$25.14
Buy Now, Pay Later
As low as
$6
/ mo
Learn more
- – 4-month term
- – No impact on credit to apply
- – Instant approval decision
- – Secure and straightforward checkout
Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout.
Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, Zip, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.
Learn more about financing & leasing here.
Free shipping on this product
30-day returns
Learn more
This item is eligible for return within 30 days of receipt
To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
Availability:
20 left in stock
Arrives
Nov 10 – Nov 14
At a glance
- Condition
- New
- Book 1 of 6
- Red Rising
- Listening Length
- 16 hours and 12 minutes
- Author
- Pierce Brown
- Narrator
- Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Publication date
- January 28, 2014
- Language
- English
Description
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 spends his life willingly, knowing 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 sprawling parks 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. Read more
Specs 9
| Book 1 of 6 | Red Rising |
|---|---|
| Listening Length | 16 hours and 12 minutes |
| Author | Pierce Brown |
| Narrator | Tim Gerard Reynolds |
| Publication date | January 28, 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Recorded Books |
| Version | Unabridged |
| Program Type | Audiobook |
No specs match.
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Nov 10 – Nov 14
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
- Klarna Financing
- Affirm Pay in 4
- Affirm Financing
- Afterpay Financing
- Zip Pay in 4
- Financing through Apple Pay
- Financing through Google Pay
Learn more about financing & leasing here.
Similar Products
Top Amazon Reviews
I'm not going to recap the plot because the book's summary does a great job of explaining what the book is about
Format: Kindle
Red Rising by Pierce Brown 5 Stars!! I'm not going to recap the plot because the book's summary does a great job of explaining what the book is about: The Earth is dying. Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity's last hope. Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it's all a lie. That Mars has been habitable - and inhabited - for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labor, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought. Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside. But the command school is a battlefield - and Darrow isn't the only student with an agenda. I'm sure by now it's obvious I love romance novels. I wasn't originally going to read this book because it's listed under science fiction. I was going to have a friend read it and do a guest review (he still is going to review), but somehow I found myself intrigued by this book and all the praise that it has received. It is compared to Hunger Games and I really liked Hunger Games so I decided to give it a try...why not? Well...I'm so happy I decided to read this book. I'm not sure it does this book justice to compare it to Hunger Games. While I can see some similarities, Red Rising has added layers of depth. The writing and story is so good. You will be sucked in. First, it is quite obvious the Pierce Brown is well read. He created his own unique story but managed to borrow and weave the concepts of some great works. The first thought I had was that this book reminded me of Golding's Lord of the Flies with a twist on Homer's Iliad. There's a lot of references to Greek mythology in this story. The Golds like to play God and they interfere a great deal. It was interesting how I would forget this novel is actually set into the future. The school is basically set up to imitate ancient times where Darrow and the other students have to learn to conquer but also learn to establish order and civilization. This is where I see many similarities to Lord of the Flies. The books incorporates major themes about the conflict within human nature: civilization versus savagery. It highlights Nietzsche's concept that the driving force behind human nature is the "will to power, " or the long standing question of "does the end justify the means?" This is what I love about the novel...it's not just entertainment; it's entertainment with layers that question morality and the true nature of humanity. It has all the entertainment of Hunger Games, but the depth of the some well know classics. It's interesting to think about how this book is futuristic and technology has advanced far beyond what we can imagine, but no matter how advanced the world becomes, human nature is constant: our drive for power and our inclination for savagery always exists; it is a fine balance to keep civilization and morality in the forefront. This book has a lot of action in it and it is INTENSE. I was so stressed reading it, which is crazy since it's a trilogy and I automatically know Darrow will live through to at least the last book. I'm terrified that Pierce Brown will not give me a happy ending. I'm a happy ending girl and I want it SO bad for Darrow. There is love in this story and love is the major driving force for all of Darrow's actions, but this is not a romance story. It's a story about many things: love, war, survival, redemption, strength, fear, humanity, etc. I LOVED this book. If you are looking for a good book that has it all...love, action, science fiction, philosophical principles, something you can learn from...then READ this book. I hear it's going to be made into a movie. So READ this book before the movie comes out!! Onto book 2...here we go.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2015 by Anne's Corner Book Blog (AC)
A Masterclass in Storytelling That Absolutely Lives Up to the Hype
Format: Kindle
I finally understand why Red Rising has such a devoted fan base. This is one of those books that gets stronger with every chapter. What begins as a gripping dystopian story evolves into an epic tale of ambition, loyalty, sacrifice, and revolution. Pierce Brown doesn’t just build a fascinating world, he fills it with complex characters, high-stakes political intrigue, and twists that continually raise the tension. Darrow’s journey is the heart of this novel. Watching him evolve from someone driven by grief and revenge into a leader with a much greater purpose was one of the most rewarding character arcs I’ve read in a long time. Every victory felt earned, every setback carried weight, and every relationship added another layer to the story. The pacing in the second half is phenomenal. Once everything begins falling into place, it’s nearly impossible to stop reading. By the final chapters, I was completely invested, and the ending left me wanting to dive straight into the next book. If, like me, you’ve been putting off Red Rising because of the hype, don’t make the same mistake. This is one of those rare books that truly earns its reputation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars. I’m immediately picking up Golden Son.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2026 by Raedele
More Than Sci-Fi: A Layered Epic Worth Every Re-Read
Format: Hardcover
I honestly didn't expect this book and series to hit me the way that it has. Going into it I anticipated a generic standard sci-fi adventure. Something that was entertaining but disposable in a way that is just a read that you enjoy and move on from. What I got out of this instead was the beginning of a sprawling space opera that has genuinely stayed with me and drawn me back for more than 1 re-read. The world that Pierce Brown builds is structured around a rigid caste system, with the Reds who are miners believing they are terraforming Mars for future generations of Earth colonists sitting at the bottom. Darrow, the main protagonist is a Red, and when he has the reality of his world torn apart he is violently thrust into something far larger than he understands. The first book in the series centers on a brutal academy where the children of the ruling Gold class compete for dominance in a very Hunger Games feeling experience. Think Roman gladiatorial politics crossed with Lord of the Flies. What separates Red Rising from similar books is the historical and literary weight Brown brings to it. The Reds aren't just an abstract underclass in that their culture, their music, and their speech patterns draw directly from the struggles of marginalized Irish immigrants in the 19th century. If you listen to the audiobook, and I strongly recommend that you do, this becomes impossible to miss. The Reds speak with Irish accents and the ruling Golds with a clipped British authority. That choice reframes the entire conflict in ways that feel pointed and real. The Roman influences are equally deliberate. The political structures, how the military is organized, even the academy itself all echo the Roman Republic at various stages of its rise and corruption. And Pierce Brown never shies away from making those comparisons. For readers with a taste for classical literature there is a third layer as well: Brown was openly influenced by Shakespeare and careful readers will catch twisted echoes of familiar lines and themes throughout. It would be dishonest not to acknowledge that Book 1 is the weakest entry in the series in my opinion. Now, I feel I need to be careful in saying that as this is by no means a weak book. Brown was a first-time published author finding his footing and some of that shows. But here is the thing for me, knowing where this series goes makes the first book better, not worse. The 4 stars reflects this book specifically, not the series, which would earn 5 without hesitation. Every character introduced here and every relationship built, carries weight that compounds across the following books. I came to love this group of people more than I expected to love any fictional cast. Darrow, Sevro, Mustang, Pax, Cassius and more, there is someone in this circle for every kind of reader to connect with. On pacing: Brown moves fast. Some readers complain there isn't enough time spent on the journey. I disagree. The momentum is a feature, not a flaw. It reflects the urgency of what Darrow is living through and it makes the book nearly impossible to put down. It lends it a raw and frenetic feel that serves to build the tension the characters are feeling. The themes of class warfare and the manipulation of information to keep people divided and compliant are not subtle and are not meant to be. Reading this in the current political climate you will find yourself drawing direct parallels without trying. That is not an accident. Read the physical copy if you must. But do yourself a favor and find the full cast audiobook. It is the superior version of this story and it earns that distinction.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2026 by Dani
Bloodydamn Brilliant! More please!!
