ARC Review – Red Rising: Sons of Ares

Release Date: March 6, 2018.

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment.

Page Count: 121.

Genres: Sci-fi, graphic novel.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A prequel to Pierce Brown’s Red Rising book series, Sons of Ares tells the story of how the seeds of revolution were planted. In the future, mankind has spread across the galaxy. Humans are now genetically engineered, and one’s status in society is determined by the color of the caste they were born into. Golds are at the top – the super elite, they hold the most important positions and rule all. Fitchner is a Gold, but when he was born he was considered an aberration, not a “true” Gold. In consequence, Fitchner has to fight to survive his whole life, leaving him cold and uncaring. But when he meets Bryn, a lowly Red, he discovers a kindness that he has never known before. Fitchner risks everything to be with the woman he loves… but his risks do not go unnoticed.

One thing I need to say first of all, is that this is my first foray into Pierce Brown’s universe. I haven’t yet read his Red Rising novels, but I felt that since this was a prequel, I thought it would be interesting to read it first.

I liked the concept of a futuristic world with an extremely strict class system. Caste has been explored countless times in in fiction, but Brown’s world has such a grittier, darker feel to it than most others I’ve read. The caste system in the book is so extreme that almost all the characters accept it as an unalienable truth. Really kind of a scary reminder of how the prejudice that accompanies can get way out of hand.

Coming into this with no familiarity of Brown’s Red Rising books, I felt that there were some flaws with the pacing of the story. The explanation of the world is so brief that I had a hard time remembering aspects about it – such as which classes were above the others. The upside of that is that the focus is totally on the characters’ stories, but I felt distracted by trying to remember key factors about the world.

The characters, while intriguing, could also use some work. I had a hard time figuring out which characters were which. I knew who Fitchner and Bryn were, but I had to go back and reread to remember who some of the side characters were. Fitchner’s ragtag group really intrigued me, and I hope we get more of a backstory about each of them in later volumes.

Part of the problem I had with distinguishing different characters had a lot to do with the art style. I think the art was dark, gritty and sketchy – which definitely contributed to the tone of the story – but I had a hard time telling different characters apart. The style made them look very similar to each other.

Overall, I think Sons of Ares had a very futuristic, yet classically tragic feel to it. The story is a great reminder for how people’s prejudices can get way out of hand. I enjoyed reading about Fitchner’s struggle, but I hope we get to know the side characters better. I’m really curious to see how the story develops as the series progresses. It’s a world I feel eager to go back to, explore, and learn more about.

What about you all – have you read any of the Red Rising books yet? Do you think you’ll give this prequel graphic novel a shot?

If you’re like me and haven’t read them, do you think you’d prefer reading the prequel first, or go with the series that’s already so well known?

Happy reading!

~ Zoë

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