Red Rising: Sons of Ares series
The Red Rising: Sons of Ares books, co-written with Rik Hoskin,[1] must be read in publication order, which is also the clearest order for following the main framed sequence. The best starting point is Red Rising: Sons of Ares #1, which introduces the color hierarchy, Fitchner au Barca, and the rebellion’s early narrative frame.[9-14]
The Red Rising: Sons of Ares books form a continuous sequence because each issue builds on both the present-day infiltration-and-rescue plot and the flashback revelations about Fitchner au Barca’s history, his place within Gold society, his relationship with Bryn, and the path to Ares’s identity. Later issues rely on developments from earlier ones, making it important for readers to start with book one and proceed in publication order.[9-14]
The Red Rising: Sons of Ares books must be read in publication order, by following this sequence:[1]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #1 | 2017[15] | Introduces the Society, Fitchner, and the first hostage operation. |
| 2 |
|
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #2 | 2017[16] | Continues the operation and expands Fitchner’s past. |
| 3 |
|
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #3 | 2017[17] | Follows the team while revealing Fitchner’s life on Triton. |
| 4 |
|
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #4 | 2017[18] | Links Fitchner’s family life to the present-day crisis. |
| 5 |
|
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #5 | 2017[19] | Connects the abduction to the assault on the medical facility. |
| 6 |
|
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #6 | 2017[20] | Resolves the rescue sequence and completes Fitchner’s turn toward Ares. |
1. Red Rising: Sons of Ares #1
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #1 (2017)[15] establishes the color-coded hierarchy that governs the solar system and introduces Fitchner au Barca through a present-day operation. It also begins the retrospective account of Fitchner’s childhood, his rejection within Gold society, and his survival through the Passage.[9]
This issue forms the foundation for the political setting and Fitchner’s history.[9]
2. Red Rising: Sons of Ares #2
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #2 (2017)[16] continues from the first issue, as Fitchner’s team faces the consequences of their hostage operation being discovered. Its flashback material follows Fitchner after the Passage, showing his uneasy place among the Gold elite and his break from Arturius’s world.[21]
This issue expands the contrast between Fitchner’s formal status and his outsider position.[21]
3. Red Rising: Sons of Ares #3
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #3 (2017)[17] moves the infiltration team into the deeper levels of a dangerous facility while returning to Fitchner’s earlier life on Triton. There, his role as a Gold administrator puts him in contact with the Red workforce and Bryn.[22]
This issue is central to understanding how Fitchner’s loyalties begin to shift away from his caste’s assumptions.[22]
4. Red Rising: Sons of Ares #4
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #4 (2017.[18] continues the present-day fight against hostile forces while showing Fitchner and Bryn’s move to Mars. It introduces the pressures placed on their hidden marriage, Fitchner’s coerced work for Quicksilver, and the dangerous steps that lead to the birth of Sevro. The issue brings Fitchner’s private life and political danger into direct contact.[23]
5. Red Rising: Sons of Ares #5
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #5 (2017)[19] ties together the family crisis and the current assault on the Board of Quality Control facility. Fitchner’s effort to reach Bryn and Sevro is intercut with the events that made the rescue mission necessary, including the raid on the safehouse and the search for access codes. It is a direct continuation of the previous issue’s cliffhanger.[24]
6. Red Rising: Sons of Ares #6
Red Rising: Sons of Ares #6 (2017)[20] concludes the immediate facility sequence, following Bryn’s attempted escape, Fitchner’s rescue effort, and the confrontation with Arturius. It also shows how the losses and choices surrounding Bryn and Sevro reshape Fitchner’s next purpose.[25]
As the final issue in this sequence, it completes the origin arc leading to the name Ares.[25]
Red Rising series
It is necessary to read the Red Rising books in order, with the main novels following a continuous chronological sequence that begins with Red Rising and runs through Light Bringer. The best starting point is Red Rising, since it introduces Darrow, the Color hierarchy, the rebellion, and the central conflict that drives the later books.[26-32]
The Red Rising series is a continuous sequence rather than a set of standalone novels. Each main book builds on the previous one, with recurring characters, political conflicts, wars, betrayals, and shifting alliances carried forward across the series. Readers should begin with Red Rising and continue through the main novels in order. The Book of Lorn is related material set between Red Rising and Golden Son, but it is supplementary background rather than a required part of the main narrative.[26-32]
