History Literature / RedRising

* The ''Liteature/IronGold'' series (2018-present), a SequelSeries set ten years after the end of ''Morning Star'' exploring how the world has changed as a result of Darrow's actions in the trilogy.

!!!SpinOffs:

''Red Rising'' by Pierce Brown is the first installment of a trilogy revolving around a society in the distant future in which humanity is divided into a color-coded caste system. Darrow is a Red, a 16 year old Helldiver laboring under the surface of Mars to make the world habitable for future generations.

The series continues with ''Golden Son'', the second installment, in which war is started to thwart the BigBad's plans.

The third installment, ''Morning Star'', was released in February, 2016, and follows Darrow as he continues the struggle from the previous books.

The series has spawned a Prequel comic titled ''ComicBook/SonsOfAres'' which began in 2017. The first volume of a SequelSeries entitled ''Literature/IronGold'' released in January 2018.

The series has spawned a Prequel comic titled ''ComicBook/SonsOfAres'' which began in 2017. The first volume of a follow-up series entitled ''Literature/IronGold'' appeared in January 2018.

The series has spawned a Prequel comic titled ''ComicBook/SonsOfAres'' which began in 2017. The first volume of a follow-up trilogy entitled ''Literature/IronGold'' appeared in January 2018.

* LifeOrLimbDecision: In the first book, Darrow [[ImpaledPalm nails the Jackal's hand to a table]], and tells him he can go free if he cuts his own hand off. [[NightmareFuel He takes the offer.]]

--->-- '''Mickey''', RedRising

* FantasticallyIndifferent: Darrow's [[spoiler: uncle]] has this reaction to walking in on the Howler's [[NauseaFuel initiation ritual]]. He takes it in calmly and then just walks back out.

* AmazonBrigade: The Valkyries are an all female band of Obsidian warriors introduced in ''Morning Star''.

* AmbiguouslyBrown: Tactus is described as having skin like oak honey, and Quinn is similarly darker-skinned.
** WordOfGod confirms that Tactus is Mediterranean and Quinn is African.

* NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught: The war games at the Institute were rigged by ArchGovernor Augustus so that The Jackal would win.

** Made even worse by the fact that it ''appears'' to be alright on the surface, with mankind colonizing the solar system, a high-tech society and everyone divided into neat colours that give them job security at the very least. Then you realise that the LowColors are treated worse than dirt, the MidColors also live pretty terrible lives genetically locked into single roles where they're viewed as disposable tools, and the HighColours (besides Golds) aren't much better, chained to ceremony and desk jobs for life with no real authority. Even being born a Gold means a life of exhausting command, intense social pressure to perform and vicious political and physical warfare between families. And that's if you don't get an invitation to the Institute...

* StakingTheLovedOne: Hanging is the primary method of execution, but on places with lower gravity--such as Mars or Luna--the drop isn't enough to snap the condemned's neck; unless someone pulls their legs to break it, they'll merely suffocate to death. Darrow was forced to do ths for his father as a child, and then to Eo.

** The villains get this in ''Morning Star'' also, with the Jackal quietly making plans to overthrow the Sovereign and Ocatavia trying to stop him.

* AuthorityGrantsAsskicking: With few exceptions, almost every named Gold in the series who's in a position of authority is a badass as well.

!! 'Red Rising' contains examples of:

* DecapitatedArmy: [[spoiler:Roque]] micromanages his troop movements in real time, so when [[spoiler:he commits suicide aboard his flagship and Darrow takes over its command]] the Sword Armada cannot adequately enact a new battle plan.

* DeadlyTrainingArea: At first the training grounds seem like a paradise. But house Mars has no way to store water long-term, no way to make fire, and winter is on the way. Meanwhile house Ceres is baking bread in their river fortress and laughing it up.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Darrow becomes the leader of Augustus' military forces by beating everyone who tries to eliminate him.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: With few exceptions, almost every named Gold in the series who's in a position of authority is a badass as well.

* FiveManBand: As of ''Morning Star'', this is:
** BigBad - Octavia au Lune.
** TheDragon - Adrius au Augustus.
*** [[spoiler: DragonAscendant]]
** EvilGenius - Roque au Fabii.
** TheBrute - Aja au Grimmus.
** TheDarkChick - Antonia au Severus-Julii.
** TheSixthRanger - Cassius au Bellona.
*** [[spoiler: SixthRangerTraitor]]

* CrusadingWidower: Darrow

** ''Morning Star'' features this as a major issue for the Rising, with Golds allied with Darrow being hunted by lower Colors, only being resolved by Sevro taking Darrow's unification tactics UpToEleven [[spoiler: by first hanging Cassius then hanging ''himself''.]]