Dystopian fiction is a tricky genre. At its best, it can be a sharp-edged lens on class, power, and survival. At its worst, it can feel like a recycled blueprint with a rebellious teen tossed into a brutal competition. Red Rising manages to walk the line between both.
Red Rising Book Review
Pierce Brown’s debut novel isn’t quite classic science fiction—it’s more brutal, more modern, and far more emotionally raw. Set in a color-coded caste system on Mars, Red Rising introduces us to Darrow, a low-born “Red” who infiltrates the ruling “Golds” in a high-stakes game of deception, survival, and rebellion.
Think Hunger Games meets Spartacus, with a splash of Ender’s Game militarism thrown in.
Let’s start with the strengths in Red Riding—because there are many.
What I Liked
The writing is strong. Even though it’s written in present tense (which I usually don’t like), Pierce Brown’s style is confident and sharp. It works.
The characters stand out. Despite having a big cast, each one felt unique. That’s a tough thing to pull off, but Brown does it well.
The world is intense. The society is split into colors, with the Golds at the top. The setting has a Roman Empire-in-space vibe, and I loved the political tension and class conflict.
What Didn’t Work for Me
Too much sexual violence. The book uses it more than once to motivate characters or show how evil someone is. While it can be a powerful element in storytelling, here it felt overused and unnecessary.
Supporting characters lack agency. Darrow is full of purpose, but others feel like they’re just there to follow him or get in his way. I wanted more from them.
The ending was predictable. The “twist” didn’t really surprise me, and the final chapters didn’t land with the emotional punch I expected.
What You should expect
Red Rising is a good book. Not perfect, but good. If you like fast-paced action, sci-fi worlds with deep class systems, and rebellion stories, it’s worth reading. Just be prepared for some dark themes and heavy moments.
Book Suggestions: 5 Books like Red Rising
If Red Rising left you craving more stories filled with rebellion, high-stakes strategy, and gritty dystopian worlds, you’re in the right place.
Here are five incredible books like red rising that tap into the same raw intensity, emotional depth, and revolutionary spirit.
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
You probably saw this coming—but with good reason.
Set in a future where the wealthy Capitol forces kids to fight to the death on live TV, this modern dystopian classic follows Katniss Everdeen as she becomes the face of a growing rebellion.
Why it’s a must-read:
If you were hooked by Darrow’s rise from the mines to a revolutionary icon, Katniss’s journey will feel just as gripping. Both stories explore survival, injustice, and the emotional toll of fighting back.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)
2. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender Wiggin, a gifted child, is sent to a space-based Battle School to prepare for war against an alien race.
But the war games he plays are more real—and more twisted—than he ever imagined.
What makes it great:
Like Darrow, Ender is a strategic genius pushed to the edge in a system built on manipulation and control. This one dives deep into leadership, morality, and what it means to be a weapon for someone else’s war.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5)
3. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Death has been eliminated, and now “Scythes” are tasked with controlling the population.
Two teens are chosen to train as Scythes and soon uncover the rot beneath their seemingly perfect world.
Why it’s like Red Rising:
Scythe is full of brutal training, moral dilemmas, and characters forced to question the system they’ve been pulled into—just like Darrow. It’s smart, sleek, and loaded with tension.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.4/5)
4. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Next book like Red Rising is “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir. In a brutal empire inspired by Ancient Rome, Laia is a slave and Elias is a soldier.
Both are trapped in roles they didn’t choose, but their paths cross in a way that could ignite a revolution. Filled with deadly trials, forbidden love, and shocking betrayals, this story builds a rich world with high emotional stakes.
What fans love:
Like Red Rising, this series blends emotional depth with a gripping fight for freedom. Laia and Elias are compelling characters forced to make impossible choices, and their world is just as dangerous and deeply unjust as Darrow’s.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5)
5. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Mia Corvere wants revenge. To get it, she joins a school for assassins where betrayal is the only certainty.
With a razor-sharp wit and a gift for manipulating shadows, Mia’s journey is as bloody as it is brilliant.
Why it’s a great fit:
It’s darker and more stylized than Red Rising, but if you liked the brutal training, deadly politics, and a smart antihero clawing her way to justice, you’ll be hooked on Mia’s story.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2/5)
Finishing up Red Rising Review and Similar Suggestions
Red Rising might not be everyone’s favorite dystopian novel—but there’s no denying its impact. It’s fierce, ambitious, and full of complex ideas about justice, identity, and rebellion.
| Book Title | Author | Main Themes | Similar To Red Rising Because… | Tone & Style |
| Red Rising | Pierce Brown | Class warfare, rebellion, survival, strategy | Core book—violent uprising from within a corrupt system | Dark, fast-paced, gritty |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | Oppression, rebellion, survival games | Both feature deadly competitions and a rising underdog leader | Tense, emotional, accessible |
| Ender’s Game | Orson Scott Card | Military training, manipulation, leadership | Strategic genius trained by elite forces, under constant pressure | Introspective, smart, sharp |
| Scythe | Neal Shusterman | Death, morality, dystopia, resistance | Teens chosen by a corrupt system, struggling with ethics and power | Thoughtful, clean, intense |
| An Ember in the Ashes | Sabaa Tahir | Empire, slavery, rebellion, sacrifice | Dual protagonists fighting brutal regimes, lots of emotional weight | Romantic, brutal, vivid |
| Nevernight | Jay Kristoff | Revenge, assassin training, dark secrets | Ruthless training, deadly institutions, a strong antihero arc | Lyrical, violent, bold |
If you liked its mix of strategy, violence, and class warfare, the books above will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Have you read any of these? Got a recommendation of your own? Drop it in the comments—we’re always on the hunt for our next great read.