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A review by josiahdegraaf
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
4.25
In media res opening that wisely chooses to skip over tons of training for the MC? Check. A series of unfortunate events that continually keeps the MC as an underdog? Check. An ever-shifting plot with tons of really good plot twists? Check. Classical allusions to satisfy my inner-lit major? Check. Strong thematic aspects asking questions about the nature of morality in warfare? Check.
This was a pretty strong book overall. Darrow's arc in how he's learning to trust others is fascinating, and it leaves me with questions of my own. Is he right in trusting others in hopes that such trust brings out the best in them? Or is he really practicing a form of cheap grace, and naivete that will undercut him in the long run since he struggles to distinguish between those he should and shouldn't trust.
While it's my second time reading through this novel, I don't quite recall how things end up in the third entry. And you could genuinely argue for either interpretation based on this book alone. So I'm very much looking forward to rediscovering how the third book culminates the fascinating arc and questions this book has been exploring.
The first time reading this book, I found myself struggling with Brown's writing style. This second time around, it's bothered me less (though it's not quite at the same level that the later books in this series will be at). So readers who struggled with that in the first book may continue to struggle with that for this second entry. Otherwise, this story has everything it needs, including a perfect cliffhanger ending.
Rating: 4-4.5 Stars (Very Good).
This was a pretty strong book overall. Darrow's arc in how he's learning to trust others is fascinating, and it leaves me with questions of my own. Is he right in trusting others in hopes that such trust brings out the best in them? Or is he really practicing a form of cheap grace, and naivete that will undercut him in the long run since he struggles to distinguish between those he should and shouldn't trust.
While it's my second time reading through this novel, I don't quite recall how things end up in the third entry. And you could genuinely argue for either interpretation based on this book alone. So I'm very much looking forward to rediscovering how the third book culminates the fascinating arc and questions this book has been exploring.
The first time reading this book, I found myself struggling with Brown's writing style. This second time around, it's bothered me less (though it's not quite at the same level that the later books in this series will be at). So readers who struggled with that in the first book may continue to struggle with that for this second entry. Otherwise, this story has everything it needs, including a perfect cliffhanger ending.
Rating: 4-4.5 Stars (Very Good).