Let’s face it: the Red Rising Saga was a rollercoaster ride of events, emotions, and—well, bloodshed. And like most books that we invest much of our heart and soul into, you’re likely feeling dazed and confused.
What do I read next? What if I never find a book that lives up to what I just experienced?
I’m willing to bet my entire book collection that you’re here because you’re stuck in one of the worst kinds of ruts in the world—a reading slump.
But don’t worry. I’m here to help, here some of the books that helped me get through my Red Rising withdrawal in no particular order.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Published in 2011, Ready Player One has since been turned into a major motion picture. The novel is set in a dystopian world where virtual reality reigns supreme. Amidst the fun and thrilling VR world “The Oasis”, is a dark secret that lurks behind every shadow.
The novel follows Wade—our poor protagonist, who lives in a neighborhood of old caravans stacked atop one another. The “stacks” as they call it, is one of the reasons why Wade retreats into the Oasis.
Stakes are raised when a prize is offered to players of the Oasis wherein Wade is pit against the wealthy elite to gain control of his beloved virtual world. The underlying social issues that resonate well with readers serve as a not-so-subtle reminder that science fiction novels are a prime resource for dealing with and identifying social issues.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
At first glance, you might think that the Handmaid’s tale is a far cry from the punchy, gut-wrenching action we’re used to in the Red Rising Saga. However, its merits lie in its subtleties.
The lead protagonist in Margaret Atwood’s classic tale—Offred, is very much similar to Darrow. The handmaid served as one of many others that are designated with breeding women in a version of the USA set many years into the future.
The Republic of Gilead has subjected Offred and others to a lifetime of breeding given the fact that there are very few fertile women left able to populate the nation. Our protagonist is set to break the bonds of rape and the oppresive society she was born into.
Much like the Red Rising saga, The Handmaid’s Tale is oftentimes a difficult, but eye-opening read.
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead contains everything you could ever hope for: romance, mystery, danger, ritualistic murders, and strong leads. The story follows Justin March—an exile of the Republic of United North America. After being sent away for failing in his job as an investigator of religious and supernatural anomalies, our protagonist is called back to investigate a series of ritualistic murders that has even his superiors baffled.
The twists continue unfolding as Justin is assigned a new partner and bodyguard, a technologically-enhanced super soldier named Mae. As curiosity and desire bubbles to the surface, Justin is far from realising the true danger his new partner puts him in. Justin and Mae are then thrust into a world where forsaken gods are enacting their vengeance on humankind.
Shop our magnetic bookmarks here.
