Red Rising by Pierce Brown | A Brutal, Brilliant Start to a Dystopian Sci-Fi Epic

Pierce Brown’s Red Rising is a brutal, breathtaking blend of dystopian sci-fi and Roman mythology that delivers nonstop tension, clever world-building, and a hero worth rooting for.

Pierce Brown’s Red Rising is a phenomenal dystopian sci-fi that hooked me from the very first chapter. I read it as part of my Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Club at Barnes & Noble Fort Lauderdale, and honestly—I don’t know why it took me so long to pick it up. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and layered with fascinating themes of class, power, and survival.

A World Built on Lies

The story follows Darrow, a “Red” living beneath the surface of Mars, mining helium to terraform the planet for future generations. Or so he believes. In reality, the Reds are enslaved—kept in the dark, literally and figuratively—while the ruling “Golds” live in luxury. After the brutal loss of his wife, Darrow joins the Sons of Ares, a rebel group intent on dismantling the system from within. To do this, Darrow must undergo a transformation—literally carved into the body of a Gold—to infiltrate their society.

Hunger Games Meets Roman Mythology

What follows is a brutal initiation at the Golds’ Institute, where young elites are thrown into a Hunger Games–style arena inspired by Roman mythology. It’s survival of the fittest, but not just physically—strategy, leadership, and innovation decide who rises to the top. Brown’s world-building here is excellent: complex without being overwhelming, and full of thought-provoking commentary on hierarchy, democracy, and evolution.

Character Development and Themes

Darrow is a clever, determined protagonist who sees the world differently because of his background. His perspective makes him both underestimated and dangerously effective. The story also highlights fascinating dynamics, particularly between Darrow and Cassius, whose brotherhood-turned-rivalry adds depth and heartbreak to the narrative. The book’s exploration of tyranny, survival, and the cost of rebellion makes it as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Final Thoughts

Red Rising is dystopian sci-fi at its best—gripping, intelligent, and impossible to put down. Brown’s pacing is sharp, the stakes are high, and the emotional punches land hard. Fans of The Hunger Games, Lord of the Flies, and epic space operas will find plenty to love here. I was so captivated that I immediately wanted to bump Golden Son and Morning Star to the top of my TBR.