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RED RISING Trilogy re-reads
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The RED RISING re-read: Part I SLAVE
So my biggest question is about Eo. I've had many long discussions with my friend on the correct pronunciation of Eo and was wondering how Pierce came up with that name.
As a new reader, I was impressed with how quickly and intimately I feel like you described the main characters. I feel like I know their plight and relationships already in just one part. I also liked the difference in thought between the generations. As an older parent of tweens, I know they think I probably don't know anything either. I expect that we'll find that Darrow's uncle knows more than Darrow thinks he does.
I have so many books to read and the thought of rereading a book that I just read earlier this year seemed a little foolish. Then I read the prologue.
I am geeked up about getting into this series after having a few months to let it digest. I haven't read Golden Son yet but I do own it and ...why am I writing this! I've got books to read!!
This is my second time reading Red Rising. The first time was a bit confusing with the world building and learning the vernacular of the reds. This time I feel immediately immersed and am loving it. One thing has always stumped me. Darrow and EO's wedding bands. Rings made of silk and hair don't seem practical in that environment and I never could imagine what they looked like, or how they would stay on. Its the little things, and I could never picture it. Is this practice found in any Earthly cultures? :)
am I the only one who sees this when I'm reading about Eo?
As I begin to reread Red Rising. I remember the trepidation with which I first approached it. I saw it on the shelf in the library and gave it a cursory look and was on the verge of dismissing it as yet another dime-a-dozen YA Sci-Fi Dystopia novel. However I did decide to read it and was surprised to discover one of the most thrilling adventures I've ever read. Truly this is a book that transcends a tired and overcrowded genre.
I've only read two chapters, but the description of colonizing Mars is so interesting to me. I was amazed at how Pierce has stratified society. No chance of destiny to play into an individual's life. The Gold and Gray have everything earned solely on the backs of the lower levels who are barely subsisting on a survival level. But, I can't wait to find out how the power and motivation of love, even in a very stark and cruel environment, can create change.
As someone who has studied art history I can't help but think of the Golds as Capitalists. They hold all of the power and manipulate the leads fortunate to work for next to nothing. The Sons if Ares are the socialists. Mickey is like the Diego Rivera because they are both artists. So in that scenario Augustus is like a Rockefeller, (minus the commissioning part. I really need to reread Golden Son.) Anyhow, I really admire the political structure. Everything seems very well thought out. I wish I understood the system of castes a bit better. Does everyone in their color have skin the same color as their group? Are all the golds gold and the reds red? Do they all have the same colored hair as they do skin? (Minus the purples, it does say Mickey has black hair.) Right now I'm envisioning it to be like the factors in Divergent where everyone just wears certain colors according to their group.
To AisuKurim: There are several versions of the song that EO sings but here is the link that I find sounds the best https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYexC... I hope you enjoy**Note this is my newest favorite book series. This will be my 12 reread of this year... I absolutely can't wait for Morning Star. (already preordered three signed copies for the family)...
Thanks for this fun event DelRey and Pierce Brown.
So this is my first time reading Red Rising. When I started it tonight it was a bit intimidating at first. There's a lot to learn and get used to with the world building. Once I got past that and everything started clicking I was completely enchanted by the writing and the characters and the setting. It's all so fascinating!Pierce does an amazing job with writing so descriptively that I really felt everything. I wasn't expecting so much emotion already in part one.
It's taking all the strength I have to really pace myself, since I have lots of other stuff to get through as well, and stick with the loose reading schedule for this reread. When all I want to do is get some caffeine and finish this in one sitting!!
Why didn't I read this sooner?!
Stacy wrote: "I wish I understood the system of castes a bit better. Does everyone in their color have skin the same color as their group?"In the Red Rising universe everyone (so far) has regular human skin. I remember reading (I think in Pierce Brown's reddit AMA) that most of the castes have variations in skin tone, especially those that come from Earth. Only the Reds have one skin tone: pale, because they're of Scotch-Irish decent, and because they don't get much sun. Most castes have hair and eyes the color of their caste, though some (like Violets and Greens) have dark hair.
