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Sons of Ares #3
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #3
Amidst the Sons’ daring operation, Fitchner recalls the assignment where he learned about true strength and honor from the Reds his Gold contemporaries looked down upon. Haunted by the things he experienced at The Institute, his life takes a turn as he meets the woman who would forever change his life…and, therefore, society as a whole!
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2017
65 people are currently reading
3468 people want to read
About the author
Pierce Brown
58 books54.4k 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 52 reviews
August 18, 2017
Wuv. Twu wuv!
January 6, 2018
It's been years since I bought an actual comic but I'm a huge fan of Pierce Brown's Red Rising books so of course I preordered this prequel comic series the moment it was available (I even ordered the two different covers for each issue because I'm a geek and I just had to have them!). Let me start by saying that you really need to read all 6 instalments to get the full story, each issue is around 30 pages so when you combine them all together you're probably looking at roughly a graphic novel sized story (around the same length as a volume of Saga) overall but split into 6 sections.
I bought the comics as they were released because I wanted print copies and it hadn't been announced if there would be a bind up edition but I'm happy to say that there are now 2 different versions available to preorder, a normal hardback and a slightly more expensive signed edition. I think the comics are out of print now unless you want to purchase a digital edition so this is brilliant news for anyone who missed buying them sooner.
Now you've got more of an idea what you're actually getting let's get to the interesting stuff like the artwork and the story. This is a prequel so it's set before Red Rising but I definitely wouldn't recommend starting here - you'll end up giving yourself spoilers for the main books if you do. I do think fans of the series will love getting to see Fitchner's early years, how he met his wife and baby Sevro. It's very easy to see where Sevro gets his attitude from that's for sure!
The artwork is wonderful, quite dark in colour but that fits the gory and violent tone of the story perfectly. I love the added touch that each conversation bubble is coloured to match the birth colour of the character speaking. I really enjoying being back in this world but via a more visual format and it left me wanting to reread the rest of the series again. This is one of my all time favourite series so I'll jump at any chance for more from this world and this was a lovely addition.
A Covers for issues 1-6
B Covers for issues 1-6
I bought the comics as they were released because I wanted print copies and it hadn't been announced if there would be a bind up edition but I'm happy to say that there are now 2 different versions available to preorder, a normal hardback and a slightly more expensive signed edition. I think the comics are out of print now unless you want to purchase a digital edition so this is brilliant news for anyone who missed buying them sooner.
Now you've got more of an idea what you're actually getting let's get to the interesting stuff like the artwork and the story. This is a prequel so it's set before Red Rising but I definitely wouldn't recommend starting here - you'll end up giving yourself spoilers for the main books if you do. I do think fans of the series will love getting to see Fitchner's early years, how he met his wife and baby Sevro. It's very easy to see where Sevro gets his attitude from that's for sure!
The artwork is wonderful, quite dark in colour but that fits the gory and violent tone of the story perfectly. I love the added touch that each conversation bubble is coloured to match the birth colour of the character speaking. I really enjoying being back in this world but via a more visual format and it left me wanting to reread the rest of the series again. This is one of my all time favourite series so I'll jump at any chance for more from this world and this was a lovely addition.
A Covers for issues 1-6
B Covers for issues 1-6
September 13, 2017
I've always wondered about Bryn.... and she lived up to my expectations. such a cute girl.... <3
as cute as Eo but not as fierce.
as cute as Eo but not as fierce.
August 22, 2017
*screeches in delight...before it turns into sobs*
It's just not gonna end well for anybody involved and I am just preparing myself for the moment this series tears my heart out of my chest, lights it on fire, and then stomps on the ashes.
This is, without question, the best issue yet. I think that each issue has steadily improved upon its predecessor, but this is the first time I read an issue and didn't feel like I was cut off mid-sentence. Yes, I understand that is kind of how issues work -- they depend, many a time, upon the cliffhanger-effect -- and while the story is still incomplete, I didn't feel left in the lurch. I felt like this ended at a natural pausing point.
