Well. I was not expecting that!
I'm not sure what I really was expecting with this book but I was not anticipating a Hunger Games read-alike, something of which I have never truly found. RED RISING really steps up the dystopian cut-throatness except it's on Mars and it's crazy. I'm a little bit disappointed that it turned the way it did (the school/battlefield part) because I have a hard time when books start off heading in one direction and then the last two thirds are dedicated to something totally different. That being said, I really did enjoy it. It was super brutal but I couldn't tear my eyes away and there are some SECRETS that Pierce Brown is burying deep in here, I can feel it, and I can't wait to see what those are!

I'm not dyyying to read the next book because I wish there had been more in this book about Darrow's overall purpose/mission/anything. We spent so much time in the arena at school, with that being the only focus, that I'm having a hard time seeing what happens next and where we go from here. I know it's going somewhere but I wasn't quite cliffhangered enough (who says that, ever?) so I'm not jumping for the next book.

This was the first book I've read (in print) in a while that I've really been able to focus on and enjoy so that does have me excited to continue with the series! I think I just need to get to get the next book and keep on going!

For some reason, this book just didn't quite click with me. I can't say why specifically. It wasn't bad. I acknowledged that it was well written, it had highlightable sections, it is the type of book a generally like. It was quite complex, and admittedly, I've been a bit more into "easy" reads. Yet, I couldn't quite commit to saying I wasn't going to finish this either. I'd stop and read something else, then come back to this. Read a bit and still not clicking, not making me WANT to continue. Then I read a raving review from a fellow blogger, and that made me want to give it yet another try. Still slow going, but I did finally get to a point where I did want to continue and finally finished. YEA!

My reading of the book was definitely broken up, but still reflecting back, it almost seems like two different stories. Part 1 as we are introduced to Darrow, his world, and his preparation. Then as Darrow enters the school, the book did have a bit of a "Hunger Games" feel, with Roman mythology mixed in. I liked the second half better, but probably because I read it with more continuity than the first half.

The writing style is very refined and complex. The characters are very adult ... it would always surprise me when I'd be reminded that the characters were actually teenagers. They didn't seem like teenagers (the main character Darrow has been married). It is a different world. It was a very violent book.

I am glad I read it. Glad I finished it. I don't know that I'll be reading the sequel, although I'm not ruling that out either.

I absolutely could not put this book down. I've read it multiple times now, and I'll read it again in the future. Red Rising is a ridiculously good book with complex world-building, riveting characters, and a crazy sci-fi space school. What more could you want in a story? The main character, Darrow, is easy to empathize with, and his story is captivating. Sevro is one of the best support characters to ever appear in a novel. I recommend this book to people all the time, especially if they mention liking sci-fi even a little bit.

If it weren't for the beginning, this book would be 5 stars. I wasn't sure I'd like it at all, but kept going because several friends had liked it, and I'm glad I did. Also happy that I waited so now I can read all of the books at once.

Now to see if the second book ruins everything, like usual...

I really tried, many times to read this book and it just was not something I could ever get into. I waited until it came out, read reviews on it and saw others really liked it. tried again and it just did not appeal to me. Every book has it's reader, I firmly believe, just not me in this case. As a librarian, I do not believe in censorship. If I were at a school other than elementary I would carry this book, but because my readers are lower in level and in age it is not one I can carry. I think it just came, for me, at a time when I was really tired of dystopian fiction. Thank you for the chance at reading it though!

The premise sounded solid, and I know it's a hugely popular book (one of my best friends is an avid fan), but I found that I just couldn't connect. Part of the problem is the use of first person narrative (which drains the reader faster, and it's hard to maintain well). After two chapters, I was done with that. And then there was the idea that the young hero is married off at 16, which I can sometimes understand, but felt that it just didn't fit the sort of story I wanted to read. The final straw was that I just wanted something new and different, and within the first few chapters, I felt like this was just another dystopian, another young adult rebellion novel. And I just didn't want to invest the time reading the same old thing.

Wow, what a book! This started off rather slowly and seemed to be a dim echo of The Hunger Games. But it really started gathering steam and picking up speed. What an intense, visceral, twisty story. There's a lot more of Lord of the Flies here than Hunger Games or Ender and it just builds and builds to a heck of a conclusion. I'd love to jump into the next book right away, but should probably take some time to catch my breath before starting Golden Son. Really enjoyed this one.
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Review

Red Rising by Pierce Brown: This book was a foray into something different for me, which is my personal challenge this year “To Read as many books as i can that take me out of my comfort zone”.

Right from the start i had to hang on to the book covers to stop from being swept up into the maelstrom of this plot and transported to Mars. I was amazed to discover its being billed as a Young Adult novel. Its complex world building and multi-layered society is leaps ahead in style and depth of almost any other YA book i have ever read. It very much put me in mind of Julian May and the Many Coloured land series (this being one of my all time fav series, gives you an idea of the compliment here).

Taking place on Mars, introducing the Red, the bottom of society, the worker slaves, in a society led by the elite Golds. One red is destined to rise from his station, to learn adapt and grow. It is this adaptation and growth that allows the reader to experience all the levels of emotion. through failure, victory, death, love, friendship, comradeship and so much more.

Inevitable comparisons will be made to Hunger Games, but this blows that series away. For me this is right up there with the quality of Wool by Hugh Howey A book that transported me to another time another place and other reality. For those that read you will understand the phrase : Book hangover, this is what i have now, i don’t know what to read next as my hair of the dog… but it will need to be damn good.

READ THIS BOOK
(Parm)

This was such a clever beginning to this series! Though science fiction isn't usually my thing, I really enjoyed this novel. The main character was extremely memorable and intriguing and overall this felt almost like The Hunger Games meets The Lunar Chronicles, maybe? I loved Darrow and his internal flame, for lack of a better word. The author really shows a unique way in which to show that women are equal without making the main character a heroine. I loved that. I can't wait to see what's next.