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justhermes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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? No
5.0
i know i say this about a lot of books but this one is by far one of the greatest books i have ever read, both the plot and the characters are so well written it's simply such a masterpiece, i honestly can't wait for the rest of the series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and War
jenny_luau's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I read this book in full due to several recommendations, but if it wasn’t praised so highly I wouldn’t have made it through.
Overall, the book is action focused and primarily dialogue. I’m left aching for more worldbuilding, more detail beyond the violence. While the pace picks up a third of the way through, the depth of the book remains explicitly shallow. The labels of society limit us…..hoorah. Whether its the limits of Darrow’s perspective or otherwise, it is strenuous to connect to the people and goals of the book besides what is explicitly stated.
The writing feels as mature as our protagonist - I wish it had been developed a bit more. If you are looking for a fast paced fantasy dystopian novel with room for self-insert, this is for you. The themes of class, status, power are written with sweeping generalizations. It feels like Brown is giving himself room for the series to grow and get an adaptation - a flaw I believe many recent debut authors suffer from.
Overall, the book is action focused and primarily dialogue. I’m left aching for more worldbuilding, more detail beyond the violence. While the pace picks up a third of the way through, the depth of the book remains explicitly shallow. The labels of society limit us…..hoorah. Whether its the limits of Darrow’s perspective or otherwise, it is strenuous to connect to the people and goals of the book besides what is explicitly stated.
The writing feels as mature as our protagonist - I wish it had been developed a bit more. If you are looking for a fast paced fantasy dystopian novel with room for self-insert, this is for you. The themes of class, status, power are written with sweeping generalizations. It feels like Brown is giving himself room for the series to grow and get an adaptation - a flaw I believe many recent debut authors suffer from.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
eskaywai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“the measure of a man is what he does when he has power”
***
gripping, emotional, thrilling, and a fantastic story through and through. if you like dystopian or sci-fi or fantasy books, or even if you hate all three with a passion, this is so worth the read.
i’m trying to get my thoughts sorted out, because wow. i was NOT prepared. what a fascinating concept, and the world building and the execution were so enthralling. the plot twists were masterful, and they all made so much sense while also not being obvious.
the choppy “tell-it-how-it-is”writing style was something to get used to, but i found myself loving it and how it added to the character of darrow and helped me to understand him and how he thinks.
i just. loved it. so much. so so much. i don’t even know how i’m supposed to write about it. maybe i’ll write a more cohesive review once i’ve thought about it more, (let’s be real, no i won’t LOL) but for now i’m just gonna leave it at that.
pls read this
***
gripping, emotional, thrilling, and a fantastic story through and through. if you like dystopian or sci-fi or fantasy books, or even if you hate all three with a passion, this is so worth the read.
i’m trying to get my thoughts sorted out, because wow. i was NOT prepared. what a fascinating concept, and the world building and the execution were so enthralling. the plot twists were masterful, and they all made so much sense while also not being obvious.
the choppy “tell-it-how-it-is”writing style was something to get used to, but i found myself loving it and how it added to the character of darrow and helped me to understand him and how he thinks.
i just. loved it. so much. so so much. i don’t even know how i’m supposed to write about it. maybe i’ll write a more cohesive review once i’ve thought about it more, (let’s be real, no i won’t LOL) but for now i’m just gonna leave it at that.
pls read this
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, and Violence
kathrynleereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Red Rising will never cease to amaze me. No matter how many times I read this book, I am always left surprised and in constant awe of Pierce Brown's brilliance. There are not many writers who could fill 400 pages with near-constant strategy and incredible insight into human civilization.
In my opinion, worldbuilding is one of the most crucial elements of a good book/series, and there are no worlds better written than the Society in Red Rising.
The complexities of this world vary from the obvious (the color system), to the minute (the use of bloody instead of gory), and they are shared with the reader in a way that feels completely organic and unforced.
And then there are the characters.
**Spoilers Ahead**
On the one hand, Darrow is the textbook definition of morally grey, but on the other, he couldn't be more different. He has a good heart, but it is because of that good heart that he is able to commit normally heinous acts. Not once did his mind stray from his overall mission (at least not to the point of hindering his mission), even when his goals required that he sacrifice his own morals.
I was never really a fan of Cassius. He expected respect without earning it, even while constantly disrespecting his friends in little ways. He wasn't capable of putting his goals above his personal opinions and vendettas.
Sevro is just his own breed. Utterly perfect in every way. I'll fight anyone who says a bad word about Sevro. He deserves everything good in the world (but probably doesn't want it).
Mustang was the character through whom Brown's brilliance really shown. Her unwavering logic and strategy made her loyal in a way that wasn't blind but was genuine. She always reminds me of Annabeth Chase (another daughter of Minerva/Athena).
Pax au Telemanus.
In my opinion, worldbuilding is one of the most crucial elements of a good book/series, and there are no worlds better written than the Society in Red Rising.
The complexities of this world vary from the obvious (the color system), to the minute (the use of bloody instead of gory), and they are shared with the reader in a way that feels completely organic and unforced.
And then there are the characters.
**Spoilers Ahead**
On the one hand, Darrow is the textbook definition of morally grey, but on the other, he couldn't be more different. He has a good heart, but it is because of that good heart that he is able to commit normally heinous acts. Not once did his mind stray from his overall mission (at least not to the point of hindering his mission), even when his goals required that he sacrifice his own morals.
I was never really a fan of Cassius. He expected respect without earning it, even while constantly disrespecting his friends in little ways. He wasn't capable of putting his goals above his personal opinions and vendettas.
Sevro is just his own breed. Utterly perfect in every way. I'll fight anyone who says a bad word about Sevro. He deserves everything good in the world (but probably doesn't want it).
Mustang was the character through whom Brown's brilliance really shown. Her unwavering logic and strategy made her loyal in a way that wasn't blind but was genuine. She always reminds me of Annabeth Chase (another daughter of Minerva/Athena).
Pax au Telemanus.
Such a soft heart in such a hard form.
I will never forgive Pierce Brown for what he allowed to happen to Pax. Never.
If you haven't yet read Red Rising, I suggest you sit down and start right now. It's the kind of book you'll always wished you'd read sooner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Excrement, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
mshiley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Colonisation
mayhem9683's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexism, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Cannibalism
spatterson7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
_mayaaa's review against another edition
2.75
The idea is cool, but oh my god the rape pissed me offff. It was used only as a way to try an excel Darrows progress as a leader. Every. Single. Assault. Went back to him, from characters using it to ‘show him up’ to only discussing how he dealt with the rapist and how that made him look as a leader. Also just the pure sexism against these GENETICALLY MODIFIED STRONGEST WOMEN was so annoying. There was no woman in a place of power who wasn’t written as a joke, a love interest, or a traitor. Also going back to the assaults, seriously pierce brown needs to like talk to a survivor for like five minutes. I feel like he swept the atrocities under the rug so fast, going as far as redeeming the assaulters throughout the book. Like no, just because he didn’t rape someone because he wanted to rape someone but because he wanted to have control doesn’t make it ok. Like use your brain maybe?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Violence
gracemegredy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cannot believe this book stayed off my radar for so long. It is one of the most engaging books I’ve read in a while and a prime example of the YA dystopian genre. Though most of the main characters are 16-18, I am in my early 20s and felt it was great for my age.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Rape, Slavery, and Torture