BRYN. WE HAVE FINALLY MET BRYN. I love this woman, and I can see not only how Fitchner falls in love with her, but how she, too, falls in love with Fitchner. But even more so, I like how the circumstances around their meeting informs us even more about the society of Red Rising, by showing us how truly ingrained the societal pyramid is within the minds of the people.
The fact that during an emergency situation, Fitchner would behave like, oh I don't know, a decent f-ing human being and leap in to save people who just so happen to be lower colours (predominantly Reds), on instinct is mind-boggling to the Reds who, in turn, have to then rescue him. The inherent inequality is completely lost on them (so it seems) and it's just...it's borderline astonishing to read because, as someone who is obviously not in this world, Fitchner's actions seem like something anyone would do. But, in the world of Red Rising, his behaviour is a massive exception and not the rule.
And yet Fitchner's behaviour during this emergency incident feels perfectly in line with his character, because we see a person not only disillusioned with the society in which he lives -- especially the petty social politics of the Golds -- but someone who is also still (clearly) dealing with trauma he sustained during his tenure at The Institute. And it makes perfect sense: The Institute is a highly stressful, traumatizing environment. Not only must you kill someone to even truly make it into The Institute, but once there, you endure "mock" War Games that feel anything but "mock." People hurt, people kill, people die. Now, yes, as a Gold, Fitchner is expected to bury any sort of emotions related to such events in the name of power and glory...but that's an awful lot of trauma that's being forcibly repressed. Clearly, it's not working out well.
Fitchner goes to Triton to escape the world full of people he hates and ghosts of people he no longer has, only to find that his ghosts has followed him. When he meets the people of the mine he will be managing, regardless of their colour, he describes seeing the faces of people he lost in The Institute. And it is a powerful as hell set of panels. Again, we're seeing the long-standing traumatic effects of The Institute, but we're also setting up Fitchner's later actions when the mine suffers an emergency because he's already superimposing the faces of Golds upon other Colours beneath him in his mind, i.e.: he's not really seeing Colour.
Its's so beautifully done, and also helped me, I think for the first time, truly appreciate the art going on in these graphic novels. Yes, it's always been good, but this is the first time I really looked at it and thought, "That's beautiful." I think it's because I'm more interested in faces, and this issue is made up of a lot of medium shots-to-closeups on people's faces.
BRING ME ISSUE 4 (please!).
It's just not gonna end well for anybody involved and I am just preparing myself for the moment this series tears my heart out of my chest, lights it on fire, and then stomps on the ashes.
This is, without question, the best issue yet. I think that each issue has steadily improved upon its predecessor, but this is the first time I read an issue and didn't feel like I was cut off mid-sentence. Yes, I understand that is kind of how issues work -- they depend, many a time, upon the cliffhanger-effect -- and while the story is still incomplete, I didn't feel left in the lurch. I felt like this ended at a natural pausing point.
BRYN. WE HAVE FINALLY MET BRYN. I love this woman, and I can see not only how Fitchner falls in love with her, but how she, too, falls in love with Fitchner. But even more so, I like how the circumstances around their meeting informs us even more about the society of Red Rising, by showing us how truly ingrained the societal pyramid is within the minds of the people.
The fact that during an emergency situation, Fitchner would behave like, oh I don't know, a decent f-ing human being and leap in to save people who just so happen to be lower colours (predominantly Reds), on instinct is mind-boggling to the Reds who, in turn, have to then rescue him. The inherent inequality is completely lost on them (so it seems) and it's just...it's borderline astonishing to read because, as someone who is obviously not in this world, Fitchner's actions seem like something anyone would do. But, in the world of Red Rising, his behaviour is a massive exception and not the rule.