Format: Kindle
I find it hard to even begin to do justice to the mastery that lies in these pages. __I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war. That, right there, is how it starts. Instantly hooking me and not letting me go for nearly 400 pages. I wasn't expecting this. I expected another standard-fare dystopia - we've all read them. They are everywhere now, aren't they? The underdog hero fighting against a corrupt system for a brighter purpose. It seems like it shouldn't be so much more than that. I'm not a huge reader of science-fiction, and when I found out this takes place on Mars far in the future, I had my doubts. But there enters Darrow, a protagonist unlike any other I've read. He's the best Helldiver there is, able to quickly and nimbly gather the precious Helium3 that's so needed. He spends his life happily doing all he's known. He's a pawn, gullibly believing the lies that have been told him his entire life. Not even considering another possibility than the 'truth' he's always known. Until tragedy strikes, and his wife, Eo, is killed by the ruling Golds. Eo was with us such a short time in the novel. We heard about her, and then only saw her for a couple of chapters, then she's gone. And still it felt like the still-beating heart of me was ripped out. She's such a dynamic character. A dreamer. The catalyst for change - no matter the cost. And the cost is high, not just to her, but to Darrow. And she's never forgotten. I was nearly 90% into the book when Eo was mentioned (one of many, many times) and I started crying again. Thus starts Darrows first transformation - from ignorant, accepting youth to rage-filled, betrayed husband. His need for vengeance is deep, and he gets his chance. All he has to do is give up everything about himself, everything Eo loved, to become one of his enemy. He'll be reshaped into a Gold, a Trojan Horse slipped in their midst to bring down the corrupt regime. He's to become the knife between the ribs they never saw coming. I mentioned Darrow's first transformation, but it's not his last. He learns and grows, adjusts and readjusts. He knows he's not the strongest, or the smartest. He doesn't have the strategy perfected. He can't win this on his own. Darrow's fallible. God, how I loved that. He makes mistakes, mis-judges things, hell, he does things that made me cringe. And yet, I was always right there with him. From beginning to end I couldn't help but root him on, willing him to find a way. It's not just Darrow that's great here, either. He's surrounded by such complex characters, with diverse motivations - sometimes I wasn't even sure where loyalties lay, who was going to betray whom and for what. We learn, right along with Darrow, that the Golds aren't all cut from the same cloth. This changes the way Darrow, and I, saw things. Obviously, some stick out more in my mind than others - and I hope we haven't seen the last of them. But still, I wasn't sure who to trust, and even when I gave trust it was wary and worrisome. What if they were biding their time? I spent most of the book on the edge of my seat....needing to know. __"You do not follow me because I am the strongest. [Redacted 1] is. You do not follow me because I am the brightest. [Redacted 2] is. You follow me because you do not know where you are going. I do."__ I read for characters, you might know that by now, that's what will always intrigue me and pull me through the story. But I love worlds, too. Pierce Brown has created such a diverse, complex, intriguing world that I'm in awe of it. The color system he's devised, the way and reason it's implemented, how each group is kept under the thumbs of Golds - blew.me.away. It was logical - imagine that. How it came to be made sense and it was absolutely heart-breaking. I think this world devastated me so much because I can imagine it happening. It scares the ever-living-hell out of me. On top of all this awesomeness you have the writing that immerses me so deeply into the world, the story that I couldn't let go of it. I can't do this novel justice, I could ramble for ages on how it made me feel, how I laughed out loud, cried and pleaded, and at times it even made me squeal in delight. Red Rising is, hands down, the best science-fiction novel I've ever read. Pierce Brown is brilliant, and I can't wait for the second novel in this trilogy - already I'm anticipating having all my expectations shattered. **I received this book for review from the publisher.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2014 by Angela
Excellent
Format: Kindle
This is not the typical genre of books that I read. I like romance, fantasy romance; happy ending. This is more of like a war time, hunger game feel. It’s a dark, violent, sad, dystopian sci fi story. With that said it is exciting, captivating and well written. I was immediately caught up in the story and characters from the very beginning. There was never any point during the reading where the story dragged or was boring. I recommend listening to the Red Dramatized Adaptation audiobook version. It’s very well done. It truly felt like a movie in my mind
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2026 by Sandra
Must Read
Format: Kindle
This was a fantastic book, the story, the dialogue, the characters. Would recommend to any fantasy reader. Will be binging this series.
