Pierce Brown

Last updated
Pierce Brown
Pierce Brown by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Brown at the 2017 Phoenix Comicon
Born (1988-01-28) January 28, 1988 (age 36)
Denver, Colorado
OccupationNovelist and screenwriter
LanguageEnglish
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma mater Pepperdine University (BA)
Subject Science fiction, young adult, dystopian
Notable works Red Rising saga
Notable awards Goodreads Best Science Fiction Novel 2015 & 2016, Goodreads Best New Author 2014
Website
piercebrown.com

Pierce Brown (born January 28, 1988) is an American science fiction author who writes the Red Rising series, consisting of Red Rising (2014), Golden Son (2015), Morning Star (2016), Iron Gold (2018), Dark Age (2019), and Light Bringer (2023). He has also written a six-issue prequel comic book series, Red Rising: Sons of Ares , which was published in 2017.

Contents

Personal life

Pierce Brown grew up in seven different states. His mother, Colleen Birdnow Brown, was the President and CEO of Fisher Communications and the Chairman of American Apparel's Board of Directors. [1] [2] His father, Guy Brown, is a former local banker. [3]

Brown graduated from Pepperdine University, where he majored in political science and economics. After graduation, he worked a variety of jobs in politics and startup tech companies. [4] Brown was working for the NBC Page Program in Burbank, California and living in his former political science professor's garage when he sold Red Rising in 2012. [3]

Career

Brown wrote six novels [5] and faced rejection from over 120 agents before selling Red Rising. [6] He wrote the novel in two months above his parents' garage in Seattle, Washington. [3]

Red Rising , published in 2014, received widespread positive reviews, [7] [8] [9] and hit #20 on The New York Times Best Seller list. [10] The 2015 sequel, Golden Son , hit #6 on the same list and was equally praised by critics. [11] In 2016, Morning Star reached #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list in Adult Hardcover, Digital Book and cumulative. [12] It also reached #1 on the USA Today Best-Selling Books list. [13]

In February 2014, shortly after the release of Red Rising, Universal Pictures acquired the rights for a film adaptation in a 7-figure auction. [14] Marc Forster is set to direct, with Brown writing the screenplay. [14] [15] Brown told Entertainment Weekly that after completing the original trilogy, "I took a meager little break, mostly to stretch my screenwriting muscles." [16] As of February 2016, the film was still in development, with Brown having written the first two drafts. [17] He said in March 2016, "I have written the first two drafts of the film and now we're on the third. Hopefully it will be greenlit this year. The vision from the film makers is 'Lawrence of Arabia in space', which is terribly exciting for me as it's my favorite film." [18] The rights eventually reverted to Brown, [19] and in January 2018, Brown said he was developing Red Rising as a television series. [19] [20] Brown confirmed in October 2018 that the project had a director and a showrunner, and added that the film rights had also been resold to an unspecified studio. [21]

Brown announced a sequel trilogy in February 2016, [13] to begin with the novel Iron Gold in August 2017. [16] A prequel comic book series, Red Rising: Sons of Ares , debuted in May 2017. [22] [23]

Brown said of his writing:

It's been fun to have it take on a life of its own. I feel like I'm not even creating as much as I'm revealing things, and that’s a really lovely thing for me to have because it's so fun to get to explore my own world ... Anyone who writes books is at least mostly an introvert. It's amazing to be able to share that internalized part of myself, that little world that no one really knows about. I just wrote it down on a piece of paper just to be crazy, and people loving that is so strange. [13]

The author has said that his writing has been "hugely" influenced by his readers' feedback, explaining:

I was able to see which punches connected with the readers. It can teach you to be a better writer. I could see readers' perspectives of Darrow evolve and was able to mold him to evolve with that. I also don't want to take away from the reader's imagination. I don't talk too much about how most of my characters look, I want them to have a tonal quality where the reader creates the image for themselves. [18]