And yet Fitchner's behaviour during this emergency incident feels perfectly in line with his character, because we see a person not only disillusioned with the society in which he lives -- especially the petty social politics of the Golds -- but someone who is also still (clearly) dealing with trauma he sustained during his tenure at The Institute. And it makes perfect sense: The Institute is a highly stressful, traumatizing environment. Not only must you kill someone to even truly make it into The Institute, but once there, you endure "mock" War Games that feel anything but "mock." People hurt, people kill, people die. Now, yes, as a Gold, Fitchner is expected to bury any sort of emotions related to such events in the name of power and glory...but that's an awful lot of trauma that's being forcibly repressed. Clearly, it's not working out well.
Fitchner goes to Triton to escape the world full of people he hates and ghosts of people he no longer has, only to find that his ghosts has followed him. When he meets the people of the mine he will be managing, regardless of their colour, he describes seeing the faces of people he lost in The Institute. And it is a powerful as hell set of panels. Again, we're seeing the long-standing traumatic effects of The Institute, but we're also setting up Fitchner's later actions when the mine suffers an emergency because he's already superimposing the faces of Golds upon other Colours beneath him in his mind, i.e.: he's not really seeing Colour.
Its's so beautifully done, and also helped me, I think for the first time, truly appreciate the art going on in these graphic novels. Yes, it's always been good, but this is the first time I really looked at it and thought, "That's beautiful." I think it's because I'm more interested in faces, and this issue is made up of a lot of medium shots-to-closeups on people's faces.
BRING ME ISSUE 4 (please!).
January 20, 2025
Knowing how Fitchner became how he is in Red Rising gives me a better understanding of the whole series.
August 27, 2017
Solid
I still don't care for the art - it's just not my style - but the story gets better with each issue. Looking forward to the next installment.
I still don't care for the art - it's just not my style - but the story gets better with each issue. Looking forward to the next installment.
July 23, 2017
Odio que sean tan cortos y me deje esperando hasta el próximo volumen para saber más; Pues bien inicia con los hijos de Ares encabezados por Fitchner huyendo aun y al igual por medio de un flashback conocemos más sobre su pasado, y en definitiva este ha sido el que más me ha gustado ya que por fin conocemos a la mamá de Guargo y como se conocieron, no puedo esperar por el próximo tomo…
July 12, 2017
Now things are starting to heat up in this issue. Fitchner's backstory continues. This is where he meets his wife and develops a kinship with Reds.
October 4, 2025
Definitely the best of the three. The others were needed for background material, but this is when the plan unfolded and it was great! Now I’m ready to read the full series again!
September 11, 2017
This all is just making me love Fitchner more.
July 16, 2017
Well, I loved Red Rising. These comics should give some insight into the past of Ares. And they do some, but I think that there is no way to give decent "amount of story" for the reader in comic form. I have to admit that I am really far from being an expert in the comic stuff, being these the first and only ones I've ever bought. Still, I think the artwork could be better (somehow the black and white ones at the end of every part look somehow nicer than the actual colored ones), and I felt that the episodes are way, way too short for the asking price. But probably my problem is with that I'm not accustomed to this genre at all. Still, as a fan of the novel series, I can recommend these as well.
August 27, 2017
Me encantó.
July 14, 2017
Oh this is so much fun! Not really, if you're reading the story. But I love getting more of this story. It's hard to get the story in such tiny pieces too. I can't wait for more now :)
July 14, 2017
Need more Fitchner/Brynn
Probably the best one so far. It's censored again (SIGH), but at least I can guess what they're saying this time. I wish there were more scenes of Fitchner spending time with the Reds; less telling, more showing, but these issues are short so there's less space to do this. I need some more hot Gold on Red action! Ha, kidding... sort of.
Probably the best one so far. It's censored again (SIGH), but at least I can guess what they're saying this time. I wish there were more scenes of Fitchner spending time with the Reds; less telling, more showing, but these issues are short so there's less space to do this. I need some more hot Gold on Red action! Ha, kidding... sort of.
July 31, 2020
Gorydamn amazing! Love Bryn so much!
November 5, 2025
per aspera ad astra.
