Looking for Red Rising books in order? Start with the six main novels in publication order: Red Rising, Golden Son, Morning Star, Iron Gold, Dark Age, and Light Bringer. Pierce Brown has also released the optional Sons of Ares prequel comics, but those are bonus material, not required reading for the core story.
Below, I’ve laid out two ways to read the series: publication order for first-time readers and chronological order for readers who want to fold the comics into the larger timeline. I’ll also explain where the story changes after Morning Star, because that jump is the part that tends to confuse people most.
Jump to:
- Red Rising Books in Publication Order
- Red Rising Books in Chronological Order
- What is the Red Rising series about?
- Red Rising Books FAQ
Red Rising Books in Publication Order
For most readers, this is the best way to read the Red Rising books in order. The six main novels are the actual spine of the story, and publication order lets the character arcs, reveals, and political fallout land the way Brown wrote them.
The Sons of Ares comics are worth knowing about, but they’re optional. I’ve separated them below so you can read just the main saga or add the prequel material afterward.
Red Rising Saga
These are the main Red Rising novels. Not interested in side material? This is the list you need.
- Red Rising (2014)
- Golden Son (2015)
- Morning Star (2016)
- Iron Gold (2018)
- Dark Age (2019)
- Light Bringer (2023)
- Red God (TBA)
Want more than just the order? I’ve also reviewed the original trilogy, so you can read my thoughts on Red Rising, Golden Son, and Morning Star. Those are best saved for after each book, but they’re there when you want a closer look at how the series evolves.
Are all the Red Rising books part of one series?
Yes, in a manner of speaking, but this is where I hesitate. Iron Gold is absolutely the next main novel after Morning Star, yet the series also changes shape at that point in a pretty noticeable way.
The first three books form the original trilogy: Red Rising, Golden Son, and Morning Star. Then Iron Gold jumps forward about ten years, widens the cast, and opens the story into a bigger, messier political conflict.
So yes, it’s one continuing saga, but many readers mentally split it into two arcs because the tone and scope shift so much after the trilogy ends.
A lot happens in that 10 years, and I can’t really say what without spoiling it, but it completely changes Darrow’s journey.
Do I need to read the Sons of Ares comics?
No. The six main novels are the core Red Rising story. Sons of Ares works best as optional prequel material for readers who want more background on Fitchner au Barca and the early roots of the rebellion, not as required reading before Book 1.
Sons of Ares Comics
Want more Red Rising after the main novels? The Sons of Ares comics go backward and expand Fitchner’s story before the birth of Sevro. They add texture to the world, but they’re still a side path compared to the novels.
Brown’s prequel comics are also available in collected form, so you don’t have to hunt down separate issues.
What’s different about the Sons of Ares volumes?
The first Sons of Ares story was originally published as six separate comic issues before being collected into Volume 1. Later entries were released as full graphic novel volumes instead of making most readers piece together single issues one by one.
In practical terms, that means the cleanest way to read the prequel material now is simple: grab Volumes 1 through 3, or pick up the omnibus.
Red Rising Books in Chronological Order
There is a chronological order once you include the comics, but this is better as a reread than a first trip through the series. Publication order is still the smoother starting point because the novels were written to stand on their own, and the prequel comics work better once you already know the world.
- Sons of Ares Vol. 1
- Sons of Ares Vol. 2: Wrath
- Sons of Ares Vol. 3: Forbidden Song
- Red Rising
- Golden Son
- Morning Star
- Iron Gold
- Dark Age
- Light Bringer
- Red God (TBA)
What is the Red Rising series about?
Red Rising is a science fiction saga set in a future where humanity has spread across the solar system and divided itself into a rigid caste system based on color. The story begins with Darrow, a Red laborer on Mars, who discovers that the world he’s been told to die for is built on a lie.
The first book has some strong survival-game energy, which is part of why it gets compared so often to dystopian YA. But the series doesn’t stay there. It quickly grows into a much bigger war story filled with shifting alliances, class conflict, backroom politics, and full-scale space opera.
Red Rising Books FAQ
What order should I read the Red Rising books in?
Publication order is the best place to start. That keeps the reveals, character development, and tonal shifts landing in the way Brown intended, and it keeps the optional prequel material from muddying the core story too early.
Do I need to read Sons of Ares to understand the main story?
No. The comics add useful background, especially around Fitchner and the rebellion, but the main novels absolutely stand on their own.
Is Red Rising one series or two?
It’s one continuing saga, but a lot of readers naturally split it into two arcs: the original trilogy and the later continuation that begins with Iron Gold. That second arc is still mainline canon, it just feels broader and more politically complex than the first three books.
How many Red Rising books are there?
Right now there are six published main novels: Red Rising, Golden Son, Morning Star, Iron Gold, Dark Age, and Light Bringer. Red God is the announced next book, and there are also three Sons of Ares prequel graphic volumes.
Is Red Rising YA or adult?
It’s usually shelved as adult science fiction, especially once the series widens and gets more brutal. That said, the first book has strong crossover appeal because it moves fast and has that immediate survival-story hook.
Is there a Red Rising movie or TV show?
There isn’t a released Red Rising movie or TV series right now. The property has had adaptation movement over the years, but nothing has made it to screens, so the books are still the only place to get the full story.
Looking for more reading orders?
For more science fiction authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Science Fiction Books in Order index.