Jillian wrote: "In the Red Rising universe everyone (so far) has regular human skin. I remember reading (I think in Pierce Brown's reddit AMA) that most of the castes have variations in skin tone, especially those that come from Earth. Only the Reds have one skin tone: pale, because they're of Scotch-Irish decent, and because they don't get much sun. Most castes have hair and eyes the color of their caste, though some (like Violets and Greens) have dark hair."In addition, I'm fairly sure Pinks have a variety of skin and eye colors (although I doubt blonde pinks would be allowed). Obsidians (or at least Ragnar) have white hair rather than black, and I believe all Blues share the same pale skin tone because of how they remain inside cruisers constantly
Irene Ellefson wrote: "I've only read two chapters, but the description of colonizing Mars is so interesting to me. I was amazed at how Pierce has stratified society. No chance of destiny to play into an individual's lif..."That aspect reminds me of
Stacy wrote: "As someone who has studied art history I can't help but think of the Golds as Capitalists. They hold all of the power and manipulate the leads fortunate to work for next to nothing. The Sons if Are..."Stacey, agree with your Red analogy. But in my opinion, I see the Golds more as a dictadorship.
Carolyn wrote: "To AisuKurim: There are several versions of the song that EO sings but here is the link that I find sounds the best https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYexC... I hope you enjoy**Note..."
Thanks, Carolyn, lovely. Reminded me of music from the court of Henry VIII.
Great comments from everyone!Few of my notes--- no spoilers(I think)
Love the family aspect of the Reds
Some Amazing quotes
Audiobook is very well done and song(who someone already mentioned) was great!
The writing style is probably my favorite part of this section. I has forgotten how much I love the rough, blunt sentences used during the beginning of the book, written in the way we talk when short of breath. I love the way they compound upon each other to build a rythym that beats in the back of your mind, managing more description in their limited words than most authors manage in whole paragraphs. It's also fun to see how these sentences gradually evolve with Darrow over the course of the book, as he unconsciously mirrors the mannerisms of those around him, even in his thoughtsEdited for grammar
Jillian wrote: "am I the only one who sees this when I'm reading about Eo?"
I will be now!
Brady wrote: "The writing style is probably my favorite part of this section. I has forgotten how much I love the rough, blunt sentences used during the beginning of the book, written in the way we talk when sho..."YES. Narrative voice is my current obsession (in fact, my first reading of Red Rising is what started the obsession--now I look for it everywhere), and it was the voice that sucked me in from the very first page. The structure, the word choice, the rhythm. It's that distinctive voice that I looked for and found in Golden Son, and I'm sure I will find in Morning Star. I wonder how much of it's organic, and how much Pierce had to work really hard to craft.
I don't understand all you people who've read these books dozens of times. :P I mean, I love them--I really do. They both rank on my all-time favorites list. But there are so many other books out there! And not near enough time in the day to read them . . .
Am I the only one who missed Uncle Narol mentioning Dancer at the end of SLAVE the first time around? I didn't remember that!
Rereading this i realized that Golds dont have regular skin-.Golds have Golden skin but there is variation in shade.For example sevro has a khaki gold skin.Aja has a dark gold skin.etc
To Lola, You are quiet welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it.As far as skin tone, there have been a lot of questions and thoughts about the matter. However, I think there is a point where one has to use their imagination to understand the world and creatures. Khaki gold skin can be more as a description of someone from Egyptian descent and dark gold would be more like Arabic... much like Jillian wrote "Only the Reds have one skin tone: pale, because they're of Scotch-Irish decent, and because they don't get much sun."
I believe that being descents of earth... the castes are just different variations of races and cultures. Of course without trying to give spoilers, the tech and medical alterations we have now in our own world can change many physical features to include skin tone and bone structure. Now with that who is to say that the descents of our choices to change physical flaws and appearances, didn't have a lasting effect on our children's children's children's children.
But of course it is just one person's option and imagination of what the author portrays in this book. We will not truly know until we are able to get the thoughts of Pierce Brown himself on the matter.
I imagine Golds all having tans of various shades. Golds are like how people picture Hollywood or Beverly Hills types, but stronger and taller.
Lola wrote: "Stacy wrote: "As someone who has studied art history I can't help but think of the Golds as Capitalists. They hold all of the power and manipulate the leads fortunate to work for next to nothing. T..."Yes, I agree, but in context with the historical event I was referencing I called them Capitalists.
Stacy wrote: "So my biggest question is about Eo. I've had many long discussions with my friend on the correct pronunciation of Eo and was wondering how Pierce came up with that name."I always assumed it was just the name of one of Jupiter's moons, but after just looking it up to fact check, I didn't realize or remember that the spelling of the moon is actually Io. Regardless, I have been calling her ee-oh like the moon. But one of my friends says he thinks its eh-oh. That's just my rational, but I'd be interested in finding out the true pronunciation as well.
Brady, enjoyed and agree with your comments on the wonderful writing. I think I was drawn in so quickly by the "staccato" beginning.
My take on the Gold's skin tone was that the brighter the shade, the higher the caste of the person.
