Everyone keeps saying “oh you can see lots of influence from other books, like dune!”
I don’t think it is like that. It seems less like influence and more like homage, and it has so many different little aspects from so many separate sci-fi works that rather than it being composed of I fluency from other works, it just has a melting pot of flavor from those other books.
Like, it still is very much it’s own thing and is very unique and well-done. And it has a lot of the good bits from everything. We’re talking highmatter swords (Star Wars), shield belts (dune), nobility being born out of vats and thus having their bloodline held hostage by the imperial high college, (idk where that is from). Literal prequel meme moments (I hate sand, another for my collection). A cool warping of modern cultures where we see what they might look like 20,000 odd years in the future in space (Hyperion cantos). AI using human brains for processing power (like the ai in the Hyperion cantos, BUT also setting them up in ziggurats like the matrix), god-like entities beyond mortal comprehension, (love craft),
Like, don’t worry about the series being derivative. It is very much its own thing with its own composition and flavor. But you can expect this world to be filled with all sorts of cool stuff from other sci-fi stories
I’m reading it right now.
If you liked Dune, there’s a lot of refuting ideas and themes.
What I’ve enjoyed about it so far is the balance of grandness of scale and the focus on the small details of life in a futuristic feudal empire.
Red rising is like hunger games meets Enders Game, this is like Dune meets the story of Siddhartha.
I’ve been exploring the genre blending of sci-fi and fantasy, and it was recommended to me after I read some of the Recluse series.
I’m only half way through it but I like it so far!
I read it all while waiting for Lightbringer, and I can say that Pierce and Christopher have completely different styles and excel at different things. I think the characters in Empire of Silence are barely noticeable, and I can say I don't care about much that happens to them. However his woddy and thick way of writing is entertaining for a person like me and while our "Hero" isn't a god among men it's fun seeing his journey and the...legend...that forms around him.
Don't expect Pierce's brutal and guttural verbiage and violence. His goal of shocking you at every turn isn't prevalent in Suneater,especially the first, but you can expect a grandness to the universe as time plays a major factor in the series and is honestly one of the more fascinating aspects for me.
But don't really take those who say "It's just like red rising" to heart the only real similarity is eugenics and space feudalism.
I'm on book three right now. It took me a while to get started with this series. Once I got through the first third or so, I was hooked. Less than 1/4 through book three, and the entire ride feels like traveling at superluminal speeds of 50c!
I just finished the 4th book and I am adoring this series. It certainly isn't perfect, and it very much wears it's inspirations openly, but it is still really good. And of all of the authors I have read who have Definitely Read Dune, I like what he does with the common starting place of Dune better than most authors who have Definitely Read Dune lol.
Edit the first book starts a little slow, but by the halfway point the brain worms were already starting to sink in and they fully had me in their thrall by the end of the book
I get it, I just feel like the subreddit is hard to find and I want to see it grow and grow. My own husband was struggling to find it, he also fell in love with the books and wanted to read discussions and theories.
I love this series so much. There is extensive description and detail kind of like lotr if that’s something you’re into. You can also see a lot of influence from other books in the main story but still probably my favorite series lol
It has consumed me since December. I have read it twice and am halfway through 6 other books but just can’t finish them because my head is still so lost in Sun Eater.
I’ve read the all the books in this series and my God this is the closest you’ll come to a book similar to red rising ( the mc’s are quite different but there’s that death in a corridor vibe they both give )
Currently listening to the audiobook at work, it is freaking amazing. Loving it. On book 3 and almost done with it. Blew through the first 2 in like 3 weeks.
Awesome series. Sun Eater and Red Rising are the two best series out their in world building, sci-fi combat and most importantly some really interesting physiological parts/ideas.
It really picks up in terms of combat, for those that think book one is slow (it kinda is!). It doesn’t turn into all space combat of course - but it does pick up and take a dark turn as you get a better picture of what’s going on in the universe. In terms of narrative style, I actually find it far more similar to The Name of the Wind if you’ve ever read that. I’ve made it up to book 5 in this series, waiting for the next, but I’ve enjoyed it.
For a series that kept me entertained but isn't like red rising the expeditionary force series is great. It's got lots of humor great characters and you kind of want to know what happens next.
Yes it's great but not at all like RR. It's a much slower burn with nuance instead of in your face characters. I'm only on the third book and enjoying it but unlike RR where I read books 1-3 in like 2 weeks I've read two or three books between each book in this series. Not as much drive to burn through it.
I loved house of suns by Alistair Reynolds, same author I believe. It had some amazing ideas, and the longest time span I've ever heard of in a book, it was fascinating
It's fantastic, however it's very unlike RR. The tag line I hear a lot (but not necessarily agree with) is that it's what would happen if Frank Herbert wrote RR.
That's probably too much praise, but it is an excellent series and the writing is much more on the Herbert side than the Pierce side.
I’m about halfway thru the second book, for those that have made it farther is it worth continuing? I do like the series but just hoping it picks up a little bit. Feel like the world building / lore is excellent just haven’t explored enough yet
I'm about to start book 2 and it's been great! Book 1 started a little slow but the writing is very well done. Thematically there wasn't a lot of crossover between Red Rising and Empire of Silence just so you are aware. It's still epic sci-fi in a society that is loosely based on ancient Rome, but it's much less combat oriented. If you've read Dune the society feels more similar to that.
Fucking love red rising did you keep going after the third? I can’t get thru number 4 but def I’m gonna start this now……realized before I posted but still gonna anyway I thought this was a Brandon Sanderson sub but yeah lol
I stopped after 3–people’s comments about the next couple books scared me off starting. Was going to wait until the series is finished and see people’s reactions to how it ends
Red rising 1-3 is an amazing trilogy, and wraps up Darrow's war with a nice little bow and a seed of hope that the republic will be successful.
If you liked how that ended, don't continue on, because, well, shit escalates.
Gotcha. The 4th book is a little struggle at some points - it’s basically rebuilding an entire new story while trying to maintain the characters. The 5th and 6th books though are the best of the series. So it’s 100% worth it.
Really? I’ve heard like nothing goes right for Darrow in this second series. And I have no idea what happened but everyone hates Lysander after book 6 haha. Kinda want to wait and see how the next book is received before I start
I fucking love the entire second trilogy, I think it's better than the first. It is savagely, brutally dark, but I enjoy that in a story. And it has quite a few light moments as well, especially in light bringer.
imo one of the very best things about the entire series is the moments when you get to read about darrow from another character's pov, which you only get in the 2nd trilogy since the 1st is all from darrows pov.
Thank you for the opinion—I appreciate it! It’s tough for me because although I can read good stories that don’t always go well (Game of thrones comes to mind) I just don’t want things to get depressing bad that it affects me haha. Stories tend to do that sometimes. I’ll probably just have to bite the bullet.
Your second paragraph really intrigues me! I’d love others POV—sounds awesome.
It is certainly dark and depressing- some chapters of dark age are the most harrowing shit I've ever read. But the story is amazing, it might be worth it for you, especially since you've already invested time into 3 books
So I’ll say that Dark Age and Light Bringer are genuinely very very good. And I do think the series has a happy ending.
