Summary
Pierce Brown's Red Rising burst onto the science fiction scene in 2014, captivating readers with its gripping tale of rebellion and social upheaval. Set on a terraformed Mars, the novel follows Darrow, a lowborn miner who infiltrates the elite ranks of society. Despite its familiar elements, Red Rising stands out for its exploration of class struggle and the human cost of revolution. Brown's debut quickly became a New York Times bestseller, praised for its cinematic action, complex characters, and seamless blend of Roman mythology and futuristic technology. The book's rich world-building and thrilling plot have drawn comparisons to popular franchises like The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones.
Plot
Red Rising is set in a dystopian future where humanity has colonized Mars and established a rigid color-coded social hierarchy. The protagonist, Darrow, is a lowly Red who works as a miner, believing his efforts are helping to terraform the planet's surface. He soon discovers, however, that Mars has been habitable for generations—and the Reds are merely slaves to the ruling Gold caste.
Driven by a desire for justice and the memory of his executed wife, Eo, Darrow undergoes a grueling transformation to infiltrate Gold society. He is accepted into the prestigious Institute, where the children of the elite compete in a brutal contest for power and influence. Darrow must navigate treacherous alliances and deadly challenges while maintaining his cover and working towards his ultimate goal of bringing down the oppressive system.
At the Institute, Darrow faces numerous trials, including a fight to the death with fellow students and a massive war game where different “houses” battle for supremacy. He forges close alliances with characters like Cassius and Mustang while facing off against ruthless opponents like the Jackal. Throughout the competition, Darrow struggles to balance his mission with the friendships he forms and the moral compromises he must make to survive.
As the competition reaches its climax, Darrow must confront betrayals, make difficult choices, and push himself to the limit. He ultimately emerges victorious but at great personal cost. The novel ends with Darrow accepting a position as aide to a powerful Gold, setting the stage for his continued infiltration of the ruling class and his long-term plan to dismantle the Society from within.
Themes
Class struggle and social inequality
Revolution and rebellion against oppression
Sacrifice and personal transformation
Deception and infiltration
Loyalty and betrayal
Power and corruption
Identity and self-discovery
Setting
Red Rising is set in a distant future where humanity has colonized Mars and other celestial bodies. The story takes place approximately 700 years after the initial colonization of Luna, Earth's moon, in a society that has evolved into a rigid color-coded hierarchy. The primary setting is Mars, where vast underground mining colonies exist alongside sprawling cities and parks on the planet's surface.
Within this Martian landscape, much of the action unfolds at the Institute—a brutal proving ground for the elite Gold caste. The Institute is located in the Valles Marineris, a massive canyon system on Mars. Here, aspiring Golds compete in a violent war game, with each “house” assigned its own castle fortress. The harsh terrain of the Valles Marineris serves as both battleground and survival challenge for the Institute's participants.
Beyond Mars, the novel hints at a broader interplanetary civilization spanning multiple moons and small planets. This expansive setting is ruled by the Society, with its seat of power on Luna. While most of the story focuses on Mars, this larger galactic context looms in the background, suggesting a vast and complex civilization spread across the solar system.
Characters
Darrow: The protagonist, a young Red miner who infiltrates Gold society to bring it down from within. Initially motivated by revenge for his wife's death, Darrow becomes a skilled and ruthless leader at the Institute, where his tactical brilliance and determination make him a formidable opponent. He struggles with maintaining his true identity while playing the role of a Gold.
Eo: Darrow's wife and the inspiration for his rebellion. Her execution for singing a forbidden song sparks Darrow's transformation and quest for justice. Though she appears briefly, Eo's memory and ideals continue to drive Darrow throughout the story.
Virginia “Mustang” au Augustus: Daughter of the ArchGovernor and a skilled leader at the Institute. She develops a complex relationship with Darrow, both as an ally and potential romantic interest. Intelligent and compassionate, Virginia proves to be one of Darrow's most valuable allies.
Cassius au Bellona: Darrow's early friend at the Institute, who becomes his bitter enemy after learning Darrow killed his brother. Cassius is honor-bound, skilled in combat, and struggles with conflicting loyalties. His relationship with Darrow forms a central conflict in the story.
Sevro: A loyal friend to Darrow and fierce fighter despite his small stature. Sevro is unpredictable, crude, and fiercely devoted to Darrow's cause. His unconventional tactics and unwavering loyalty make him a crucial ally.
Adrius “The Jackal” au Augustus: Virginia's twin brother and a ruthless competitor at the Institute. He employs brutal tactics and shows a willingness to go to extreme lengths to win. Cunning and callous, Adrius serves as a foil to Darrow's leadership style.
Nero au Augustus: The ArchGovernor of Mars and father to Virginia and Adrius. He is a powerful and manipulative figure in Gold society. Nero's actions set the story in motion, and he becomes a key target in Darrow's plans.
Fitchner: The Proctor of House Mars at the Institute and Sevro's father. He plays a complex role, balancing his duties as a Proctor with his secret identity as a member of the Sons of Ares.
Titus: A violent and tyrannical member of House Mars. His actions force Darrow to make difficult choices to maintain his cover. Titus represents the brutality Darrow must confront in Gold society.
Pax au Telemanus: A massive, good-natured warrior allied with Virginia. His strength and loyalty make him a valuable asset, and his fate becomes a turning point in the story.
Quick facts
Red Rising was rejected by over 120 literary agents before finding representation.
Pierce Brown wrote the first draft of Red Rising in just two months.
The Society's color-coded caste system was inspired by Brown's experience living in India.
Brown based aspects of Darrow's character on his own experiences as a political campaign worker.
The book's popularity led to the creation of a board game adaptation in 2021.
Fans of the series call themselves “Howlers” after characters in the novels.
Brown has noted the books' popularity among LGBTQ+ readers.
A prequel comic book series called Red Rising: Sons of Ares was published in 2017.
Brown launched a sequel tetralogy, called Iron Gold, in 2018.
Brown began developing Red Rising as a potential TV series in 2018.
About the Author
Pierce Brown (1988-) is an American author best known for his dystopian fiction saga, Red Rising. He wrote six novels and faced rejection from over 120 agents before finally selling his debut novel, Red Rising, written in just two months while he was living in his former political science professor’s garage. Published in 2014, Red Rising catapulted Brown to fame. The Red Rising series has since sold more than six million copies in the United States alone.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Brown grew up across seven different states. His nomadic childhood deeply influenced his storytelling. He graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in political science and economics before embarking on a diverse career path that ultimately led him to writing.
In his works, Brown explores themes of love, violence, hope, and power. His stories often feature characters finding inner strength in seemingly hopeless situations. This resonates strongly with readers, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, who have found a sense of belonging in Brown's books. His writing style, characterized by cinematic action and complex, layered characters, has earned him critical acclaim and accolades including the Goodreads 2014 Best New Novelist Award followed by the Goodreads Best Science Fiction Novel Award in 2015 and again in 2016.
Beyond novels, Brown has expanded the Red Rising universe through comic books and a sequel series, Iron Gold. He is developing a television series based on the saga. No longer confined to a garage, he lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to craft tales of “spaceships, wizards, ghouls, and most things old or bizarre."
