It’s so funny that you enjoy this book so much, and I didn’t enjoy it, yet you explained why I didn’t enjoy it far better than I could 😂 excellent review Angela! You’re reviews aren’t always so good
On paper this book should not be as fun for me as it is 😂😅 which is probably why this review was easy for me to make but also had me questioning if I even know myself as a reader anymore
Red rising was my first buddy read… 🥴 I wasn’t a fan of Darrow. I went on to read the next 2 with the same buddy and what I will say is that the series has stuck with me.😂
I'm so excited about to read this series. Most of the negatives mentioned don't typically bother me anyway, at least not in the type of story i'm expecting to get from this and for the ones that do, thanks to you i'm able to go in with the right expectations
It was interesting to hear your thoughts on this, it makes sense why it worked for you. I'll be curious to hear the reviews on the two series arcs. I haven't decided if I'll try the sequels but might be more motivated to if the second arc is more character focused. I do remember really liking Sevro but also wishing he was the main character. 😂
🐺 this was such a comprehensive review, thank you for that! i love how you went into all the common criticisms & examined to what extent they're present in the story and how they influenced your own reading experience. sometimes i also just want a quick "brain off" read, but it sounds like red rising has too many tropes that irritate me, so i'll let it pass me by for now. still curious to hear what you'll think of the later books, live shows included :)
Even though I have finished the first trilogy, I love watching these videos. Red Rising is such a romp. I've re-read the first 2 books, so I might pick up Morning Star whenever you get to it bc I havent tried the second trilogy (they always make me nervous). I am glad this particular romp works for you bc it really is a fun series as long as you don't think about it.
Fantastic review ! I totally agree. I'm excited to see how book 2 holds up for me as its 2 & 3 where the series became a hit for me, and Im excited to chat about books 4-6 as they'll be first time reads for me.
I really appreciate this video. I wish I could watch this type of thing before every book I read😂 It would help me approach books with appropriate expectations and help me enjoy the experience better. Awesome video!
I've been on the fence about this book for years because people always say it's so good, but everytime I read the blurb, nothing about it compels me. Thank you so much for this review - the critiques you mention really resonated with me as things that would probably drive me crazy, so I think I'll pass. Thanks for easing my mind about it! 😁
I love how you just seemed to take the words out of my mouth here, this is *exactly* my experience with this series as well, haha. I have already re-read the main trilogy once before, but I am kinda in the mood for this 'popcorn' type of read again so I may or may not just do a third read before the new release comes out, lol. I also can't put my finger on why these books just work... but I am not complaining about it 🤣 Great video Angela 🥰
I 100% had a similar experience with this one. Just ate it up whole, and I’m not one of those people who disparages the first book and praises the others-I had an absolute blast with it. I’m legit worried that I won’t like the sequel series anywhere close to as much as the first trilogy, so I’ve been holding off on it. I’ll try to go into it with different expectations!
Yea I think you have to go into the new series almost letting go of what the original trilogy is, you will have older versions of some of the characters but the pacing and vibes are very different to me
Good points particularly for me I would have liked the world to be more fleshed out. As you mentioned the characters are not hugely deep but the setting for me was more interesting at times.
This review helped me decide that I definitively don't want to read this series. I'd been waffling for a while, because I see Booktubers talking about it in a positive way, but I'm also aware that I often bounce pretty hard off of SFF authored by white men (primarily because of how they write women). Hearing you talk about it highlights for me why people might love this... while making pretty clear that I don't think I would, based on my personal tastes. I really appreciate you taking the time to discuss this book that you enjoy while fully acknowledging where folks might dislike it.
Glad this was a useful review for you! But yea as a lover of books I always want it to find the right hands and help people avoid books that won't work for them. Cause there are just too many books in the world!
I keep picking this book up and saying I might read it and then I put it back down and it only cost me 50 cents love this video and your amazing channel please stay safe and enjoy your reading prayers and thoughts for you and your family love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤
🐺 I did not realize that Red Rising had not ended yet, I really thought it was already over for some reason. Anyways, based on the way you describe the main character, I have a feeling that this won't be a book I would like, so maybe it's a good thing that I haven't picked it up yet. Thanks for the video, Angela. It was very helpful, because before, I was still sort of on the fence about whether or not this series was worth picking up.
