The final installment of the Red Rising trilogy had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I was completely immersed in this world, unable to pull myself away. Pierce Brown masterfully creates characters you love, hate, tolerate, and want to shake—despite the sci-fi, dystopian setting, they feel so real that I found myself frustrated with them as if I were right there on that ship.

What sets this series apart is Brown’s willingness to genuinely shock his readers. Few fantasy authors have the boldness to

kill off a main character

, but this daring choice adds a level of authenticity and stakes that I often find lacking in the broader sci-fi/fantasy genre.

I highly recommend this series to almost anyone—it’s a gripping, emotional, and unpredictable ride that stays with you long after the final page.