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Red Rising Saga Dramatic Adaptations #3, Part 2
Morning Star (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]
Red Rising thrilled readers and announced the presence of a talented new author. Golden Son changed the game and took the story of Darrow to the next level. Now comes the exhilarating next chapter in the Red Rising Saga: Morning Star.
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
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.
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
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.
10 pages, Unknown Binding
First published February 9, 2016
20 people are currently reading
157 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 60 reviews
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January 20, 2026Absolutely love everything about this graphic audio. The story is phenomenal. Narrators are spectacular.
August 27, 2024
Holy fuck what a performance from the entire cast. The wait begins again for Iron Gold. Also yeah this is for sure better than golden son.
November 17, 2025
What an ending. No matter how many times I’ve read this, I still get chills. Love the dramatized adaptations of this series!!
November 9, 2024
Ugh, just incredible 🥹🥹🥹🥹!!! An incredible journey, an incredible ending, and an incredible cast that brings this world to life🥹😍🥹😍
September 23, 2025
BYE LITERALLY JUST READING THESE THE REST OF MY LIFE ON REPEAT
I could write dissertations on this book. Essays, speeches. If I were a college professor I’d teach it in creative writing classes and say, THIS IS IT FOLKS. THIS IS EVERYTHING. WHY WE READ AT ALL, RIGHT HERE. It is a MASTER WORK in plot and pacing. The sheer amount of action, the different BEATS it hits, yet never ever sacrificing emotion, or quiet moments, or bottomless character depth that makes you come to care about each SO DEEPLY, so unfathomably deeply, that they take over your life and you can only be grateful. And in a series that becomes so well known for its violence and war and rage, especially in the second half, it never loses its emphasis on love, on forgiveness, on hope, on second chances, most of all from the big bad reaper himself…y’all if one could die for a book, it’d be this one.
If pain is the weight of being, love is the purpose.
Also - Stewart Crank could narrate my life and I’d never get enough
would be quite a bit more boring than Darrow’s though 😅
this is the PINNACLE OF BOOKS and I will never get over it
I could write dissertations on this book. Essays, speeches. If I were a college professor I’d teach it in creative writing classes and say, THIS IS IT FOLKS. THIS IS EVERYTHING. WHY WE READ AT ALL, RIGHT HERE. It is a MASTER WORK in plot and pacing. The sheer amount of action, the different BEATS it hits, yet never ever sacrificing emotion, or quiet moments, or bottomless character depth that makes you come to care about each SO DEEPLY, so unfathomably deeply, that they take over your life and you can only be grateful. And in a series that becomes so well known for its violence and war and rage, especially in the second half, it never loses its emphasis on love, on forgiveness, on hope, on second chances, most of all from the big bad reaper himself…y’all if one could die for a book, it’d be this one.
If pain is the weight of being, love is the purpose.
Also - Stewart Crank could narrate my life and I’d never get enough
would be quite a bit more boring than Darrow’s though 😅
this is the PINNACLE OF BOOKS and I will never get over it
September 4, 2025
This book is epic! It’s actually so good! I’m drained from how much happened! Complicated and intricate beyond belief but so so worth it!
June 25, 2024
OMNIS VIR LUPIS ✊🏼
Read
May 31, 2024ok well i was TRICKED.... i started figuring out sevro was still alive a little before the reveal because the reactions were not making sense hehehe. i cant believe pax lives as darrows baby :,) that was so beautiful. and sevro and victra getting married im so obsessed... i never liked roque so him dying was not that deep for me but i know darrow still saw him as a friend so i was shocked it happened. LOVE SEFI shes so slay. ALSO CASSIUS AND DARROW ARE FRIENDS (lovers) AGAIN AWWW I MISSED THEM <3. I miss ragnar and pax so much i loved the ending of the trilogy i wonder what the next book is about??? and who is the pov?? ALSO THE JACKAL DYING WAS AMAZING FINALLY... im not gonna rate this until lucie reads it so i dont spoil how much i liked it but its def a 5 <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2024
I don’t think I have the words to express what this book, or this series, means to me. But if I could give this book 10 stars I absolutely would.
