A review by reka111
Morning Star by Pierce Brown

adventurous emotional funny inspiring relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The Reaper has come. And he’s brought hell with him.

The previous book left me there broken and lost. I knew he was going to betray them over time, it was predictable, and maybe even a little bit pathetic on his part, but I didn't think everyone would pay such a high price for it. 

Darrow is a veritable phoenix, an infinite and unstoppable creature, he himself has risen from the ashes to take off one last time. He doesn't know when to give up, even though he's broken, so terribly broken, that I thought he might never be the same (and in some way he wasn't). My sweet boy survived, fought, and never for a moment did his faith shake. He incredibly deserves peace (which never comes) after so much suffering and loss.

Mustang, my wildly running mustang. Not only in others, but also in me, she kept the soul alive, shining in the sky when I felt all was lost. She had flaws, she had incomprehensible decisions, but in the end of the day, she was just a human, not a god, not a saint, and I will not judge her for them.

Victra. With her, I never know where I stand, many hate her, many love her, and I belong to the latter group. She had the most reasons — after Darrow — to give it all up, to get out, to break honestly. But she didn't. She could never do it. And I love her so endlessly for it. I'm glad she got her revenge.

Sevro really grew into the role of his father, and at first he may not have wanted to bow to Darrow because of this, but eventually he surrendered. He didn't try to fight him but rather for and with him. I don't blame him, they had to get to know each other again after all this time. Their friendship survived everything, maybe even more. Either way, I'm glad he got the happy ending too.

Cassius. It's always a Cassius. I don't know how I feel about him, I can't tell you where he stands, only time can tell.

Ragnar's death broke me, I cried and bargained with the gods for him, but nothing brought him back.

He deserved so much better. I hated the jackal (well Adrius) so terribly that I can't tell you that I desperately needed someone to cut out that liar's tongue. Kavax is a symbol of loyalty, and he has held on to Darrow (not only he, but his family) for so long and so steadfastly that it's remarkable in itself. Holiday is an amazing soldier. It's not because she's evil or good, it's just her nature. Octavia deserved to die, that's what I should say, that's really what I should. But I feel like hrr death was in vain in the end because it only delayed the inevitable. Over time, everything will collapse on its own, whether she is in it or not. Sefi was lovable and honestly opened up to the new world, which is huge thing. They not believe that gods rule over them, they are the gods themselves. 

This book tossed me back and forth on the scale of emotions. Sometimes I felt this, sometimes I felt that. This book was full of doubt, pain, and anger, with everything that could ruin you in an instant. But then there was hope, peace, that little moment at the end that brought me back to the living. I loved it. The plot was understandable, but not only Darrow, but we also had to catch up after so many absences. I liked that Norse mythology was mixed in (when they visited Ragnar's home) and we got to know a lot of new creatures and a whole new culture. The phrasing, as always, was excellent. The end. THE END. In all capital letters, it brought me to the surface and showed us that no matter how big the darkness, no matter how many struggles we get in the way, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.