Brown also noted the popularity of his novels among the LGBT community, saying "It's amazing that they have found a home in these books ... All these lost souls in my books have connected with people and I find it incredibly moving." [18]

As of June 2021, the Red Rising saga had sold over 2 million copies in the US alone. [24]

Reception

Marc Snetiker of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Brown has packed his pages with an astonishing amount of cinematic action and twists", [25] and Jason Sheehan of NPR agreed that "Brown writes layered, flawed characters ... but plot is his most breathtaking strength ... Every action seems to flow into the next." [26] Kirkus Reviews called the third installment, Morning Star, "multilayered and seething with characters who exist in a shadow world between history and myth, much as in Frank Herbert’s Dune ... an ambitious and satisfying conclusion to a monumental saga". [27]

Brown is the recipient of the Goodreads 2014 Best New Novelist Award, as well as the Goodreads Best Science Fiction Novel Award in 2015 for Golden Son and in 2016 for Morning Star. [28] [29] [30]

Bibliography

Novels

———————

Bibliography notes
  1. ↑ Briefly reviewed by Peter Heck in the August 2015 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction , pp.107–111.

Comic books

Short stories

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian McDonald (British author)</span> British science fiction novelist

Ian McDonald is a British science fiction novelist, living in Belfast. His themes include nanotechnology, postcyberpunk settings, and the impact of rapid social and technological change on non-Western societies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Stroud</span> British author

Jonathan Anthony Stroud is a British writer of fantasy fiction, best known for the Bartimaeus young adult sequence and Lockwood & Co. children's series. His books are typically set in an alternative history London with fantasy elements, and have received note for his satire, and use of magic to reflect themes of class struggle. The Bartimaeus sequence is the recipient of the Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire and Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards. Stroud's works have also been featured on ALA Notable lists of books for children and young adults. In 2020, Netflix announced a TV series based on Lockwood & Co., with filming initiated in July 2021.

James Swallow is a British author. A BAFTA nominee and a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 best-seller, he is the author of several original books and tie-in novels, as well as short fiction, numerous audio dramas and video games.

<i>The Lightning Thief</i> American childrens novel, 2005, first in the Percy Jackson series

The Lightning Thief is a 2005 American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology, the first children's novel by Rick Riordan. The opening installment in the series Percy Jackson & the Olympians, the book was recognized among the year's best for children. Riordan followed the novel with various books and spin-off series, spawning the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles media franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Riordan</span> American author (born 1964)

Richard Russell Riordan Jr. is an American author, best known for writing the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. Riordan's books have been translated into forty-two languages and sold more than thirty million copies in the United States. 20th Century Fox adapted the first two books of his Percy Jackson series as part of a series of films in which Riordan was not involved. Riordan currently serves as a co-creator and executive producer on the television series adaption of the book series that was released on Disney+ in 2023. Riordan's books have also spawned other related media, such as graphic novels and short story collections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yann Martel</span> Canadian novelist

Yann Martel, is a Canadian author who wrote the Man Booker Prize–winning novel Life of Pi, an international bestseller published in more than 50 territories. It has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and spent more than a year on the bestseller lists of the New York Times and The Globe and Mail, among many other best-selling lists. Life of Pi was adapted for a movie directed by Ang Lee, garnering four Oscars including Best Director and winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score.

<i>Red Rising</i> 2014 dystopian science fiction novel by Pierce Brown

Red Rising is a 2014 dystopian science fiction novel by American author Pierce Brown, and the first book and eponym of a series. The novel, set in the future on Mars, follows lowborn miner Darrow as he infiltrates the ranks of the elite Golds.

