Books Like Red Rising: Epic Sci-Fi and Dystopian Adventures You’ll Love

If Red Rising by Pierce Brown captured your imagination with its gripping battles, political intrigue, and a relentless fight for freedom, you’re in for a treat. Whether you loved Darrow’s transformation from a lowly Red to a leader of rebellion or the high-stakes drama of intergalactic power struggles, this list of books like Red Rising has you covered. From space operas to dystopian rebellions, these stories promise action, complex characters, and unforgettable worlds.

Top Books Like Red Rising for Sci-Fi and Dystopian Fans

1. Dune by Frank Herbert

For fans of Red Rising’s complex societies and sweeping political drama, Dune is a natural choice. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, the story follows Paul Atreides, a young man destined to shape the future of his world. As noble families clash for control of Arrakis’ most valuable resource—spice—Paul must navigate betrayal, warfare, and the pull of his own destiny. With its richly layered world-building and exploration of power, rebellion, and sacrifice, Dune delivers the same epic scope and intensity as Red Rising.

2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

If you were drawn to Darrow’s rise as a rebel leader, you’ll love Katniss Everdeen’s journey in The Hunger Games. In a dystopian world where children are forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of the elite, Katniss becomes the face of a revolution. With its gripping survival challenges, high-stakes drama, and exploration of class oppression, this series offers a lot of the same emotional and thematic weight as Red Rising.

3. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender Wiggin, like Darrow, is a reluctant hero thrust into a life of strategy, manipulation, and war. Recruited by the military to lead Earth’s defense against an alien species, Ender undergoes intense training filled with battles, simulations, and moral dilemmas. The story explores themes of leadership, sacrifice, and the psychological toll of warfare, making it a must-read for fans of Darrow’s grueling journey in Red Rising.

4. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

In this stunning sci-fi epic, humanity’s survival rests on a fragile balance between evolution and destruction. As remnants of the human race search for a new home, they encounter a world where genetically modified creatures are evolving into sentient beings. Fans of Red Rising will love the grand-scale storytelling, morally complex characters, and themes of survival and adaptation. This book is both thought-provoking and thrilling—a perfect follow-up to Pierce Brown’s series.

5. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Set in a brutal, militaristic empire, An Ember in the Ashes features two characters fighting against an oppressive system. Laia, a slave, infiltrates a military academy to save her brother, while Elias, a soldier, secretly dreams of escaping his violent destiny. Their paths collide as they uncover deep corruption within the empire. With its relentless action, intricate world-building, and rebellion-driven plot, this series mirrors the themes of resistance and sacrifice found in Red Rising.

6. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

In Mistborn, a downtrodden society ruled by an immortal tyrant rises up under the leadership of Kelsier, a charismatic revolutionary, and Vin, a young thief discovering her extraordinary powers. This tale of rebellion, betrayal, and uncovering hidden strength mirrors Darrow’s journey in Red Rising. Sanderson’s intricate magic system and richly developed world make Mistborn a must-read for fans of epic stories.

7. The Expanse by James S.A. Corey

Starting with Leviathan Wakes, The Expanse series plunges readers into a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. As interplanetary tensions rise, a conspiracy threatens the survival of humanity itself. With its political intrigue, intense action, and morally complex characters, The Expanse delivers the same thrilling blend of drama and adventure that made Red Rising so addictive.

8. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

In a world where death has been eradicated, Scythes are tasked with population control through ritualized “gleanings.” Two teens, Citra and Rowan, are chosen as apprentices but soon find themselves caught in a web of political corruption and moral conflict. Like Red Rising, Scythe explores themes of power, ethics, and rebellion, all while delivering a gripping and thought-provoking narrative.

9. The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis

This space opera follows three characters: a mute priestess whose loyalty is tested, a soldier on the run, and a revolutionary seeking to overthrow the system. As their lives intersect in a war-torn galaxy, secrets unravel, and alliances shift. With its focus on personal sacrifice, political intrigue, and rebellion, The First Sister is perfect for readers who loved the morally complex world of Red Rising.

10. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

If you’re looking for a more character-driven and heartwarming space story, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet delivers. It follows the crew of a spaceship as they navigate their jobs, relationships, and interstellar adventures. While lighter in tone than Red Rising, this book offers richly developed characters and imaginative world-building that will resonate with sci-fi fans.

11. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

This classic sci-fi novel explores the personal cost of interstellar war. Following soldiers fighting across time and space, The Forever War captures the disorientation and alienation that come with warfare and societal change. Fans of Red Rising will appreciate its gritty realism and exploration of the psychological toll of conflict.

12. The Power by Naomi Alderman

In The Power, women across the world gain the ability to generate electricity, flipping the traditional power dynamics of society. As this new reality reshapes the world, themes of revolution and the corrupting influence of power come to the forefront. Like Red Rising, this novel challenges readers to think about how power is wielded and what happens when it shifts hands.

Why These Books Should Be on Your Reading List

Each of these books captures the elements that make Red Rising so unforgettable: revolutionary characters, high-stakes drama, and richly imagined worlds. Whether you’re drawn to the epic scope of Dune, the heart-pounding survival challenges of The Hunger Games, or the morally complex power struggles in Scythe, there’s something here for every fan of Pierce Brown’s masterpiece.

Which of these epic tales will you pick up next? Share your thoughts and dive into your next unforgettable adventure!