Red Rising books in order

Q: "What order should I read the Red Rising books?"

"Start with the original trilogy ('Red Rising', 'Golden Son', 'Morning Star') followed by the second tetralogy ('Iron Gold', 'Dark Age', 'Light Bringer'). A final book is planned to conclude the saga."

Q: "How many books are in the Red Rising series?"

"There are 12 books in the Red Rising series, published between 2014 and 2026."

Q: "Is Red Rising a trilogy?"

"It began as a trilogy, but Pierce Brown later expanded the series with a second series set ten years later, starting with 'Iron Gold'."

Chronological order

Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
Red Rising	2014	Pierce Brown	Buy
Golden Son	2015	Pierce Brown	Buy
Morning Star	2016	Pierce Brown	Buy
Iron Gold	2018	Pierce Brown	Buy
Dark Age	2019	Pierce Brown	Buy
Light Bringer	2023	Pierce Brown	Buy

Red Rising imagines a solar system colonized by humanity and stratified by color. Golds rule from their palaces. Reds mine helium-3 beneath the surface of Mars, believing they’re making the planet habitable for future generations. Darrow, a Red miner, discovers the surface has been terraformed for centuries. His people have been lied to. He infiltrates Gold society to destroy it from within.

Pierce Brown wrote with cinematic intensity. Fight scenes read like they’re already storyboarded. The pacing rarely lets up. The first trilogy follows Darrow’s transformation from miner to revolutionary, building toward a war that reshapes the entire system.

The second trilogy, starting with Iron Gold, expands to multiple viewpoints and deals with the aftermath of revolution. It’s darker and more politically complex than the original books. Brown has said he wanted to explore what happens after the hero wins, when the real work of building something new begins.

The series blends science fiction with Roman influences. Gold society follows Roman naming conventions and values. The Institute, where Golds prove themselves, echoes gladiatorial training. Brown studied classics before writing, and the influence shows throughout.

Universal Pictures acquired the film rights. As of 2025, the project remains in development. One more novel is planned to conclude the saga. Brown’s devoted fanbase, who call themselves Howlers after a faction in the books, continues to grow with each release.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read the Red Rising books?

Start with the original trilogy (‘Red Rising’, ‘Golden Son’, ‘Morning Star’) followed by the second tetralogy (‘Iron Gold’, ‘Dark Age’, ‘Light Bringer’). A final book is planned to conclude the saga.

How many books are in the Red Rising series?

There are 12 books in the Red Rising series, published between 2014 and 2026.

Is Red Rising a trilogy?

It began as a trilogy, but Pierce Brown later expanded the series with a second series set ten years later, starting with ‘Iron Gold’.

Chronological order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Chronological order