<i>The Martian</i> (Weir novel) 2011 novel by Andy Weir

The Martian is a 2011 science fiction debut novel written by Andy Weir. The book was originally self-published on Weir's blog, in a serialized format. In 2014, the book was re-released after Crown Publishing Group purchased the exclusive publishing rights. The story follows an American astronaut, Mark Watney, as he becomes stranded alone on Mars in 2035 and must improvise in order to survive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colleen Hoover</span> American author (born 1979)

Colleen Hoover is an American author who primarily writes novels in the romance and young adult fiction genres. She is best known for her 2016 romance novel It Ends with Us. Many of her works were self-published before being picked up by a publishing house. As of October 2022, Hoover has sold approximately 20 million books. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.

Jay Kristoff is an Australian author of fantasy and science fiction novels. As of 2022, he has published 16 novels, both for adult readers and young adults. He currently resides in Melbourne.

<i>Golden Son</i> Novel by Pierce Brown

Golden Son is a 2015 science fiction novel by American author Pierce Brown, the second in his Red Rising trilogy.

<i>The Girl on the Train</i> (novel) 2015 novel by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train is a 2015 psychological thriller novel by British author Paula Hawkins that gives narratives from three different women about relationship troubles and, for the main protagonist, alcoholism. The novel debuted in the number one spot on The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2015 list dated 1 February 2015, and remained in the top position for 13 consecutive weeks, until April 2015. In January 2016 it became the #1 best-seller again for two weeks. Many reviews referred to the book as "the next Gone Girl", referring to a popular 2012 psychological mystery, by author Gillian Flynn, with similar themes that used unreliable narrators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah J. Maas</span> American fantasy author

Sarah Janet Maas is an American fantasy author known for her fantasy series Throne of Glass,A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City. As of 2022, she has sold over twelve million copies of her books and her work has been translated into 37 languages.

<i>Morning Star</i> (Brown novel) 2016 science fiction novel by Pierce Brown

Morning Star is a 2016 science fiction novel by American author Pierce Brown, the third in his Red Rising trilogy. Morning Star picks up as the lowborn Darrow escapes capture and resumes his campaign against the tyrannical Sovereign of the Society. Pragmatic as ever, he begins to amass the resources and allies he needs to defeat the forces of the Sovereign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leigh Bardugo</span> American fantasy author (born 1975)

Leigh Bardugo is an American fantasy author. She is best known for her young adult Grishaverse novels, which include the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows and King of Scars duologies. She also received acclaim for her paranormal fantasy adult debut, Ninth House. The Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows series have been adapted into Shadow and Bone by Netflix, and Ninth House will be adapted by Amazon Studios; Bardugo is an executive producer on both works.

Amie Kaufman is an Australian author. She has authored New York Times bestselling and internationally bestselling science fiction and fantasy for young adults. She is known for the Starbound Trilogy and Unearthed, which she co-authored with Meagan Spooner; for her series The Illuminae Files, co-authored with Jay Kristoff; and for her solo series, Elementals. Her books have been published in over 35 countries.

<i>Iron Gold</i> Novel by Pierce Brown

Iron Gold is a 2018 science fiction novel by American author Pierce Brown, the first of a tetralogy which continues the story of his Red Rising trilogy (2014–2016). Iron Gold takes place ten years after the events of Morning Star (2016), with Darrow "The Reaper" of Lykos and Virginia "Mustang" au Augustus leading the new Solar Republic. It is followed by Dark Age (2019).

<i>Red Rising: Sons of Ares</i> 2017 comic book series by Pierce Brown and Rik Hoskin

Red Rising: Sons of Ares is a six-issue comic book series published by Dynamite Entertainment in 2017. A prequel to the Red Rising science fiction series by Pierce Brown, it was written by Brown and Rik Hoskin, with art by Eli Powell. The series explores the origins of the rebel group "Sons of Ares" from Brown's Red Rising novels.

<i>Dark Age</i> (novel) Novel by Pierce Brown

Dark Age is a 2019 science fiction novel by American author Pierce Brown, the second book of a tetralogy which continues the story of his Red Rising trilogy (2014–2016). Dark Age takes place immediately after the events of Iron Gold (2018), as the remaining Society forces aim to take back Mercury from the Solar Republic. A sequel, Light Bringer, was released on July 25, 2023.

