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A review by theravenkingx
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a captivating read! I'm thrilled to share that I've finished my first book of the year and it was a 5 star read for me. I couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off the new year *knock on wood*.
A simple description of this book is Hunger Games set in space, but with much higher degrees of bloodshed, savagery, peril, and darkness, and a touch of Greek mythology and power ranger nostalgia lol
The story follows Darrow, a lowly Red miner who is transformed into a Gold, the elite ruling class of a color-coded society on Mars. Darrow infiltrates the brutal and ruthless Institute, where he must compete with other young Golds for power and glory. Along the way, he faces betrayal, friendship, love, and loss, as he struggles to uphold his ideals and avenge his people.
The writing is meticulous, the plot is cunningly contrived, characters are flawed and realistic, and the theme is profound and relevant.
I couldn’t praise the mastermind, i.e., Pierce Brown, enough. I really liked how he didn’t shy away from getting his hero’s hands dirty, unlike many authors who treat their main characters as perfect, idealistic figures. Even if they are anti-heroes, they can do no wrong.
Darrow is a brilliantly written character who has flaws and a voice that many underprivileged communities will find relatable and inspiring. The story is so relevant, even today, after almost a decade of its release. Darrow’s journey from being a lowly red miner to becoming a rebel and shaking up an entire society on his own is both commendable and jaw-dropping.
The best scene for me was when our main character did something absolutely unthinkable to punish and gain loyalties of his comrades.
I was hooked from the beginning even though the beginning reminded me of various YA books. However, as the story progressed, it only got better and more intense. The amount of plot twists, mysteries, and suspense the author was able to pull off in a rather short book (considering it an adult sci-fi) is a proof of his genius.
Overall, it's a must read. I can't recommend this book enough.
A simple description of this book is Hunger Games set in space, but with much higher degrees of bloodshed, savagery, peril, and darkness, and a touch of Greek mythology and power ranger nostalgia lol
The story follows Darrow, a lowly Red miner who is transformed into a Gold, the elite ruling class of a color-coded society on Mars. Darrow infiltrates the brutal and ruthless Institute, where he must compete with other young Golds for power and glory. Along the way, he faces betrayal, friendship, love, and loss, as he struggles to uphold his ideals and avenge his people.
The writing is meticulous, the plot is cunningly contrived, characters are flawed and realistic, and the theme is profound and relevant.
I couldn’t praise the mastermind, i.e., Pierce Brown, enough. I really liked how he didn’t shy away from getting his hero’s hands dirty, unlike many authors who treat their main characters as perfect, idealistic figures. Even if they are anti-heroes, they can do no wrong.
Darrow is a brilliantly written character who has flaws and a voice that many underprivileged communities will find relatable and inspiring. The story is so relevant, even today, after almost a decade of its release. Darrow’s journey from being a lowly red miner to becoming a rebel and shaking up an entire society on his own is both commendable and jaw-dropping.
The best scene for me was when our main character did something absolutely unthinkable to punish and gain loyalties of his comrades.
I was hooked from the beginning even though the beginning reminded me of various YA books. However, as the story progressed, it only got better and more intense. The amount of plot twists, mysteries, and suspense the author was able to pull off in a rather short book (considering it an adult sci-fi) is a proof of his genius.
Overall, it's a must read. I can't recommend this book enough.