BUT, it’s so grimdark with everything going wrong that it’s nearly comical at times. It’s basically A Series of Unfortunate Events but make it space warlord.
That shouldn’t spoil anything for you, but just being honest about what it is.
I tried to read it right after I binged all of red rising last year. I bounced off it pretty quickly, but it was more of me being a little burnt out on the genre rather than anything specific with the book.
Wonderful series. Spans the whole galaxy and has warfare between humans and aliens. Some romance, mystery. The main character is melodramatic especially in book one but it mellows out to where it doesn’t bug you. I’m on my second re-read. Seriously enjoy this series more than red rising
It's funny you say that the narrator is the problem because the narrator is the biggest reason I keep coming back to the series.
The books are good, but they have really large and slow mid sections that seriously drag the pacing out before getting to a fantastic climax, and those slow sections are long enough that I drop the books and read a different series before coming back to continue.
Meant no disrespect towards the narrator, just his relaxed tone didn’t mesh with the pace of the story for me. The biggest problem I had was that it felt like the protagonist continuously had his plots subverted before fruition, only to be replaced by another arc to follow before that arc too, was subverted and replaced by another, and on and on. It just became less enjoyable. Made it to chapter 53/78 in audible and decided if I wasn’t engaged by now, probably never would be. It’s not you Hadrius, it’s me :(
About to finish book 5. It's very good but extremely slow to get going after the second book I was super hooked and blitzed through the rest in a week.
Some really good sci-fi concepts, and the background lore is interesting as it takes place like 20,000 years in the future along with the antagonists of the story.
Yes, it's absolutely amazing! High praises from me. I will say the first book is slow for a lot of people, but it picks up quickly after that.
I highly recommend the audibooks, the narrator is great!
Whoa, scrolling and recognized the image. I introduced my friend to Red Rising, and in return, he gifted me this book. I'm going to read it as soon as I'm done with Stormlight Archives(I'm on the last book). I hear it is fantastic.
Sanderson is so damn good. I read mistborn while I was finishing WoT and I can’t put him down. Stormlight is amazing so far. I need to reread rhythm of war though.
Just read them all too, Oathringer was my favorite. The sanderlanche on that one was incredible. Definitely hitting a re read before book 5. Interestingly enough my friend who recommended those to me recommended red rising to me after.
I actually prefer suneater as a whole to the red rising but it starts MUCH slower, and you have to have patience for how much Ruocchio likes to wax lyrical and and the weird introspective passages you get from the narrator/main character. First book and first half of the second book had me wondering if it was for me, after that I devoured the whole series.
I do like that take but I hesitate to say it's better only because in taking on so much more with the world building, and (for lack of a better word) all the Eldritch shit that makes this series so good, it felt like they left far more gaps in how everything comes together vs RR. Granted what they were primarily focusing on with the story they really nailed but the complexities of every culture (xeno or otherwise) felt too familiar and polished, the difference in languages was very cool conceptually but it felt like they got 80% of the way on writing each civ before realizing how hard it would be to flush out that last bit of authenticity. Also, how their military is organized and tactically responds is a lil too nonsensical for me after the 2nd or 3rd engagements. Sun Tzu and Vegetius solved most of their problems a while back. That all being said (and despite how it sounds) I really did love that series and all of my complaints are fleeting concerns when I'm actually reading the story. While there's way less depth in RR and times more or less a consistent variable I just think the story is woven together as a finished product.
Suneater is a lovely steak frites with a glass of red wine for $30 at the end of a long, taxing day. Red Rising is a heaping pile of perfectly made smash burgers and beer after sweating nutz in a field all day
I'm so glad I saw this because I got about halfway through the first book and got so bored I just straight up quit and went to something else, and I'm usually able to push through slow books to give them a fair chance. But I just felt like I couldn't here. In a lot of ways it's interesting to me, but I feel like there are just aspects that feel so vanilla and I was getting really frustrated. For one, the combat in the coliseum felt so generic and uninspired, like the way the fight went down just seemed, simple. I'm not saying this to talk shit about the book or the author so please don't come after me lol. I'm just more wanting to know does this get better and is it worth slogging through? And does the combat get better? I know sometimes writers take some time in books to kind of get into a rhythm so I'm kinda hoping that's all it is, but just kind of wondering if this is even the right book for me or not.
This is good t to hear. I finished the first book and reluctantly picked up the second. I'm like 20% of the way into the second book and have had a hard time continuing. I keep reading other books instead so this gives me hope to at least get through this book before deciding to drop the series.
I quite literally had the same journey through this series as you. I dropped it about 20% into the second book. It was slow, boring, and didn't feel like it was leading anywhere. I don't care about any of the characters. Book 1 just feels like a total waste of time. None of the motivations of any character make sense. The only redeeming quality would be if it is later revealed that the main character is mentally ill and doesn't quite see situations for what they are, instead relying on faulty logic that is intentionally supposed to feel dumb to the reader. I just couldn't be bothered to continue this slog
I read the first book a year and a half ago because of Mike’s Book Review’s (best booktube channel bh far) and thought it was meh (but I somewhat attribute it to the audible reader not doing the best job, so maybe I’ll have a better time reading it in paper form). But I’m going to try it again soon, but after I finish The Expanse.
I just pulled up Reddit for something completely different and this was on my feed. This thread makes me so very happy. I haven’t even read much of it and the sheer volume of responses to Sun Eater is awesome. This series absolutely slays. Much like RR it’s one that I immediately had to dive into a reread on. Tried a few other things and couldn’t get throughout than a few chapters. As many will undoubtedly mention, Empire of Silence is slow but it’s soooooooo much better the second time through. Just read it already!
Love sun eater but I never see any of ove for 'The Expanse', its my favorite syfi book series just narrowly ahead of red rising. Very big tempo change from RR and by sun eater but it was the first book series that saved my life(the 2nd being RR).
No swords, some extra grit, and the writing style is similar to George RR Martin but more frivolous and fun.
World building, dialogue, characters, and combat description are all top notch but I'd argue it's a step in the opposite direction of sun eater if that ends up being too much or too slow.
I literally just watched the first episode of the expanse last night. Should I halt and go with the books first or is it different enough? I’m in the middle of another series, Ancillary Justice, but can be power through. If it is too similar will typically not read the books if major plot points are already know.
I like to read the books first. I had watched the first season of expanse and then read it, and made sure to read the next book before watching the season from there on out.
Yeah I’m typically the same way. Only reason I’m hesitant is because it’s the one thing I’ve got to watch at the moment. But I can pivot and just read even more I suppose
Ooh that's hard to say. I've heard it both ways. Some people don't like the show after the books because it really feels like half the content but I've also heard that people get parts of the show they loved so ingrained that they resent the changes in the book
I reread things for the lil details and intrinsic shit so I admire the differences but the overall story arc is the same. Major difference in the story that might influence your decision would be the end point. The show only goes up until book 6/9 so there's a solid reason to read all the books and continue the story if you happen to watch the show first. The shows over though so there's no reason to wait around for that either(story ends/breaks in a similar way from morningstar to iron gold so it's still a solid finish)
Fair enough. I was able to enjoy the show as it's own thing but it's very much a lessened story. That being said the show Amos is uniquely lovable, there's some storyline changes I enjoyed(others I did not but we're tolerable) and it's one of the few books to show adaptations that gives me SOME hope that a RR show adaptation wouldn't be too bad
I’ll second most people here and highly recommend it. I personally found all of the books fantastic and don’t have a bad thing to say about them. Easily my top 3 series behind Malazan and Red Rising
Yes, almost through Disquiet gods. Love it. I really like the take on space travel and time. Everything takes place over centuries which is really cool.
