The Sons of Ares: A Red Rising Saga Podcast

Lo rusters! The boys are all over the place this week so the chapter crawl will have to continue next week. Instead of the normal chapter dive we had Phil from @HailReaperPod come on and riff all things Red Rising. Had a great time and learned loads!! ---- Cullen Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow, Holi, and Trigg make their way through the Jackal's prison fortress and try to escape. As they go, shit inevitably escalates. We see the two Terran born twins in their most prime form as they usher the Reaper(light) to freedom. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Vixus, Vixus, Vixus...why did you have to go and say that? Darrow learns a lesson in mercy and the band of three becomes four as they pick up one of the most loyal friends Darrow has and thought he'd lost. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Hello Holi and Trigg! Our two favorite Terran-born children of Ares make thier way to the stage in this action-packed chapter. They bring the Reaper to his senses and get the rickety shell of a man back on his feet. With a little jump-start from momma, of course.  Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow has been an unwitting dinner date of the Jackal's for a fairly significant period of time but that unwanted arrangement has now come to an end as a couple of Olympic Knights have arrived to take him to Luna. Once in Luna, Octavia, has extreme plans for our favorite little helldiver, none of which sound particularly fun. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! We are on to book three, Morning Star. The fallout from the triumph is...a lot. But the Rising lives and Darrow is trying his best to keep it together. But can he escape the prison of the mind and the box? Music by Deepgrave Studios

As we ramp up for Morning Star (starting 6/29) we thought it might be a good idea to change things up a bit. In this episode Cullen talks Book of Lorn, reads a fanfic he wrote about Cassius and Tiberius au Bellona, and also does a bit of an act out with the Prologue for MS. Chapter crawl for MS starts with the next episode! Nut to butt everyone! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow has an interesting, crazy conversation with Nero and then goes to the party of his life. Everyone is excited for him to get the reward he earned with his successful rain, particularly the Jackal. We wrap up the second book in the series and next up, Morning Star! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Chuck is back in the driver's seat as he and Darrow take us into the mines. Mustang (Tang) has seen all she needs to and is ready to render her judgement upon Darrow, but will Ragnar have a say in how things unfold? How will the "Queen of the Golds" see the plight of our favorite Helldiver? Will she follow him into the Rising or will she go her own way? Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! How to the Reds continue to find hope? Why do they sing? Darrow brings Mustang home and leaves her with a choice and then we have a chat between mother and son that goes way beyond just a simple reunion. Special guest @indieartbox joins us to dive into Darrow's homecoming. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Ugly Dan and Podginus make their unwanted return to the story as Darrow takes a walk down memory lane. Darrow and Rags check in on the bubble garden, how the mine is being managed, and see to it that their is a feast for Darrow's hometown. Mustang shows up and she and Darrow embark on their own journey deeper into Darrow's past. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow gets to see his daddies. Dancer and our favorite helldiver reconnect and discuss the betrayals of Harmony, the origins of bloddydamn, and their brotherhood/father-son relationship. Dancer gives his thoughts on Sevro and on the fact a Gold is the match that lit the Red powder keg of rebellion. Mickey, weirdo that he is, comes in weeping and kissing all over Darrow. He has been forced to come to the realization that he was a monster but wants to be better and Darrow, big hearted bastard that he is, says that’s good enough to ride in my gang. Mickey is odd. Finally, Fitchner enters and this time we don’t get snarky, lazy Proctor Mars, nasty, acerbic Rage Knight; we get the real deal Ares au Barca. The story of how he came to the realization that the rising needed to happen, his plans within plans, and his deep emotional understanding of the cost of all this. And his willingness to keep paying. But he can’t contend with the ways of Darrow’s heart. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Chuck's favorite character gets a moment alone with Darrow, things are all better now! Darrow visits the Jackal and Victra but it's not just a friendly drop in to say hello, he's on a mission for Ares.  Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! ***Spoilers abound and Red God theories are in play***Today we have a conversation with author and historian Janelle Rhiannon in which we dive deep into the many connections between the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Red Rising. How are Achilles and Darrow similar? How are they different? Where do Lightbringer and the Odyssey connect? And what might these ancient Greek tales tell us about Red God? Checkout Janelle's own book series, the Homeric Chronicles, and give her podcast, Greek Mythology Retold, a listen and a sub! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Darrow wakes in a strange room, it’s not the vale but it’s not the mud either. He takes stock and realizes he’s in a recovery ward, his wounds healing, and his favorite equine lady friend curled up next to him. After basking in the warmth of her evident love he attempts to begin to process his pain; physical and emotional. The multi-tiered pain batters him but for the first time he has someone to share it with and Mustang is more than up to the task, she shoulders some of his sorrow. After a debrief on the losses and the current state of the board, Mustang reminds Darrow not to screw around with her brother but to drop him for good, he has no need of him now that she is his politico. He voices some slight concerns but remains frustratingly noncommittal. Then he realizes how much this woman means to him, not just in the physical sense but in the life she gives him and that they could share. He sinks into his love for both his long dead Eo and the joy of his current love for Mustang. Music by Deepgrave Studios

The Words and Whiskey Pod guys joins us to talk about the chapter that brought us Ares, and along the way we talk Crimson Tide, gimp reading, Suneater, and Silent Chris. It was fun for us!! Music by Deepgrave Studios

An exclusive interview with the author of the Red Rising Saga. We talked to Pierce about history, combat, military tech, basketball and so much more. In our humble opinion, it's the best Pierce Brown interview to come out this month. (But only if there aren't any other interviews that came out this month!) Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow and Crew pull themselves out of the mud and carry on. Ragnar and the Obsidians are sent to take the wall while Darrow, Sevro, and the Howlers seek out the Sovereign. But can they get there in time and intact? Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow flew so high, in mud he now lies…and Rags and the Howlers and rest. The EMP did what EMPs do and destroyed the electronic equipment rendering what moments ago were planet-conquering war-god mech suits into giant heavy-ass coffins. Entombed in his armor Darrow contemplates his impending slow death by drowning. Having the lung capacity of a Gold and airtight armor actually is a drawback here as it gives him loads of time to rethink his choices before passing out and dying. To add to his personal horror he is feet away from his best friends as they face the same doom. But this Helldiver is made of sterner stuff and so he, like life, finds away. Once free of his cage he is able to help Ragnar and the two head to the river surface to see what they can do to get out of this pickle. Once topside they find a charnel house as the bodies of unlucky Howlers that didn’t fall into the river are strewn about. A kill squad of Grays, Obsidians, and a couple Golds are moving about dispatching the helpless Howlers. Darrow and Ragnar attack, in the process Darrow breaks all the laws and gives Ragnar a razor. He eventually uses it to prove he is not a dog but a man. The two then run relays as they pull the drowning from the river. Once free from his starshell, Sevro is given the butcher's bill and the weight is almost too much.   Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow, Sevro, Rags, and the rest are only steps away from victory. All they need to do is get through one wall and they will achieve a decisive victory. That's it! Music by Deepgrave Studios

We are finally here, the moment of moments - in the immortal words of the poet - Let fall the rain! Darrow and the crew have a nice brief bit of banter before loading up. Darrow watches his plan within plans unfold as the space battle kicks off. He’s laid some clever little traps, stratagems in the old world sense. Once he’s fired out the spittube we get a little drive by of an invasion unfolding, fighters going one v one, dreadnoughts and battleships blasting into each other, fires everywhere, and the randomness of battle. They make landfall having lost one Howler; Harpy but quickly collect themselves and set up an LZ. Darrow and his team deal with some contacts and make their way to a meeting with Mustang and her large force on the ground. They continue to widen the bridgehead and deal with the various facets of multi domain battlefields. Once it's realized that Darrow and the Augustain side is winning Darrow gets a call from above. The Poet has some vital intel, but Darrow already knows. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow and the crew are off to war and he gets a little pump up from Sev. What does he have to do? How does have to fight? And why does it matter, not just today, but in the long game? Also, Bookie gives his take on Project Hail Mary. