Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Sons of Ares Vol. 3: Forbidden Song

Sons of Ares

by Pierce Brown, Kewber Baal (Artist), Rik Hoskin

The third and final book in the Red Rising Graphic Novel series is here! The last two entries into the Sons of Ares had Fitchner on his heels. In the first, he was driven by love and desperation to save his wife Brynn before her execution at the hands of the Board of Quality Control. Then, in book two, Fitchner went head to head with both of his early allies — Arturius and Quicksilver. His wrath left Arturius dead and set back Quicksilver’s dream of expanding exploration and human habitation to other stars. In Forbidden Song, Ares may not always be in control. But he has a plan — and it’s a doozy. FORBIDDEN SONG is one part Ocean’s 11, one part Les Miserable, and it sets the fuse for the Rising that Darrow will inherit.

Genres: Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Dystopia

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2023

About the author

Hello. I'm Pierce Brown, the author of the Red Rising Saga, a NYT #1 bestseller.
I figured I'd write you myself than have corporate copy pasted below my totally natural author photo.

In my books you'll find stories of men and women finding their inner strength when all seems lost. You'll also find me exploring themes of love, violence, hope, and power--what it means, why people seek it, and how they hold onto it.




IG @piercebrownofficial
Twitter @pierce_brown

Reviews

[Shardblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely the best Sons of Ares graphic novel as the artwork was much improved in this one. I am glad I got to read this one before any adaptation set in the Red Rising universe gets approved, as now I have an idea of what all the characters look like. My favorite addition to this one was that we got to see a younger Kavax as he is one of the best characters in the series.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a firm stride forward in terms of the art and the storytelling. Docks pretty neatly with the Red Rising novel.

[jagodasbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

baby sevro😭

[Kemery Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The Sons of Ares comic books have been an interesting series to read and review. I'm not a huge comic book person but I absolutely love the Red Rising series and a prequel series about Ares is about as tantalizing as you can get. (Also, a visual medium in this universe is BEYOND EXCITING.) Biases aside, the actual comics are very "okay" in my mind. It was only after going back and listening to Graphic Audio's rendition of Volume 1 and 2 that I became much more interested and invested in the series.

With that out of the way, I think Forbidden Song feels like the most refined and focused entry to this prequel series. There are many more connections to the main saga during this last entry and it feels much more alive and crucial because of it. Since I have only read this one (I will listen to Graphic Audio's presentation when it's released and re-review), the art is by far the best of the three. It has definition and detail and a distinct feel where the first two entries were really quite bland or downright ugly on almost every page. That being said, it still feels a little weak in the gravitas department. It plays out like you would expect any entry in this series to go, but it just doesn't land nearly as well in my opinion. I believe my opinion will probably change when listening to the GA version, but for now I only think it was pretty good without being anything truly special.

[Andrew Rockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars—-

Sons of Ares, Vol. 3: Forbidden Song was a nice conclusion to the “trilogy” (hardcover versions I have split the series into three) of graphic novels. In my eyes, this installment was a step up in almost every aspect from the first two books.
The artwork was the biggest improvement, I’m sorry Powell, you’re obviously talented but Baal’s style worked better with the story in my opinion. There were more colors, and more distinct lines that made the panels brighter and with more contrast.
Ares continues to shine, with other appearances by
Nero, Karnus, Quicksilver, baby Sevro, Kavax and Sophocles. Another character shows up in the epilogue but i won’t spoil that…

Overall I’d give the graphic novel series a 3.5/5 stars as a whole, and I think it helps to read the main series of novels before being able to fully appreciate the story in the graphic novels.
I would recommend reading at least Golden Son before reading these, but best enjoyed after finishing Morning Star.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems the art really gets better every volume.

More background on Fincher, his rise, and how quickly we see the Reds revolt against the golds. Watching them struggle just makes the main Red Rising feel even more impactful. The death, the carnage, the loss. That ending with EO as a kid hit hard. All just really great stuff.

A 4 out of 5.

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

And this brings us to the conclusion of this prequel series about Sons of Ares and Fincher most of all. I liked how Fincher moves through the hierarchy and how the pieces fit as we see them in the first book of the Red Rising saga. This was very nice, and it was a joy to read about Fincher's life. The art continues the same format, and it's striking if nothing else. Overall, I enjoyed the series, and I will be continuing my read through of the Red Rising Saga, and then will just Keep on Reading.

I have always loved comics, and I can, and I have. I love comics to bits; may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and I hope you will always love it. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics, Mangas, Mahwas, and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.

[Sheeb ⚔️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little all over the place at first, not as well structured as the first 2. Shows Ares’ infiltration of the red mines that led to Eo’s radicalization.

Still a fun read !

[Benji Glaab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll jump at any chance to get back into the Red Rising world. I loved this prequel trilogy and we finally see things come full circle to the beginnings of book 1.

