NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR, BUZZFEED, AND BOOKLIST • “Gripping . . . On virtually every level, this is a sequel that hates sequels—a perfect fit for a hero who already defies the tropes. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly
As a Red, Darrow grew up working the mines deep beneath the surface of Mars, enduring backbreaking labor while dreaming of the better future he was building for his descendants. But the Society he faithfully served was built on lies. Darrow’s kind have been betrayed and denied by their elitist masters, the Golds—and their only path to liberation is revolution. And so Darrow sacrifices himself in the name of the greater good for which Eo, his true love and inspiration, laid down her own life. He becomes a Gold, infiltrating their privileged realm so that he can destroy it from within.
A lamb among wolves in a cruel world, Darrow finds friendship, respect, and even love—but also the wrath of powerful rivals. To wage and win the war that will change humankind’s destiny, Darrow must confront the treachery arrayed against him, overcome his all-too-human desire for retribution—and strive not for violent revolt but a hopeful rebirth. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and deceit, Darrow must choose to follow Eo’s principles of love and justice to free his people.
He must live for more.
Praise for Golden Son
“Stirring . . . Comparisons to The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones series are inevitable, for this tale has elements of both.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Brown writes layered, flawed characters . . . but plot is his most breathtaking strength. . . . Every action seems to flow into the next.”—NPR
Don’t miss any of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga:
RED RISING • GOLDEN SON • MORNING STAR • IRON GOLD • DARK AGE • LIGHT BRINGER
Brown drops us right back into this strategic game of Chess and deceit. Our hero Darrow struggles in the first part of the book making me a tad nervous that my hero had lost his mojo, but we witness his rebirth as he seeks alliances, ferrets out the truth and finds the power from within as he sets his eyes on the prize. Golden Son the second in the Red Rising Trilogy is brilliant in its own right and has a different feel than its predecessor. Second book syndrome is not a part of Brown’s vocabulary as he continues to flesh out the world and the characters.
Golden Son, raises questions as we navigate political strategies, begin to understand the different colors and learn that even a bad idea can come from the best intentions. Through Darrow, we learn more about the complexities of this world and its people. Brown will make you question how the oppressed can be happy and why those in power are never satisfied. Darrow’s inner circle is among my favorite. They are unique individuals with their own personal scars and unwavering loyalty to him. I grew attached to them, felt their sorrow and joy. Brown ripped some of them away from us, reminding us that war is ugly and requires sacrifice.
Darrow is such an impressive hero. Brown shares his inner struggles as he moves forward with his pawn; eyes forever on the prize. Darrow mourns every life lost, and has this unique ability to understand his enemy. We see tremendous growth in him as he allows those loyal to him within his confidence. His treatment of the colors was brilliantly portrayed. There were moments, like when they gained control of an enemy ship. His speech to the crew made the hairs on my arms raise as I watched him go from warrior to a man who could lead them all.
What makes this trilogy stand out in the science-fiction fantasy genre is the incredible dystopian setting and unique cast of characters. Brown’s vivid descriptions and perfectly paced story captivate the reader allowing the rest of the world to slip away. When I can close my eyes and see both the world and the characters I obtain this euphoric book high that makes me want to demand everyone read and experience it. Marketed in the young adult genre the Red Rising trilogy will appeal to the masses. Epic battles, complex relationships, deceit, alliances and secondary characters will have you enthralled. Darrow is a hero we can all relate to as he strives to do what is right, even as it hurts him. A climatic ending will leave the reader eager for the final installment.
Copy provided by publisher.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
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25 November, 2014:
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25 November, 2014:
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