Wowza!!! As soon as I read the description for RED RISING, I was intrigued and I'm really not sure what's taken me so long to read it!! From the first page, I was hooked!! 
 I absolutely loved Darrow!! I'm going to leave out all that happens to him because there are sooo many ways just mentioning Darrow could spoil this book, but he just amazed me! His drive, his strategic mind, and his snarky attitude were the perfect fit for this story. I already can't wait to read the other two books in the trilogy because it's clear that Darrow will do amazing things and he's in for some extremely tense adventures!! 
 Darrow wasn't the only amazing character though! I also loved Sevro, Roque, Mustang, Pax...and sooo many others!! RED RISING was packed pull of dynamic characters. Interestingly, I actually disliked a handful of my favourite characters in this book when they were first introduced. I've always been a sucker for well written characters, but I think this is the first time I've been swayed by so many characters like that. The characters were all so well-rounded and they developed so fully that it was easy to sympathize with those you should dislike, and to grow to love the ones that first came off as "enemies." The character development was superbly written and I can wait to see what becomes of them all in the sequels...although I've heard I should be afraid which doesn't surprise me. Pierce Brown didn't go easy on his characters in RED RISING and I would've been shocked if that changed. 
 Not only were the characters fantastic, so was the world-building! It was spectacular and I loved learning the intricacies of Darrow's world. The hierarchies, colours, and subtle nuances between each class of people was super fascinating and understanding it all through Darrow's narrative lens made it even better!! I'm not quite sure how Darrow can achieve his ultimate goals but I'm extremely excited to see him try!! 
 I loved RED RISING! It was a remarkable story with some of the best character and world-building that I've ever read! I enthusiastically and whole-heartedly recommend it and I can't wait to get started on GOLDEN SON and MORNING STAR!