. This isn't the end of the story for we see Darrow brought back to life by a guerrilla group. His body is changed, moulded and broken down until it becomes something completely new. Darrow the low red becomes Darrow the gold. He takes in a new identity and infiltrates a Gold school seeing up close how gold's are shown life on a battlefront rather than in a school. We see Darrow kill and be hunted in equal measure as even being a gold does not always equal fairness. Taking on the gods and winning against the Jackal, Darrow the Reaper is both adored and reviled. I loved the relationship dynamic in the book between Darrow and his wife and the way his hatred of gold's changes throughout the book as he forms a brotherhood with those who first hate him then will die protecting him. I loved the surprises throughout the book and the description is brilliant. The realisation of Darrow and the ever changing world he knew nothing of its brilliantly written however I'm not sure how this much information doesn't effect him. Also his love for Mustang a the end of the book is somewhat confusing as his overbearing hatred of gold's doesn't seem to stop him falling in love with one. My favourite character however is Servo he is such a weirdly wonderful likable character. Even though his father believes he will make nothing of himself Servo shows him time and time again he does. He also provides some of the comic relief in the books which is needed on such serious subject matter such as war.
Overall I really did enjoy this book and am excited to read the next in the series!

Darrow has a hard life, mining the depths of Mars, but he knows the score. He is sacrificing his short life, so his descendants can live in glory, when their hard work finally makes Mars inhabitable.

Unfortunately, that is all a lie.



I received a free copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.



I was really looking forward to this one, a dystopian setting on another world; the lower caste ignorant of the fact they are slaves; the golds living in luxury and excess...

But, to be honest, I wasn't particularly enamoured with it.



It is a well-written story, following Darrow, the best Helldiver (dangerous, deep-core miner) in his sector. He wants to prove that his hard work will win him and his wife extra rations, but it turns out that the people in charge have no intention of following through on their promised rewards.

This all pales in comparison, when Darrow's young wife is killed for a non-offence; Darrow is dragged into the company of rebels; and discovers that his whole life is a lie.

The surface of Mars has been colonised for centuries, and people are living in luxuries created by the slave labour of Darrow's kin.

Darrow now has the chance to change his fate, undergoing serious surgery and alterations, to become a Gold. His new aim: to break the system from within.



The quickest way for him to earn a place amongst the top Golds, he has to go through a series of tests with other young men and women.

Once he has proved himself ridiculously intelligent, and that he's willing to kill to proceed, Darrow is thrown into a simulated battlefield, where the dangers are very real.



It's really hard to put into words why I didn't get on with this book - on paper, it should have been a perfect match.

I think I found it hard to root for Darrow (except for when his wife died). He's just an average Red. Except he isn't. He's super-smart, and has ridiculous reflexes, which make him the best of the miners. After his Gold-upgrade, this is boosted further, and he is perfect. Darrow is the fastest, the smartest, the handsomest.

He's a tool for the rebels, and never had any ambition for more than a full stomach and a happy family; but suddenly he's the obvious leader that (most) Golds flock to. He has tactical savvy and does too well a this simulation.



I also found the story slow-paced for the most part. The last third picks up the pace, but everything else felt too steady. I wanted to skim the never-ending contemplation and training, as Darrow meekly becomes a honed weapon for the Reds.



Overall, I still liked the book, and I would be interested in seeing where this story leads.

As usual, I’m late to the party. As Pierce Browns new book is almost upon us, I thought I’d see what all the fuss is about. The best thing about arriving to author parties late, is that you don’t have to wait too long to pick up their next one. Which is exactly what I’ll be doing. An excellent beginning to what is sure to be an ongoing saga that I for one will be signing up for.

Unfortunately this book was archived before I could read it.

I picked this up due to the high buzz around the later books in the series and it was good enough that I went out and read the sequels right after. A great setting, from the mines of Mars to the 'playgrounds' of the leaders - playgrounds that read more like a remake of Battle Royale than anything fun. Lots more action than I usually read, but that made it a fast-paced book which I really enjoyed.

Why has it taken me so long to start this series? I've been planning to read 'Red Rising' for a long time and now I have I can't stop thinking about it. Darrow's voice was very strong and authentic, and I found the world of the book very well-developed (and frighteningly believable). The pacing of the book was one of the greatest strengths for me, and it was so engaging that I found it impossible to stop reading.