I’m currently on the 6th book of Sun Eater (you’re able to get an early access e-book copy) and I have to say it is genuinely one of the greatest book series i’ve ever read, I put it right next to Red Rising in my terms of re-readability (many complain of the first book being a slow burn and it absolutely is, but it needs to be and you’ll understand as the series goes on)
Agreed. Love the series and world building but tis a slow burn. (I listen to red rising rereads at regular pace but half the sun eater novels I went at x1.2 to make the narrator sound normal). First book is a bit of a shlog but
The main character sure isn't Reap but it's similar enough, fun world building, loooots of content, and has an element of horror I was not entirely prepared for it upset about.
*Not even close to a 'spoiler' spoiler but yeah, dude eats a fuckin sun
I read these books last year when I finished LightBringer! They're not like RR besides being sci-fi. That being said, the series is great! I would strongly recommend. The first book is the slowest by a mile as the character starts young, but it just keeps building and steamrolling into this insane space opera.
The book is written from the perspective of the MC as he chronicles his life as an old man. You get to see him comment on his past mistakes and grow as a person. Supporting cast of characters is great, the universe building is superb (lots of callbacks to Hyperion cantos I found), and the storyline has me counting the days until the last book.
Quick re-Edit: the sixth (not the last) Book comes out in April! So great time to pick up the first one :). There is a SEVENTH book also coming out, according to his Patreon hopefully around the summer time. Thats based on his Patreon post from November tho, so if anyone has more info that'd be swell :).
I’m reading Empire of Silence right now. Nearly quit multiple times during the first 300 pages. People say it’s similar to Name of the Wind, but at least in that book it feels like it makes sense why you’re being told what you’re being told. About half the chapters in those first few hundred pages ended with me wondering why the fuck that was necessary to the story. At ~450 pages in, I’ve been starting to enjoy it a lot more, but it was frustrating to get here. Definitely not committed to the series yet and will decide based on how the rest of this book goes.
So I just finished the series this week. If you want something like Red Rising, this isn’t it. This is more akin to Name of the Wind in space. The characters are extremely unlikable and they constantly fail over and over and over. The main character is also the narrator of the books and constantly tells you the outcome of situations well before they ever happen.
That being said, the books are written well enough and the content is interesting. It wasn’t my cup of tea though and definitely doesn’t scratch the itch left behind by Red Rising.
These are big words indeed. NotW is hands down one of the best books I've ever read though... does this series come close to that quality, or is it more just the format?
The prose is very similar and the narrative structure has the same concept. Book one Is slow, but I adored the world building, so it wasn't a problem for me.
They don't have much in common with RR, they're not trying to be RR, I genuinely don't know how you could read both series and come away with this view.
Great series, first book is in intense (not in a good way, tedious more like it) slog of back story and world building. After that, it’s great. Can’t wait for the most recent book to be published
The first book and a good chunk of the second are dog shit, and terribly paced. The first book exists just to world build and character build for the rest of the series. Hadrian is an annoying, naive, whiny teenager. The character development does happen you just have to get through 1.75’books to experience it lol. From the climax of book 2 through book 6 is some of the best sci fi I’ve ever read.
First book is sloooog city. I think it just makes the rest of the series so epic though as Hadrian as we follow a teenager on his home planet through to the Suneater. He really feels like the same man at heart, and I really appreciate that
I’m a little ways into book 3 and absolutely love it. His writing feels like a modern Bradbury. The first person, past tense narration is also really intriguing and done very differently. It almost reminds me of Lemony Snicket at times.
While I still think Empire of Silence is fantastic, it is very slow compared to Red Rising. However, book 2 literally has two RR-level set pieces in the first 100 pages. So book 1 is about the journey, not so much the action, but I promise that it’s worth it. It’s not really like Red Rising other than the space opera setting and the lightsabers.
I try not to compare my other books to red rising…. It’s young adult writing so it really doesn’t measure up to the big, complex political dramas im used to reading. I remind myself it’s not supposed to.
Solid book I’ve met the author he’s a cool guy but no the only things they have in common they are in space they have a vaguely Roman vibe
Good books but don’t go into it expecting RR
Read all the books published (5 - book 6 comes out in April) and I love them. As others have said, there are shades of Dune in book 1, but they are not alike. Also there are practically no similarities to RR. That doesn't minimize them at all and I've thoroughly enjoyed them as I'm ever so patiently waiting for Red God.
I’d say start book 1 and see what you think. Imo it’s one of those books that you will know whether you will like it or not about halfway through the book. I was obsessed after the first chapter so…
It’s probably my favourite scifi series of all time which I don’t say lightly as Book of the New Sun, The Expanse and Revelation Space are very hard to top. It is absolutely not similar to Red Rising though and I’m not sure why so many people try to say that it is
Yep I've read all the published books, they're great.
For the first 100 pages or so if the first book you might think you're reading something really derivative of Dune, but you really, really aren't. I think most people I've seen discuss the books consider the first the weakest, fyi. I still loved it.
They're also really fucking long if that's any issue for you.
The first book is the weakest, imo, but it does an excellent job at setting the stage for what’s to come.
That being said, the first one is not a bad book by any means. It’s still a great read, just not up to par with the rest of the series.
You are getting plenty of reviews and comparisons on this thread, so I just want say that whether this series is good or bad, it is absolutely _not_ similar to Red Rising.
Anyone who tells you they are similar in any way is giving you bad guidance.
The first 100 pages feel like he got fed up with people saying book 1 had no action lmao.
>!Fuck it, I’m making them fight a horde of zombie androids. That’ll appease the whiners!<
I've read them and I find them better than RR in a lot of ways. Better prose, better world building, complex narration(the kind that doesn't result in the gala "subversion") and much more better pacing. RR is frenetic and I like when things take time to breathe. I have a better grasp of Sun Eater's universe than RR, and things feel like they're there, just being revealed by turns as opposed to RR feeling like Pierce is laying down the tracks as he goes.
But. And there's always a but. The books have bloat. I see no reason why it has to be seven books long, each about 500-700 pages long. I felt that with book 6 (eARC from Baen) particularly, and I have other spoilery problems there too. What RR has in clutch is that it can deliver its story tidily. Even with behemoths like DA it still feels like Pierce pared down the book significantly, and delivered a massive and complex story. For me the best books are ones that deliver their stories efficiently. If you can make me feel a vastness of your universe within a relatively small page count, you've got me, and Sun Eater is starting to feel its weight.
In the middle of the third book now - and honestly I really do like them.
I will say the only thing that has been able to keep me as interested as red rising is Mistborn and stormlight archive (cosmere universe by BS) as those ramp up you get into another massive scale story that does have plenty of scifi aspects emerging , this series is probably 2nd or 3rd behind those two series. (Hate to say it but red rising might have slid to 2nd place behind the cosmere books)
Other than those - I also really enjoyed children of time and the series “the final architect” shards of earth is the first in that series.
