Red Rising (Part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]

Red Rising Saga Dramatic Adaptations #1, Part 1

by Pierce Brown

"NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Pierce Brown’s relentlessly entertaining debut channels the excitement of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

“Red Rising ascends above a crowded dys­topian field.”—USA Today Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

“I live for the dream that my children will be born free,” she says. “That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.” “I live for you,” I say sadly. Eo kisses my cheek. “Then you must live for more.”

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.

Genres: Audiobook, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Space

9 pages, Audiobook

First published April 2, 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

[ari [violet’s vrsn 🩵] [semi ia] · Rating 5 out of 5]

the narrating is tasty 😋🥺

i’ll put the whole review for the book on the actual paperback and link it here later 😪

[Becci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t rate this as anything less than 5 stars. The combination of the incredible book and an amazing production by Graphic Audio is just unmatched in terms of reading experience.

As readers, we are pulled immediately into heart breaking and gut wrenching action. I remember crying within the first hour or two of listening. The pacing of the story itself is great, even the less action packed moments are full of character insight and development.

I’ve heard some fans get a bit defensive when this series is compared to The Hunger Games.. I’m so sorry to those people but despite my best efforts I can’t help but be constantly reminded of it. That’s not a criticism or a suggestion this is a carbon copy, I think there are enough differences to set these apart that they don’t feel identical. However there are undeniable echoes and similarities. Starting with the most obvious, there’s the caste system based on industry and skills, the lethal games and trials made by design to toy with and mould the recruits, Darrow’s wife’s protest song (it’s even whistled at one point), all the violence and death being deliberately broadcast. Hell, the recruits can even be “sponsored” by wealthier benefactors and the team drafted in to do a makeover are crassly overindulgent and out of touch with the reality outside of their bubble. This might lessen as the series goes on, it is early days.

That being said, this part finished at a loose end so I’m off to listen to the rest.

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Wow, what an amazing book.
I really didn't expect to read such a story.
It was kind of like space Hunger Games but better.
Amazing plot, world building and characters, I can't believe this was a debut.

[Taschima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I f-ing hate that they separate the graphic book in two. Like how dare you. I really liked the production, but do not like the price tag attached.

[CHIP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy fuck the graphic audio experience is the way to go for this. So much fun listening to this with a full cast/audio effects/music.

[witchy_book_babe · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECTLY casted!!! This was full of incredibly talented VA’s that brought each and every character to life!

My only critiques would be that Cassius’ and Titus’ VA’s were too mature/aged sounding for their age in the book.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of Red Rising. Love this dramatized adaption!

[Seb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun audiobook.

[Jessica Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is right up my alley. I’m so glad I started it.

[Paloma · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** this audiobook is half of the book so ill be talking about the first 22 chapters ****everything was going great until the whole gladiator style battle thing that's been happening for a couple chapters now ... I don't know if it's a "me" thing but whenever there's battles or fighting in a book my brain kinda disconnects. I get why there's this battle happening 'story wise" but the book took a turn to being kinda hunger games- esq and I resent that...ive talked about this before but ive noticed in so many fantasy books they always use a trail or a competition as a plot device and its lazy writing to me. besides that im really intrigued for the rest of the story very anxious for this tribal war game to end...love the spy element and him being amongst his enemies learning to be like them to then inevitably destroy them from within

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow well I devoured part 1 of this. Graphic audio is perfect for this sci fi experience!!! I love the accents brought to life. This is like hunger games x1000. It’s crazy dystopian to think of life on Mars. It’s brutal and also disgusting at times. But shocking and makes you want to keep reading more. Can’t wait to see where the series goes. Onto part 2.

[Andy Pronti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The production on this was exceptional. As someone who loves this series and has read it multiple times, listening to the graphic audio was like experiencing it for the first time all over again. Bravo!! This was so fun. Can’t wait to start the graphic audio of Golden Son next.

[Ally Wrenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to love this book so bad. I love the concept of the world and thought the world building was done beautifully. However, the Institute plot line feels so Hunger Games. I’m interested in how it will turn itself around in the second half

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

off to part two!!

[Julia Vampatella · Rating 5 out of 5]

You already know I rate this book overall a 5⭐️ - now throw in the killer graphic audio and I’m SOLDDDD. Really puts me in the world and brings all the action to life. Hail Reaper 🫡

[NiniDo · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good!
second listen: 2025

[Ti Bedunah]

Can’t decide if I want to finish Part 2.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Red Rising journey began with a birthday gift from a good friend and I tore through the series thereafter, recommending them to everyone who had even the smallest inclination towards fantasy novels with corrupt power structures, biting social commentary and a penchant for dramatics and violence. Returning to them now, with an outstanding full cast via the Graphic Audio versions has been a real treat, and has solidified my love for this incredible series. Stewart Crank who voices Darrow is particularly brilliant.

[Dar ⟢ _littlebookishblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 ˗ˏˋ post read ˎˊ˗
⤷ this book is glorious and has a way deeper meaning under the surface. i am absolutely blown away, and especially in love with the graphic audio version, per usual. full rtc in pt 2 💗

📔 ˗ˏˋ pre read ˎˊ˗
⤷ needed a new audiobook while doing chores around the house & figured why not try some sci fi written by a man

[Alejandra Cromer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I read it back in 2017 and re reading the first 3 now that I realize the trilogy has been expanded to more books!

This is my first time listening to a dramatic audiobook and it may be my favorite way to listen to all audiobooks!

[Ronie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I almost never do re-reads of a book, but when I found out there was a dramatization of Red Rising, I pounced at the chance. It has been so good to hear it come to life with multiple narrators and really gives the story a breadth and depth that "words on page" did not do for me. I found I understood things a little better, deeper, and that makes this a 100% win for me. Already ordered the 2nd one and can't wait to dive in!

[Roderick Vonhogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part 1 of the dramatized audiobook of Red Rising, and it's fantastic! The different voices, accents, sound effects and music add so much to an already excellent story. Even though I read the original book last year, I had forgotten a lot of the details, and the whole story is so much more vivid in this form than it was during my first read. I can't believe this hasn't been made into a TV series or movie yet.

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still so shocked by that little “twist” at the beginning
Darrow 🫶🏻
Eos🫶🏻

[Reneé Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don’t care for “graphic audio” books, but this version of Red Rising was EXCELLENT!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I should have read the actual book before listening to this audio production? I don’t know, it just felt like the same old teenager dystopian story told with a slightly different flair.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first graphic audiobook listen and I have to say my interest has been peaked. The premise of this novel is quite different from my usual reads: dystopian sci-fi with male protagonist, but I think that having a full cast and production helped keep my attention long enough to get into the story. I will be listening to part two to find out what happens next. Though I am not a big reader of this genre, I do feel like some of the themes and tropes aren’t necessarily super original (feels very dune, hunger games, divergent-esque but set on Mars) but still the world and characters are well fleshed out. I will keep you posted!

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting!! Excited to read the second half.

[Megan Bros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sold start, excited to listen to the rest of the series

[Kali Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES I AM LOVING THIS SO MUCH

[Tess Murdac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too violent for my taste. I couldn't stomach "The Passage". If you know, you know.