Book Review: Red Rising

Dates Read: 07/09/2026 - 07/26/2026

Read On: Kindle

Rating: 5 ⭐️

Is it 2011 or am I just forever truly obsessed with dystopian/sci-fi novels?? Oh, a battle-school story? Oh, colour coded caste system?? Oh, political struggles??? Yeah sign me all the way up.

I'm not sure why it took me this long to read Red Rising since it came out in 2014... BUT here I am and let me tell you, I LOVED it!

Red Rising by Pierce Brown takes place on Mars in a futuristic society ran by a colour caste system. Darrow, part of the lowest cast colour, red, works underground terraforming the planet until a tragedy hits that changes everything he thought he once knew. There is anger, curiosity, rebellion, and love throughout this intense and revoting novel.

Did it give me the 2011 dystopian feel I so very much still crave? Yes

Will i continue reading the series? OH YEAH

The pacing of the book was perfect, I just kept reading and reading to discover the real truths of this society. I so badly wanted to know what was going on and WHY. Darrow goes through such an incredible character growth that if the sci-fi setting doesn't pull you in, he surely will with his determination and tactful mind.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

It's 5 stars for a reason

Have you read Red Rising? What are your thoughts?

Stay tuned for my next book review on book two of the series, Golden Son.