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dark
tense
I was unpleasantly surprised by the addition of multiple plot lines and POVs in this book. It makes sense, but, for me, it negatively affected the good pacing and intensity that held me captive in the first three books.
I also felt that the Ash Lord as the villain seemed weak. I guess the ending explains why it seemed weak, but I would have preferred to have been fooled into thinking he was a true, formidable foe. I mean, he kind of was I guess? But not enough to make certain things in this book make sense. I didn't understand what Darrow was doing or why. None of his actions or thoughts made sense or were convincing to me.
Lysander was also a bit confusing. He doesn't feel relevant. Ephraim feels slightly more relevant and I liked his character development so I didn't mind his chapters too much.
As for the audio version, I don't like any of the narrators for these characters. None of their voices or narration styles match the characters, which possibly added to some of the confusion I felt during this book.
As for the audio version, I don't like any of the narrators for these characters. None of their voices or narration styles match the characters, which possibly added to some of the confusion I felt during this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Red Rising Reviews:
- Original Trilogy:
#1 Red Rising → 4.25⭐️
#2 Golden Son → 4.75⭐️
#3 Morning Star → 5⭐️
- Prequel Graphic Novels
#0.1 Sons of Ares, Vol. 1 → 4⭐️
#0.2 Sons of Ares, Vol. 2: Wrath → 3.25⭐️
#0.3 Sons of Ares Vol. 3: Forbidden Song → 4⭐️
- Sequel Tetralogy
#4 Iron Gold → 4.5⭐️
#5 Dark Age → TBR
#6 Light Bringer → TBR
#7 Red God → TBA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, War
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery, Police brutality
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Gun violence
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Kidnapping
Minor: Homophobia, Slavery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content, Police brutality
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I decided to take a pause after binging the first three of Red Rising since it ended pretty well and also it was a journey to get through. The time committed for the next three (as I’ve done audio) was so large for 4-6 that I felt really intimidated.
While waiting between loans at the Libby App Library I decided to just start Iron Gold. And wow, I forgot how much I enjoyed these characters and also Pierce Brown’s writing and story telling has truly only gotten better with each book.
This one takes place 10 years after the rebellion and we follow four characters this time instead of just Darrow. I really really loved that he decided to go this route. It made for such a rich experience to see the consequences of Darrow’s actions from other characters in different paths of life.
Lyria’s story was so heartbreaking and so interesting to see how the red’s now feel about Darrow. I loved getting Ephraim’s story and his whole thieving operation. And see what happened to Lysander and eventually Cassius in a totally different part of the universe.
While there was a lot of set up in this book, there’s still a fair amount of payoff. I don’t know how much of this book follows only Darrow but I was definitely more interested in the others stories.I’ve come to love Lyria & Ephraim. Lysander is kind of a brat but not without reason. And I still enjoy his story even if I don’t like him, but still a good character.
All the narrators did such an amazing job!!!Lyria’s especially. When she pleaded with the sovereign to convince her she wasn’t privy to the plans, I cried. I also teared up when Virginia apologizes to Lyria.
Ephraim is so funny and I also love Volga. It seems like a pretty consistent theme is the obsidians having hearts of gold.
Darrow stays Darrow. Only listening to himself and thinking he knows what’s best no matter what. There’s a lot of parallels to Paul with Darrow and this kind of mirrors the end of Red Rising/part of Golden Sun where he’s now about to get humbled.
The story about Romulus was also tragic. I teared up during his execution.
It leaves off in a bit of a cliff hanger and all I want to know is who’s still alive. Someone’s going to die next book on page & I don’t know who yet. I don’t trust any off page deaths and just live in denial lol
While waiting between loans at the Libby App Library I decided to just start Iron Gold. And wow, I forgot how much I enjoyed these characters and also Pierce Brown’s writing and story telling has truly only gotten better with each book.
This one takes place 10 years after the rebellion and we follow four characters this time instead of just Darrow. I really really loved that he decided to go this route. It made for such a rich experience to see the consequences of Darrow’s actions from other characters in different paths of life.
