Summary

Red Rising, the first book in Pierce Brown’s dystopian sci-fi series, follows Darrow, a lowly "Red" miner who works beneath the surface of Mars. The Reds are the lowest caste in a color-based hierarchy, believing they toil to terraform Mars for future inhabitants. When Darrow discovers that Mars is already habitable and ruled by the elite Golds, he joins a rebellion. To infiltrate the ruling class and bring down the system from within, Darrow undergoes a brutal transformation, posing as a Gold to compete in their deadly training institute.

Review

Red Rising is an adrenaline-fueled blend of dystopian, science fiction, and Roman-inspired epic that’s both thrilling and emotionally charged. Pierce Brown excels at world-building, crafting a future society with a rigid caste system based on colors, where the elite Golds rule with cold, calculated brutality, and the lower classes are oppressed in ignorance. The story’s setting, mainly Mars and the Gold’s Institute, feels both futuristic and ancient, drawing from mythological and classical themes.

Darrow’s journey is gripping as he evolves from a naive but passionate Red into a calculating and ruthless figure capable of navigating the Golds’ vicious world. The tension in the book is relentless, especially as Darrow competes in the institute’s war games, where betrayal, alliances, and brutality reign supreme. The novel’s battle scenes are visceral, and Brown isn’t afraid to explore the dark consequences of power, survival, and revolution.

The cast of supporting characters, including Mustang, Sevro, and Cassius, are well-developed, each bringing distinct personalities and challenges to Darrow’s mission. The morally gray tone of the novel—where even Darrow must compromise his values—adds depth to the narrative and keeps readers questioning who to trust.

While the story excels in pacing and tension, some critics argue that the setup feels familiar, drawing on dystopian tropes similar to The Hunger Games or Ender’s Game. However, Red Rising sets itself apart with its ruthless intensity, philosophical undertones about freedom and oppression, and Darrow’s complex, emotional arc.

Conclusion: Definite Recommendation for Fantasy Lovers.