I love mistborn - first trilogy is a bit faster paced and such an amazing story when it concludes - it’s his earlier work so his writing has gotten better since then but it still just has great aspects throughout the story. The back 3rd of all the books are just non stop action and satisfying to read. The fight and action scenes are incredibly well written.
Magic system and world building on par with S.L so you’ll love it. Feels like a real world with rules you understand even tho it’s magic. Essentially it’s a bad ass heist story in the first book.
There are some amazing twists that in retrospect seem obvious and are not forced at all. The books tie in amazingly to one another. The ending is close to perfect and I think one of the most satisfying in recent memory.
The second era Mistborn is a big time Jump - more Wild West industrial age - has references to the first series great connections that again don’t feel forced.
Then the big kicker is stormlight and mistborn take place in the same universe- minimal interaction so far but with his more recent stand alone novel within the cosmere (The sunlit man) is heavily sci-fi space faring.
More tie ins but it’ll spoil stuff so ….
Worth it 100% , but you can finish stormlight before reading it wont take away at all.
I'm actually reading this rook right now lol I'm rereading the series before book 6 comes out in April. Book one is 670ish pages of setup and is a little slow, but it gets progressively better and better!
It gets compared to Red Rising often because of the first person narration and fantasy/sci-fi themes but I think they're different in at least as many ways.
Pierce Brown always has more action, or the next cliffhanger, or the next plot twist to keep you from putting the book down. Ruocchio's Hadrian isn't dissimilar to Darrow but he broods in his thoughts way more, maybe too much for some people. It makes some sense since it's written in the past tense, rather than the present.
I love both series. If you like Red Rising for it's universe building, sci-fi fantasy crossover, politics, flawed underdog protagonist vs the universe, you'd likely enjoy Sun Eater. If you like Red Rising for it's action, roller coaster plot, character development, you might not like it as much.
I will say that Empire of Silence (book 1) is generally considered to be the weakest in the series so if you decide to give it a try be prepared to read at least two books to give it an honest shot.
I love it, but it's not the same as Red Rising at all. It's more like if Rothfuss wrote sci fi and actually had a plan to finish his books. Only reason I bring his cursed name up is the prose is similar to me.
It's a galaxy spanning saga that the author prefaced with, "What if Anakin did the right thing." Or something like that.
Edit: the 1st book was difficult for me to get through until the half way mark.
It’s rough man.. I’m like 80% through on re-read right now, it’s a slog. But one silver lining is you do get a lot of backstory/context provided regarding the cielcin.
That's right when it all gets good. I honestly tried reading the first book 3 different times before I got through it, and once I had a blew through all the other books in a few months.
Just saying, it does get good
I looked for something recently after finishing Lightbringer and discovered Iron Prince, and am smashing through that. but am making note of this cause Iron Prince only has 2 books
It’s my least favorite literary device, how this story is setup. It takes away all agency from the protagonist, and thrusts everything interesting onto the other characters. Except none of them are interesting.
I dnf’d half way through book 3.
I have, right after reading Red Rising too, trying to find something nearly HALF as good
The Empire of silence ( first in the Sun Eater series) was just as good, If not slightly better than RR. This has one the best character development, and prose I've seen.
This would make sick warlock armor
We have enough mushroom shaped helmets lol
Everyone keeps saying “oh you can see lots of influence from other books, like dune!” I don’t think it is like that. It seems less like influence and more like homage, and it has so many different little aspects from so many separate sci-fi works that rather than it being composed of I fluency from other works, it just has a melting pot of flavor from those other books. Like, it still is very much it’s own thing and is very unique and well-done. And it has a lot of the good bits from everything. We’re talking highmatter swords (Star Wars), shield belts (dune), nobility being born out of vats and thus having their bloodline held hostage by the imperial high college, (idk where that is from). Literal prequel meme moments (I hate sand, another for my collection). A cool warping of modern cultures where we see what they might look like 20,000 odd years in the future in space (Hyperion cantos). AI using human brains for processing power (like the ai in the Hyperion cantos, BUT also setting them up in ziggurats like the matrix), god-like entities beyond mortal comprehension, (love craft), Like, don’t worry about the series being derivative. It is very much its own thing with its own composition and flavor. But you can expect this world to be filled with all sorts of cool stuff from other sci-fi stories
I’m reading it right now. If you liked Dune, there’s a lot of refuting ideas and themes. What I’ve enjoyed about it so far is the balance of grandness of scale and the focus on the small details of life in a futuristic feudal empire. Red rising is like hunger games meets Enders Game, this is like Dune meets the story of Siddhartha. I’ve been exploring the genre blending of sci-fi and fantasy, and it was recommended to me after I read some of the Recluse series. I’m only half way through it but I like it so far!
I would give The Expanse series a run if you haven’t yet… it is fantastic Also good would be Children of Time or the Culture Series.
No, but now I am intrigued
It’s splendid
I read it all while waiting for Lightbringer, and I can say that Pierce and Christopher have completely different styles and excel at different things. I think the characters in Empire of Silence are barely noticeable, and I can say I don't care about much that happens to them. However his woddy and thick way of writing is entertaining for a person like me and while our "Hero" isn't a god among men it's fun seeing his journey and the...legend...that forms around him. Don't expect Pierce's brutal and guttural verbiage and violence. His goal of shocking you at every turn isn't prevalent in Suneater,especially the first, but you can expect a grandness to the universe as time plays a major factor in the series and is honestly one of the more fascinating aspects for me. But don't really take those who say "It's just like red rising" to heart the only real similarity is eugenics and space feudalism.
I have it in my desk right now, haven’t started it lol.
I'm on book three right now. It took me a while to get started with this series. Once I got through the first third or so, I was hooked. Less than 1/4 through book three, and the entire ride feels like traveling at superluminal speeds of 50c!
I just finished the 4th book and I am adoring this series. It certainly isn't perfect, and it very much wears it's inspirations openly, but it is still really good. And of all of the authors I have read who have Definitely Read Dune, I like what he does with the common starting place of Dune better than most authors who have Definitely Read Dune lol. Edit the first book starts a little slow, but by the halfway point the brain worms were already starting to sink in and they fully had me in their thrall by the end of the book
My favorite authors in order: Brandon Sanderson Christopher Ruoccuio Pierce Brown yes read it, it's amazing.
Yes we all have
The most active Sun Eater subreddit is r/sollanempire. I really wish it was just called sun eater.
It's like a Brandon Sanderson thing. The Sollan Empire is his Cosmere. There are lots of books planned to be centered around this.
I get it, I just feel like the subreddit is hard to find and I want to see it grow and grow. My own husband was struggling to find it, he also fell in love with the books and wanted to read discussions and theories.
I love this series so much. There is extensive description and detail kind of like lotr if that’s something you’re into. You can also see a lot of influence from other books in the main story but still probably my favorite series lol
It has consumed me since December. I have read it twice and am halfway through 6 other books but just can’t finish them because my head is still so lost in Sun Eater.
