Morning Star (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]

Red Rising Saga Dramatic Adaptations #3, Part 1

by Pierce Brown, Stewart Crank (Narrator), Jon Vertullo (Narrator)

Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.

Finally, the time has come.

But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.

Genres: Audiobook, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Audiobook

Published January 31, 2024

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

[Lara Bone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I know it was gonna happen? Yeah
Did it still make me crash to my knees in the middle of Walmart like the first time I read it? You’ll never get me to admit it.

[Acrossallrealms · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Rising graphic audios are beyond phenomenal. I loved reading the series, but hearing it brought to life takes it to another level entirely. The performances, sound design, and full cast make the story hit harder, deeper, and more viscerally. If you love Red Rising, you have to experience the graphic audios. It’s reliving the heartbreak all over again in the best possible way. Worth every shattered heart 💔

[CHIP · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time in my many reads/listens of this series I think I'm liking morning star more than golden son.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book. A bloodydamn perfect PERFECT book. I can’t contain my heart in my own body when I think about it.

“It is no great thing to die. Not when one has lived. I owe that to you.”

😭😭😭😭😭

[whatashisreading | missing the wing leader · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD IT JUST KEEPS GETTING CRAZIER!!!

Songs:
Woke Up a Rebel- Reuben in the Dark

[Andie Burkholder · Rating 5 out of 5]

They really did Cassius dirty with his voice…………………

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I will give Eo your love. I will make a house in the Vale of your fathers. It will be beside my own. Join me there when you die. But I am no builder. So take your time. We will wait.” 😭💔😭😭😭😭

pierce brown, everyday I think about what it would be like to meet you, tackle you to the floor, and fight you. I have no combat skills but i will fight you for what you’ve done

[Karen’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these dramatized adaptations so much!

[savage_book_review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars

Not to be 'that girl', but throughout this book I had some major 'Kingdom of Ash' flashbacks. And while the dystopian, sci-fi bent of this story takes us in completely different directions to the Fae world, the trauma it inspires is just as real, and when there are similarities, man does it hit you in the feels! This is a masterful piece of storytelling by the author, and while I've enjoyed the series so far, this was without doubt my favourite instalment. It just now means I'm slightly terrified for part two!

First and foremost, I have to shout out Stewart Crank's performance. He's fabulous as Darrow anyway, but the subtle shifts in his accent and tone now that the character's true heritage is more widely known is nothing short of perfection. Every emotion, from terror to heartbreak to contentment, doesn't just translate from his narration; it full on consumes your soul. Likewise, Jon Vertullo's performance also gives me chills (and not just because he's my favourite voice to listen to). Hearing his Severo in command and yet almost out of control really brings the character's struggle with percieved inferiority to life, while at the same time still managing to make you laugh with the tone of some of the ridiculous insults and exclamations he comes out with. Their scenes together are by far the best in the book.

There doesn't feel like a missed beat in this instalment; every moment has purpose, drive and emotional resonance, there is no way you can't be engaged throughout. The new characters that are introduced make an immediate impact, existing characters develop beautifully and leave you even more attached to them than before, and the overall storyline starts to come together in a way that inspires. All that being said, it still does require your full concentration to absorb all of the relevant details, and I am aware that my focus was pulled elsewhere in a few key moments that meant I had to rewind to figure out what was what, or continue listening knowing I might have missed a key piece of information. While this is frustrating, it just shows how well written the book is; every moment is important!

It's already clear that the author can write great twists that feel completely inevitable, but still manage to surprise you. But that goes double in this edition. It doesn’t feel like you're holding onto the edge of your seat or that your mind is completely blown by each revalation or sudden shock, but I nonetheless I found myself constantly questioning how I didn't see certain things coming. I love that this leaves you with a sense of not knowing who/what to trust; I side-eyed pretty much everyone at least once during the course of this!

I'm off to listen to Part 2 right now. Don't want this to end!

[witchy_book_babe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible. The way these VA’s make this so real for me as a fan…I’m just so thankful for the talent in this production.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Nagal/Obsidian accents. Great choice for Ragnar's VA. Hearing their war throat-chants during the battle scenes is never not epic and bone chilling.

[Emma Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

But I am no builder. So take your time. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[Lorien Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart! From the offset part 1 of this book was relentless with action, tension and pulling on my heartstrings.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gddgjgdbkjgdfj vffhjddgjj vdsfjcfg5hj yfachjusx

May 28th needs to hurry up so I can get part 2!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think there is any one more perfect for this role than Stewart Crank 😭

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this was like having a full-on Michael Bay movie explode in my head — sound effects, voices, intensity, all of it. It’s cinematic, chaotic, and somehow even more emotional than reading.

This is only Part 1 of the GraphicAudio version, but it already blew me away. I can’t even imagine what Part 2 is going to do to me 😭

I still can’t stand Mustang 😤 no matter what she does, my feelings are locked in. But Victra? Queen behavior. Total badass. Every scene with her had me grinning.

The moment Sevro and Darrow finally ironed out their differences made me cry — their friendship has been through so much, and hearing it play out in full-cast audio just hit different.

Holiday’s growing on me, Ragnar’s the best 💔, and honestly, this whole production reminded me why I love this world so much.

[mama_reads24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️ Full review will be on the actual book listing ‼️

🧠 4.5
✨️ 5

" You tried to kill me. You could not. I know your power, I know your pride, and I've seen how you fall.

Darrow's narrator, and the GA for this series as a whole is incredible. But they really need to rethink where split the books into because sometimes it doesn't make sense 🤣

My poor Servro. Gah I wanted to throttle him and hug him at the same time.

Also I love Ragnar SO MUCH! Ugh. So much it happening.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, the cast and production absolutely crushed it. Truly phenomenal work. Pierce Brown is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me—I swear, this series owns my soul.
And yes… I cried. Again. It’s basically tradition at this point.
I have no idea what’s coming next, but emotionally....I’m not ready.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

So close to ending this series because nothing good happens and everyone dies. That last death f*ed me up, had me sobbing and now I’m a little dead inside. Is this what books written by men are like??? I just want to be happy.

[Carolyn Compas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super slow pacing that drags this war on, but worth it for various character arcs and the end. I am still loving this series but I found myself getting a bit bored during the first half of this book. I do like the intro of Sefi’s character though.

[Sarel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red rising 2. Electric boogaloo

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The voice actors for these books are phenomenal!

[Monicat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never get over Ragnar death just like i will never get over Pax’s

[Matt Dillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic - the series keeps going strong.

[Ashley Pavilanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of the series. I’m already sad about when it’s going to end… Also RAGNARRRRRRR 😭😭😭😭😭

[Josiah Michaelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pax
What a great end.

[Joanne (BooksCatsAndTats) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m traumatized. I will never recover. How could you Pierce? How could you?

[Ciarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cast of these audiobooks is absolutely perfection.

[Megan Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a devastatingly beautifully written book so far.

[Denise Briscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is phenomenal. The graphic audio books are top tier. I've been loving this story so far.