Navigating Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga

Pierce Brown’s epic science fiction series, Red Rising, introduces a future where the human race has been divided into 14 different color castes. This hierarchical structure determines every individual's role and placement in society. At the core of the narrative is the story of one man, Darrow of Lykos, and his mission to tear it all down.

First released in 2014, the series begins with Darrow, a Red Helldiver of Mars and the lowest of the citizens. Events out of his control put him on a path that will see him go from the bottom of society to the top, becoming a symbol and legend that strikes fear into his enemies and inspires hope in his allies.

Unlike many other science fiction series, Red Rising isn’t a tale of a utopian society that has spread out amongst the stars. Instead, it is a world of war, betrayal, and uneasy alliances, where some of the worst societal practices have flourished and evolved. Yet it is still a universe where hope still finds a way to survive, and joy and love can still be found, even in the darkest and most profound places.

Compared to other series, like Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere or George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, reading through the Red Rising series is a straightforward affair. The series is divided into two arcs, with the first three novels forming the “Red Rising Trilogy”.

The first book, Red Rising, tells the story of Darrow of Lykos, a Red Helldiver born in the mines of Mars. His only prospects are to live out his days in the mines, with the belief that he is helping to bring about the terraforming of the planet. A tragic event sets Darrow’s life on an entirely new trajectory, where he now fights as a member of the rebel group Sons of Ares in a bid to overthrow the society that has oppressed him his entire life.

Picking up two years after the conclusion of the first book, Golden Son follows Darrow’s continued exploits as he carefully navigates the Gold society. As his reputation continues to grow, he has to be more careful and not risk being exposed as a Red. This novel ratchets up the stakes with fantastic twists and tense, white-knuckle moments.

Finally, Morning Star takes place one year after Golden Son. The Reaper is at his lowest yet, dealing with the effects of being betrayed and his year-long isolation. His work isn’t done yet, however, and his mission must go on, but at what cost? This third book brings the conclusion of the original trilogy, setting Darrow and his friends on a path that will require relying on old enemies to make it through alive.

The second half of the saga, the Iron Gold Quadrilogy, takes place 10 years after the events of Morning Star. This section of the series marks a significant departure from the first, as it no longer follows strictly Darrow’s perspective. Instead, it shows events from multiple character viewpoints.

The first book in this arc, Iron Gold, sees the Reaper’s legend continue to grow and even outgrow the man, as mankind struggles to adapt to the events of the previous book. The points of view include Darrow, Lysander, and two new characters: a Red named Lyria and a Gray named Ephraim ti Horn.

Following directly after the events of Iron Gold, Dark Age lives up to its name. It is the darkest in tone and subject matter of the series, a book that is overall pretty gruesome and may be difficult for some readers to get through. The repercussions of many of the Reaper’s past decisions and debts have come to be paid. As the author puts it, “The Solar System is at War. No one is safe.”

The fifth entry, Light Bringer, picks up eight months after the events of Dark Age. The surviving members of the Republic struggle and prepare for the war that is just over the horizon. After the events on Mercury, the struggle between the Republic and Society has shifted to Mars and beyond, as both sides struggle to secure the needed allies and resources to grasp victory once and for all.

The Red Rising series deals with mature themes and graphic violence, and isn’t advised for younger readers. The universe is built on a foundation of conflict, where some of the worst societal practices have flourished and evolved over time.

Despite the dark setting, the narrative explores the resilience of the human spirit. It is a universe where hope still finds a way to survive, and joy and love can still be found, even in the darkest and most profound places. The story is not just about war and betrayal, but also about the alliances that form in the face of overwhelming odds.

“The Solar System is at War. No one is safe.”

Author Pierce Brown has crafted a world that is both brutal and beautiful, challenging readers to consider the cost of revolution and the price of equality. The series is a straightforward affair in terms of reading order, but the emotional and thematic depth is complex and rewarding for mature audiences.

The series is currently planned to comprise seven books in total. All but the final book have been released. The first three titles, composing the Red Rising Trilogy, are told strictly through the viewpoint of the character, Darrow. In contrast, the rest of the books, the Iron Gold Quadrilogy, are told through multiple characters' viewpoints.

The final novel, Red God, is currently planned to be the final novel in the Red Rising series. In a brief interview, Brown teased that he hopes to make it the longest book in the saga. This concluding chapter will bring the epic saga to a close, resolving the conflicts that have been building since the first book.

As the story prepares for its conclusion, the struggle between the Republic and the Society reaches its climax. Enemies will become unwilling allies, allies who will betray one another, and new threats will arise from the shadows that could throw everything into chaos. Yet, as with the rest of the series, hope can always be found, even in the darkest of nights.

The Red Rising saga is a comprehensive and mature science fiction epic that spans seven books across two distinct story arcs. It begins with the story of a single man, Darrow, and expands into a galactic conflict involving multiple perspectives and complex political machinations.

For new readers, the journey is a straightforward reading order, but the emotional and thematic depth requires a mature audience prepared for graphic violence and complex moral questions. The series is a testament to the enduring power of hope and rebellion in the face of an oppressive, hierarchical society.

With the final book, Red God, on the horizon, the saga is poised to deliver a conclusion that is as epic and impactful as the journey that preceded it. It remains a standout series in the science fiction genre for its unique world-building and compelling character arcs.