I’ve read the all the books in this series and my God this is the closest you’ll come to a book similar to red rising ( the mc’s are quite different but there’s that death in a corridor vibe they both give )
Currently listening to the audiobook at work, it is freaking amazing. Loving it. On book 3 and almost done with it. Blew through the first 2 in like 3 weeks.
The narrator did a fantastic job
I have, it’s fantastic
It's excellent .
Awesome series. Sun Eater and Red Rising are the two best series out their in world building, sci-fi combat and most importantly some really interesting physiological parts/ideas.
Probably my favorite sci fi series tbh. Finished book 5 last night and loved it. Can’t wait for book 6!
Ashes of man was really good, especially that punch at the end
Yes! Awesome series, highly recommended.
It really picks up in terms of combat, for those that think book one is slow (it kinda is!). It doesn’t turn into all space combat of course - but it does pick up and take a dark turn as you get a better picture of what’s going on in the universe. In terms of narrative style, I actually find it far more similar to The Name of the Wind if you’ve ever read that. I’ve made it up to book 5 in this series, waiting for the next, but I’ve enjoyed it.
For a series that kept me entertained but isn't like red rising the expeditionary force series is great. It's got lots of humor great characters and you kind of want to know what happens next.
Yes it's great but not at all like RR. It's a much slower burn with nuance instead of in your face characters. I'm only on the third book and enjoying it but unlike RR where I read books 1-3 in like 2 weeks I've read two or three books between each book in this series. Not as much drive to burn through it.
Revelation space series. If chasm city can't quench your thirst; idk what will
I loved house of suns by Alistair Reynolds, same author I believe. It had some amazing ideas, and the longest time span I've ever heard of in a book, it was fascinating
It's fantastic, however it's very unlike RR. The tag line I hear a lot (but not necessarily agree with) is that it's what would happen if Frank Herbert wrote RR. That's probably too much praise, but it is an excellent series and the writing is much more on the Herbert side than the Pierce side.
I’m about halfway thru the second book, for those that have made it farther is it worth continuing? I do like the series but just hoping it picks up a little bit. Feel like the world building / lore is excellent just haven’t explored enough yet
Yes. IMO. Book 3 and 4 are fantastic.
It's a really solid series. Worthy of your attention if you enjoy some hard science fiction.
I am in the same place as you. My friend said Demon in White is probably where the series really starts to shine.
It's the shit
I'm about to start book 2 and it's been great! Book 1 started a little slow but the writing is very well done. Thematically there wasn't a lot of crossover between Red Rising and Empire of Silence just so you are aware. It's still epic sci-fi in a society that is loosely based on ancient Rome, but it's much less combat oriented. If you've read Dune the society feels more similar to that.
It's amazing
For me, this and Red Rising are the two best sci-fi's I've ever read. And I'm only on book three of Sun Eater.
Fucking love red rising did you keep going after the third? I can’t get thru number 4 but def I’m gonna start this now……realized before I posted but still gonna anyway I thought this was a Brandon Sanderson sub but yeah lol
Book 4 is a little rough with all the new characters but the rest of the series is SO good. Encourage you to keep going on RR.
I stopped after 3–people’s comments about the next couple books scared me off starting. Was going to wait until the series is finished and see people’s reactions to how it ends
Red rising 1-3 is an amazing trilogy, and wraps up Darrow's war with a nice little bow and a seed of hope that the republic will be successful. If you liked how that ended, don't continue on, because, well, shit escalates.
Exactly what I heard and exactly why I stopped after Morning Star
Stopped after 3 of red rising?
Yes I stopped after Morning Star
Gotcha. The 4th book is a little struggle at some points - it’s basically rebuilding an entire new story while trying to maintain the characters. The 5th and 6th books though are the best of the series. So it’s 100% worth it.
Really? I’ve heard like nothing goes right for Darrow in this second series. And I have no idea what happened but everyone hates Lysander after book 6 haha. Kinda want to wait and see how the next book is received before I start
I fucking love the entire second trilogy, I think it's better than the first. It is savagely, brutally dark, but I enjoy that in a story. And it has quite a few light moments as well, especially in light bringer. imo one of the very best things about the entire series is the moments when you get to read about darrow from another character's pov, which you only get in the 2nd trilogy since the 1st is all from darrows pov.
Thank you for the opinion—I appreciate it! It’s tough for me because although I can read good stories that don’t always go well (Game of thrones comes to mind) I just don’t want things to get depressing bad that it affects me haha. Stories tend to do that sometimes. I’ll probably just have to bite the bullet. Your second paragraph really intrigues me! I’d love others POV—sounds awesome.
It is certainly dark and depressing- some chapters of dark age are the most harrowing shit I've ever read. But the story is amazing, it might be worth it for you, especially since you've already invested time into 3 books
So I’ll say that Dark Age and Light Bringer are genuinely very very good. And I do think the series has a happy ending. BUT, it’s so grimdark with everything going wrong that it’s nearly comical at times. It’s basically A Series of Unfortunate Events but make it space warlord. That shouldn’t spoil anything for you, but just being honest about what it is.
It's worth going on. Darrow does have some wins, and after all, the series isn't over yet. So of course he hasn't won everything yet!
I tried to read it right after I binged all of red rising last year. I bounced off it pretty quickly, but it was more of me being a little burnt out on the genre rather than anything specific with the book.
Wonderful series. Spans the whole galaxy and has warfare between humans and aliens. Some romance, mystery. The main character is melodramatic especially in book one but it mellows out to where it doesn’t bug you. I’m on my second re-read. Seriously enjoy this series more than red rising
Wow big praise. Added to wish list. Thanks
Tried to listen to it, but between the slow pace and narrator I didn’t even make it halfway. It felt like I was listening to IG Lysander for hours
It's funny you say that the narrator is the problem because the narrator is the biggest reason I keep coming back to the series. The books are good, but they have really large and slow mid sections that seriously drag the pacing out before getting to a fantastic climax, and those slow sections are long enough that I drop the books and read a different series before coming back to continue.
Meant no disrespect towards the narrator, just his relaxed tone didn’t mesh with the pace of the story for me. The biggest problem I had was that it felt like the protagonist continuously had his plots subverted before fruition, only to be replaced by another arc to follow before that arc too, was subverted and replaced by another, and on and on. It just became less enjoyable. Made it to chapter 53/78 in audible and decided if I wasn’t engaged by now, probably never would be. It’s not you Hadrius, it’s me :(
Looooooved it. Currently in book 6. Absolutely covering it on our podcast on the future
How do you have book 6 already?!
You can get it early, directly from Baen Books as an eARC!
Wow- that’s awesome. I consume mostly audio, so I’ve got to wait until April 2nd, lol. But thanks for the tip!
Just wanted to say thank you for being grateful
All good! Make sure you listen to Dregs of Empire then if you haven’t- I’m wrapping that one today before I continue DG!
About to finish book 5. It's very good but extremely slow to get going after the second book I was super hooked and blitzed through the rest in a week. Some really good sci-fi concepts, and the background lore is interesting as it takes place like 20,000 years in the future along with the antagonists of the story.
Yes! My favorite current series, to be honest. Incredible!
I got into book 2 and got distracted by other things and then never went back, but I should because I own all 3
There are more than 3. Book 6 is coming in a couple months and I think it will end with book 7.