I'll certainly continue reading this series and I'm excited that there are three more books to read!

I loved this and will be downloading part 2 very soon!

I was quickly captivated and wanted Darrow to win - although I did not expect him to do so in such an emphatic win.

To my mind better than The Hunger Games.

This was an absorbing and exciting book which kept the reader gripped as the storyline developed. The characters in the book were well crafted and their interaction was key to the storyline which moved at a high pace. The structure of the storyline based on a life or death competition kept the reader on edge. I will buy the balance of the trilogy to find out what happens. Left in mid-air at present as was intended.

In its way a well-observed exploration of male smarts, in context of awakening. conscience and well applied brawn in futuristic setting. We start in Mars where Darrow does best the toughest physical job, 'hell diving' ..we discover they are digging into planet to prepare for more elite humans .. his wife who he adores, a dancer and revolutionary, taunts him into rebellion and he goes on farther to join by political guile and physical part to forge friendships, waylay enemies.. to the top, to set things right. A bit grim and full of gruesome violence, it's persuasive .. and I'm not. normally a reader of this genre. Impressive and serious too .. but enough strong women, sex and violence to please readers of this genre.

This book was so far from what I expected it blew me away. This is a story of The Hunger Games meets Red Queen then marries Game of Thrones; it is both exciting and captivating yet with a harsh brutality at the same time.

Darrow - our protagonist - is a Helldiver back in his community of fellow Reds. He is admired and liked by his community, and he has a loving and supportive wife, Eo. She is the spark that drives him to be adventurous and dream big, but Eo's dreams are larger than her, and her actions lead to a train of events which sees Darrow placed amongst Golds. A stark contrast in lifestyle to what Darrow is used to.

I'm not sure Darrow even knew what self-inflicted brutality the Golds face at the hands of each other, however it is not the brutality of survival but instead they compete for the power for their own house. No society is perfect, and Darrow realises that flaws are not just colour deep, but stem to families that would rather put their entire future on the line if they believe they will come out on top.

The plot begins in Darrow's community on Mars, and although this time is short, we gain a good insight into the workings of life there, the people Darrow is closest too, and his family life. The story is told from Darrow's point of view; the point of view of a big fish in a small pond, becoming a fish out of water as his life is turned upside down.

This book harbours a lot of violence, but the plot line is clever and intricate without being over complex. It draws on stories many of us know from Roman mythology to form the basis of the elite ruling of Golds, and uses the characters to define and shape individuals who we do not truly meet until later on in the book, and even then only get a fleeting glimpse. This is an interesting and unique tactic, and I believe works very well.

The story itself is gripping, and although it is one of heartbreak, betrayal, and conflict, it is truly enjoyable. The writing style is not over-complex, however the introduction of some new words means some concentration is required in the initial chapters of the story. It is something I quickly got used to, and it added an additional otherworldly atmosphere. Being on Mars, the individuals are seemingly able to perform superhuman feats - this really adds to the excitement and intensity of many scenes.

In the early chapters of the second half of the book, there are places where the story slows a little bit, though this is to be expected when the novel itself is so high paced - it would seem unrealistic if the pace was set to 100mph all the time.

Overall I am awarding this book 4.5*/5. I will definitely be continuing with the rest of this series. It is engaging, exhilarating, and has a certain element of authenticity; that this kind of society, whilst it seems so far away, is not totally unbelievable.

Really enjoyed this dystopian YA book ! Darrow is a Red worker - the lowest of the colour coded caste society. He like all his fellow workers believe they are building a future for others to come and live on Mars but he discovers that is not the case. I don't want to spoil it by saying anymore! I found it a little similar to the Hunger Games with bits of Divergent thrown in! There is a lot of violence and some gore but its a fast paced gripping read. The first in a trilogy

Thoroughly enjoyable story. A story of the low rising to the top. A bit in the line of Hunger games, Game of thrones etc but has its on unique storyline.
looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

Oh my gosh, what a ride. This novel had all the emotions that you could want in an excellent story. Darrow is such a strong protagonist that you have to start wondering when he's going to crack. Brilliant.