Songs:
War of hearts- ruelle
Would’ve been you- Sombr
Songs:
War of hearts- ruelle
Would’ve been you- Sombr
August 9, 2024
I waited until part 2 of the Graphic audio production became available despite me wanting to finish the book so badly but I’m so glad I did! Absolutely incredible production. There hasn’t been a book in the Red Rising Saga that disappointed. I can’t wait to read Iron Gold next.
July 26, 2024
I LOVED these 3 books!! I read about 30%, & the rest listened to the Graphic Audio on Hoopla.... & in both forms it was a spectacular story! 10/10 Would RECOMMEND!
March 3, 2025
OMFG that ending!!! 😱😩😭Did not envisage that!!
September 21, 2025
Lots of twists and turns throughout the book. my heart and stomach were in knots. I feel like the series could end here, and I would be very happy.
November 1, 2025
My gosh that put me through the wringer. Wish I could give it more stars. 100/10
December 1, 2025
The end omg 😳
February 2, 2026
This series aged me. And I’m better for it.
June 13, 2025
This series is killing me in the best way! I’m very interested to see how the next two books are with this being the end of the original trilogy
October 1, 2025
It’s like a car accident had a baby with an atomic bomb and just……trapped it in my small intestine. So fun ✨💃🏽💅🏽
September 28, 2025
Just wow….🤯
January 21, 2026
Wow. Just... wow. I'm not sure I quite have the words to describe how good this book is, but I'll try. It's powerful, beautiful, terrifying, gut-wrenching, devastating and... well, it's perfect. I threw a temper tantrum, went through the five stages of grief, rejoiced, melted a little bit and, despite the absolute trauma of it all, I would do it again in a heartbeat! It also came this close 🤏🏻 to making me cry. Which I have NEVER done because of a book.
This is where listening to the Graphic Audio pays dividends in spades. I'm 99% sure I would have had the same reactions to this story if I had eyeball read it, but the acting of the entire ensemble cast here just turns the effect of every single beat of every single scene up to eleven. Every second is pitched so it skewers you right in the feels, and you are left with your jaw on the floor at every turn.
The pacing is fast; very little time for you to catch your breath in this one! But in this case, again, having the timing of my read forcibly slowed by listening to the audio meant that I could savour each joyous moment and lament each sad one properly. It also means there is a stretch that was absolute TORTURE to get through (in the best way!), but I was able to pick up on subtle cues within the narrative that I probably would have missed otherwise, which gave me cause to hope, pray, beg and plead that all was not as it seemed... Was it? You'll just have to read and find out...
I still can't help but see the various warcraft as Star Destroyers and from Star Wars, and there were some definite 'Emperor Palpatine' vibes coming from one particular character! In other places too, imagery of the SW universe made a very good reference point for my brain. Although I appreciate it's not necessarily fair to equate these books with that behemoth of a series, those visuals really helped with certain elements of my understanding.
There was only one moment in listening to this one where I lost the thread and had to go back. Ultimately that was down to a lapse in concentration on my part while being distracted by chores, but overall this keeps you engaged from beginning to end. You just don't want to stop listening/reading, and if I could have listened to it all in one sitting I absolutely would have done so.
I may take a brief break from this series to recover my wits, as this first trilogy does close out on a nice 'wrapped up' ending. But I already have the next one ready and waiting in my Audible library, so I think a palette cleanser audio will be sufficient before I jump into book 4!
Seriously, this series just gets better with every book. And this one is a masterpiece.
This is where listening to the Graphic Audio pays dividends in spades. I'm 99% sure I would have had the same reactions to this story if I had eyeball read it, but the acting of the entire ensemble cast here just turns the effect of every single beat of every single scene up to eleven. Every second is pitched so it skewers you right in the feels, and you are left with your jaw on the floor at every turn.