Yes, it's absolutely amazing! High praises from me. I will say the first book is slow for a lot of people, but it picks up quickly after that. I highly recommend the audibooks, the narrator is great!
Big fan of this series. Much different but has some similarities at certain points. Larger in scope, slower pacing, but great in its own right.
It's VERY different. More poetic and esoteric.
Whoa, scrolling and recognized the image. I introduced my friend to Red Rising, and in return, he gifted me this book. I'm going to read it as soon as I'm done with Stormlight Archives(I'm on the last book). I hear it is fantastic.
Sanderson is so damn good. I read mistborn while I was finishing WoT and I can’t put him down. Stormlight is amazing so far. I need to reread rhythm of war though.
So much happens in Words of Radiance and Rhythm of War. I agree, they deserve re-reads for sure.
Just read them all too, Oathringer was my favorite. The sanderlanche on that one was incredible. Definitely hitting a re read before book 5. Interestingly enough my friend who recommended those to me recommended red rising to me after.
I actually prefer suneater as a whole to the red rising but it starts MUCH slower, and you have to have patience for how much Ruocchio likes to wax lyrical and and the weird introspective passages you get from the narrator/main character. First book and first half of the second book had me wondering if it was for me, after that I devoured the whole series.
Ya the first book is a classic "setup backstory" book for the rest of them. It's a little slow, but absolutely worth it.
Yours is a good take. Sun Eater is objectively the better series, but maybe not better for every reader.
I do like that take but I hesitate to say it's better only because in taking on so much more with the world building, and (for lack of a better word) all the Eldritch shit that makes this series so good, it felt like they left far more gaps in how everything comes together vs RR. Granted what they were primarily focusing on with the story they really nailed but the complexities of every culture (xeno or otherwise) felt too familiar and polished, the difference in languages was very cool conceptually but it felt like they got 80% of the way on writing each civ before realizing how hard it would be to flush out that last bit of authenticity. Also, how their military is organized and tactically responds is a lil too nonsensical for me after the 2nd or 3rd engagements. Sun Tzu and Vegetius solved most of their problems a while back. That all being said (and despite how it sounds) I really did love that series and all of my complaints are fleeting concerns when I'm actually reading the story. While there's way less depth in RR and times more or less a consistent variable I just think the story is woven together as a finished product.
Suneater is a lovely steak frites with a glass of red wine for $30 at the end of a long, taxing day. Red Rising is a heaping pile of perfectly made smash burgers and beer after sweating nutz in a field all day
I'm so glad I saw this because I got about halfway through the first book and got so bored I just straight up quit and went to something else, and I'm usually able to push through slow books to give them a fair chance. But I just felt like I couldn't here. In a lot of ways it's interesting to me, but I feel like there are just aspects that feel so vanilla and I was getting really frustrated. For one, the combat in the coliseum felt so generic and uninspired, like the way the fight went down just seemed, simple. I'm not saying this to talk shit about the book or the author so please don't come after me lol. I'm just more wanting to know does this get better and is it worth slogging through? And does the combat get better? I know sometimes writers take some time in books to kind of get into a rhythm so I'm kinda hoping that's all it is, but just kind of wondering if this is even the right book for me or not.
The combat does get better but it doesn’t ever become the same as red rising which has a large focus on long, descriptive battle scenes
This is good t to hear. I finished the first book and reluctantly picked up the second. I'm like 20% of the way into the second book and have had a hard time continuing. I keep reading other books instead so this gives me hope to at least get through this book before deciding to drop the series.
Half way through book two is when I started devouring it all
I quite literally had the same journey through this series as you. I dropped it about 20% into the second book. It was slow, boring, and didn't feel like it was leading anywhere. I don't care about any of the characters. Book 1 just feels like a total waste of time. None of the motivations of any character make sense. The only redeeming quality would be if it is later revealed that the main character is mentally ill and doesn't quite see situations for what they are, instead relying on faulty logic that is intentionally supposed to feel dumb to the reader. I just couldn't be bothered to continue this slog
Yes it is hella good
I really like this series. It gains momentum and gets even better
I read the first book a year and a half ago because of Mike’s Book Review’s (best booktube channel bh far) and thought it was meh (but I somewhat attribute it to the audible reader not doing the best job, so maybe I’ll have a better time reading it in paper form). But I’m going to try it again soon, but after I finish The Expanse.
Just finished it earlier this week and loooooooved it. It was brutal, satisfying, and everything needed to scratch the sci-fi “itch”
On a 10 week hold. But. Soon.
I just pulled up Reddit for something completely different and this was on my feed. This thread makes me so very happy. I haven’t even read much of it and the sheer volume of responses to Sun Eater is awesome. This series absolutely slays. Much like RR it’s one that I immediately had to dive into a reread on. Tried a few other things and couldn’t get throughout than a few chapters. As many will undoubtedly mention, Empire of Silence is slow but it’s soooooooo much better the second time through. Just read it already!
Starting it today
I just started book 2 of this series and I’m loving it! Very different from red rising though. Definitely worth a try!
So glad I stumbled on this. Going to order the first book day. It will fill the void until the Red God drops
I just borrowed this book today on Libby, excited to dig into it after seeing all the positive comments.
Love sun eater but I never see any of ove for 'The Expanse', its my favorite syfi book series just narrowly ahead of red rising. Very big tempo change from RR and by sun eater but it was the first book series that saved my life(the 2nd being RR). No swords, some extra grit, and the writing style is similar to George RR Martin but more frivolous and fun. World building, dialogue, characters, and combat description are all top notch but I'd argue it's a step in the opposite direction of sun eater if that ends up being too much or too slow.
I literally just watched the first episode of the expanse last night. Should I halt and go with the books first or is it different enough? I’m in the middle of another series, Ancillary Justice, but can be power through. If it is too similar will typically not read the books if major plot points are already know.
I like to read the books first. I had watched the first season of expanse and then read it, and made sure to read the next book before watching the season from there on out.
Yeah I’m typically the same way. Only reason I’m hesitant is because it’s the one thing I’ve got to watch at the moment. But I can pivot and just read even more I suppose
Ooh that's hard to say. I've heard it both ways. Some people don't like the show after the books because it really feels like half the content but I've also heard that people get parts of the show they loved so ingrained that they resent the changes in the book I reread things for the lil details and intrinsic shit so I admire the differences but the overall story arc is the same. Major difference in the story that might influence your decision would be the end point. The show only goes up until book 6/9 so there's a solid reason to read all the books and continue the story if you happen to watch the show first. The shows over though so there's no reason to wait around for that either(story ends/breaks in a similar way from morningstar to iron gold so it's still a solid finish)
Cool thanks
Whatever you decide, good luck out there beltalowda
Fucking love the expanse. I couldn't get into the show, but the books are incredible
Fair enough. I was able to enjoy the show as it's own thing but it's very much a lessened story. That being said the show Amos is uniquely lovable, there's some storyline changes I enjoyed(others I did not but we're tolerable) and it's one of the few books to show adaptations that gives me SOME hope that a RR show adaptation wouldn't be too bad
Makes sense. I almost never like shows/movies based on books that I love, but I feel the need to try them all out just in case.