The original trilogy has been done for awhile but the new series (starting with Iron Gold) hasn't had a new book in a minute, which is why this year is so exciting!
My main problem with the first book is that I don't think the plot is fun at all. The setup is fine but has the problems you mentioned. My problem is that this is a sci-fi book and the second half took place at The Institute and had people using medieval wargame tactics on Mars with horses and weaponry. Where was the imagination? Why not make use of the lower gravity that Mars has in the action sequences? The main sci-fi element I remember was the use of the healing probes. I just hated the entire second half of the book I was so bored due to how unimaginative the author used his setting. Even if more sci-fi elements were added, I still didn't care for the competition aspect of the second half. The next two books fixed these problems for me and I liked them much better. I do agree that the series needs to be viewed as a fun, pulpy adventure. I think the first trilogy achieved that very nicely despite my issues with the first book. I didn't love Iron Gold but I'll see how I feel about Dark Age.
Yes! There was A LOT that I didn't like about it, so much if it is just plug and play, you've seen these plot beats a million times, but I had a lot of fun. I just rolled my eyes and continued with it. 🟥
Plug and play is a pretty good description and I think of that type of media this was pretty good quality, but I can get why that wouldn't be interesting for people haha
It’s so funny that you enjoy this book so much, and I didn’t enjoy it, yet you explained why I didn’t enjoy it far better than I could 😂 excellent review Angela! You’re reviews aren’t always so good
On paper this book should not be as fun for me as it is 😂😅 which is probably why this review was easy for me to make but also had me questioning if I even know myself as a reader anymore
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance 😂😂😂
We all have at least 1 book that has everything it in that we should hate that we love
I loved the original trilogy so much and need to read the rest of the books. I can totally see why people don't like it, but I'm a big fan
Red rising was my first buddy read… 🥴 I wasn’t a fan of Darrow. I went on to read the next 2 with the same buddy and what I will say is that the series has stuck with me.😂
Hahaha well atleast there is that 😂
Very much appreciate your take it's spot on and I was not feeling the reviews from the bros
I'm so excited about to read this series. Most of the negatives mentioned don't typically bother me anyway, at least not in the type of story i'm expecting to get from this and for the ones that do, thanks to you i'm able to go in with the right expectations
It was interesting to hear your thoughts on this, it makes sense why it worked for you. I'll be curious to hear the reviews on the two series arcs. I haven't decided if I'll try the sequels but might be more motivated to if the second arc is more character focused. I do remember really liking Sevro but also wishing he was the main character. 😂
I am very curious to see how Iron Gold and Dark Age work for me this time around!
🐺 this was such a comprehensive review, thank you for that! i love how you went into all the common criticisms & examined to what extent they're present in the story and how they influenced your own reading experience. sometimes i also just want a quick "brain off" read, but it sounds like red rising has too many tropes that irritate me, so i'll let it pass me by for now. still curious to hear what you'll think of the later books, live shows included :)
Even though I have finished the first trilogy, I love watching these videos. Red Rising is such a romp. I've re-read the first 2 books, so I might pick up Morning Star whenever you get to it bc I havent tried the second trilogy (they always make me nervous). I am glad this particular romp works for you bc it really is a fun series as long as you don't think about it.
Being apprehensive for the second series is probably the right call, hoping my experience will be completely different this time around!
Fantastic review ! I totally agree. I'm excited to see how book 2 holds up for me as its 2 & 3 where the series became a hit for me, and Im excited to chat about books 4-6 as they'll be first time reads for me.
Books 2 and 3 are such a blurr, I am excited to basically be reading them for the first time again!
I really appreciate this video. I wish I could watch this type of thing before every book I read😂 It would help me approach books with appropriate expectations and help me enjoy the experience better. Awesome video!
Awww thank you for the kind words! Thanks for watching!
