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Red Rising Saga Dramatic Adaptations #1, Part 2
Red Rising (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he toils willingly, trusting that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow--and Reds like him--are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so. Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects, and cinematic music!
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow--and Reds like him--are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so. Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects, and cinematic music!
1 pages, Audio CD
First published May 8, 2023
46 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Pierce Brown
60 books55.2k followersHello. 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
July 3, 2023
Holy shittttttt.
Wow what a book. Part 2 was nonstop action start to finish!
And that ending 😭😭😭😭😭😭
On to book 2!!!!!
Also, a full cast audio is always a treat 😍
Wow what a book. Part 2 was nonstop action start to finish!
And that ending 😭😭😭😭😭😭
On to book 2!!!!!
Also, a full cast audio is always a treat 😍
April 8, 2024
This half of the book was like 4.25 stars. The production was still incredible and without giving away too many spoilers, there were plenty of twists, turns and traitors to keep things interesting.
The battle sequences just got a bit too monotonous and predictable to merit 5 stars like the first half. I did not enjoy that ending one bit either, it felt hollow. I think it's the worst decision Darrow has ever made and I was Team Rage God all the way.
The battle sequences just got a bit too monotonous and predictable to merit 5 stars like the first half. I did not enjoy that ending one bit either, it felt hollow. I think it's the worst decision Darrow has ever made and I was Team Rage God all the way.
September 23, 2025
It's hardly fair to compare this to Tim Gerard Reynolds' absolutely phenomenal narration. That being said, this is mostly great. While a few voices are off, Darrow, Mustang, Nero, Fitchner, etc are pretty awesome and unique.
Sevro, Jackal, Cassius, Pax are only serviceable. As this is the first time listening to an "abridged" version of this book, the already clipped nature of the story is even more present. Now I need to go back and make sure I still adore the complete project because this one felt far far faster than it should be.
Sevro, Jackal, Cassius, Pax are only serviceable. As this is the first time listening to an "abridged" version of this book, the already clipped nature of the story is even more present. Now I need to go back and make sure I still adore the complete project because this one felt far far faster than it should be.
November 10, 2025
Damn, this book definitely surprised me!
At first I was worried this book was going to be a little too YA for what I wanted especially given how young the main character is. There is a bit of a coming of age component and there are definitely times where the main character feels young, as he is, but there are A LOT of dark/adult themes in the book. I personally enjoyed that, I think it made the book more emotional and just set a very serious/high stakes tone for the book. There are also quite a few YA fantasy tropes and as I mentioned in my review of part one this book is VERY hunger game-esque but I have heard the rest of the series diverges quite a bit which I am looking forward to. I’ve also heard it gets even less YA after this first book. One thing that I think could be divisive about this book is that it is very graphic/violent. Some of it I think was a little bit for shock factor but I do think many of the scenes drive the story/the socio-political narrative.
I will say I think the best thing about this first book in the series is that it is action packed and fast paced. I mean there is ALWAYS something happening. There is a lot of fighting, plotting, scheming, and general badassery. The author does a great job building tension and suspense. There are some twist and turns, some of them are definitely predictable but a few surprised me!
I do hope that the next book gets back into the major conflict in the world, we were introduced to it and the set up but then the storyline focused on an event that was isolated from the rest of the world so I am looking forward to getting back into the broader world. I also hope we get to know some of the side characters introduced in this book more! There were some good character relationships developed in this book but a lot of the conversation between characters was plotting or planning and a lot of the bonding was just trauma bonding lol so I’m hoping we get more character background and motivation in the next books! I also don’t feel like I am super attached to the MC yet, I’m not totally sold on him. He makes some stupid decisions though I guess what can you expect from a kid thrown into this kind of situation but I still was definitely rooting for him and his gang of unhinged friends 🤣
I don’t think this book has a ton of subtlety or nuance but damn was it exciting, action packed, and entertaining. I’ve heard the rest of the series described as a Game of thrones-ish space epic so I am here for it 🤣 now I have to decide if I am going to put a hold on or buy a physical copy of the second book because the graphic audio has a 20 week hold on Libby 😅
At first I was worried this book was going to be a little too YA for what I wanted especially given how young the main character is. There is a bit of a coming of age component and there are definitely times where the main character feels young, as he is, but there are A LOT of dark/adult themes in the book. I personally enjoyed that, I think it made the book more emotional and just set a very serious/high stakes tone for the book. There are also quite a few YA fantasy tropes and as I mentioned in my review of part one this book is VERY hunger game-esque but I have heard the rest of the series diverges quite a bit which I am looking forward to. I’ve also heard it gets even less YA after this first book. One thing that I think could be divisive about this book is that it is very graphic/violent. Some of it I think was a little bit for shock factor but I do think many of the scenes drive the story/the socio-political narrative.
I will say I think the best thing about this first book in the series is that it is action packed and fast paced. I mean there is ALWAYS something happening. There is a lot of fighting, plotting, scheming, and general badassery. The author does a great job building tension and suspense. There are some twist and turns, some of them are definitely predictable but a few surprised me!
