Pierce Brown’s Red Rising is relentless, brutal science fiction that hooks even readers who think they don’t like sci-fi — and the audiobook’s momentum is legendary. Here’s why it’s a perfect listen.
Listen to Red Rising Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeWhat Red Rising is about
Darrow is a Red, the lowest rung of a rigidly color-coded society, toiling in the mines beneath Mars so that humanity can one day live on the surface. Except the surface was terraformed generations ago — the Reds are slaves to a lie, ruled by the godlike Golds. When tragedy strips away everything Darrow loves, a rebel group remakes his body and identity to infiltrate Gold society from the inside.
What begins as a revenge story becomes a savage coming-of-age inside an elite academy where the children of the ruling class fight, scheme, and kill for dominance. Think The Hunger Games crossed with Ender’s Game, with adult stakes and Roman grandeur.
| Author | Pierce Brown |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781470380281 |
| List price | $29.99 |
Why Red Rising is great on audio
Narrator Tim Gerard Reynolds is a legend among audiobook listeners, and his performance gives Darrow’s rage and cunning a voice that carries the entire saga. The breakneck plot makes this one of the great ‘just one more chapter’ audiobooks.
Who should listen
Ideal for fans of dystopia, space opera, and morally gray heroes — and a fantastic gateway for sci-fi skeptics. It’s adult and violent, so it’s not the gentle YA its premise might suggest.
If you like Red Rising, listen to these next
- Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert — Herbert’s haunting Dune sequel.
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien — Tolkien’s epic begins.
- 1984 by George Orwell — Orwell’s chilling surveillance dystopia.
How to get the Red Rising audiobook free
Yes — the easiest way to get the Red Rising audiobook free is with an Audiobooks.com free trial. Your included credit covers Red Rising, and the audiobook is free to enjoy during the 30-day trial.
Listen to Red Rising Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeFrequently asked questions
Is Red Rising the first book?
Yes — it opens a six-book saga, starting with the original trilogy.
Is Red Rising young adult?
No — it’s adult science fiction, darker and bloodier than typical YA dystopia.
Who narrates the Red Rising audiobook?
Tim Gerard Reynolds, whose performance is widely praised by listeners.
Can I listen to Red Rising free?
Yes — start an Audiobooks.com free trial and your credit covers it; you can listen to it free during the trial.