It is still fantastic (at least the two of the three that are currently published) but I want to give the caveat that if you go into reading the second trilogy expecting more of the same compared to the original, you might be a tad disappointed.īelow is my original book talk I made over a The second trilogy, that takes 10 years after the events in book three (a bit like the Star Wars saga), has a very different tone and energy to it.
This book was actually one of the first books chosen for the book club that I started over two years ago, and it definitely helped set the tone and momentum to have kept us meeting all this time.įor those who ARE interested in reading this series, I do recommend that you start with the original trilogy and see how you like it. It has been a long time since I have really fallen for a book series… Harry Potter and Eragon are probably the last two that I have felt this sucked into a world and simultaneously wish I could literally jump into the universe but also wipe my memory so I can experience the magic of reading it for the first time all over again! The world-building is fantastic, the characters are layered, flawed, and relatable, and each book somehow manages to get better than the one before it. If you enjoy science fiction at all, take the time to read this book, and at least the two books that follow it. Apparently my two related decals on my Jeep are not enough because I am seriously considering getting a tattoo based on this series. This may just be one of my all-time favorite books and series…. Personal Insights (upon my third re-read) : “Pierce offers a Hollywood-ready story with plenty of action and thrills.” – Publishers Weekly, 2014 “Brown's debut novel is reminiscent of both Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games and William Goldman's The Lord of the Flies but has a dark and twisted power of its own that will captivate readers and leave them wanting more.” – Jane Henriksen Baird, Library Journal, 2014 “A fine novel for those who like to immerse themselves in alternative worlds.” – Kirkus Reviews, 2014 “The characters are perfectly flawed, causing the reader to feel compassion and revulsion for both sides.” – Cindy Stevens, LibraryReads, 2014 Determined to lead his people to a better life, Darrow will stop at nothing to not only survive this competition, but to come out on top to ensure his mission will succeed. At that point, he is on his own, and must navigate the brutal and ruthless world of the Golds as he and his other “classmates” are put to the ultimate test: a brutal war game that determines the fate of the young people in the top tier of the Golds. He is genetically and physically augmented in order to look like a Gold, and is admitted into Mars’ most prestigious school. Sparked by a renewed hatred for the Gold and the structure of the society in which he is now aware of, Darrow is chosen to infiltrate the upper echelon of society in order to overthrow the repressive government. In reality, the Reds are slaves to the large civilizations already on the fully terraformed surface of Mars that has been there for centuries. He is recruited by a rebel group and quickly learns that his meager existence has all been a cleverly constructed lie in order to keep the Reds passive and complicit. When Darrow’s wife is executed for a mild rebellious act, Darrow decides to exact vengeance on the ruling class, the Golds. Hard work and loyalty are rewarded while resistance and rebellion are swiftly and harshly punished.
He and his people have been told for generations that they are the pioneers of the planet Mars, and that due to their efforts, they will pave the way for civilization to one day be able to exist on Mars. He and his people live under the surface of Mars in slavish and hellish conditions in order to mine and harvest the precious element, helium-3, that is needed to terraform the surface of Mars and make it habitable and livable for the rest of humanity. Awards / Recognitions: Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Debut Goodreads Author 2014ġ6-year-old Darrow is a Red, the lowest caste of civilization.