I do hope that the next book gets back into the major conflict in the world, we were introduced to it and the set up but then the storyline focused on an event that was isolated from the rest of the world so I am looking forward to getting back into the broader world. I also hope we get to know some of the side characters introduced in this book more! There were some good character relationships developed in this book but a lot of the conversation between characters was plotting or planning and a lot of the bonding was just trauma bonding lol so I’m hoping we get more character background and motivation in the next books! I also don’t feel like I am super attached to the MC yet, I’m not totally sold on him. He makes some stupid decisions though I guess what can you expect from a kid thrown into this kind of situation but I still was definitely rooting for him and his gang of unhinged friends 🤣
I don’t think this book has a ton of subtlety or nuance but damn was it exciting, action packed, and entertaining. I’ve heard the rest of the series described as a Game of thrones-ish space epic so I am here for it 🤣 now I have to decide if I am going to put a hold on or buy a physical copy of the second book because the graphic audio has a 20 week hold on Libby 😅
October 1, 2024
Phenomenal casting, great sound effects as well, that brought so many beautiful scenes to life! Highly recommend!
March 5, 2025
The second half of this book was just nonstop brutality, politics, war. Not sure if was mg vibe. Overall most of this book I was easily confused- Time seemed to pass oddly and it was suddenly an entire year gone? 2 years gone? But what a weird “school”!? I like Darrow, but he’s a psycho. I like Mustang too. Not sure how this whole Series will pan out. But it was entertaining enough for me to keep wanting to read more! I can’t imagine not doing the graphic audio it brought it to life so much.
December 23, 2025
someone just told me they saw a teenager finish reading this (physical book) on the bus and afterwards clutch it to her chest and just, same. Same, girl, same.
March 21, 2025
I loved everything about this! My first time to listen to a dramatized audiobook and I loved it
January 3, 2025
Ehhhhh. It’s giving if the hunger games was worse and katniss was a h*rney man teen who loved himself. There was so much action that it landed flat. It was like too much of a good thing so it felt boring and was confusing. Like yeah I know theirs 500 people in this game but do I need to know all of them? My favorite part of the book was the beginning where he realized all the tea and then after that I was like ehhhhh. The only thing that kept me going was the audiobook. If I had to read this without the audiobook I fear it would not be read. LMAO
I will continue the series but…yeah I may need to take a wee break and then watch a video so I remember what I read because I am already forgotten what the hell just happened :)
I will continue the series but…yeah I may need to take a wee break and then watch a video so I remember what I read because I am already forgotten what the hell just happened :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
SO DAMN GOOD. I'm addicted, the writing is amazing, so many good scenes, I felt all the feels, got goosies, had to pause and calm myself, just loved! I havn't felt this way about a book in awhile, it's gonna send me into a big ol slump. The dramatized audio is tits! The only thing I didn't like about it is they're supposed to be teenagers and a couple of the voice actors were way to old sounding. This is NOT YA. I'm moving right onto the next book!
September 27, 2025
I fully understand the hype. This was incredible!
June 30, 2024
(2.75 Stars)
This story is good, but I just don't know if I like the Graphic Audio production. I think for the next book in the series I am just going to read the audiobook version and not the graphic audio version.
This is similar (in feel) to The Hunger Games, but in space... although the "in space" part is more of a backdrop and not integral to the story (at all). It is also very similar to the Ender Wiggins saga, but mostly in the books that deal with Battle School, and not necessarily when Ender is an adult. Although, to be fair, even though I listened to the graphic audio in two parts, it is just one book in the series, so it could change the way the Ender Saga did.
My impression currently is that this is a very simplistic, predictable story... with impossibly (and unnecessarily) complicated/convoluted plot twists and situational elements thrown in to make it seem more clever than it is. But maybe that is an effect of the Graphic Audio Production? That's why I am switching to the Audiobook for the next book in the series.
I've had this series compared to The Expanse, and I just don't see the comparison. The disconnect for me is that the characters: In The expanse, the characters seem so real... This book seems to make all the characters into stereotypes, or videogame archetypes... or maybe bad anime from the 1970's.
This story is good, but I just don't know if I like the Graphic Audio production. I think for the next book in the series I am just going to read the audiobook version and not the graphic audio version.
This is similar (in feel) to The Hunger Games, but in space... although the "in space" part is more of a backdrop and not integral to the story (at all). It is also very similar to the Ender Wiggins saga, but mostly in the books that deal with Battle School, and not necessarily when Ender is an adult. Although, to be fair, even though I listened to the graphic audio in two parts, it is just one book in the series, so it could change the way the Ender Saga did.
My impression currently is that this is a very simplistic, predictable story... with impossibly (and unnecessarily) complicated/convoluted plot twists and situational elements thrown in to make it seem more clever than it is. But maybe that is an effect of the Graphic Audio Production? That's why I am switching to the Audiobook for the next book in the series.
