Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Incessant cruelty spoils action-packed sci-fi saga.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say this is an intense and gripping read that, while captivating for adults, is fraught with heavy graphic violence and dark themes that make it unsuitable for younger readers. Reviews highlight the compelling storytelling and worldbuilding, but many emphasize the importance of parental discretion due to the mature content involved, suggesting it is more appropriate for those aged 12 and up.
- graphic violence
- heavy themes
- adult content
- parental discretion
- engaging story
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the book is a compelling yet intense read that tackles heavy themes such as violence, sexual content, and deep moral questions, making it advisable for mature readers aged 13 and up. While praised for its engaging characters, intricate world-building, and meaningful messages, many warn about its graphic nature, suggesting it may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- intense themes
- mature content
- age recommendation
- engaging characters
- world-building
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the color-coded society of future Mars, Darrow is a Red who spends his days underground, mining helium-3 for the Golds, who live on the surface and are supposedly terraforming the planet for the good of all. After his wife is sentenced to death, Darrow swears vengeance on his family's oppressors. When he's given that chance, he learns that nearly everything he's been told is a lie. Darrow undergoes a harrowing physical transformation so that he can pass as a Gold warrior, but if he's to survive, he may have to adopt the worst aspects of those he would betray.
Is It Any Good?
RED RISING is action-packed, suspenseful, and frequently clever, a futuristic riff on The Count of Monte Cristo. Unfortunately, its better qualities are buried by the melodramatic posturing of its protagonist and by the incessant cruelty of its plot and supporting players. Author Pierce Brown clearly has a strategy for the long haul, in which lessons will be learned about the cost of vengeance, but the constant violence, aggressive language, and general unpleasantness of nearly every character overshadows and undercuts any positive message.
Older teens may respond to the high emotional level of the writing, but some may miss the point that Darrow's attitudes and actions are not to be emulated.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why science fiction stories about teens participating in deadly contests are so popular. What is it about works like The Hunger Games or Ender's Game that appeals to young readers?
What makes a good leader? Bravery? Empathy? Ruthlessness?
What are the drawbacks of trying to win at any cost?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Del Rey
- Publication date : January 28, 2014
- Number of pages : 382
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : February 2, 2026
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