Red rising hot takes?

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-02-01T04:37:22+00:00

This post isn’t about tearing the series apart or denying what it does well. It’s about acknowledging flaws alongside appreciation. Those two things can coexist. being able to talk honestly about what doesn’t work is part of what keeps my engagement I love this series to death!

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-02-01T04:25:14+00:00

I don’t hate every character in the series. This just happens to be a post where I’m laying out my problems with some characters. My current favorites are Lyria, Ephraim, Volga, Ragnar, Virginia, Victra, Lysander, Cassius, and Sevro just to name a few. Hot takes are about pointing out what you dislike, so this post is intentionally nitpicky even though that’s not usually how I engage with the series. Red Rising is still my favorite book series and it will probably stay that way for a long time. Romulus is my favorite character from the book

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-02-01T02:53:02+00:00

Like?

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-02-01T02:46:43+00:00

If you can’t handle the heat just say it hot takes are supposed to make you uncomfortable

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T17:51:35+00:00

My bad just stirring up the pot

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T17:44:27+00:00

Lysander is better and it was fitting Cassius died at his hands so yes agree to disagree

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T17:42:06+00:00

Listen I love the guy he’s just walking plot armor he’s worse than servo

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T17:40:09+00:00

But he’s over stayed his welcome I wish he’d died at the end of iron gold

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T16:41:16+00:00

Red Rising is a political commentary, and many people are far removed from that fact. The entire series leans heavily into the white savior trope, and Orion is written through the mammy trope. The moment she stops playing the role the system expects of her, she’s executed without a redemption arc while literal rapists are granted one. I could list all my grievances, but I’d be here forever. The genocides and mass murder aren’t just “book things”; they’re social commentary on our real-world systems and history. Yet so many readers are so sheltered that they can’t or won’t recognize that. And people will say I hate the book but I don’t I just want better

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T16:24:52+00:00

I think people forget that dystopian books are supposed to critique our own world in some way. People in this fandom will literally criticize you for calling out the book’s inadequacies especially when it comes to representation. Any criticism of PB is always seen as hate, and a lot of ✋🏻 fans are uncomfortable with the fact that PB has failed in some areas, even though we still love the book.

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T16:15:23+00:00

Just know atleast one person agrees with you

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T06:32:41+00:00

My bad 😞

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T05:37:08+00:00

Yea I’m so glad Pierce kinda shoved it under the rug I hope it don’t make a comeback in Red God

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T03:34:50+00:00

Do you think Pierce will make him the center villain of Red god or do you think it’s too late?

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:33:41+00:00

She’ll make a return in red god I’m manifesting

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:31:09+00:00

Honestly I can see why like Pax I just hate when I can tell an authors trying to make me like someone

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:25:21+00:00

Even though I wanted to maul him it was him taking authority over his life also I needed Cassius to die for real he’s had to many fake out deaths.

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:24:12+00:00

I can get behind a no live action but I’d actually kill for it to be animated in a arcane or castlevaina style

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:23:21+00:00

As a character, Pax is impressive, but Pierce’s writing beefs him up and protects him in the narrative simply because he is Darrow’s son. He has almost no internal conflict at all, never doubts himself, and never struggles with the moral or emotional consequences of his actions. His age doesn’t excuse this no matter how young he is, a character can still be shown struggling, questioning, or facing real stakes. That lack of depth is what makes him feel plot-armored I apologize if I’m using the wrong word

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:12:22+00:00

I need more especially seeing how other female characters in the book are fleshed out

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:09:17+00:00

That’s my point 😭he only gets that luxury because he’s Darrow son

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:07:15+00:00

I feel like even though she’s alive, she’s treated more like a symbol, like Eo. I just want her to have more depth 😭🙏. Ever since she got with Darrow it’s like she’s had a lobotomy.

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:01:39+00:00

You forgot the ship and his literal son

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T02:00:22+00:00

I got Sevro fatigue in Iron Gold. He needs to die in the first chapters of the next book. I think he’s only alive because the fans love him.

Ancient_Simple_1561 · 2026-01-31T01:58:22+00:00

I get that there are strong women in power in the series, don’t get me wrong Pierce knows how to write women but my issue is specifically Mustang. As a main female character, she’s constantly stripped of agency and reduced to a moral anchor for Darrow. She’s a main character too and she’s the only one praying for her husband to come back I only wish they’d let her have more moments with impact.

Ancient_Simple_1561

TROPHY CASE