This bibliography contains is a list of works from American author Christine Feehan.

References

  1. ↑ "Colleen Birdnow Brown". Bloomberg.
  2. ↑ "American Apparel Appoints Colleen B. Brown as Chairperson of the Board of Directors (AMEX:APP)". investors.americanapparel.net. Archived from the original on 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  3. 1 2 3 La Rosa, Erin (February 6, 2014). "Why Pierce Brown Might Be Fiction's Next Superstar". BuzzFeed . Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Red Rising Author Pierce Brown Shares Experiences That Shaped His Futuristic Society - The Surge™". The Surge™. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  5. ↑ Cooke, Lacy (January 1, 2015). "Red Rising Author Pierce Brown Shares Experiences That Shaped His Futuristic Society". TheSurge.com. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  6. ↑ Patrick, Diane (May 31, 2013). "BEA 2013: Pierce Brown: Six Is the Charm". Publishers Weekly . Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  7. ↑ Snetiker, Marc (February 5, 2014). "Red Rising (2014)". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ Truitt, Brian (February 1, 2014). "Red Rising ascends above a crowded dystopian field". USA Today . Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  9. ↑ Michaelian, Britt (January 17, 2014). "14 to 40: The Mother-Daughter Book Experience of Red Rising". The Huffington Post . Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Best Sellers for the week of February 16, 2014". The New York Times . February 16, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction". The New York Times. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Best Sellers: Combined Print & E-book Fiction". The New York Times. February 28, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 Truitt, Brian (February 17, 2016). "Pierce Brown lands at No. 1 with Morning Star, plans new series". USA Today. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  14. 1 2 Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 6, 2014). "Universal Wins 7-Figure Auction For Red Rising, With Marc Forster Helming Mars Tale". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  15. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 5, 2014). "Hot Book Du Jour: Red Rising, With WWZ's Marc Forster Helming". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  16. 1 2 Snetiker, Marc (December 15, 2016). "Pierce Brown debuts new Red Rising trilogy, cover, plot". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  17. ↑ Sarner, Lauren (February 4, 2016). "Pierce Brown Knows Mars the Planet and Mars the God". Inverse . Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 Kyriazis, Stefan (March 6, 2016). "Red Rising author Pierce Brown on film casting, the Irongold sequels & fan power". Daily Express . Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  19. 1 2 Howler, Kelly (May 3, 2018). "Pierce Brown Talks Red Rising TV Show, Violet Life and More". Howler Life. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  20. ↑ Howler, Kelly (January 29, 2018). "A Red Rising TV Show Could Happen Instead of a Movie". Howler Life. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  21. ↑ Howler, Kelly (October 5, 2018). "Pierce Brown Talks Dark Age, the TV Show Status and Red Rising Tattoos at NYCC". Howler Life. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  22. ↑ Wickline, Dan (February 20, 2017). "Pierce Brown's Red Rising Gets A Prequel Comic From Dynamite". Bleeding Cool . Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Full Creative Team of Pierce Brown's Original Red Rising: Sons of Ares Comic Book Series Announced". IndieComix.net. February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  24. ↑ "piercebrownofficial". Instagram.
  25. ↑ Snetiker, Marc (December 30, 2014). "Golden Son (2015)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  26. ↑ Sheehan, Jason (January 11, 2015). "Golden Son Is Space Opera That Doesn't Forget The Opera". NPR . Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Morning Star by Pierce Brown". Kirkus Reviews . December 9, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Best Books 2014 — Goodreads Choice Awards". Goodreads . Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Best Books 2015 — Goodreads Choice Awards". Goodreads. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  30. ↑ Nickelsburg, Monica (December 6, 2016). "The votes are in: Goodreads reveals 20 best books of 2016". GeekWire . Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.