Red Rising Saga (Series by Pierce Brown)

Red Rising Saga (Series by Pierce Brown) (Books 1–6).

The Red Rising Saga is a science fiction series set in a future where humanity is divided into a strict color-based caste system. The story follows Darrow, a member of the oppressed Red class who infiltrates the ruling Gold elite to dismantle the system from within.

What begins as a personal mission becomes a galaxy-spanning conflict involving rebellion, political strategy, betrayal, and interplanetary warfare. The series is known for its intense pacing, emotional depth, and large-scale battles.

Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
This series contains graphic violence, war themes, political manipulation, and mature content.

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Red Rising Saga (Series by Pierce Brown)

Author: Pierce Brown
Publisher: Del Rey (Penguin Random House)
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Years of Publication: 2014 – 2023
Total Books: 6 (main series as of current release)
Series Status: Ongoing (additional books planned in expanded universe)
Audiobook Narrators: Tim Gerard Reynolds, Moira Quirk, James Langton, John Curless

GraphicAudio Narrators: Stewart Crank as Darrow, John Kielty as Cassius, Richard Rohan as Fitchner, Stephanie Németh-Parker as Eo, Jenna Sharpe as Mustang, Kay Elúvian as Roque, Jon Vertullo as Sevro, and Ian Russell as Nero, Alejandro Ruiz, Andrew Colford, Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Williams, Chris Stinson, Christopher Walker, Colleen Delany, Elizabeth Jernigan, Eric Messner, Ian Putnam, James Konicek, Joe Mallon, Joel David Santner, Julie-Ann Elliott, Karen Novak, Ken Jackson, Lucy Symons, Marni Penning, Martin Dickinson, Matthew Bassett, Matthew Pauli, Matthew Schleigh, Michael Glenn, Michael John Casey, Nanette Savard, Nazia Chaudhry, Nora Achrati, Shanta Parasuraman, Stephone Walker, Dylan Lynch, Yasmin Tuazon and Andy Clemence

“What a fantastic series. Everything about these books from the characters, story, plot, and the setting of the story are amazing. This is one of our favorite books of all time. They are big books but are worth every second and if you listen to the Graphic Audio versions of the books, the story truly comes to life.”

Books in the Series

• Red Rising (2014)
• Golden Son (2015)
• Morning Star (2016)
• Iron Gold (2018)
• Dark Age (2019)
• Light Bringer (2023)
• Red God (Pending, Expected 2026)

Order of Reading

Original Trilogy (Main Story Arc)

1. Red Rising
2. Golden Son
3. Morning Star

Sequel Series (Post-Revolution Arc)