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Is there an argument to be made for Lysander au Lune being the hero of the Red Rising Universe? The Grandson of a Sovereign, the Scion of Silenius, the Survivor of the Ladon, Hero of Heliopolis, the Champion of Gold, the first Son of the Society might just be the good guy on a day like today... Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow and his dogs of war are about to be unleashed but first he has to do a bit of William Wallace to fuel the flames of war. Lorn has moment, the Jackal is doing his thing, and Victra is not doing her thing (that thing being Darrow). All are heading to an iron rain! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Pliny, Pliny, Pliny! You really thought you had it all figured out, that somehow you were at the top of the food chain. How quickly things change when Darrow is on the move. And on the move he is as he strikes out against the enemies of Nero. What is the next move for the Howlers and Co.? Looks like the forecast is in and it calls for rain. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow and the Crew are headed to pay Pliny a little visit, just a friendly hello I'm sure. Along the way, we have a chat with Lorn and find out what his love life is like, what he did with his people after joining Darrow, and what he really thinks of Rags. Speaking of everyone's favorite neighborhood Stained; Ragnar learns something about Darrow that may just change everything...or not! Who can say! Chuck is doing well and we hope he is back soon, fysa. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow has a vision, maybe a dream? Either way, his reverie is cut short when Mustang visits. After Rags is told to be on his way, the two do a bit of a Kansas City two-step. They both want to know why the other is doing what they are doing and how they truly feel about the other, but of course they don't really get any answers. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Chuck is out this week but he'll be back and so we carry on! Mustang returns having failed and she brings grim news: Pliny is making a power play and Nero has been captured. Darrow and gang need to make a plan but first he does a bit of bartering with Kavax and Daxo. On the way to the conference room Darrow and Mustang make a pit stop to visit the Poet and Tactus, the rift grows. The conference itself is a bit rough, particularly for Victra, but Darrow and Roque nip the discord in the bud.  Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Lorn is pissed, Darrow is on edge, and Sevro is horned up for the hunt. Aja and Tactus spring their trap and then all hell breaks loose. We finally understand what Lorn's teachings and stories are all about, what he has been trying to explain to Darrow (and us); actions = consequences.  Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! He is finally on the page, the one, the man, the myth, the Razormaster of all Razormasters; Lorn au Arcos! Darrow pays his mentor a visit and tries (with no success) to bring Lorn into the war. The crusty old man drops wisdom bombs like a curmudgeonly pez dispenser. Also, we find out what kind of man Nero really is, not great!  Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Chuck is doubling up this week, covering two smaller chapters, and though tiny, there is a lot of meat on the bone! Darrow's plan, with tweaks from Mustang and the Jackal, takes real shape. Pliny hates it, Nero is intrigued, and Kavax is excited. Chuck has controversial take on everyone's favorite fox. Enjoy! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Mustang and Darrow are finally working together! Of course the gang they are working to sway to their plan are not exactly pushovers; Nero, Kavax, Pliny, and the rest of the Old Guard. The dynamic dou need to use a deft hand, equal parts wooing, cajoling, and bullying the various players at the big kid table. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Our friend Darrow is feeling a bit peckish post taking the Pax and so he heads to the cafeteria for a snack. While there he runs into everyones favorite Augustian and the two star-crossed lovers spend their time dancing around truths. Eventually, they split and Darrow heads to bed but not before running into everyones least favorite Augustian. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! We are back and bigger, if not better, than ever! Chris has joined the pod as our official third man in and we kick off with a huge chapter. In this one we find out how much Sevro actually knows about our dear Darrow. Victra and Darrow forge a new new, stronger bond. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Life has a funny way of playing with schedules! Things have got away from us a bit these last two weeks but we will get back to Chapter 23 - Truth, Chuck is very excited to find out what's going on with Sevro! In the meantime, here's another fanfic piece I wrote; what happened when Cadus Harnassus received the order recalling the fleet above Mercury? How did Orion react to losing half her strength without knowing where the enemy was? This is my thinking on how this played out, all credit for characters, the world, and situations go Pierce Brown. It's his sandbox, we are just playing in it. