Pierce Brown’s Red Rising is the first book in what would become a very successful science fiction series. From the very beginning, Brown demonstrates a rare ability to control the emotions of the

reader. He takes the audience on an exciting and emotionally charged journey through a future society on Mars that, despite its advanced technology, reflects many of the flaws and injustices of our own world. This is a story that is entertaining, thought-provoking, and especially meaningful for anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances or placed at the bottom of society’s hierarchy.

The story follows Darrow, a sixteen-year-old “Red” who works as a Helldiver deep beneath the surface of Mars. Reds are told they are pioneers, sacrificing their lives to help terraform the planet so future generations of humanity can survive there. Darrow takes pride in his dangerous work because he believes it serves a noble purpose. However, he eventually discovers that everything he and the other Reds have been told is a lie.

His wife, Eo, secretly takes him to the surface of Mars through a restricted passageway. There, for the first time in his life, Darrow sees grass, trees, birds, stars, and an already thriving civilization. He realizes that Mars has long been fully habitable and that the Reds have been exploited and manipulated for generations. Instead of being honored pioneers, they are slaves supporting a system built on deception and inequality.

Eo dreams of a better world — one where people are not controlled by lies, fear, or birth status. She believes people should have the opportunity to rise based on their abilities and character rather than the class they were born into. Her death becomes the catalyst that pushes Darrow to fight for that dream.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the social structure Brown creates. Humanity is divided into “Colors,” and each Color represents a different class and role in society. Reds are laborers and miners. Golds sit at the top of the hierarchy and are viewed as the elite rulers of civilization. A person’s Color determines nearly every aspect of their life. Brown uses this system to explore many issues that have existed throughout human history, including racism, slavery, class division, oppression, prejudice, and social inequality.

Darrow eventually joins a secret rebellion and undergoes a brutal transformation process that physically reshapes him into a Gold. He is then sent to an elite Institute where the most powerful Gold families train their future leaders. Not only does Darrow survive this environment, but he excels within it. His success carries a powerful message: when people are given equal opportunity, greatness can emerge from anywhere regardless of where someone started in life.

Another lesson that stood out to me was the difference between ruling through fear and leading through respect. Throughout the story, Darrow learns that leadership built on force creates obedience only temporarily. Fear may control people, but it rarely earns true loyalty. In contrast, when leaders respect others, sacrifice alongside them, and genuinely care about their people, they inspire commitment and trust.

I connected deeply with this concept because it mirrors how I tried to lead when I was placed in leadership positions myself. I always believed people performed better when they felt respected rather than controlled. Treating people with dignity creates stronger bonds than intimidation ever could.

Overall, Red Rising is an excellent book. Although it is fiction, the themes it explores are very real. Beneath the action, suspense, and futuristic setting lies a story about power, injustice, leadership, sacrifice, and hope. In many ways, novels like this can teach lessons just as effectively as nonfiction books because they allow readers to emotionally experience the ideas being presented.