The production of this series looks a little shaky from the outside. There were some large time gaps between volumes. This book changes things up a but where Brown came up with the story but was scripted by Hoskins, and instead of Hoskins on art a new artist is brought in. Considering how rough the fist two books looked can't say I'm complaining, however the writing wasn't as snappy.

Overall would definitely read these after you have completed the first trilogy to add some context to the uprisings origin.

[Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout the course of this series, it’s only ever hinted to—the sacrifice that was required to make the Rising possible. It’s not a particularly unique storytelling tactic, pointing to days gone by. But with these prequels, we’re given depth that feels justified instead of forced. I’m glad PB dove into Fitchner with these stories, and the value they add to the series is immense.

[Dustin (dragonarmybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There we go.

Red Rising: Sons of Ares and Red Rising: Sons of Ares, Vol. 2: Wrath are not great (and that's being nice). Finally, with the last entry in the prequel graphic novel series, Forbidden Song gets it so right.

Changing the illustrator changed everything and I don't know how. The story is better. The dialogue is better. The characters are better. The motivations are better. And, of course, the artwork is eons better than the first two attempts. Seriously, this is the only one of the three worth looking at. I LOVED the grittier, more realistic graphics. The story of the formation of the Rising is retold in excellent fashion. It's just a great entry in an otherwise lackluster prequel series to one of my favorite series of all time.

Don't start here. Read Red Rising first. And once you've become hooked on it (and completed the first trilogy), feel free to come back and journey through the graphic novels. Your eyes might bleed on the first two volumes, but the third gets it really right.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art style isn’t my favorite, but I love that the dialogue boxes for all of the characters are the same color as the character (i.e, Fitchner’s speech is gold, Ryanna is red, etc). It’s the little details that make this prequel to the Red Rising series truly special. I have loved getting Ares backstory.

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

the art was MUCH better in this volume versus the first two; you could actually see the emotions on the characters’ faces. i wish the first two volumes had the same art style as the third, but nonetheless these are great additions to the series.

[Anastacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

we love a good origin story

[Amy Riccio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm only reading these to have the fullest red rising experience possible, but I realllllly don't like comics.

[Nick Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little hard to follow due to there not being chapters, but I can’t give anything from the Red Rising series less than 4 stars 😂

[Eduarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!! Yes!! Yes!!

It is safe to say, that whatever Pierce Brown puts out in the Red Rising saga, I will devour and enjoy it immensely.

[Joel Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Art is much better than the previous volumes, and the story is very well paced. A great conclusion.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️: 5/5

I’ve been really missing the Red Rising universe, and really enjoyed getting back to it

It’s so much fun to see characters I’ve already grown to love but way before I ever met them

I know the epilogue shouldn’t have been shocking but WOW

[Tessa Aldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Hannah (The Book Snek) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, what's not to love, Boyo?

[El · Rating 5 out of 5]

What am I gonna do??? Not rate it five stars???

[pee-bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was much better, almost a 4 but not quite...

[Kyle Murdock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5; The artwork is much improved over the previous volumes and aids incredibly to the storytelling.

[Chris Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

I can’t believe it, a Sons of Ares volume that’s actually good???

Look I adore Red Rising. Easily my favorite SFF series I’ve read in a decade. But the first two volumes of the prequel comics were ok at best, borderline terrible at worst.

But this volume is different. There is some depth, decent emotional stakes, and some further character work on Fitcher. There’s also a ton of appearances from fan favorites, which was noticeably missing in volume 2.

I love seeing some of these people again. They really do enhance the story so much. There was also a good emotional twist in the climax that is definitely worthy of the Red Rising name.

This book also potentially sets up some things we may see by the main series end. We are definitely going to Quicksilver’s city, and I now suspect that a certain character from Fitchner’s past may show up as well.

The art is also the best of the three. Much better than the borderline terrible art from volume 2.

[Lara Bone · Rating 5 out of 5]

⛓️‍💥💔
“Everyone gets to be a martyr except you is that it?”

SOMEONE CALL ME AN AMBULANCE-

[Anna Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Red Rising series, or are currently reading it and have already finished Morning Star, I highly recommend picking up this series. The Sons of Ares graphic novels shine light on the events leading up to the founding of the Sons and the early years of the cause.

Volume 3 has a design change, and the art style is noticeably different, in a good way. I really enjoyed the new design of the characters as it gives a more detailed look to faces and backgrounds. The color castes are a lot more pronounced and easier to identify in this version, too.

This volume is full of action, detailing the events of what I would consider to be the core battles that solidify Ares as a public figure, a serious threat to the standing societal structure.

It made me so much more excited to continue my reading journey (at the time of reading the graphic novels I was just finishing Iron Gold, going into Dark Age).

[Justin Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Mason Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters of this world are always so complex it's so well done. damn. might have to read the whole series again. ending of this gave me goosebumps

[Denise Alcaraz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was the best of all 3 volumes! And I like the art better.