4. Iron Gold
5. Dark Age
6. Light Bringer
7. Red God

Main Characters

• Darrow au Andromedus (Darrow of Lykos)
  He is the main character of the series. Darrow is a “Red” who infiltrates the ruling Gold society to spark a revolution.
• Virginia au Augustus (“Mustang”)
  She is from one of the leading Gold families and is the daughter of Nero. Mustang is a strategist and Darrow’s most important ally and love interest. Eventually becomes one of the key political leaders.
• Nero au Augustus
  He is Viriginia and Adrius’s father. Nero is the ArchGovernor of Mars. He is a powerful and ruthless Gold lord who plays the political game at the highest level.
• Adrius au Augustus (“The Jackal”)
  He is Nero’s son and Mustang’s twin brother.
• Sevro au Barca (“The Goblin”)
  Sevro is one of Darrow’s closest friends and most loyal allies. He is known for his brutality and humor.
• Cassius au Bellona
  He is from one of the leading Gold families and his relationship with Darrow is also central to the story. Cassius is the heir to House Bellona.
• Karnus au Bellona
  He is Cassius brother.
• Tiberius au Bellona
  He is the head of House Bellona.
• Victra au Julii
  She is a sister to Antonia and daughter of Agrippina. Victra is a sharp, wealthy Gold who becomes a key ally and later a major political figure.
• Octavia au Lune
  The Sovereign of the Society. Octavia is the ruthless ruler of the Gold hierarchy.
• Lysander au Lune
  He is the Heir to House Lune and grandson of Octavia.
• Aja au Grimmus
  She is one of the deadliest warriors in the Society. Aja serves Octavia as her bodyguard and is the daughte of Magnus au Grimmus.
• Moira au Grimmus
  She is Aja’s sister and Octavia’s chief politico.
• Magnus au Grimmus (“The Ash Lord”)
  He is Aja and Moira’s sister father and former ArchImperator to Octavia au Lune.
• Roque au Fabii (“The Poet”)
  He is a lancer of House Augustus.
• Ragnar Volarus
  An Obsidian warrior who becomes one of Darrow’s most powerful allies.
• Kavax au Telemanus
  He is head of House Telemanus and an ally of House Augustus, father to Daxo and Pax.
• Daxo au Telemanus
  He is heir and son of Kavax and brother to Pax.
• Sefi Volarus
  Ragnar’s sister; leader of the Obsidians in later stages of the war. Sefi is the Queen of the Valkyrie.
• Fitchner au Barca
  He is the father of Sevro.
• Ares
  Terrorist Leader.
• Harmony (Dancer’s faction)
  She is part of the Sons of Ares. Harmony is a radical leader within the Rising.
• Dancer
  Ares lieutenant and political leader of the Rising.
• Pliny au Velocitor
  He is the chief politico of House Augustus.
• Tactus au Rath
  He is a lancer of House Augustus.
• Lorn au Arcos
  He is a former Rage Knight and head of House Arcos.
• Alexandar au Arcos
  He is the eldest grandson of Lorn au Arcos. Heir to house Arcos and allied to House Augustus.
• Kellan au Bellona
  He is a cousin of Cassius and nephew of Tiberius.
• Agrippina au Julii
  She is the head of House Julii, mother to Victra and Antonia.
• Antonia au Severus-Julii
  She is a half sister to Victra and daughter of Agrippina.
• Mickey
  He is a carver.
• Evey
  At the start of the book she is a slave of Mickey. Evey is a Pink
• QuickSilver/Regulus Ag Sun
  He is the richest man in the Republic.
• Holiday Ti Nakamura
  She is a legionnaire and a sister to Trigg. Holiday is a Gray.
• Ephraim Ti Horn
  He is a freelancer and a former Son of Ares. Ephraim was married to Trigg.
• Volga
  She is also a freelancer. Volga is an Obsidian and a colleague of Ephraim.
• Clown, Pebble, Thistle, and Screwface
  They are Howlers.
• Rominus Au Raa
  He is the head of House Raa and the sovereign of the Rim Dominion.
• Orion Aquarii
  She is a blue and a naval commander. Orion is known for her tactics with the fleets.

Memorable Quotes

• “Break the chains, my love.” – Eo
• “…be better than the man who tricked his friend.” – Lorn au Arcos
• “Rise so high, in mud you lie.” – Karnus au Bellona
• “In a storm, you don’t tie two boats together. They’ll drag each other down.” – Fitchner au Barca
• “Death begets death begest death.” – Lorn au Arcos
• “For those who dine with war and empire, the bill always comes at the end.” – Lorn au Arcos
• “If you are thrown into the deep and do not swim, you will drown. So keep swimming.” – Roque au Fabii
• “Fear those who seek your company for their own vanity. As soon as you eclipse them in the mirror, it won’t be the mirror they break.” – Lysander remembering the words of Octavia
• Hic sunt leones is a Latin phrase translating to “Here are lions” or “Here be lions.”

“My son, my son
Remember the chains
When gold ruled with iron reins
We roared and roared
And twisted and screamed
For ours, a vale
Of better dreams“

….The Reaping Song, also known as The Song of Persephone

Red Rising Saga — Book Library Table

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