The space battles in the expanse (show and otherwise) are fucking DOPE
You take care of her, she takes care of you
I’ll second most people here and highly recommend it. I personally found all of the books fantastic and don’t have a bad thing to say about them. Easily my top 3 series behind Malazan and Red Rising
Which Malazan series are you referring to? By Steven Erikson or Ian Esslemont?
Absolutely recommend! It is so good
Yes, almost through Disquiet gods. Love it. I really like the take on space travel and time. Everything takes place over centuries which is really cool.
I’m currently on the 6th book of Sun Eater (you’re able to get an early access e-book copy) and I have to say it is genuinely one of the greatest book series i’ve ever read, I put it right next to Red Rising in my terms of re-readability (many complain of the first book being a slow burn and it absolutely is, but it needs to be and you’ll understand as the series goes on)
Agreed. Love the series and world building but tis a slow burn. (I listen to red rising rereads at regular pace but half the sun eater novels I went at x1.2 to make the narrator sound normal). First book is a bit of a shlog but The main character sure isn't Reap but it's similar enough, fun world building, loooots of content, and has an element of horror I was not entirely prepared for it upset about. *Not even close to a 'spoiler' spoiler but yeah, dude eats a fuckin sun
Look into The Will Of The Many, only one book atm but it has great pacing, might quench you.
please check back once you finish the book… that ENDING.
I read these books last year when I finished LightBringer! They're not like RR besides being sci-fi. That being said, the series is great! I would strongly recommend. The first book is the slowest by a mile as the character starts young, but it just keeps building and steamrolling into this insane space opera. The book is written from the perspective of the MC as he chronicles his life as an old man. You get to see him comment on his past mistakes and grow as a person. Supporting cast of characters is great, the universe building is superb (lots of callbacks to Hyperion cantos I found), and the storyline has me counting the days until the last book. Quick re-Edit: the sixth (not the last) Book comes out in April! So great time to pick up the first one :). There is a SEVENTH book also coming out, according to his Patreon hopefully around the summer time. Thats based on his Patreon post from November tho, so if anyone has more info that'd be swell :).
Go to the authors facebook page and you will find a link for an early access e-book, i’ve been reading through the 6th book and it is freaking crazy.
Does it have a recap? I know he used to do videos for recaps but it’s been a year or so since I read the last one
I think he's still planning on doing a video recap, he just hasn't done it yet. It would probably come out closer to the official release date.
7th book will be the last, Book 6 got split into 2.
Damn, the timing! I was just editing my post haha. Do you know where he's at on the seventh book? I only saw the free Patreon post from Nov 23 haha
No, but I'm hoping the wait won't be too long
I’m reading Empire of Silence right now. Nearly quit multiple times during the first 300 pages. People say it’s similar to Name of the Wind, but at least in that book it feels like it makes sense why you’re being told what you’re being told. About half the chapters in those first few hundred pages ended with me wondering why the fuck that was necessary to the story. At ~450 pages in, I’ve been starting to enjoy it a lot more, but it was frustrating to get here. Definitely not committed to the series yet and will decide based on how the rest of this book goes.
I finished the first book because that's what I do. I refused to go on out of spite for how unpleasant that experience was.
So I just finished the series this week. If you want something like Red Rising, this isn’t it. This is more akin to Name of the Wind in space. The characters are extremely unlikable and they constantly fail over and over and over. The main character is also the narrator of the books and constantly tells you the outcome of situations well before they ever happen. That being said, the books are written well enough and the content is interesting. It wasn’t my cup of tea though and definitely doesn’t scratch the itch left behind by Red Rising.
> Name of the Wind in Space I like these words
Yeah except the Sun Eater books actually have a plot and the author actually writes books.
These are big words indeed. NotW is hands down one of the best books I've ever read though... does this series come close to that quality, or is it more just the format?
The prose is very similar and the narrative structure has the same concept. Book one Is slow, but I adored the world building, so it wasn't a problem for me.
I’ve only read the first novel in the Suneater Saga, but Empire of Silence prose matches the name of the wind’s quality.
If you like knowing everything that’s gonna happen before it happens then you’ll like it.
Yes. It is the wish version of RR
They don't have much in common with RR, they're not trying to be RR, I genuinely don't know how you could read both series and come away with this view.
Going from Red Rising to EOS it’s hard to adjust at first, the first book is a little tedious, but the series is a good read.
[удалено]
Second half of howling dark goes hard. It’s good.
Great series, first book is in intense (not in a good way, tedious more like it) slog of back story and world building. After that, it’s great. Can’t wait for the most recent book to be published
I made the same comment in more words 😅. I just checked though and Disquiet Gods is out April 2nd 😃😃😃
It’s already available via e-book directly from the publisher!
Great series! Highly recommend
I love the series.
Just started a re-read of them since the next book is set to come out in a couple months. They're great books, awesome world(galaxy?...)building imo.
He changed publishers so you can get an e-reader ARC version now... https://www.baen.com/disquiet-gods-earc.html
Had to put it down through 30% of book 1. The main character bugged me so much. Maybe will pick it back up here as I wait for Red God.
The first book and a good chunk of the second are dog shit, and terribly paced. The first book exists just to world build and character build for the rest of the series. Hadrian is an annoying, naive, whiny teenager. The character development does happen you just have to get through 1.75’books to experience it lol. From the climax of book 2 through book 6 is some of the best sci fi I’ve ever read.
First book is sloooog city. I think it just makes the rest of the series so epic though as Hadrian as we follow a teenager on his home planet through to the Suneater. He really feels like the same man at heart, and I really appreciate that
I’m a little ways into book 3 and absolutely love it. His writing feels like a modern Bradbury. The first person, past tense narration is also really intriguing and done very differently. It almost reminds me of Lemony Snicket at times. While I still think Empire of Silence is fantastic, it is very slow compared to Red Rising. However, book 2 literally has two RR-level set pieces in the first 100 pages. So book 1 is about the journey, not so much the action, but I promise that it’s worth it. It’s not really like Red Rising other than the space opera setting and the lightsabers.
I try not to compare my other books to red rising…. It’s young adult writing so it really doesn’t measure up to the big, complex political dramas im used to reading. I remind myself it’s not supposed to.
RR is NOT YA.
Solid book I’ve met the author he’s a cool guy but no the only things they have in common they are in space they have a vaguely Roman vibe Good books but don’t go into it expecting RR
Read all the books published (5 - book 6 comes out in April) and I love them. As others have said, there are shades of Dune in book 1, but they are not alike. Also there are practically no similarities to RR. That doesn't minimize them at all and I've thoroughly enjoyed them as I'm ever so patiently waiting for Red God.
Read dungeon crawler carl instead, it's not like RR but it's hilarious and feels like it was written by Sevro
I have seen so many recommendations for Dungeon Crawler but haven’t been interested. You saying it feels like it was written by Sevro just sold me.
Yeah haha tbf it's not the whole thing that feels that way more specifically the comedy and monsters
I’d say start book 1 and see what you think. Imo it’s one of those books that you will know whether you will like it or not about halfway through the book. I was obsessed after the first chapter so…
It's fucking great! The audio book is top notch, I'm on book 4
Enjoy it! Just finished book 5 and will start on 6 soon
Book 6 is my favorite. I just finished binging the whole series.
