Golden Son (Red Rising, #2)

by Pierce Brown

[littleread1]

I am not really sure how I feel about this book. On one hand it took me almost 2 weeks to read it cover to cover. And the MC is still one of the most robotic narrators for a story I have ever read. But on the other that ending ... full review to come.

***FULL REVIEW***

I am in the minority here - Golden Son was just an ok read for me. I really really REALLY wanted to like this book, this trilogy, but Darrow, the MC, makes it extremely difficult if not impossible. Before we get to that, let me talk about the good. Because there is plenty.

The world building - incredible. This is the kind of world building Sci Fri producers have wet dreams over. Not only is there technology, but there is a social system, unique slang terms, and so many things both familiar and foreign it is entirely believable that we evolved into this perfect/horrendous society. The people on top are better - stronger, faster, supposedly smarter, and genetically superior to those "beneath" them.

The story itself - pretty good. The boy from the bottom rising to the top, overcoming obstacle after obstacle is a tried and true trope. There is nothing wrong with it. It is in fact one of the better plot-lines to read about. And without giving anything away, I would not be surprised to see this series end differently than most. Not even a little.

Ok, now onto the less than good - the characters. I myself am a very character driven reader. I don't have to like all the characters to connect with them. I just need to feel like they are real. Darrow is a terribly robotic narrator for a main character. He tells the story, but doesn't show you anything. He says he has all these emotions that he has to keep locked away, but as a reader I don't believe him. Even when he talks about his wife - he says there is sadness but again I don't BELIEVE him. As the MC he needs to be believable and accessible to the reader. Especially when the story is told in first person. As a reader you ONLY have his POV. And when you can't stand the narrator, it colors (pun intended) your whole reading experience.

This may be one of those instances where it really is me, not you (you being the book). Sometimes there are people in life, fictional and real, that you just don't like. A conflict of personality/beliefs/style choices/opinions/etc that just can't be resolved. In this instance it really is unfortunate because I WANT to like this story. In fact, I do actually like this story (and that ending - whoa buddy that saved the book for me) and the world building, and many other things about GOLDEN SON, but Darrow ruined that experience for me.

I am undecided if I will read the third book. I tried book two thinking maybe as he got older he became a better MC, but that didn't seem to happen. But already 2/3's invested in the story ... I might. Maybe book 3 will save the story for me! A girl can hope.