Pierce Brown's Red Rising: Sons of Ares
Sons of Ares Vol. 3
📘 About This Book
The third and final book in the Red Rising Graphic Novel series is here! The last two entries into the Sons of Ares had Fitchner on his heels. In the first, he was driven by love and desperation to save his wife Brynn before her execution at the hands of the Board of Quality Control. Then, in book two, Fitchner went head to head with both of his early allies - Arturius and Quicksilver. His wrath left Arturius dead and set back Quicksilver's dream of expanding exploration and human habitation to other stars. In Forbidden Song, Ares may not always be in control. But he has a plan - and it's a doozy. FORBIDDEN SONG is one part Ocean's 11, one part Les Miserable, and it sets the fuse for the Rising that Darrow will inherit.
📖 Summary
Pierce Brown's Red Rising: Sons of Ares concludes the thrilling graphic novel trilogy by diving deep into the explosive origins of the legendary rebellion that paves the way for Darrow's future crusade. In this third and final installment, titled Forbidden Song, the narrative brings readers back into the deeply stratified, oppressive society of the Red Rising universe, focusing intently on the man who would become Ares: Fitchner. The prior entries in the graphic novel series charted Fitchner's desperate evolution from a man driven by love and personal anguish into a calculating revolutionary mastermind. In the first volume, his fierce desperation fueled a daring mission to save his wife Brynn before the brutal Board of Quality Control could execute her. The second volume escalated the stakes dramatically, forcing Fitchner into a high-stakes chess match against his former allies, Arturius and Quicksilver. That fierce confrontation culminated in the death of Arturius and severely disrupted Quicksilver's grand ambitions of expanding human habitation and space exploration to distant stars. Now, in Forbidden Song, Fitchner faces his ultimate reckoning as Ares. Even when it seems he might not be entirely in control of the chaotic forces swirling around him, the infamous rebel possesses a meticulously crafted master plan that promises to upend the established order of the Society. Blending the high-wire tension and elaborate plotting of a classic heist story with the sweeping emotional resonance and revolutionary fervor of tragic historical drama, this volume acts as a brilliant synthesis of genres. It operates like one part Ocean's Eleven and one part Les Miserables, delivering a narrative full of cunning strategies, emotional sacrifices, and dangerous alliances. Most importantly, Forbidden Song serves as the vital narrative bridge that ignites the fuse for the massive, universe-altering Rising that Darrow will eventually inherit. Fans of Pierce Brown's expansive science fiction universe will find this electronic-book graphic novel an essential companion piece that deepens the mythology of the Red Rising series, offering rich visual and narrative context to the sacrifices made long before Darrow ever stepped foot into the Institute.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Delivers a thrilling and action-packed conclusion to the graphic novel trilogy
Deepens the lore and backstory of the main Red Rising universe
Blends clever heist elements with emotional revolutionary drama
Provides crucial context for how the rebellion began
⚠️ Cons
As the final entry, it may leave fans wishing for more stories in this specific era
Relies on familiarity with the preceding graphic novel volumes for full context
✍️ About the Author
Pierce Brown (b. 1988) is an American author known for the 'Red Rising' science fiction saga.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Is this book part of a series? +
Yes, it is the third and final book in the Red Rising Graphic Novel series.
Who is the central character of the story? +
The story centers heavily on Fitchner, who becomes the legendary figure known as Ares.
What major conflict does Fitchner face in this volume? +
Fitchner must execute his ultimate plan while navigating a landscape where he may not always be in control, following clashes with former allies.
How does this book connect to the main Red Rising novels? +
It sets the fuse for the massive Rising that Darrow will eventually inherit and lead.
In what format is this title published? +
It is available as an electronic-book graphic novel.