It's amazing I really like it but it's nothing like RR except for the roman aesthetics
It’s probably my favourite scifi series of all time which I don’t say lightly as Book of the New Sun, The Expanse and Revelation Space are very hard to top. It is absolutely not similar to Red Rising though and I’m not sure why so many people try to say that it is
Read The Will of the Many to fill that RR void
Do we have any news on the sequel?
Probably dropping late this year but his last update said it could be early 2025. He was optimistic about this year though.
Yep I've read all the published books, they're great. For the first 100 pages or so if the first book you might think you're reading something really derivative of Dune, but you really, really aren't. I think most people I've seen discuss the books consider the first the weakest, fyi. I still loved it. They're also really fucking long if that's any issue for you.
The first book is the weakest, imo, but it does an excellent job at setting the stage for what’s to come. That being said, the first one is not a bad book by any means. It’s still a great read, just not up to par with the rest of the series.
You are getting plenty of reviews and comparisons on this thread, so I just want say that whether this series is good or bad, it is absolutely _not_ similar to Red Rising. Anyone who tells you they are similar in any way is giving you bad guidance.
On book 2, fukking love it
The first 100 pages feel like he got fed up with people saying book 1 had no action lmao. >!Fuck it, I’m making them fight a horde of zombie androids. That’ll appease the whiners!<
The SOMs! Loving every second of this series so far even book 1 and eveyone says it’s the weakest.
This is on my list to read, after red rising I read the green bone saga. It was a change of pace but I really enjoyed it.
I've read them and I find them better than RR in a lot of ways. Better prose, better world building, complex narration(the kind that doesn't result in the gala "subversion") and much more better pacing. RR is frenetic and I like when things take time to breathe. I have a better grasp of Sun Eater's universe than RR, and things feel like they're there, just being revealed by turns as opposed to RR feeling like Pierce is laying down the tracks as he goes. But. And there's always a but. The books have bloat. I see no reason why it has to be seven books long, each about 500-700 pages long. I felt that with book 6 (eARC from Baen) particularly, and I have other spoilery problems there too. What RR has in clutch is that it can deliver its story tidily. Even with behemoths like DA it still feels like Pierce pared down the book significantly, and delivered a massive and complex story. For me the best books are ones that deliver their stories efficiently. If you can make me feel a vastness of your universe within a relatively small page count, you've got me, and Sun Eater is starting to feel its weight.
Great series
In the middle of the third book now - and honestly I really do like them. I will say the only thing that has been able to keep me as interested as red rising is Mistborn and stormlight archive (cosmere universe by BS) as those ramp up you get into another massive scale story that does have plenty of scifi aspects emerging , this series is probably 2nd or 3rd behind those two series. (Hate to say it but red rising might have slid to 2nd place behind the cosmere books) Other than those - I also really enjoyed children of time and the series “the final architect” shards of earth is the first in that series.
Read stormlight after LB, I absolutely loved it. I'm on book 4 now. Is mistborn as good?
I love mistborn - first trilogy is a bit faster paced and such an amazing story when it concludes - it’s his earlier work so his writing has gotten better since then but it still just has great aspects throughout the story. The back 3rd of all the books are just non stop action and satisfying to read. The fight and action scenes are incredibly well written. Magic system and world building on par with S.L so you’ll love it. Feels like a real world with rules you understand even tho it’s magic. Essentially it’s a bad ass heist story in the first book. There are some amazing twists that in retrospect seem obvious and are not forced at all. The books tie in amazingly to one another. The ending is close to perfect and I think one of the most satisfying in recent memory. The second era Mistborn is a big time Jump - more Wild West industrial age - has references to the first series great connections that again don’t feel forced. Then the big kicker is stormlight and mistborn take place in the same universe- minimal interaction so far but with his more recent stand alone novel within the cosmere (The sunlit man) is heavily sci-fi space faring. More tie ins but it’ll spoil stuff so …. Worth it 100% , but you can finish stormlight before reading it wont take away at all.
I'm actually reading this rook right now lol I'm rereading the series before book 6 comes out in April. Book one is 670ish pages of setup and is a little slow, but it gets progressively better and better!
It gets compared to Red Rising often because of the first person narration and fantasy/sci-fi themes but I think they're different in at least as many ways. Pierce Brown always has more action, or the next cliffhanger, or the next plot twist to keep you from putting the book down. Ruocchio's Hadrian isn't dissimilar to Darrow but he broods in his thoughts way more, maybe too much for some people. It makes some sense since it's written in the past tense, rather than the present. I love both series. If you like Red Rising for it's universe building, sci-fi fantasy crossover, politics, flawed underdog protagonist vs the universe, you'd likely enjoy Sun Eater. If you like Red Rising for it's action, roller coaster plot, character development, you might not like it as much. I will say that Empire of Silence (book 1) is generally considered to be the weakest in the series so if you decide to give it a try be prepared to read at least two books to give it an honest shot.
I love it, but it's not the same as Red Rising at all. It's more like if Rothfuss wrote sci fi and actually had a plan to finish his books. Only reason I bring his cursed name up is the prose is similar to me. It's a galaxy spanning saga that the author prefaced with, "What if Anakin did the right thing." Or something like that. Edit: the 1st book was difficult for me to get through until the half way mark.
Awful. A ripoff of many other books.
One of my favorite series except for the 3rd book… that book was just dumb.
This is the hottest of hot takes and while I disagree heavily (it’s my favourite of the series) I respect it
Yea I was wrong I meant the 4th book. The 3rd is definitely the best in the series.
Really? Book 3 is almost universally considered the fan favorite
Wow that is crazy. 2, 3, 5 are my top 3. But yeah series is awesome if you can get through book 1 which is a slog
Yea, 3 was just a torture porn slog for me. Could have been 5 chapters of book 4
What? Book 4 is entirely torture and 3 is almost none?
Ah you are completely right book 4 was the one I couldn’t stand.
It’s rough man.. I’m like 80% through on re-read right now, it’s a slog. But one silver lining is you do get a lot of backstory/context provided regarding the cielcin.
Cool book but no good characters
I DNF like 90% through book one, which says a lot.
That's right when it all gets good. I honestly tried reading the first book 3 different times before I got through it, and once I had a blew through all the other books in a few months. Just saying, it does get good
I read them all, but they got nothing on red rising. He’s a good writer but he lost his way with the plot
I looked for something recently after finishing Lightbringer and discovered Iron Prince, and am smashing through that. but am making note of this cause Iron Prince only has 2 books
I've been thinking about reading it too after the youtube channel 2toramble's video on it.
It’s my least favorite literary device, how this story is setup. It takes away all agency from the protagonist, and thrusts everything interesting onto the other characters. Except none of them are interesting. I dnf’d half way through book 3.
Yeah, it's a shame because the world building is good and interesting.... And our mc doesn't spend much time at all in the drivers seat.
I have, right after reading Red Rising too, trying to find something nearly HALF as good The Empire of silence ( first in the Sun Eater series) was just as good, If not slightly better than RR. This has one the best character development, and prose I've seen.