What to read next
10 books like Red Rising
Darrow's bodily transformation, hidden identity, Institute alliances, and tactical learning make infiltration emotionally and physically costly. The picks below take that appeal in different directions.
Read our review of Red Rising by Pierce Brown.
Best matches
Three strong places to start
If you only want three picks, start here.
Best overall
Fastest read
Best alternative
Choose by reading mood
Where to start
For the fastest read
Deception Point
BriskFor the darkest read
Golden Son
DarkFor minimal romance
The Will of the Many
MinimalFor the easiest entry
The Hunger Games
AccessibleThe full shortlist
Why each book belongs here
See what each pick shares with Red Rising, and where it goes in a different direction.
1
Golden Son
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Dark
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- Golden Son expands the series into space war and politics with much stronger reversals.
2
The Hunger Games
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- The Hunger Games is tighter and more skeptical of spectacle, with a more grounded protagonist.
3
The Will of the Many
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- The Will of the Many provides a smarter political system and mystery through another disguised academy entrant.
4
Deception Point
- Pace
- Brisk
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
5
Elysium Fire
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
6
The Sentence
- Pace
- Brisk
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
7
Eruption
- Pace
- Brisk
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
8
Catching Fire
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
9
Mockingjay
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
10
Chasm City
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Demanding
Side-by-side
Pace, darkness, romance, and difficulty
| Book | Pace | Darkness | Romance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rising | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| Golden Son | Balanced | Dark | Minimal | Accessible |
| The Hunger Games | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| The Will of the Many | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Accessible |
| Deception Point | Brisk | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| Elysium Fire | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Moderate |
| The Sentence | Brisk | Moderate | Minimal | Moderate |
| Eruption | Brisk | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| Catching Fire | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| Mockingjay | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Moderate |
| Chasm City | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Demanding |
Keep exploring
Explore another Books Like guide
Pick another book you know and see what to read next.