Book Author: Pierce Brown
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This is not who I am, who I want to be. I want to be a father, a husband, a dancer. Let me dig in the earth. Let me sing the songs of my people and leap and spin and run along the walls. I would never sing the forbidden song. I would work. I would bow. Let me wash dirt from my hands instead of blood. I want only to live with my family. We were happy enough.
Freedom costs too much.
Table of Contents
An epic tale about a simple boy, a dream that isn’t his, and a complex caste system of a world he thought he knew.
⚠️TW: Mention of themes related to the following can be found in this book: graphic violence, sexual abuse, and slavery.
Who will love it?
If someone loves dystopia and sci-fi with an echo of mythology and found family, this book blends all that perfectly, so they will surely love it. Add to it the well-written, lovable characters, and you will surely want more of this book’s world. I’m glad to say that it’s a whole series, so just be ready for the ride.
If you are still not convinced, read the full reading notes below.
Where to grab a copy?
This pundit highly recommends finding a copy you can borrow (i.e., from a friend or library), instead of immediately buying a new book. Trees are generally used to make the paper in the books we read so let’s be mindful.
If not possible, that’s only when one should consider buying a new book, and make sure to support your local bookshops. And online shopping (i.e., Amazon or whatever online bookstore serves closest to you) must only be your last resort.
Happy reading!
Full Reading Notes
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Click here for the blurb…
All of his 16 years, Darrow, as a Red which is the lowest among the solar system's caste, had long accepted his role as a miner in the deepest bowels of Mars. He thinks his role essential as a pioneer to conquer the Red Planet and allow humans to live there. All in hopes that his future children or their children will reap their sacrifices.
Despite the measly food and supplies they get, he was happy and content enough with his wife, Eo. But an infraction leads to Darrow's and Eo's arrest. Their punishment? A lashing. But Eo, long tired of their life and the injustice they are experiencing, chose to sing - an act of treason according to the rules the Golds have set upon them. Helpless, Darrow watched as his wife died.
Lost and heartbroken, Darrow decides to end his own life. But he instead wakes up to the presence of other unfamiliar Reds who finally revealed the lies the Golds and every other color have been feeding them - humanity finished conquering Mars centuries ago. And they do not think of the Reds as heroes or pioneers, but slaves.
Deceived, Darrow seeks justice.
With the help of a mysterious rebel group, Darrow infiltrates the Institute where the Golds' children start their journey into becoming Peerless Squad, the most powerful warriors and leaders in the system. But living like the Golds who deceived them for centuries, Darrow finds himself getting attached and thinking like them. Will Darrow be able to play his role in bringing down a society that was built on the backs of the unsuspecting Reds living and dying underneath Mars? Or will he only die trying?
Why read “Red Rising”
With how complex and astronomical this fantasy world is, I’m amazed by how P.B. brought it to life without creating an overwhelming narrative. This is usually my pet peeve with some of the books in the fantasy genre. They drown you with so many details to build the story’s world and you end up lost – the plot couldn’t hold you anymore. But the concise yet graphical storytelling in Red Rising will surely get you hooked.
The plot was perfectly built with every action-packed chapter that will have you flipping through the pages. At first, I thought it only felt that way because I read it through an audiobook. Given how amazingly narrated it was i.e., the unique voices for each character, the songs being sung, I could have been influenced.
So I read the book.
And it just validated everything.
The author created an interesting world with an intriguing plot to hold your breath. Plus, he also managed to create characters that may not all be lovable, but definitely memorable.
Drawbacks of “Red Rising”
To be honest I barely could think of one.
The only drawback that came to mind when I read it was the struggle to sing the songs when you only read them from a book. Nevertheless, it did not take away much from the wonderful world this story will bring you to.
-The ArKivist
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