This was so gorydamn bloodydamn good! I love the back story we are getting of Fitchner and how he becomes who he is in Red Rising, as well as him meeting Bryn. We're getting more action, more of the mission of the Sons of Ares, and it's just such a damn good and brutal time!
Ares is ruthless and determined, and I love seeing how he's setting up everything in motion!
Boyo, these might be the greatest graphic audio's in existence. The VA's and sound design is nothing short of amazing. I've now gone ahead and downloaded all the comic book versions to my Kindle so I can get the visuals.
Tbh, I'm so glad Pierce decided to do these because it gives way more understanding of Fitchner and the set up of Red Rising.
If I could stay in this world forever, I absolutely would, no hesitation! Please keep writing in this world, Pierce!
This was so gorydamn bloodydamn good! I love the back story we are getting of Fitchner and how he becomes who he is in Red Rising, as well as him meeting Bryn. We're getting more action, more of the mission of the Sons of Ares, and it's just such a damn good and brutal time!
Ares is ruthless and determined, and I love seeing how he's setting up everything in motion!
Boyo, these might be the greatest graphic audio's in existence. The VA's and sound design is nothing short of amazing. I've now gone ahead and downloaded all the comic book versions to my Kindle so I can get the visuals.
Tbh, I'm so glad Pierce decided to do these because it gives way more understanding of Fitchner and the set up of Red Rising.
If I could stay in this world forever, I absolutely would, no hesitation! Please keep writing in this world, Pierce!
July 16, 2017
I have been looking forward to this issue because we get to see Fitchner meet his wife, Brynn. Comic books always sum up the story so we don't get the in-depth details, but I liked seeing how their meeting occurred and relationship developed.
I don't see why the curse words are blocked out. I think of this story as being for adults and there is plenty of violence in them, so why block out the curses?
I still don't like the sloppy style of the artwork. Though the cover by Toby Cypress, with Brynn' flaming red hair is my favorite. Looking at the past issues I like covers by Toby Cypress and not the covers by Eli Powell.
Looking forward to more Fitchner and Brynn, even though it does not end well.
4.5 out of 5 scythes.
I don't see why the curse words are blocked out. I think of this story as being for adults and there is plenty of violence in them, so why block out the curses?
I still don't like the sloppy style of the artwork. Though the cover by Toby Cypress, with Brynn' flaming red hair is my favorite. Looking at the past issues I like covers by Toby Cypress and not the covers by Eli Powell.
Looking forward to more Fitchner and Brynn, even though it does not end well.
4.5 out of 5 scythes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2017
Just from what happened in this comic I can tell that everything is going to go to hell in a handbasket really fast. This is such a character driven story and as such is so interesting. It’s a character driven story in a world that is brutal and full of many adventures. We finally see the Son of Ares, Fitchner, meet someone that he feels connected with and it’s absolutely amazing. Because of Fitchner’s lot in life he feels that he doesn’t belong among the Golds and he finally finds someone and a group of people who feels like he belongs with especially after he risks his life to save theirs. I loved this volume and the ending of this made me so excited to see what the next volume has in store.
June 2, 2025
We finally see the version of Fitchner that lines up with who he becomes in the main series. He’s ruthless, sharp, and constantly setting things in motion. The long game he’s been playing starts to come into focus, and it recontextualizes a lot of what came before.
The emotional weight really lands with how Fitchner played Ryanna. She deserved better. Watching him manipulate her while still convincing himself it was for the greater good made it all land even harder.
And yeah, even though I know it was pure fan service, I f#cking loved the Kavax and Sophocles scenes. No complaints there.
Props to the Graphic Audio team. They absolutely crushed the adaptation. The cast and sound design made the story feel way more alive than it would have on the page alone.
The emotional weight really lands with how Fitchner played Ryanna. She deserved better. Watching him manipulate her while still convincing himself it was for the greater good made it all land even harder.
And yeah, even though I know it was pure fan service, I f#cking loved the Kavax and Sophocles scenes. No complaints there.
Props to the Graphic Audio team. They absolutely crushed the adaptation. The cast and sound design made the story feel way more alive than it would have on the page alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
This was the best issue of this series so far.