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Once again we are meeting a very important, very famous friend and ally of Darrow and the Rising; the best Blue in the biz, Orion. Darrow and Sevro find out just how odd Orion is but also learn the fate of Quinn and their fellows aboard the Stork.   Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! We have Chris from the Substack Podsharp joining the show today, he's breaking down the intro to our favorite son of the Spires, the Shield of Tinos himself - Ragnar Volarus!Check out Chris's Substack here - https://open.substack.com/pub/podsharp?r=2ep9t2&utm_medium=ios Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! What happens when you give a helldiver access to a personnel flying human tank suit, an impossible situation with no seeimng way out, and largest, most advanced enemy ship as a target? Drink in your terror and fins out! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Poor Quinn, but as they say "...never fight Aja." Darrow and gang made their escape but it wasn't a perfect getaway. How do they deal with the aftermath and will they get off planet? Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! This week the Howlers return to Darrow and the pack makes a break for it in an attempt to get free of the Citadel. In the process Darrow tries to save the rest of House Augustus but the cost to him and the Howlers is steep. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! This is a little extra content for you, we have on a special guest to do a little book talk About BookTok and we rank the RR book series and try and decipher what exactly Romantasy is and more! Thank you  ⁨@alyshafortunereads⁩  for joining us and be sure to give her a follow! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Howlers! Darrow has won, he has a room in the Citadel, he's flush with cash, and his career seems to be made. If he were any other Gold this would be a sweet deal, worth fully buying into damn House Augustus. But then an old friend shows up and his smelly ass comes bearing gifts that will change the game entirely.  Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! As we get back to our regular routine we wanted to pop something up even if it's a bit shorter than our normal fare. We'll be back to our regular chapter to chapter coverage of GS on Friday, for now, enjoy a little look at Lorn au Arcos as he sizes up the man Darrow may one day become. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! The game is up and Darrow has forced Octavia's hand. Mustang learns a valuable lesson and we learn that the Rising is, well, rising as Venus and other Core planets see the resistance growing. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! This is no game my goodmen, Darrow is playing not with fire but with poison. Luckily, he is pretty damn good at this and is able to back Octavia into a corner as finds out some valuable information for the Rising. But at what cost? Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! This week we finally get to meet the woman behind this whole shitty Society; Octavia au Lune. She's something of a Smaug meets Sphinx meets SOB and she really doesn't like to be lied to. But don't worry, she has a friendly game to tell if you are lying, and lucky Darrow gets to play! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! The Gala comes to a smashing end as Darrow, Nero, and crew try to make an "Irish Goodbye" and fail spectacularly. Chaos erupts around them and the night devolves into violence and revenge, that is until the new Rage Knight shows up to whisk Darrow off to the Sovereign.  Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Big one today as Darrow finds himself at a crossroads; one path goes the way of terrorism and death, the other path goes the way of uncertainty, civil war, and may still end in death. To help us breakdown one of the most important moments of the whole series we have Janelle, one of the producers of Hail Reaper and host of the Goodladies podcast. She dives into Darrow's motivations, his ultimate decision making, and why the fate of the Society balances on Victra going commando at the Gala. Big shout out to @beeristhemindkiller for the Gala T-shirts - he's one of the best in the game and you can check out more of his awesome work on his Etsy shop.Checkout the Goodladies pod - https://www.patreon.com/posts/goodladies-audio-135637509beeristhemindkiller.etsy.com Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow has received some very dark news and now has to figure out how to deal with it. Will he become Dark Darrow and do some real terroristic deeds or will tread a more nuanced trail? Also, lets get dressed for the Gala and check in with Roque. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Back from the holiday break and we dive right into some pretty dark stuff. Good news is the Rising lives and Harmony is at the helm. Bad news is Harmony is at the helm. Darrow is shocked to find her in Dancer's role but he's even more shocked by what she has to share with hime; Eo's second sacrifice. Music by Deepgrave Studios