"Spoiler free"
9:02 "he turns into a gold"
LOL THANKS
I've been on the fence about this book for years because people always say it's so good, but everytime I read the blurb, nothing about it compels me. Thank you so much for this review - the critiques you mention really resonated with me as things that would probably drive me crazy, so I think I'll pass. Thanks for easing my mind about it! 😁
Happy to help!!
I love how you just seemed to take the words out of my mouth here, this is *exactly* my experience with this series as well, haha. I have already re-read the main trilogy once before, but I am kinda in the mood for this 'popcorn' type of read again so I may or may not just do a third read before the new release comes out, lol. I also can't put my finger on why these books just work... but I am not complaining about it 🤣
Great video Angela 🥰
I keep wanting to pick up Golden Son, cannot wait for next month!
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance Can't blame you, this series is so wildly entertaining and addictive!!!
I 100% had a similar experience with this one. Just ate it up whole, and I’m not one of those people who disparages the first book and praises the others-I had an absolute blast with it. I’m legit worried that I won’t like the sequel series anywhere close to as much as the first trilogy, so I’ve been holding off on it. I’ll try to go into it with different expectations!
Yea I think you have to go into the new series almost letting go of what the original trilogy is, you will have older versions of some of the characters but the pacing and vibes are very different to me
Good points particularly for me I would have liked the world to be more fleshed out. As you mentioned the characters are not hugely deep but the setting for me was more interesting at times.
Yea the world building is serviceable but if I look too closely I have many questions. The setting was compelling and part of why I picked it up
This review helped me decide that I definitively don't want to read this series. I'd been waffling for a while, because I see Booktubers talking about it in a positive way, but I'm also aware that I often bounce pretty hard off of SFF authored by white men (primarily because of how they write women). Hearing you talk about it highlights for me why people might love this... while making pretty clear that I don't think I would, based on my personal tastes. I really appreciate you taking the time to discuss this book that you enjoy while fully acknowledging where folks might dislike it.
Glad this was a useful review for you! But yea as a lover of books I always want it to find the right hands and help people avoid books that won't work for them. Cause there are just too many books in the world!
I keep picking this book up and saying I might read it and then I put it back down and it only cost me 50 cents love this video and your amazing channel please stay safe and enjoy your reading prayers and thoughts for you and your family love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤
Thank you for watching! If you ever do pick it up you will have share your thoughts!
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance no worries 😉 I will let you know what I think
Great review as always
Thanks for watching! I forget, have you read this one yet?
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance Ive not. I've heard mixed things as you've alluded to. I don't current plan to read it.
🐺 I did not realize that Red Rising had not ended yet, I really thought it was already over for some reason. Anyways, based on the way you describe the main character, I have a feeling that this won't be a book I would like, so maybe it's a good thing that I haven't picked it up yet. Thanks for the video, Angela. It was very helpful, because before, I was still sort of on the fence about whether or not this series was worth picking up.
The original trilogy has been done for awhile but the new series (starting with Iron Gold) hasn't had a new book in a minute, which is why this year is so exciting!
My main problem with the first book is that I don't think the plot is fun at all. The setup is fine but has the problems you mentioned. My problem is that this is a sci-fi book and the second half took place at The Institute and had people using medieval wargame tactics on Mars with horses and weaponry. Where was the imagination? Why not make use of the lower gravity that Mars has in the action sequences? The main sci-fi element I remember was the use of the healing probes. I just hated the entire second half of the book I was so bored due to how unimaginative the author used his setting. Even if more sci-fi elements were added, I still didn't care for the competition aspect of the second half. The next two books fixed these problems for me and I liked them much better. I do agree that the series needs to be viewed as a fun, pulpy adventure. I think the first trilogy achieved that very nicely despite my issues with the first book. I didn't love Iron Gold but I'll see how I feel about Dark Age.
That's all valid. I personally liked the war games but if that was super boring then the later half of this book would be a complete slog
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It's been on my tbr for so long. 🥲
Maybe this year will be the year!
Yes! There was A LOT that I didn't like about it, so much if it is just plug and play, you've seen these plot beats a million times, but I had a lot of fun. I just rolled my eyes and continued with it. 🟥
Plug and play is a pretty good description and I think of that type of media this was pretty good quality, but I can get why that wouldn't be interesting for people haha
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