Plus Octavia lune is the first Gold we meet.Shes described as having a Golden face.
Eneyi wrote: "Plus Octavia lune is the first Gold we meet.Shes described as having a Golden face."I wasn't able to find that passage, the nearest I found was when Darrow described Nero's response to his begging at Eo's lashings. The exact passage is "The ArchGovernor looks at me, but his face is golden, poreless, and without care". I had always taken "golden" to mean aloof, but I suppose it could describe physical characteristics. Still, at this point Darrow has only seen the sun once, and even a light tan would appear golden to him. My interpretation is that all golds share the same skin color, which resembles a tan, but the shade of their hair and eyes differ, along with their stature.
ETA: Just found it, it says "only one imperfection mars her golden face". I still see it as rhetoric, but there's no way to be sure
I just figured that it was similar to how Homer described his heroes as "golden" (in the translation I read, anyway), and only their hair and eyes were gold. I think Pierce himself needs to settle this. But I for one am not wearing gold sparkles on my skin with my Howler Halloween costume, LOL.
I am a first-time reader of "Red Rising" and have no previous knowledge of what the story-line pertains to (although everyone I know who has read the book raves about it). I was immediately immersed in this alien world that still had enough familiarity that I was able to put myself in the story and sympathize with and root for Darrow and his family. Where did Eo get the innate ability to recognize that their society was in fact being held in chains, and they would never be free to enjoy the fruits of their arduous labors? I loved it when Darrow acknowledged the fact that his wife's mind was "higher" than his own. I was heartbroken but yet inspired by her death. It reminded me of the scene in the movie "Braveheart" when the senseless death of William Wallace's wife galvanized him to action and forced the realization that he would be unable to stand passively by and watch his people continue to be born, live, and die enslaved. I'm looking forward to Part II, especially to find out how Darrow's uncle is involved with the Sons of Ares as is indicated by his drugging Darrow and subtly interfering with his hanging. And, it goes without saying, what course Darrow's life is going to follow now that he has been "executed." Can't wait.
Shane wrote: "As a new reader, I was impressed with how quickly and intimately I feel like you described the main characters. I feel like I know their plight and relationships already in just one part. I also li..."I know exactly what you mean. I also am an older parent of teenagers and they definitely feel that they know more than I do because the world "has changed so much since you were our age." They also feel they are indestructible and can accomplish anything they put their minds to with no dire consequences, much like Darrow and his work as a Helldiver. Great character set-up at the beginning of the story.
Okay. I have read this book several times (b/c it is my favorite). So it would be easy to read ahead of the timeline. But I'm forcing myself not to. I'm forcing myself not to read Part II for another day or two.My big impression of the first section is how immaculately the world is built. I usually struggle with "new" words (burners, thumpers, etc) being added to a book such as this, but the rest of the world is so intricately and solidly built, that I was able to assimilate the "new" words into the story with nothing more than a pause, even the first time I read it (ARC).
I am also struck (and will continue to be throughout the series, and anything else Pierce ever releases for the rest of us to devour) at how gorgeous his phrasing is and how beautifully he paints a picture with the choice of his words.
Read it several times. And I'm amazed all over again.
It's so hard to stop reading. Guess I'll have questions ready for the next two sections.
Stacy wrote: "It's so hard to stop reading. Guess I'll have questions ready for the next two sections."So true! I found Red Rising just before Golden Son came out. Read it straight through and was waiting at midnight to get the Golden Son eBook as soon as it was available. It is VERY hard to put these books down!
Mod
Hi Stacy - thanks for your question!
Peoples’ skin color is not at all related to their castes. The Society is a post-race culture, so each caste contains every skin color variation imaginable. However, peoples’ hair and eyes are generally the same as their Color, as are the metal Sigils embedded in their wrists.
The Obsidian are one exception: they generally have very pale skin and white hair with jet black eyes.
-Mike Braff (Pierce's editor)
Mod
Thanks for your question Carol
All Eo had to do was look past the petty squabbles between Red clans in Lykos to realize that they were being pitted against each other by the Copper administrator. It’s the same method of control that the Golds use elsewhere: by keeping the Colors fighting amongst themselves, it prevents them from working together. Eo knew that the Gamma clan is the favorite clan of the Coppers, so that even if Darrow did win the Laurel, Gamma would get it because that’s the way it has always gone. She didn’t know about the world beyond Lykos, but she did recognize this method of control for what it is.