The Red Rising books must be read in chronological order, by following this sequence:[33]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Red Rising |
Year of publication: 2014[34-37] |
Introduces Darrow, the Society, and the rebellion. |
| 2 |
|
The Book of Lorn |
Year of publication: 2025[38-39][3] |
Focuses on Darrow’s training under Lorn au Arcos and Lorn’s past. |
| 3 |
|
Golden Son |
Year of publication: 2015[40-41] |
Continues Darrow’s infiltration into political war. |
| 4 |
|
Morning Star |
Year of publication: 2016[42-43] |
Follows from the collapse and conflict of the previous book. |
| 5 |
|
Iron Gold |
Year of publication: 2018[44-47] |
Moves the story into the aftermath of the Rising. |
| 6 |
|
Dark Age |
Year of publication: 2019[48-50] |
Continues the Republic, Society, and Rim conflicts. |
| 7 |
|
Light Bringer |
Year of publication: 2023[51-54] |
Follows the unresolved wars and alliances after the previous book. |
Works in sequence
The essential reading path consists of the main novels that carry Darrow’s story, the fall of the Society, the rise and strain of the Republic, and the later wars among the Core, Rim, and rebel factions. These books should be read in order.[26-32]
The Book of Lorn expands the world by returning to the period after Darrow’s success at the Institute and before Golden Son. Its focus on Darrow’s training under Lorn au Arcos, with episodes from Lorn’s past, makes it useful background rather than a required step in the main sequence.[27-28]
Readers who want the core story may skip The Book of Lorn. However, readers seeking fuller coverage may add The Book of Lorn after Red Rising as optional background.[26-27]
1. Red Rising
Red Rising (2014)[34-37] establishes the series’ central premise through Darrow, a Red miner who learns that his people have been enslaved beneath a terraformed Mars.[26]
His transformation into a Gold and entry into the Institute introduce the Color hierarchy, the political order of the Society, and the rebellion’s strategy of infiltration from within.[26]
2. The Book of Lorn
The Book of Lorn (2025)[38-39][3] takes place between Red Rising and Golden Son, during Darrow’s early years as a lancer to Nero au Augustus. The story follows Darrow as he seeks Lorn au Arcos, the Society’s greatest razormaster, to train him in combat, discipline, and leadership.[27]
The narrative also explores episodes from Lorn’s past, examining the experiences that shaped him into a legendary figure. While not essential to the main storyline, this book expands the world of the series. It is available to those who subscribe to Pierce Brown’s Patreon.[27]
3. Golden Son
Golden Son (2015)[40-41] expands the conflict beyond the Institute into the political and military world of the Gold ruling class. Darrow’s position inside House Augustus grows more dangerous as rival houses, the Sovereign, the Sons of Ares, and old personal loyalties collide.[28]
This book depends on the identities, alliances, and consequences established in Red Rising.[28]
4. Morning Star
Morning Star (2016)[42-43] continues from Darrow’s defeat at the end of Golden Son. It follows the rebellion as it tries to recover its leadership, rally lower Colors, and confront the ruling powers of the Society.[29]
This book completes the first major arc of Darrow’s war against the old order while carrying forward many of the central relationships and conflicts from the first two books.[29]
5. Iron Gold
Iron Gold (2018)[44-47] begins after the fall of the old regime and shifts the series into the difficulties of governing, rebuilding, and continuing war. The narrative broadens through multiple points of view, including Darrow, Lyria, Ephraim, and Lysander.[30]
It should not be treated as a standalone, because its political situation and character tensions grow out of the earlier trilogy and into the next phase.[30]
6. Dark Age
Dark Age (2019)[48-50] continues the conflicts opened in Iron Gold, especially the war on Mercury, the instability of the Republic, the ambitions of Lysander, and the crises affecting Mars and the Obsidians.[31]
This book assumes knowledge of the new viewpoint structure and the unresolved events of the previous volume, making it a continuation rather than an independent entry.[31]
7. Light Bringer
Light Bringer (2023)[51-54] follows the aftermath of the defeats, divisions, and shifting alliances that dominate Dark Age. Darrow, Virginia, Lysander, Lyria, Sevro, Cassius, Diomedes, and other major characters remain tied to ongoing military and political struggles across the Core, Rim, and Republic.[32]
It depends on the accumulated context of the earlier main novels.[32]
Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View series
Pierce Brown co-wrote one of books in the Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View series, which is titled From a Certain Point of View.[4-7]
1. From a Certain Point of View
From a Certain Point of View (2017)[4-7] is a multi-author anthology that reimagines the original Star Wars film through the eyes of supporting characters. Pierce Brown’s contribution, Desert Son, follows Biggs Darklighter as he reunites with Luke Skywalker before the attack on the Death Star and enters the battle with memories of Tatooine, friendship, fear, and purpose.