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2026 by Kyle O.
Prepare yourself for the brutality!
Format: Hardcover
Red Rising could be a science fiction dystopian but once you get past the first part it could also be a sort of medieval fantasy as it mashes together various elements and is able to pull them all off. It’s an example of the “chosen one” character trope in fantasy, where a somewhat ordinary boy/man rises above his station to be more (or the best really). I’ve seen this trope done plenty of times before and no doubt will see it done many times again. I think that it’s because it’s a story that readers want. As long as its done well of course, and here it most certainly is. You want to sympathize with Darrow and you most certainly want him to win. And even when he wins or is saved by the skin of his teeth from death I’ll still swallow every bit of unlikeliness that things could happen that way. Against the odds a slave Red like Darrow has been transformed into a Gold and he infiltrated their society thru admission to their institute. There he will learn that Golds are just as abused by their own people as Reds are used and advised by all colors above them. He will make friends, enemies and maybe even realize his heart can learn to love again. Prepare yourself for the brutality! I’m not joking when I say that some readers might have a hard time with Red Rising if they are sensitive to things like torture, rape, amputation and all the other ugly things that can happen during a war. There isn’t a “real” war going on but there might as well be with the battle that these students are put through. While there are rules there might as well not be because none of them are followed. It’s a dirty game of war that is afoot and so if you’re going to dive into this one you better be prepared. Am I twisted for enjoying it? Maybe a bit – but I like my fiction dark and gritty at times and this definitely gave that to me. This reminds me of Alterac Valley – You World of Warcrafters know what I mean! The way the game of war the students have to participate in is setup and the landscape they are dropped into very much reminds me of the days I PVP’d (player versus player) in the MMO World of Warcraft. At the time I played quite a bit in Alterac Valley, it was one of the main battlegrounds and the two opposing factions were dropped down at different parts of the map and you had to capture points on the map with your battle standard and ultimately try to overwhelm the other faction’s base of operations. It was a lot of killing, raiding and more killing. Of course Red Rising was way more brutal but I couldn’t help but be reminded of it. Folks that love a good war game will appreciate Red Rising. Rape is always wrong, but here? Well lets say I felt it was done wrong There was only one major gripe I had with this book and that is the way women and rape is used/treated. For much of the novel, practically all of it the women are not characters at all but just means to push the plot in whatever direction things were going to go. I was pretty upset by the flagrant use of rape at almost every turn to paint Darrow as a hero in at least three or more different instances. It got to be tedious and made me lose respect for the book at times. Darrow didn’t need such a heinous act to be a strong and sympathetic character. I ran across a guest article by Analee Flower Horne titled ‘I’m Not Broken’ on Jim C. Hines blog recently and I absolutely believe many authors would do themselves a favor by reading it. I’ve seen rape used so poorly in so many novels that it really makes me sad especially when I essentially love everything else about the book. Thoughts on the narration At first I had a hard time getting comfortable with the narrator. So much so that I returned the audio book for a refund the first time. Then I decided, let me just give it another try and give it at least a few hours. Once I did I found I really enjoyed the narration and that Tim Gerard Reynolds has a great narrating voice. I think what originally threw me was that he sounds so mature and older and the main character was 16 at the time while he had the voice of a man. Once I got into the full swing of things I really enjoyed how he voiced all of the various characters.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2015 by Pabkins
A strong start to a series I definitely want to continue
Format: Kindle
I really enjoyed this. Part One hooked me immediately and I was not expecting the story to go where it did that fast. There were enough twists, reveals and shifting alliances to keep me invested, and I liked watching Darrow figure out how to survive inside a system that was built to control people like him. The Institute section did start to drag for me toward the end and some of the constant fighting and territory changes got a little repetitive, but every time I started getting bored, something happened that pulled me back in. Overall, this was a really strong series opener. It gave me enough worldbuilding, politics, betrayal and surprises to make me want to keep going. I’m definitely continuing with Golden Son.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2026 by D. King