The pacing is fast; very little time for you to catch your breath in this one! But in this case, again, having the timing of my read forcibly slowed by listening to the audio meant that I could savour each joyous moment and lament each sad one properly. It also means there is a stretch that was absolute TORTURE to get through (in the best way!), but I was able to pick up on subtle cues within the narrative that I probably would have missed otherwise, which gave me cause to hope, pray, beg and plead that all was not as it seemed... Was it? You'll just have to read and find out...
I still can't help but see the various warcraft as Star Destroyers and from Star Wars, and there were some definite 'Emperor Palpatine' vibes coming from one particular character! In other places too, imagery of the SW universe made a very good reference point for my brain. Although I appreciate it's not necessarily fair to equate these books with that behemoth of a series, those visuals really helped with certain elements of my understanding.
There was only one moment in listening to this one where I lost the thread and had to go back. Ultimately that was down to a lapse in concentration on my part while being distracted by chores, but overall this keeps you engaged from beginning to end. You just don't want to stop listening/reading, and if I could have listened to it all in one sitting I absolutely would have done so.
I may take a brief break from this series to recover my wits, as this first trilogy does close out on a nice 'wrapped up' ending. But I already have the next one ready and waiting in my Audible library, so I think a palette cleanser audio will be sufficient before I jump into book 4!
Seriously, this series just gets better with every book. And this one is a masterpiece.
July 8, 2025
Fucking hell.
Why do all my reviews for this series start with swearing? Because there are no normal human words left to describe what Pierce Brown has done to me. I finished this book and just sat there, staring at the wall like there’s a god there. Or Darrow. Same thing at this point.
This is hands down the best thing I’ve read in… ever. It should be studied in college. Like, forget the classics, just hand out Red Rising and call it a curriculum. There’s war, betrayal, strategies, hate, revenge, but also love, forgiveness, friendship, laughing and redemption. This is the first series that has me in a chokehold from the first to the very last page. No slow starts. No “the last 50 pages were great.” It’s a full-blown, bloodydamn mind-melter the whole time. I think I developed mild arrhythmia.
The casting and audio production are unreal. Once again, the Graphic Audio team absolutely crushed it. I can listen to Stewart Crank all day, everyday, don't even joke about it. Also: if I didn’t already have a son, I would’ve named my firstborn Darrow. That man lives in my brain permanently now. I'm obsessed. And Jon Vertullo as Sevro was absolutely brilliant, and I love Sevro so much. Every time he opens his mouth, I’m either laughing or sitting there with my jaw on the floor. I want to be his best friend.
I’m officially making a yearly reread of this series a personal tradition till I'm breathing.
I don’t even know what Pierce Brown has planned next, but I’m running out of superlatives and emotional capacity.
Spoiler quotes below!
A few honourable mentions:
"I know death well enough to hear it gather its breath."
"Guard your hearts. Guard your friends. Follow me through this evil night, and I promise you morning waits on the other side. Until then, break the chains!"
If you're watching, Eo, it's time to close your eyes. The Reaper has come. And he's brought hell with him."
Why do all my reviews for this series start with swearing? Because there are no normal human words left to describe what Pierce Brown has done to me. I finished this book and just sat there, staring at the wall like there’s a god there. Or Darrow. Same thing at this point.
This is hands down the best thing I’ve read in… ever. It should be studied in college. Like, forget the classics, just hand out Red Rising and call it a curriculum. There’s war, betrayal, strategies, hate, revenge, but also love, forgiveness, friendship, laughing and redemption. This is the first series that has me in a chokehold from the first to the very last page. No slow starts. No “the last 50 pages were great.” It’s a full-blown, bloodydamn mind-melter the whole time. I think I developed mild arrhythmia.
The casting and audio production are unreal. Once again, the Graphic Audio team absolutely crushed it. I can listen to Stewart Crank all day, everyday, don't even joke about it. Also: if I didn’t already have a son, I would’ve named my firstborn Darrow. That man lives in my brain permanently now. I'm obsessed. And Jon Vertullo as Sevro was absolutely brilliant, and I love Sevro so much. Every time he opens his mouth, I’m either laughing or sitting there with my jaw on the floor. I want to be his best friend.
