NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Pierce Brown’s relentlessly entertaining debut channels the excitement of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. “Red Rising ascends above a crowded dystopian field.”—USA Today ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, Shelf Awareness “I live for the dream that my children will be born free,” she says. “That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.” “I live for you,” I say sadly. Eo kisses my cheek. “Then you must live for more.” Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he toils willingly, trusting that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class. Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so. Praise for Red Rising “[A] spectacular adventure . . . one heart-pounding ride . . . Pierce Brown’s dizzyingly good debut novel evokes The Hunger Games, Lord of the Flies, and Ender’s Game. . . . [Red Rising] has everything it needs to become meteoric.”—Entertainment Weekly “Ender, Katniss, and now Darrow.”—Scott Sigler “Red Rising is a sophisticated vision. . . . Brown will find a devoted audience.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch Don’t miss any of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga: RED RISING • GOLDEN SON • MORNING STAR • IRON GOLD • DARK AGE • LIGHT BRINGER
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About the author
Pierce Brown
Author
Pierce Brown is an American science fiction author who writes the Red Rising series, consisting of Red Rising (2014), Golden Son (2015), Morning Star (2016), Iron Gold (2018), Dark Age (2019), and Light Bringer (2023). He also has written a six-issue prequel comic book series, Red Rising: Sons of Ares, that was published in 2015.
Red Rising
by Pierce Brown
Books Like Red Rising
If you're looking for books similar to Red Rising, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
In a dystopian future, teenagers are forced to compete in a deadly annual competition controlled by an oppressive government. Katniss Everdeen becomes a symbol of rebellion against the ruling class. The novel shares Red Rising's themes of social inequality, survival, and resistance against a stratified society. It features a young protagonist who challenges the existing power structure through personal sacrifice and strategic thinking.
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card
A young prodigy is recruited into a military training program to fight an alien threat. The story follows Ender Wiggin as he navigates complex strategic challenges and psychological warfare. Like Red Rising, it features a young protagonist in a hierarchical system who must overcome brutal challenges. The book explores themes of leadership, manipulation, and survival in a high-stakes environment.
Scythe
Neal Shusterman
In a world where death has been conquered, selected individuals must perform population control through sanctioned killing. Two apprentice scythes navigate the moral complexities of their role. Like Red Rising, the novel explores themes of social control, individual choice, and challenging established systems. The protagonists must make difficult moral decisions in a structured society.
Wool
Hugh Howey
In a post-apocalyptic world, people live in a massive underground silo with strict social rules. The story follows characters who challenge the established order and seek the truth about their environment. Similar to Red Rising, the novel explores themes of social hierarchy, rebellion, and the struggle against oppressive leadership. The protagonist must navigate complex political and social challenges.
Skyward
Brandon Sanderson
A young woman dreams of becoming a pilot and defending her people against alien threats. She must overcome social barriers and personal challenges to achieve her goal. Like Red Rising, the novel features a determined protagonist fighting against a restrictive social system. The book explores themes of individual potential, rebellion, and challenging established norms.
Legend
Marie Lu
In a dystopian society, two teenagers from opposite sides of the social spectrum become entangled in a larger conflict. Day, a criminal, and June, a prodigy, must work together to uncover government corruption. The book shares Red Rising's themes of social inequality, rebellion, and individual agency. It features young protagonists who challenge the existing power structure.
Divergent
Veronica Roth
In a society divided into distinct factions based on personality traits, Tris Prior discovers she doesn't fit into any single category. She must navigate a complex social system while uncovering dangerous political secrets. Similar to Red Rising, the book explores themes of social stratification, rebellion, and individual identity. The protagonist must challenge the existing system and fight against oppressive leadership.
Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard
In a world divided by blood color, a lower-class girl discovers she has special abilities that challenge the existing social hierarchy. She must navigate a dangerous political landscape while fighting for change. Similar to Red Rising, the book explores themes of social stratification, rebellion, and individual power. The protagonist uses her unique abilities to challenge the ruling class.
The Maze Runner
James Dashner
A group of teenagers are trapped in a mysterious maze with no memory of their past. They must work together to escape and uncover the truth about their situation. Like Red Rising, the novel features a young protagonist in a controlled environment who must use strategy and determination to survive. The book explores themes of survival, leadership, and challenging an oppressive system.
The 5th Wave
Rick Yancey
During an alien invasion, a teenage girl must survive in a world devastated by multiple waves of attacks. She navigates a dangerous landscape while fighting for survival. Similar to Red Rising, the novel features a young protagonist facing extreme challenges in a hostile environment. The book explores themes of survival, resilience, and individual determination.
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