Author Guide
Pierce Brown Books in Order
The complete Red Rising Saga reading guide — all seven books in order, where to start, and everything you need to know before diving into one of sci-fi fantasy's most epic series.
About Pierce Brown
Pierce Brown was born in 1988 and grew up in Colorado. Red Rising began as a self-published project before being picked up by Del Rey and published in 2014 — a debut that sent shockwaves through the science fiction and fantasy community. The series blends dystopian rebellion, Roman-mythology-inflected class warfare, and operatic space opera in a way that almost defied categorisation. It worked. The Red Rising Saga has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Brown lives in Los Angeles, and the series continues — with the long-awaited Red God completing the second trilogy.
START HERE: Red Rising (Book 1) — the first three books form a complete, satisfying trilogy. You can stop after Morning Star and feel fully resolved. Books 4 onward are a sequel trilogy with multiple POV characters and a much larger scope. Read them for more, not because you have to.
The Red Rising Saga — All Books in Order
Books 1–3 form the original trilogy. Books 4–7 are the sequel trilogy with expanded POVs and a galactic scale.
The Original Trilogy (Books 1–3)
1
Red Rising
2014
Start Here
Darrow is a Red — the lowest caste in a colour-coded society on colonised Mars — who infiltrates the ruling Gold class to tear their society apart from within. One of the most gripping debut novels in recent genre fiction. Frequently compared to The Hunger Games, but quickly exceeds it in scope.
2
Golden Son
2015
Darrow has risen within Gold society but his revolution is fracturing. Golden Son expands the world dramatically — from Mars into the solar system — and delivers one of the most shocking endings in recent sci-fi. Widely considered better than the first book.
3
Morning Star
2016
The conclusion to the original trilogy. Darrow's revolution reaches its climax across the entire solar system. An emotionally devastating and triumphant finale that stands on its own — you could end the series here and feel completely satisfied.
The Sequel Trilogy (Books 4–7)
Warning: Dark Age (Book 5) is brutal. Pierce Brown himself has called it the darkest thing he has written. Multiple beloved characters die, and the emotional toll is relentless. It is also considered by many fans to be the best book in the series. Proceed knowing what you are getting into.
4
Iron Gold
2019
Ten years after the events of Morning Star. The Republic is fracturing, and we now follow four POV characters — Darrow, Lysander, Lyria, and Lysander au Lune. A slower start but essential world-building for what follows.
5
Dark Age
2020
Series High Point
The darkest, longest, and most devastating entry in the saga. Catastrophic losses on every front. Many fans consider this the best book in the series despite — or because of — how relentlessly difficult it is. Not for the faint-hearted.
6
Light Bringer
2023
The aftermath of Dark Age — a somewhat more hopeful book as alliances shift and the scope reaches further than ever. Sets up the final confrontation of the saga.
7
Red God
2025 / TBA
Upcoming
The seventh and final book in the Red Rising Saga. The conclusion to the sequel trilogy and the ultimate resolution of Darrow's revolution. Release date to be confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Red Rising series complete?
Not yet. As of 2025, six of the seven planned books have been published. The original trilogy (Books 1–3) is fully complete and tells a satisfying standalone story. The sequel trilogy currently stands at Books 4 and 5, with Light Bringer (Book 6) published in 2023. The final volume, Red God, is anticipated but has not yet received a confirmed release date.
Can I stop after Book 3 (Morning Star)?
Absolutely. The first three books — Red Rising, Golden Son, and Morning Star — form a complete, emotionally satisfying trilogy with a genuine ending. Many readers choose to stop there. The sequel trilogy (Books 4 onward) expands the world significantly, adds new POV characters, and is worth reading if you want more time in this universe — but the original three stand on their own.
Is Red Rising similar to The Hunger Games?
Red Rising is frequently compared to The Hunger Games because the first act involves a brutal competition where competitors must kill each other. The similarities end there. Brown's world is far more politically complex, the mythology draws heavily on Roman society and naming conventions, and the series quickly expands into full-scale interplanetary warfare and political intrigue. Readers who loved The Hunger Games typically find Red Rising a significant step up in scope and darkness.
How many books are in the Red Rising series?
Seven total — three in the original trilogy (Red Rising, Golden Son, Morning Star) and four in the sequel trilogy (Iron Gold, Dark Age, Light Bringer, Red God). There are also some short stories and novellas set in the universe, though these are not essential reading.
Is Red Rising being adapted for film or TV?
Yes — a film and television adaptation has been in development for several years. As of 2025, no confirmed production has been announced, but Pierce Brown has spoken publicly about the project being actively pursued. Given the scope of the saga, a streaming series format would be the most natural fit.