It deals with more of Fitchner's backstory of how he met our dear ol' Sevro's mother and their relationship together. It also reveals more about the mission that the Sons of Ares are currently on.
The illustrations are beautiful and and the plot intriguing enough to keep me hooked up while I'm reading an issue and make me lie in wait for another after I finish it.
With every dose of this series, the Red Rising nostalgia grows stronger.
Per aspera ad astra.
It deals with more of Fitchner's backstory of how he met our dear ol' Sevro's mother and their relationship together. It also reveals more about the mission that the Sons of Ares are currently on.
The illustrations are beautiful and and the plot intriguing enough to keep me hooked up while I'm reading an issue and make me lie in wait for another after I finish it.
With every dose of this series, the Red Rising nostalgia grows stronger.
Per aspera ad astra.
January 24, 2018
The scene changes from Mars to Triton, a moon still being terraformed. Fitchner is in charge of a work group, but the caste system follows him. At first it seems like he doesn’t even consider the rest of them human, having hardened his heart to survive rather than acting like an elite Gold, but when an earthquake hits he can’t help himself. This leads him to find love and family, and explains what the present-day raid is all about.
This chapter was a lot more interesting, just because it involves people more than the previous.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
This chapter was a lot more interesting, just because it involves people more than the previous.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
October 1, 2017
I am loving this whole comics thing, I'm so glad Pierce decided to write the prequel this way!
It's all so interesting and intriguing. To know about Fitchner's life that had been a mystery to me in the RR books is like discovering a treasure.
I love his view of things, and I've always wanted to meet his wife, Sevro's mother,and I really like her (Far more than Eo that is)
*singing* Off to the next one
It's all so interesting and intriguing. To know about Fitchner's life that had been a mystery to me in the RR books is like discovering a treasure.
I love his view of things, and I've always wanted to meet his wife, Sevro's mother,and I really like her (Far more than Eo that is)
*singing* Off to the next one
August 1, 2017
The saga deepens
We learn more about the solar system empire of the books and of the romance which saved Fitchner. The crossing of the past and the future is expertly done and the artwork and storytelling remain very high.
We learn more about the solar system empire of the books and of the romance which saved Fitchner. The crossing of the past and the future is expertly done and the artwork and storytelling remain very high.
January 19, 2019
Fitchner had been raised to be a cold killing machine but he found that he enjoyed the warmth that low colors offered him and even fell in love with one, driving him to see people not just for their social class.
February 14, 2024
This review is for the audiobook because I didn't love the comic.
Mad respect for Fitchner as a "bronzie."
He orchestrated so much to start the Rising in such a brilliant way.
The graphic audio is so amazing! Highly recommend.
Mad respect for Fitchner as a "bronzie."
He orchestrated so much to start the Rising in such a brilliant way.
The graphic audio is so amazing! Highly recommend.
November 4, 2025
4 stars out of 5
These were super interesting! I wasn't really sure if I would read them but I am glad i did! The look into Fitchner's past and the set up for the Sons of Ares was great insight for the overall series!
*audiobooked it*
These were super interesting! I wasn't really sure if I would read them but I am glad i did! The look into Fitchner's past and the set up for the Sons of Ares was great insight for the overall series!
*audiobooked it*
January 16, 2026
Wonderful story and wonderful cast. It was interesting and cool to see what happened before and events that led up to Book 1. Also, exploring a different side of beloved characters and being with them during a different stage of their lives.
July 13, 2017
De los tres capítulo, este es mi favorito (por los momentos...)
Fue genial ir conociendo las identidades de los hijos... además los colores de esta edición están fantásticos.
Fue genial ir conociendo las identidades de los hijos... además los colores de esta edición están fantásticos.
July 14, 2017
This graphic series is finally starting to click for me with the introduction of Fitchner's connection with the reds.
July 21, 2017
I really love this cover, all the art is here is amazing. Best installment yet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews