Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: 5/5.
“You do not follow me because I am the strongest. Pax is. You do not follow me because I am the brightest. Mustang is. You follow me because you do not know where you are going. I do.”
There is something so special about revisiting a book you love. It feels like the most welcoming hug possible, enveloping you with the most unique experience of knowing that you will not be disappointed. Personally, it feels like I’m going on an adventure where you can greet every nook, crevice, and sometimes even surprises just like a childhood friend. You don’t need to worry about whether or not you are going to enjoy the ride; you can simply take a backseat and let this story, this tale that you’ve already enjoyed, take you on a jovial and comfortable trip. That is exactly how I felt opening up the pages of Red Rising. Visiting this story that I’ve already read twice couldn’t have been a more welcoming and adventurous experience. It simply was a lovely time, nothing less and nothing more, but exactly how I wanted it to be.
“I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.”
Now, you might be wondering, what elements of this book made me fall in love with this book in the first place? Well, there is something so addicting in the tale of Red Rising that can’t simply be put into words. If you are a first time reader, you simply can’t predict what is going to happen next, and each moment brings exciting and action-packed developments to the plot where you feel as if you can’t put it down. And the plot allows you to discover the world at the same time as our main character Darrow, and you can marvel at the mystery and worldbuilding in accordance to how he is taking it himself. The world broadens with every page, and you have no choice but to let it guide you until you’ve finished the book without you knowing.
The basic premise of the futuristic society is this: people are separated into different tiers or “colors” that each have their own functions and roles that have been predetermined when they were born. However, the system is more oppressive and abusive than you might first imagine: the people are biologically engineered to fit those examples, which involves severe breach in human rights. For example, Blues, who are the bridge crew of starships and also pilots, have little chips inserted into their brain just to make their jobs easier. There is something so inhuman about how this society is structured, as every “color” that is below the Golds are forced to go through torture and change to fit their needs.
“Man cannot be freed by the same injustice that enslaved it.”
But this is exactly why I think that Brown’s portrayal here is so unique. Although I’ve seen countless dystopian stories where society is divided into groups, I’ve never seen it in a lens of such brutality and intensity. As gruesome as it might sound, I loved how fresh and special it seemed despite the core premise being pretty overused.
However, there are some very shocking elements of violence and abuse that may turn off some readers. The way the Golds treat other, more “useless” colors is portrayed as akin to slavery, and even among them, violence is not something that is spared. There are mentions of blood and bruises in almost every page, and a lot of characters face their deaths. Unsurprisingly, this degree of graphic is not only applicable to violence. Characters constantly inflict emotional, mental, and sexual pain and manipulation upon others, and sometimes the way it is so normalized and accepted among the people can be hard to get over. For me, it took me a bit of adjusting to fully enjoy the story without squirming over the smallest detail of injury and torture, but once I did, it was an amazingly immersive ride. Even if you do struggle with graphic violence, I still implore you to pick up this book because there is so much more to this story than the gore. Behind those curtains, there is also love, friendship, and loyalty. Please don’t let such a small part discourage you from experiencing this incredibly unique and fulfilling story.
In conclusion, Red Rising is a book that I want to recommend to everyone who is looking for a devastating view on the limit of human aspirations and hope, but also with an action-packed plot. 5/5.
“I live for the dream that my children will be born free. That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.’
‘I live for you,’ I say sadly.
She kisses my cheek. ‘Then you must live for more.”
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