Introduction
Red Rising is one of my most cherished book series, and with the seventh and final installment on the horizon, there’s no better time to dive into the intricate universe Pierce Brown has crafted and share my ranking of the top 10 characters from this enthralling sci-fi saga. From the boldest heroes to the most devious villains, these are the characters that make the series utterly unforgettable.
10. Victra au Julii
“Share the load, darling. This one’s on me.”
Victra is one of the most formidable female characters in science fiction. She’s fierce, unapologetically blunt, and yet displays profound humanity throughout the series. Her loyalty to her allies is as steadfast as her wit is sharp, tested repeatedly by Brown’s unforgiving plotlines. Victra rises to every challenge with remarkable resilience and, frankly, a style that’s all her own.
When Victra first appeared in Golden Son, I didn’t have a strong impression of her, but she quickly grew on me and became a standout character by Dark Age.
9. Lorn au Arcos
“If you’re a fox, play the hare. If you’re a hare, play the fox.”
Lorn may not occupy many pages, but when he does, he delivers some of the most thought-provoking lines in the series. Pierce Brown’s take on the wise mentor archetype, Lorn is akin to Gandalf—if Gandalf were a hardened warrior with an intimidating glare. He embodies wisdom with a dose of grit, and his worldview is both fascinating and sobering.
8. Ragnar Volarus
“A man thinks he can fly, but he is afraid to jump. A poor friend pushes him from behind.” He looks up at me. “A good friend jumps with.”
Ragnar, our beloved Obsidian giant, initially appears to be the “tank” of the group. But it doesn’t take long to see that he’s so much more than muscle. Ragnar’s fierce loyalty, gentle humor, and deep sense of honor make him unforgettable. He shines brightest in moments of darkness, providing comfort and levity when it’s needed most.
7. Alexander au Arcos
“Please… I wouldn’t give your lowly house the dignity of my attention.”
The grandson of Lorn au Arcos, Alexander shines in his relationship with Darrow. His introduction in the second era of the series quickly secured his place as a fan favorite. Watching Darrow mentor the young warrior is genuinely heartwarming, especially as we see the contrast between Alexander’s optimism and Darrow’s hard-won pragmatism.
6. The Jackal
“Wish I could have been something more… regal than Jackal, but reputations tend to make themselves.”
Pierce Brown has a knack for crafting villains you love to loathe, and The Jackal is no exception. As one of the primary antagonists of the original trilogy, The Jackal is terrifying not because of brute strength, but because of his ruthless cunning. His cold intellect and insidious ambition make him a truly formidable foe.
5. Cassius au Bellona
“I never was fond of irony. Whiskey, on the other hand… we never had a quarrel we couldn’t solve.”
Deciding where to place Cassius was no easy task. At times, he wouldn’t even make the cut, while at others, he could easily contend for the top spot. So, I settled on number five. Cassius is as complex as he is noble—a golden child whose journey is deeply tragic, and whose actions speak to both the ideals and the flaws of his upbringing.
4. Lysander au Lune
“We were created because Earth broke itself. Because man disintegrated into tribal strife. Chaos is the nature of man; order, the dream of Gold. We were made to shepherd. To unite, despite our differences.”
Lysander exemplifies how to write a point-of-view antagonist effectively. Introduced as a POV character in Iron Gold, Lysander initially makes readers question why we’d want to be inside the mind of such a character. Yet Brown skillfully makes Lysander both comprehensible and, at times, even sympathetic. His moral dilemmas and evolution make him one of the series’ most thought-provoking characters.
3. Mustang
“What good is being smarter than everyone if no one listens?”
The Red Rising universe teems with political schemers, but none surpass Mustang. Although she is a Gold, Mustang transcends her upbringing by envisioning a future that benefits not only her kind but everyone. Her brilliance lies in her ability to see beyond her privilege, to navigate political intrigue with compassion and intellect. She’s a mastermind who plays the long game, and she’s absolutely unmatched.
2. Sevro au Barca
“This is war, boyo. Murder’s the name of the game. Don’t be sad we’re good at it.”
Sevro au Barca stole my heart from the moment he was introduced. Viciously loyal and delightfully chaotic, Sevro starts as comic relief but evolves into a deeply layered character. He’s the goblin with a heart of gold—he loves fiercely, he fights like a demon, and beneath it all, he’s just trying to hold on to his people. Watching Sevro grapple with his demons while staying true to himself is one of the series’ most rewarding arcs.
1. Darrow O’Lykos
“I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.”
Did you expect anyone else? I genuinely tried to think if someone else could top Darrow, but there’s a reason he consistently leads these rankings. Pierce Brown keeps us in Darrow’s mind for most of the original trilogy, and that perspective gives us an intimate look at his transformation. From a humble Red to a legendary leader, Darrow’s journey is an epic odyssey. He is driven by love, haunted by loss, and relentless in his pursuit of a better world—not for himself, but for everyone else.
Conclusion
There you have it—the top 10 characters from the Red Rising series, ranked from the bottom to the pinnacle. Each of them contributes something distinct to the narrative, whether it’s humor, loyalty, cunning, or sheer willpower. I’d love to hear your own rankings—who did I underrate, and who do you think deserves a higher spot?
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