We are given a lot of information about the world since Darrow's victory. Battles still rage, colors still suffer and anger stews. We have idealists, rationalist and those who feel left behind. Pierce Brown will have you doubting our hero, holding your breath and weeping over those lost to us.
Iron Gold, begins with the Fall of Mercury giving us an idea of what has transpired since Golden Son. We then move into the multiple perspectives and storylines starting with Darrow the Hero of the Republic. Pierce also introduces a few new characters as he shares updates and points of interest for beloved and hated characters.
The storylines:
- Darrow the Reaper, leader of the Howlers, returns home on Liberation Day. It has been four years since the war, but we quickly learn the fight is far from over. Darrow and his team have been leading strikes to bring all the planets into the Solar Republic. He is tired, misses his family and wants to end this war and come home. Darrow's storyline was intense, as we watch our war-weary hero make sacrifices and decisions that affect not only him but his team, family, and country. Lord do we see some unexpected things as we enter the battle that includes rifts among the group.
- Lyria of Lagalos is a young Red, who desperately wants to believe in all that the Rising stands for, but her circumstance and those of her family make it difficult. From the beginning, readers will sense the strength of Lyria, even through her tears. We learn of her families fate and her reality. We journey with her as she does what she can for herself and brother. Her storyline weaves with another pov and added suspense as the reader is privy to things she is not.
- Ephraim: He abandoned the fight and made a name for himself as a lucrative thief. Together with his team, he is forced to take part in a high stakes plot. Here we see key players from the Rising Saga, and catch a glimpse at profiteering and plotting in this worn torn world. While I never doubted he was looking after his own hide, I came to like Ephraim.
- Lysander au Lune: Lysander travels on a ship with Cassius au Bellona the man who allowed Darrow to destroy his world, but also saved him from death at the hand of Sevro. This is a dark thread that begins when they answer a distress signal and find themselves, unwilling guests on an asteroid. Here we explore guilt, the cost of war. Gorydamn Brown slew me with this thread
All of these storylines were masterfully woven together by Brown as we came to understand the state of the Solar Republic. We are privy to its successes as well as failures. The story prepares us for what is to come, and I for one cannot wait to see where Brown takes us. Iron Gold was brilliant, dark, captivating and ruthless. I find myself thrilled to be a part of his fandom. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer