Episode 16:
Red Rising
Episode Summary:
In this episode, we drop into Red Rising by Pierce Brown — a brutal, unflinching dystopia where survival is a game rigged against you. We’re joined by guests Dante and Taylor, first-time readers who bring fresh eyes to Darrow’s journey from grieving Helldiver to Gold infiltrator. What starts as revenge transforms into a story about power, sacrifice, and the masks we wear to survive. It’s myth, rebellion, and war college chaos all rolled into one — and we break down why this book still lands a decade later.
What We Cover:
- The caste system of the Society and how first-time readers reacted to the color-coded hierarchy
- Darrow’s transformation — believable grief or too fast a leap into infiltration?
- The Institute: part Hunger Games, part war school — and why it works (or doesn’t) for newcomers
- Themes of power, sacrifice, and identity, and why they still resonate today
- Fresh takes from Dante & Taylor on what surprised them most about the story
- Our 5 Hard Questions, from hidden talents as survival skills to which Color we’d actually end up in
Listen Now:
The Margins Book Club
Read Along With Us
Join the Margins Book Club!
Each month, we pick a book to read and discuss with our listeners. Check out our current selection, see what’s coming up next, and catch up on past picks. Want to have your say? Vote for the next book, or send us your favorite titles—we might feature your suggestion in an upcoming episode! Reading is better together, and we can’t wait to hear what you think.