I've had this series compared to The Expanse, and I just don't see the comparison. The disconnect for me is that the characters: In The expanse, the characters seem so real... This book seems to make all the characters into stereotypes, or videogame archetypes... or maybe bad anime from the 1970's.
January 8, 2025
This is the first time I’ve listened to an audiobook and I signed up for a library card specifically for this dramatized adaptation. I wasn’t expecting to go through this book again so soon after finishing the series but Pierce Brown has written something special. I listened exclusively while driving or riding my bike and it was a thrill to be listening while riding. I wasn’t in love with all of the voice actors but my favorite was PAX AU TELEMANUS!
December 9, 2025
Action packed but also not really the genre for me
January 8, 2025
DNF at 59%. I never DNF books. And I was shocked at how much I hated it because of how highly it's rated on Goodreads. I just couldn't listen to this. The dramatization is great, it's the book itself that I couldn't stand.
Apart from the terrible storytelling, the worldbuilding that made little sense, and an unremarkable protagonist who I simply don't care about, this book mentioned and depicted rape far too often. There are far more creative ways to show that people want to have power over others than simply having the men rape the women so often. I would definitely not recommend Red Rising to a survivor of SA. I understand the original book was published 11 years ago, but there really should be a trigger warning at the beginning.
Note: I did not come across any particularly graphic depictions of rape, the problem was the frequency at which it occurred and the fact that it drove a number of the key events in the story. There are so many other ways in which the story could have progressed and the dynamics between characters could have been depicted.
Apart from the terrible storytelling, the worldbuilding that made little sense, and an unremarkable protagonist who I simply don't care about, this book mentioned and depicted rape far too often. There are far more creative ways to show that people want to have power over others than simply having the men rape the women so often. I would definitely not recommend Red Rising to a survivor of SA. I understand the original book was published 11 years ago, but there really should be a trigger warning at the beginning.
Note: I did not come across any particularly graphic depictions of rape, the problem was the frequency at which it occurred and the fact that it drove a number of the key events in the story. There are so many other ways in which the story could have progressed and the dynamics between characters could have been depicted.
March 28, 2024
I’ve had a lot of driving to do recently so I flew through the second half of this. Honestly, even more amazing than my first time reading this book. I initially hated the voice actor for Darrow, but he’s grown on me so much. And I absolutely adore the voice actor for Mustang. Her accent is like butter! Definitely a different way to embrace books, but I am really enjoying this graphic audio series.
January 27, 2026
Red Rising (Graphic Audio) — Part 2 Review
The second half was significantly better than the first, and I can finally understand the hype a bit more. If you love live-action movies, this reads exactly like an action film. It was fast-paced, intense, with vivid battle scenes and sudden plot twists you don’t see coming.
I really enjoyed my experience with part two, especially the strategic plans that weren’t revealed until they were already in motion. That payoff made all the difference for me.
The second half was significantly better than the first, and I can finally understand the hype a bit more. If you love live-action movies, this reads exactly like an action film. It was fast-paced, intense, with vivid battle scenes and sudden plot twists you don’t see coming.
I really enjoyed my experience with part two, especially the strategic plans that weren’t revealed until they were already in motion. That payoff made all the difference for me.
December 22, 2024
Part 2 of the graphic audio. Much faster paced than the first half. I loved the full cast narrating all the characters. Couldn’t rate it higher as I felt like it dragged a little in the middle. Excited for the next one!
November 4, 2023
PAX💔💔💔💔💔so many besties in this book i loved it but pax dying really was so gut wrenching i miss him sm 😭😭 mustang is bestie darrow is bestie sevro is super bestie
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2024
A fascinating, more mature spin on the game-to-the-death rebellion story. Every character was nuanced and beautifully written. The graphic audio brought it to life perfectly. Amazing 👌
October 24, 2024
Pretty solid start to the series! I’m a bit confused about the houses and world-building, but I’m chalking that up to being a first-book issue. Exciting for the rest!
October 31, 2024
THIS IS THE SHIT I HAVE BEEN CRAVING!!!! What an amazing first book. Hunger game vibes with high stakes and a raging MMC out for revenge against the upper class. Love it
January 10, 2025
I’ve never been interested or captured by war tactics but holy moly, the way this is written with the sci fi and dystopian world?? I’m ready to read on and can’t wait to see what else Darrow can F up lol
April 18, 2025
A perfect dramatized adaptation.
May 30, 2025
good, a little less enjoyable than part 1, found all the fighting and traps a little predictable and monotonous, ending was good. looking forward to more!
August 18, 2025
So much drama in just the first book of the series! Exhausted and mind blown already!
September 10, 2025
Well well, more to come I think more to come
October 14, 2025
always fun to listen to a dramatized audio, but kind of wish I read because some of the words/world was hard to understand listening. It very much hunger games, but kept my interest & will read the next one!
December 17, 2025
Oh, this is going to be an amazing series that will keep me on my toes 🤯😱
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews