I’ve covered these books extensively before, but the final part of the trilogy came out recently, and it’s time to once again tell you about the best book series you’ve never heard of. I’m not sure why “Red Rising” hasn’t gotten the attention of “Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” “5th Wave,” “Legend,” or any of the other increasingly derivative dystopian trilogies even though it’s much, much better than any of them. But I do know it’s a great way to close out my 24 hours of book reviews with re-reviewing the first two books while reviewing the final book–already the best book I’ve read this year.
Red Rising…The first book in the series about an interplanetary future where low-born “Reds” (the miners who dig through Mars all day and live horrible lives underground) are at the bottom and “Golds” (the merciless rulers) are at the top. Our lead character is Darrow, recruited to become a Gold and infiltrate their society. The first book largely takes place at The Institute where the Gold kids play very real war games against each other. There’s a lot more, but I’ve already reviewed this book, so I’ll just give it an Grade: A.
Golden Son…Darrow has now graduated from the brutal Institute and moved on to the Academy (training with ships instead of ground armies) and also into House Mars ruled by the ArchGovernor who killed his wife in the first book. A civil war breaks out amongst the society members and as all hell breaks loose, Darrow leads several riveting space battles guaranteed to become instant classics whenever this gets made into a movie. The intrigue, the double crosses, the power plays, the strategies, etc. are all so tangible and vividly described you can get drunk on them. Warning: reading this book in public might cause you to look like a fool as you blurt stuff out to the pages. The ending of this installment is designed to be an unbearable cliffhanger which–luckily for late comers–they don’t have to wait a year for since the finale is already on shelves. [Also knowing where the story is going and who lives and dies really softens the blow of this book’s ending.] Grade: A
Morning Star…The end of our journey, and I was almost reluctant to read it–it’s no coincidence I took a while to read it while I devoured the second book almost the second it was available–knowing I wasn’t quite ready for it to be over. It’s funny that I’ve spent so much time complaining about trilogies being cut into four parts when their big-screen adaptations come out, because I easily could have seen Pierce Brown stretching this trilogy into four parts. That’s how rich the world he’s set up is, and how enjoyable it is to spend time there, even though now fans can rest easy knowing exactly what happens. [Even when I got to the final page, I half expected there to be a hidden trap with 15 more pages. That’s how wily these villains are, and how much intrigue has played out before us.]
I don’t want to give too much away except to say that the conclusion is beyond satisfying. Brown somehow makes time to introduce us to a couple new worlds–particularly enjoyed the ice planet home of the Obsidians–while also giving us the book’s trademark power plays, double crosses, fake outs, strategies, huge space battles, bloody sword fights, shoot-outs, romances, political reasoning, ideology, realism of what the rebellion will mean, and a clear, satisfying ending for every one of the main characters. I could not ask for more except for more. If Brown is ever tempted to add another book to this series, I won’t begrudge him stretching this trilogy into a four-parter…just this once. What better tribute than to a hero (and series) that constantly changes the paradigm and has yet to wear out its welcome? [Though Darrow is occasionally very sentimental. Hey, no book is perfect.] Other Young Adult series could learn a thing or two…or three…or four….Grade: A
Thanks for a great review. I look forward to reading this.
You’re not kidding. These books are amazing.
These are all good books.
This was very helpful.I liked it.
I haven’t heard of any of these books, but they sound pretty interesting, I might give them a shot!
Sound like a good book I’m thinking about reading it now.
The review was great,It makes me know more about the books.
These books seem interesting.
That was a great review I want to read these books.
This books are very interesting to read .
These sound like good books!
I would want to read this books
Plan on reading them sometime soon.
I plan on Reading some of these books.
This sounds like a great book. I would love to read it.
I hope they make a movie.
It sounds like a pretty cool book.
I have not read any of these books, but they all sound really interesting.
These Books sound pretty cool.
I would love to read these books.
Really enjoyed your review on The Golden Son.
All of these books sound amazing and I am looking forward to reading them.
They sound like a great series. I’ll check them out.
The books seem good but I hate to read
I would like to read this series soon. It sounds like a very interesting series.
The books look good and I would like to read them sometime.
This book seem good but I don’t like to read
This book seems interesting,i might read it.
Seems like a series i would love to read.
I would like to read this book
Now these books I would love to read!
I’ve never read it but I think it’s going to be a good book
Such an interesting read about new books.
I’ve never read this book. I would like to read this book.
I would like to read these books.
I’ve never read this book. I will like to read it soon.
I would love to read this book.
I’ve never read this book.I will like to read it soon.
I’ve never read this book.I will like to read it soon.
These books sound very good.
I’v never herd of the book but i think its going to be a great one
I would love to read these books!!
Sounds like a good book cain’t wait to read it.
Sounds like a great book cain’t wait to read it.
This book seems good.
These books look cool to me because i love a book with and adventure and new things .
These books look cool to me because I love a book with and adventure and new thing like what this book has
These i love a book with and adventure and new thing like what this book has
These look like another good book trilogy.
This sounds like these are going to be a great series! Can’t wait to read them!
It sounds like a good book !!