While there was a lot of set up in this book, there’s still a fair amount of payoff. I don’t know how much of this book follows only Darrow but I was definitely more interested in the others stories.
All the narrators did such an amazing job!!!
Ephraim is so funny and I also love Volga. It seems like a pretty consistent theme is the obsidians having hearts of gold.
Darrow stays Darrow. Only listening to himself and thinking he knows what’s best no matter what. There’s a lot of parallels to Paul with Darrow and this kind of mirrors the end of Red Rising/part of Golden Sun where he’s now about to get humbled.
The story about Romulus was also tragic. I teared up during his execution.
It leaves off in a bit of a cliff hanger and all I want to know is who’s still alive. Someone’s going to die next book on page & I don’t know who yet. I don’t trust any off page deaths and just live in denial lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, War
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Kidnapping
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
10 years into the future from the end of Morningstar. We get to follow a host of new characters & how they navigate Darrow's new world, along with the Reaper himself. A Red released from the mines, a Grey working in Luna's underworld, a Gold pretending to be someone else, and Darrow, as a warmonger, changed by fatherhood & the endless wars.
I was surprised by the change in the series. We went from following Darrow & his group singularly to a varied unconnected group of strangers. The vibe of the series has changed. Not in a bad way or even unrealistic way but just different. More of a gritty underworld, war torn, space opera feel & less of the triumphant, cruel, glittering armor & swords & knights feel of the original trilogy.
Feels slower & not as easy to connect to.
I do love that the narrator himself sounds older which adds to the feeling that Darrow has also grown older. I liked Lyria's part though they got a bit boring in the middle. I LOVED Ephraim's parts & his character in general. I love his struggle & hardships, and how he's chosen to continue. It shows another side of the trauma in this world.
I do have to say that I did not enjoy Lysander's parts at all. I don't understand his character or motivations all that well, so this weird attraction to this weird ass girl & the rim feels so different from everything else. Idk, I trust in our lord & savior Pierce Brown, so we'll see how it all evolves.
Also, fuck Darrow in this fucking book. We all know Darrow is a stupid shit who kinda thinks he's invincible a lot of times & gets himself too deep. But he felt so selfish & contradictory & like an actually bad dude. He's a horrible father, and barely tries to connect to his kid, and treats his friends as expendable & automatically thinks his plan is the best because he's the bloody damn Reaper. I think his brashness looked better on his younger self, but now that he's supposed to be older, wiser, and beholden to his relationships, it's hard to like him. He's....kinda acting like a gold
I was surprised by the change in the series. We went from following Darrow & his group singularly to a varied unconnected group of strangers. The vibe of the series has changed. Not in a bad way or even unrealistic way but just different. More of a gritty underworld, war torn, space opera feel & less of the triumphant, cruel, glittering armor & swords & knights feel of the original trilogy.
Feels slower & not as easy to connect to.
I do love that the narrator himself sounds older which adds to the feeling that Darrow has also grown older. I liked Lyria's part though they got a bit boring in the middle. I LOVED Ephraim's parts & his character in general. I love his struggle & hardships, and how he's chosen to continue. It shows another side of the trauma in this world.
I do have to say that I did not enjoy Lysander's parts at all. I don't understand his character or motivations all that well, so this weird attraction to this weird ass girl & the rim feels so different from everything else. Idk, I trust in our lord & savior Pierce Brown, so we'll see how it all evolves.
Also, fuck Darrow in this fucking book. We all know Darrow is a stupid shit who kinda thinks he's invincible a lot of times & gets himself too deep. But he felt so selfish & contradictory & like an actually bad dude. He's a horrible father, and barely tries to connect to his kid, and treats his friends as expendable & automatically thinks his plan is the best because he's the bloody damn Reaper. I think his brashness looked better on his younger self, but now that he's supposed to be older, wiser, and beholden to his relationships, it's hard to like him. He's....kinda acting like a gold
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail