Today, we're going to be talking about Red Rising, the first book in what I initially thought was a cute little dystopian trilogy. However, it turns out it's the beginning of an epic sci-fi series. So, I've signed up for a much bigger project than I anticipated.
In case you didn't know, Red Rising is a sci-fi series set on Mars. It's dystopian but draws on our own history, referencing Aristotle, Plato, and Roman mythology, making it feel like a possible distant future for “our world.” The story follows Darrow, a 16-year-old boy living on Mars. He's a miner and a "Helldiver," which is a highly respected, dangerous job. But Darrow is a Red, the lowest caste in a rigid, color-coded society. The Reds live underground, believing they are making Mars habitable for the other colors.
The Reality of Mars
Nicolas Lobos
As the book progresses, Darrow discovers the harsh truth: Mars has been habitable for a long time, and the rest of the society started on the surface generations ago. However, the Reds have been living as slaves, unknowingly working for the higher colors, especially the Golds who run everything. Darrow joins a revolutionary group and infiltrates the Gold ranks, specifically the Gold students at a brutal institute. This book has a very Hunger Games-esque feel to it, with a complex political landscape and dynamic character interactions.
Darrow and Eo
At the beginning of the novel, Darrow is living in a bleak environment where they never see the sun, grass, or sky. At 16, he's already seen more hardship than most. Darrow is in love with Eo (his wife - yes, at 16), a dreamer who sees him as a leader in their society. She wants him to fulfill her vision of stirring up rebellion, but Darrow tries to ignore it, believing it's impossible.
One day, Darrow’s wife takes him to a secret orchard where he sees the stars and fields for the first time. It's a stark contrast to the life he's known. However, they are caught by peacekeepers, and both are brutally whipped. Watching Eo suffer is heartbreaking for Darrow, not just because of her physical pain, but because he knows she is about to do something reckless. And she does—Eo sings a forbidden song, the same one that led to Darrow's father's execution.
As punishment, Eo is hanged, and Darrow is forced to pull her feet to hasten her death (due to the low gravity on Mars), a moment that left me cringing.
Joining the Rebellion as Darrow au Andromedus
After Eo's death, Darrow is devastated and plans to die with her. He buries Eo, which is considered treasonous, and is on his way to be executed for it when he his uncle hands him his flask, which has been spiked with a drug so that he only appears dead. When he wakes up, he’s in the custody of the Sons of Ares - AKA the rebellion. Darrow undergoes a transformation at the hands of a Violet carver (Mickey) to infiltrate the Golds, enduring months of surgeries and physical therapy to become taller, stronger, and more Gold-like.
He adopts a fake “Gold” backstory, becoming Darrow au Andromedus.
Darrow Wins His Challenge to Enter the Institute
Darrow's final test to enter the institute involves being thrown naked into a room with another student, where only one can survive. He is pitted against Julian of House Bellona, who seems sweet and innocent. After a short but desperate fight, Darrow killed Julian. Darrow leaves this fight shaken, and this act sets the stage for a brutal competition at the institute, where students are dropped into a planet-like arena and must fight to become the Primus, the leader of a brutal “survival of the fittest” game.
Darrow doesn’t share who he killed because Julian’s brother, Cassius au Bellona, has made it through his own challenge. Darrow allows Cassius to believe that Titus killed Julian.
Survival and Betrayal
Wyatt Simpson
Darrow is placed in House Mars and has to face off against other students in their own Roman mythology-based houses (House Diana, House Minerva, House Jupiter, House Pluto, and House Apollo). Darrow does well in the game, becoming a leader, but he faces tough decisions, such as how to deal with Titus, another student who Darrow suspects is also a Red. Darrow ultimately kills Titus, fearing his own cover will be blown. Shortly after, Cassius challenges Darrow to a duel after discovering Darrow was the one who actually killed Julian. Cassius leaves Darrow for dead.
Darrow survives, with the help of Mustang (Virginia au Augustus), a character who Darrow is interested in romantically, though he still hasn’t let go of Eo.
He learns that the game is rigged in favor of certain students, with an influential Gold, Nero au Augustus (second only to the Sovereign, Octavia au Lune), pulling strings for his son, Adrius au Augustus, which fuels Darrow’s determination to win. He begins making strategic moves, building an army, and positioning himself for the final battle.
The Final Battle
As the game progresses, Darrow discovers that Mustang is the twin sister of the Jackal, a key antagonist. Despite this, Mustang helps Darrow, and together they overthrow the proctors who have been manipulating the game. Darrow kills proctor Apollo and emerges as the Primus and is recruited by the arch-governor, the very man responsible for Eo's death.
Conclusion
Bryan Goff
We spent so much time in this book playing the Hunger Games-like game, which lasted a full year. While there are a few moments throughout the book that gave a few humorous moments (namely Pax au Telemanus and Sevro made me laugh), overall this was a dark book. However, I was hooked the entire time, and I was prepared to launch into the next one immediately.
At the end of the book, Darrow realizes he hasn't moved on from Eo, even though she's been gone longer than they were married. This realization sets the stage for his continued journey in Golden Son. I really have six more books to get through, and while I started Golden Son a year ago, I didn't finish it. But I've heard so many good things about this series that I'm determined to make it through this time. Stay tuned to see if Darrow cuts down the Golds so that Reds across the solar system can be born free and choose their own paths.