I’m officially making a yearly reread of this series a personal tradition till I'm breathing.
I don’t even know what Pierce Brown has planned next, but I’m running out of superlatives and emotional capacity.
Spoiler quotes below!
A few honourable mentions:
"I know death well enough to hear it gather its breath."
"Guard your hearts. Guard your friends. Follow me through this evil night, and I promise you morning waits on the other side. Until then, break the chains!"
If you're watching, Eo, it's time to close your eyes. The Reaper has come. And he's brought hell with him."
August 23, 2024
Having now re-read the "sequel series" it's so obvious that this was the end of a story Arc not the overall final story (market it as an 7 book series not two separate trilogies).
The re-read (aka reslitening via the amazing graphic audio performance) was so much better this 2nd time around. Not only was I hearing names and situations that would have such a huge impact in later books but the performances made this feel like I was at the end of season 3 of a tv series
SPOILERS
How Ragnors death effected everyone ;(
Rogue killing himself as he was blinded by tradition and how the others still mourned him.
The destruction of the dockyards (a morally grey, horrorfic act but in the mits of war what other choice did they have)
The hanging, the ploy with Cassius and Severo, there were a lot of brilliant moments.
Although I enjoyed this so much i think it will be hard for anything to best the epic, this could go anywhere, of book 2.
I can't wait for more Graphic audio adaptations of this series
The re-read (aka reslitening via the amazing graphic audio performance) was so much better this 2nd time around. Not only was I hearing names and situations that would have such a huge impact in later books but the performances made this feel like I was at the end of season 3 of a tv series
SPOILERS
How Ragnors death effected everyone ;(
Rogue killing himself as he was blinded by tradition and how the others still mourned him.
The destruction of the dockyards (a morally grey, horrorfic act but in the mits of war what other choice did they have)
The hanging, the ploy with Cassius and Severo, there were a lot of brilliant moments.
Although I enjoyed this so much i think it will be hard for anything to best the epic, this could go anywhere, of book 2.
I can't wait for more Graphic audio adaptations of this series
May 14, 2025
I have beef with the author tbh. I was screaming and jumping furiously with anger near the end to the point that I had to google if someone was ACTUALLY dead before I could handle continuing (something I have NEVER done). I pushed on ahead and finished the book in tears. Masterfully written and performed. Every single actor was absolutely incredible. This whole series had me full of rage, despair, and anxiety (too afraid to feel joy or excitement for most of it honestly). I never knew what to expect. “Killing off” the main character in the very beginning of the first book gave me a hint that plot armor was not something I should rely on lest I find myself totally heartbroken and betrayed by yet another death. I fear I will never get over this series and will have to listen to it through several more times in the future. Particularly for that psychotic little goblin Sevro. 1000/10 worth the listen. Everything about the production was perfection and this might be my favorite audiobook I’ve listened to thus far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2026
5 ⭐️ | 🫑
Finished this book on my long run today and it slayed. Best book to run to! 10/10
I loved everything about this book.
My heart broke when Ragnar died.
My jaw was on the floor during Sevro’s suicide speech and was so relieved when he didn’t actually die. I loved that Victra immediately proposed to him after that. The little wedding scene was perfect.
And then I died when Sevro died again and then I died again when he came back to life again. #Whiplash
So many good war moments. So many good characters.
I LOVED the ending. So much good action. I cried a little for Mustang when she had to pull the Jackal’s feet.
I cried on my run when Mustang told Darrow about their son. So perfect. I love them. Perfect last hour to finish off during my long run. 🏃♀️
♾️ stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished this book on my long run today and it slayed. Best book to run to! 10/10
I loved everything about this book.
My heart broke when Ragnar died.
My jaw was on the floor during Sevro’s suicide speech and was so relieved when he didn’t actually die. I loved that Victra immediately proposed to him after that. The little wedding scene was perfect.