As a single short story, it does not require any preceding Pierce Brown work.
References
- Red Rising Comics. Pierce Brown.
- Red Rising Saga. Pierce Brown.
- The Book of Lorn: AVAILABLE NOW. Pierce Brown. Archived.
- From a Certain Point of View (Star Wars) by Renée Ahdieh, Meg Cabot, Pierce Brown, Nnedi Okorafor, Sabaa Tahir: 9780345511485. Penguin Random House.
- Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View. Penguin Books UK.
- From a Certain Point of View (Star Wars) by Renée Ahdieh, Meg Cabot, Pierce Brown, Nnedi Okorafor, Sabaa Tahir, and more! Penguin Random House Canada.
- Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View (EBook). Penguin Books Australia.
- Red Rising: Sons of Ares Vol. 1. Dynamite Entertainment. Cover. ISBN: 9781524104924.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #1. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #2. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #3. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #4. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #5. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #6. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #1. Dynamite.
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- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #3. Dynamite.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #4. Dynamite.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #5. Dynamite.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #6 (Of 6). Dynamite.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #2. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #3. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #4. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #5. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Son Of Ares #6. Dynamite Entertainment.
- Red Rising. Del Rey. ISBN: 9780345539809.
- The Book of Lorn. Pierce Brown.
- Golden Son. Del Rey. ISBN: 9780345539830.
- Morning Star. Del Rey. ISBN: 9780345539861.
- Iron Gold. Del Rey. ISBN: 9780425285930.
- Dark Age. Del Rey. ISBN: 9780425285961.
- Light Bringer. Del Rey. ISBN: 9780425285992.
- Red Rising Series. Penguin Random House.
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown: 9780345539809. Penguin Random House.
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Hachette UK.
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Red Rising: enter the explosive first book in the globally bestselling dystopian space opera series by Pierce Brown – Books. Hachette Australia.
- HOME. Shit Escalates.
- Shit Escalates. Patreon.
- Golden Son by Pierce Brown: 9780345539830. Penguin Random House.
- Golden Son by Pierce Brown. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Morning Star by Pierce Brown: 9780345539861. Penguin Random House.
- Morning Star by Pierce Brown. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Iron Gold by Pierce Brown: 9780425285930. Penguin Random House.
- Iron Gold by Pierce Brown. Hachette UK.
- Iron Gold by Pierce Brown. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Iron Gold: the epic fourth book in the globally bestselling dystopian science fiction series RED RISING by Pierce Brown – Books. Hachette Australia.
- Dark Age by Pierce Brown: 9780425285961. Penguin Random House.
- Dark Age by Pierce Brown. Hachette UK.
- Dark Age by Pierce Brown. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Light Bringer by Pierce Brown: 9780425285992. Penguin Random House.
- Light Bringer by Pierce Brown. Hachette UK.
- Light Bringer by Pierce Brown. Penguin Random House Canada.
- Light Bringer: the utterly addictive sixth book in the globally bestselling dystopian science fiction series RED RISING by Pierce Brown – Books. Hachette Australia.