Synopsis
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Red Rising thrilled readers and announced the presence of a talented new author. Golden Son changed the game and took the story of Darrow to the next level. Now comes the exhilarating conclusion to the Red Rising Trilogy: Morning Star.
Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.
Finally, the time has come.
But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.
Audiobook Review
All the stars, again, and I died several times while reading!
Breathtaking!
That’s the word that comes to mind when talking about the conclusion to the (first part) of the trilogy!
I am certain that my blood pressure must have been through the roof several times while listening to that book!
A friend (yes Justine, that’s you) had warned me “bring your tissues because Pierce Brown is relentless”. And she was right!
At chapter 58/59, I sent a message to my buddy read group screaming “I am afraid!!! I can’t read anymore!”
Of course those whom this was a reread just cackled evilly at my predicament! 😊
OK, let’s backtrack and tell you more without spoiling anything (which is always so damn hard with this series filled with twists and turns).
1)The first chapters are incredibly hard to read emotionally speaking. Darrow is hitting rock bottom and what has been done to him by “someone” is evil, cruel, inhuman…
I was filled with angst and could only hope as this was the beginning of a big book that there would be an “after” for Darrow and that it wouldn’t stop there!
2)That “someone” made me think of the likes of Hitler. That’s the comparison that came to mind when witnessing what his games were, how he enjoyed hurting others. He is a sociopath and a genius one at that! Frightening.
3)There will be a mad escape, again, like Pierce Brown knows how to write them and a rebirth.
4)My son told me that “the tone will be very different from the other two books as Darrow will now be known for who he is: a Red. No need to hide his identity anymore.”
And he was right!
This change everything as Darrow will now need to embrace his true identity in the hope of awakening all who had been oppressed for years. They will be key in the hope of changing the society. They will be the tide.
5) Some old friends will die.
They “deserved” it in some way but I was still sad nonetheless because they were not evil villains. They had just chosen to defend their people, just like Darrow decided to defend his own people and all the oppressed ones.
6) New allies will appear, powerful ones.
One we never expected and that will be crucial in giving huge resources to help Ares’s revolution.
One that was gained at the cost of a very sad lost. That ally will be savage and awe inspiring. But also, like playing with fire.
7) Sacrifices will have to be made.
The saying says the end justifies the means and here, Darrow will certainly have to make very hard choice. Sacrifice a few (sometimes ten thousand) to save lots of people. I wouldn’t have liked to be in his shoes.
8) The last chapters or rather from chapter 58 were completely crazy! Loco!
Pierce Brown took me for a spin there and when I say I must have died several times well of course that’s figurative but not so far from the truth. I was simply blown away when I discovered Pierce Brown’s Machiavellianism !!!
Again, we get that ragtag crew of friends from all colors with Sevro, Victra, Ragnar, Mustang, and many other old and new characters!
I should have read Red Rising in January with my buddy readers. Instead, we are now January 14th and I have finished red Rising, Golden Son and Morning Star…I think it says it all.
Now excuse me while I’ll go look for lots of merch….
Thanks for reading.
Sophie
Holy smokes, look at you go. Another one done! And on to Book #4!
Yes! :-D))))
Thinking back, I’ve not heard a single person who doesn’t like this series.
Me neither honestly!
The best books are always the ones that convey this type of feeling even if our blood pressure makes us feel otherwise lol
although my top reads of all time always convey that intense, on the edge of the seat type of feeling so I guess our hearts and minds aren’t always in sync with our bodies haha
Great review Sophie as always. You always make me tempted to explore outside of romance but I need my lovin’ and HEA
You won’t get much lovin here indeed. There are love stories but I’d not call them romance 😉
This series – and particularly the third book – does indeed task the reader’s blood pressure a LOT! 😀
But it’s more than worth it… I’m glad you enjoyed this trilogy so much!
Oh yes maddalena and that’s an understatement!
Sounds like a powerful read!
It was Jacquie!!!
Glad you’re loving this series!