The Sons of Ares: A Red Rising Saga Podcast

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

Lo Rusters! The Jackal is not all bad...or at least he seems to have reasons for being the way he is...sort of. At the very least Darrow sees a path forward that doesn't include being killed by the Bellona. Can these two kids make it work? We shall see! Also, everyone's favorite winged Pink makes her triumphant return! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow meets an old friend at the Wee Lost Den. Over a few drinks they hash out their differences (kind of) and explore the idea of an unholy alliance of sorts. Can the Jackal be a human being for five minutes? We shall see! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow is in the dumps, no surprise there. He has friends though and they are going to try and help him help himself. Victra au Julii does her best to snap him out of his funk by reminding him that he is the master of his destiny...kind of. Check out bookandboxco and beeristhemindkiller on IG or Etsy and give a listen to Fade to Obsidian. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow is feeling a bit in the dumps, unloved, and doomed. So, he does what he does best, no no no, not warmaking, brooding! He's very good at thinking sad thoughts. Also, what did happen between him and Mustang? Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Darrow is getting his walking papers, his pink slip, axed, however you say it he's getting fired. And, surprising absolutely nobody, the way in which Darrow gets sent on his way is insanely cold and emotionless. Also, it looks like the Sons of Ares are up to some not great stuff. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Our boy Darrow is out of the Academy and looking to get a little R&R; he's banged up physically and his heart and mind are in bad shape too. Luckily, he's able to find a nice secluded garden with a beautiful pool, prefect for a little float and chill. Unluckily, some Bellona dinks know he's going to be there and make a mess of things.-TakeawaysDarrow seeks solace in the hot springs after his defeat.The hot springs symbolize a moment of vulnerability for Darrow.Karnas's presence signifies ongoing conflict and rivalry.Darrow's missing belongings highlight his precarious situation.The glade serves as a setting for confrontation and tension.The game between Darrow and Karnas is far from over.Darrow's physical state reflects his emotional struggles.The encounter emphasizes themes of survival and resilience.Karnas's taunt reveals the competitive nature of their relationship.The scene sets the stage for further conflict and character development.   Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Finally, some ship on ship action, and things get pretty crazy for Darrow and gang. The Bellona boys are not going down with out a fight, Darrow has to find a way to survive and win. Can he?00:00:00Introduction to the Sons of Aries Podcast00:03:00Diving into Red Rising's Themes00:09:00Character Development of Darrow00:15:00Historical Parallels and Military Strategy00:21:00The Emotional Weight of Sacrifice00:27:00Loyalty and Trust in the Red Rising Universe00:33:00Conclusion and Reflections on Power Dynamics Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Welcome to book 2, Golden Son,! The story picks up with Darrow at the Academy, and we some new faces like Karnus and Victra. Can Darrow survive another school? We shall see!Darrow is at the Academy, facing new challenges.Karnus al-Balona is introduced as a formidable opponent.Victra al-Julii's character and potential are highlighted.Darrow reflects on his journey and internal struggles.Strategic decisions play a crucial role in the narrative.The chapter sets the stage for future conflicts.Relationships and loyalties are explored.Darrow's leadership and decision-making are tested.The theme of power dynamics is prevalent.The narrative expands beyond the Institute. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! We are starting Golden Sun this week but here is another place-holder for you! A little fanfiction the takes a look at what Ragnar was doing before his introduction in GS. Possibly, of course, as it's fanfic. Also, all credit to PB for the world, characters, and everything! Music by Deepgrave Studios

We wanted to wrap our coverage of #redrising and kickoff our new season of #goldenson in a way that showcased all the incredible, and incredibly talented, people of this fandom. It’s a bloodydamn cool thing to realize there are so many amazing people that love these books as much as we do. Please go ahead and checkout these artists and podcasts and creators, well worth your time! And of course, it only happens because @piercebrownofficial had some cool characters and fucked up ideas and put pen to paper. Hail Libertas! Hail Reaper! And Hail Everyone that helped make this slagging skit so PRIME!00:00Terrorism and Society's Response03:07Real Estate and Violence in Mars04:53Gladiatorial Contracts and Their Implications05:10Cultural Reflections and Community Engagement07:21Young Love and Social Dynamics08:24Travel and Lifestyle in the Martian Society09:38Traffic Updates and Community Stories Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Like Darrow, we have made it to the end of the road. We've survived much and more, and we've come through the ordeal but there is a final test for our favorite Red made Gold and will he pass it? This is the end of Red Rising but not the end of our journey; stick around and we will be back for Golden Son soon enough! Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Can Darrow defeat the Jackal and fight a war against the Proctors? Can he win it? And what happens after? Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Things are getting even more "bludgeony" as Darrow continues his relentless advance South but who can he trust and who is out to betray him? Can he shift the paradigm again? Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! What lurks to the south of House Mars? Where is the infamous Jackal? How do you take a castle defended by the Gods? Darrow and his hodge-podge army set about finding  the answers to these questions and more. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Justice. What is it? How does a society create it? Darrow is about to try and figure it out without letting things spill into to vengeance again, all while still trying to win this bloodydamn game. Music by Deepgrave Studios

Lo Rusters! Cassius and Darrow need to get some things straight and only one of them is likely to walk away. In the aftermath Darrow finds healing, for body, mind, and heart, in the a cave with a very interesting horse.00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:53 Celebrating J.R.R. Tolkien's Legacy05:46 The Importance of Literature in Tough Times08:55 Chapter 33: Apologies - Exploring Pain and Betrayal14:55 Chapter 34: The North Woods - Love and Recovery32:54 The Complexity of Brotherhood36:33 The Nature of Strategy and Trust39:39 Understanding the Beast Within42:33 Pain and Dignity in Battle51:30 The Aftermath of Conflict53:13 Resilience and Recovery56:54 Leadership and Strategy in Chaos01:06:47 The Awakening of Rage01:08:53 The Complexity of Relationships01:12:21 The Proctor's Game01:15:36 The Weight of Choices01:18:15 The Echoes of the Past01:24:45 The Struggle for Identity01:30:09 The Nature of Power01:35:05 The Path to Vengeance Music by Deepgrave Studios