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Our main character Darrow is an interesting one. The journey he goes on is long and never ending. He’s a smart boy who is always struggling to stay ahead and often is falling one step behind but when he wins he doesn’t it magnificently. It’s the struggle that makes him interesting. Like most characters he is not perfect at the beginning and he is not perfect at the end. He is overwhelmingly human (😉).
But, don’t read this book just for Darrow. Every character from Cassius to Servo (he’s my favourite) have their own brilliant moments. The writing is genuinely hilariously witty even in the most tense moments.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Death of parent
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Cannibalism
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Sexual harassment, War, Classism
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism
It starts with a close look at the rough life in a low-caste mining community before throwing you into a Hunger Games-esque war simulation.
This book has a great premise, but the level of brutality was hard for me.
I would recommend checking out this book if the description intrigues you, but maybe look at the content warnings before diving in.
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Stalking, Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
You can read the original review below, but now let me just say, bloodydamn I’m crying.
I freaking love this book so much!
Somehow, maybe because I knew what was coming I enjoyed it even more this time, it truly showed me the mastery of the author in all the details and foreshadowing, there’s such complexity to the characters and plot, it’s truly astounding to me.
It was an emotional rollercoaster, especially those last 50 pages. Geez, my heart was hammering in my chest for all of it.
It’s good to remind myself why this series is on my top 5!
Original review:
I wasn’t enthralled to begin with, maybe due the sci-fi world (which is not usually my thing) or the slight dragging of the introspective nature of the main character and world build, but wow did I change my mind. What a bloodydam good book!
Great characters, amazing world build, with incredible fluidity between the violence and the unbelievable action scenes with the more introspective narratives. Darrow is definitely my favourite character and I’m so thrilled to embark on this life changing journey with him.
I can’t wait to start Golden Son.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Cannibalism
The premise is that the highest caste, the Golds, educates their children through a bloody war game. Our hero, who is a member of the lowest caste (Red) but masquerading as a Gold, has to do well in this game to destroy the caste system.
So, basically, it's The Hunger Games meets the Iliad. The problem is that watching teenagers kill each other to survive isn't fun for me at all. I don't want to downrate the book for that, but I won't be reading the next one.
Allll the trigger warnings.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content
Moderate: Rape, Cannibalism