-Mike Braff (Pierce's Editor)
Pierce wrote: "Carol wrote: "I am a first-time reader of "Red Rising" and have no previous knowledge of what the story-line pertains to (although everyone I know who has read the book raves about it). I was immed..."Thanks so much for your reply. It made me think about the way Eo handled the knowledge she had of the control that was being exerted upon the Reds. While others also recognized this method of control, they chose to respond covertly behind the masks of the Sons of Ares with acts of terrorism and subterfuge. Eo made the conscious choice to be more proactive and boldly engage in an open act of defiance in an attempt to galvanize the Reds to acknowledge their enslavement. Who shows the most wisdom and courage? Those who are content to be patient and undermine the foundations of Society one act at a time or Eo with her willingness to sacrifice everything to show that the Reds need to go to any lengths to throw off their chains? Or maybe you need both in order to ensure any long-term changes.
I can't fully express my feels for this book! This is my second time reading it and I'm just as pumped as the first time. The prologue and the first chapter really reeled me in with so much thought-provoking lines. I feel inspired to write my own novel too! I've said this to you before, Pierce, but I'll keep on saying it. Thank you for igniting the embers of my passion for writing. Thank you for pushing me to write.On to Part 2!!!
Part 1 has some interesting Red Faction and Braveheart influences that I love.Although this part was the slowest in the book,it really picks up when Eo and Darrow begin discussing the fate of the reds.
This will be my third round of Red Rising and love this being broken down. subtle things I missed before are more apparent. thank you for doing this
Mod
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I'm a little behind on finishing this part. Yikes! That's what happens when I'm also in the middle of a 1000-page library book.Anyway, things I noticed this go-around: FORESHADOWING. How could I have missed it on my first two reads?? I have no idea. It's also interesting to be able to put names to the Golds Darrow describes, because I've read the rest of Red Rising and Golden Son.
AND. Am I the only one to have noticed this? Page 27: "I'm their pride, their GOLDEN SON." *rimshot*
I'm a little behind on throwing this up, but here it goes. This is my first time reading Red Rising. Not really sure why it took my so long to pick, probably because my TBR pile is so huge. Normally, dystopian isn't a genre a lean toward, but this book. The first few pages pulled me and really like Darrow. He's going to be an interesting main character and I mean that in the best way possible. Also, that escalated quickly. I know Eo's death was sort of a giveaway if you read the back of the book, but the end Part One. What?! Despite this not being my usual go to genre I'm really loving this book and am excited to dive into Part 2 after work tomorrow.
Carolyn wrote: "To AisuKurim: There are several versions of the song that EO sings but here is the link that I find sounds the best https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYexC... I hope you enjoy**Note..."
Thanks for sharing!!!
Sarah wrote: "I'm a little behind on finishing this part. Yikes! That's what happens when I'm also in the middle of a 1000-page library book.Anyway, things I noticed this go-around: FORESHADOWING. How could I ..."
I just started listening to the audio this morning, and since it's a reread for me, the first time in print, I'm also catching things like -- "their GOLDEN SON"... I did a double take at that! ;)
I love the pacing. The world and character building do not slow down the progression of the story at all. I couldn't read Red Rising fast enough the first time around. Doing my best to take my time now although it is still difficult.
Sarah wrote: "I'm a little behind on finishing this part. Yikes! That's what happens when I'm also in the middle of a 1000-page library book.Anyway, things I noticed this go-around: FORESHADOWING. How could I ..."
So who are the other Golds with Nero au Augustus? I couldn't put names to them as familiar as they seemed.
Ask Pierce Brown
Books mentioned in this topic
The Selection (other topics)Red Rising (other topics)
Hello everyone!
Today marks the beginning of the RED RISING re-read. This week the focus of the conversation will be on Part I: SLAVE. This reading period will conclude on this Friday, 10/30.
From reading the comments on the intro thread, we do understand that the book reads fast and it's highly possible that you might read further and into Part II and beyond. That's perfectly fine! Please try to keep spoilers to minimum so that the first time readers can enjoy the experience.
The main purpose for breaking down the read is to keep the discussion focussed and if anyone has any specific questions for Pierce and/or his editor regarding a specific section.
Again as mentioned in the intro post, the goal for this re-read is for fans to read AND interact with one another! Post your memes, your pivotal moments, what you loved, what you struggled with, ask questions - talk to each other!
We're all here to celebrate a book that many people have enjoyed or have heard is a great read - so let's indulge in the process!
NOTE - Any questions for Pierce and/or his editor will be collected at the end of the week and a few will be answered. We're still working on how we'll go about this, so stay tuned.
Again, thank you everyone!
Happy reading,
Pierce & Del Rey books