And then I died when Sevro died again and then I died again when he came back to life again. #Whiplash
So many good war moments. So many good characters.
I LOVED the ending. So much good action. I cried a little for Mustang when she had to pull the Jackal’s feet.
I cried on my run when Mustang told Darrow about their son. So perfect. I love them. Perfect last hour to finish off during my long run. 🏃♀️
♾️ stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
So. Damn. Good. 😭 Literal tears were shed.
I still can’t stand Mustang (some things never change), but I’m happy Darrow finally gets some peace. Sevro and Victra completely sold me this time — I was skeptical at the beginning, but now? I’d die for them. Victra is my queen 👑 and I care what happens to her.
The battles were insane, the twists nearly gave me a heart attack, and the sound design? Chef’s kiss. It felt like living inside a sci-fi movie.
And for whatever reason… I love Cassius. Villainy is just my love language 🤷♀️
I still can’t stand Mustang (some things never change), but I’m happy Darrow finally gets some peace. Sevro and Victra completely sold me this time — I was skeptical at the beginning, but now? I’d die for them. Victra is my queen 👑 and I care what happens to her.
The battles were insane, the twists nearly gave me a heart attack, and the sound design? Chef’s kiss. It felt like living inside a sci-fi movie.
And for whatever reason… I love Cassius. Villainy is just my love language 🤷♀️
September 29, 2024
After Red Rising and Golden Son I knew I needed to continue reading this amazing series, and Morning Star did not disappoint and firmly places Pierce Brown on my auto-buy author lost and turned me into a sci-fi reader. A solid, heartwarming, yet at times heartbreaking finale to the first era of the Red Rosing saga I was gripped from the first minute. The ending also had me crying tears of joy for Darrow! I cannot wait to read the next installment in the series and then listen to the graphic audio version as they are released. I also listened to the graphic audio version of the book and as always it is done perfectly. Stewart Crank especially does a fantastic job in portraying Darrow! 100% recommend.
August 11, 2025
★★★★½ (or more like 4.75/5), almost perfect, but not quite five stars.
But yeah, it just keeps getting better and better.
“If you’re watching, Eo, it’s time to close your eyes. The Reaper has come. And he’s brought hell with him.”
I’m curious to see how the story continues, but I also love how it ended with the third book. I’m a little afraid of what comes next, knowing there will be heartbreak and new challenges ahead.
But yeah, it just keeps getting better and better.
“If you’re watching, Eo, it’s time to close your eyes. The Reaper has come. And he’s brought hell with him.”
I’m curious to see how the story continues, but I also love how it ended with the third book. I’m a little afraid of what comes next, knowing there will be heartbreak and new challenges ahead.
October 8, 2025
4.75
A masterpiece as the first two books as well but this time I actually had some concerns with the ending. Especially that one chapter towards the end that almost made me drop this book completely (iyky).
Other than that, I have to say I loved this first part of the red rising saga. I laughed, I cried and I look forward to the next trilogy and getting more of Darrow's and Sevro's story (being honest sevro is also a main character in my heart.)
A masterpiece as the first two books as well but this time I actually had some concerns with the ending. Especially that one chapter towards the end that almost made me drop this book completely (iyky).
Other than that, I have to say I loved this first part of the red rising saga. I laughed, I cried and I look forward to the next trilogy and getting more of Darrow's and Sevro's story (being honest sevro is also a main character in my heart.)
June 4, 2025
I just enjoy this whole series. The dramatized audio is fantastic, as is the story. There was a bit more "wow, they pulled that out of a hat" in this final book than in the other ones, with some odd twists that felt a little artificial, but I didn't really begrudge it that. It was fun and engaging, and it led to a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
December 19, 2025
The series started to turn around on this book with strong plots, better character development and more believable twists. I rated first and second book low but this one changed my mind about the series. Yes, there is war, but its intelligent and logical and meaningful conflicts. You see Darrow steps into leadership role (finally).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews