Summary (from Amazon):
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
With shades of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and Game of Thrones, debut author Pierce Brown’s genre-defying epic 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.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.
Book Stats (from Amazon):
This book. This. Book. This may be one of the shortest reviews I've ever written, just because I don't think I can put into words my exact feelings for this book. The first thing that pops into my head is gut-wrenching. This book packs so many twists into 464 pages, it's almost hard to keep up with them. Death, betrayal, laughs, tears, and more are all what you can expect in this novel.
I won't go in-depth about specific characters, because I'd just be rehashing what I've said before, and I'm extremely likely to spoil something, but I can't not talk about them. I love these characters. They're all so complex, and flawed, and realistic, that they almost seem real. In my review of Red Rising, I related a rather embarrassing story from my childhood about me and one of my friends, and while I don't have any more stories like that to tell this time, I think it serves as a demonstration of just how relatable and unique these characters are.
The plot, as well, is a masterpiece. The twists and turns will leave you breathless, but I found it very cohesive and not confusing despite the twists and shifting loyalties the characters and story present. I can't say much about it without spoiling, but Brown's plot and world building are simply masterful. It speaks volumes to the quality of his writing and characters when Darrow is betrayed and I felt personally hurt and abandoned. Brown creates a thrilling masterpiece through his plot and characters, and this novel will suck you in and not let you go until the very last page. I felt like I was living this story alongside Darrow, which I have to admit is a very unique feeling and one that is difficult to generate.
The warning I applied to Red Rising still applies here, however. This book can be very dark and deals with subjects that may be disturbing or triggering to some people. I am fairly sensitive and sometimes squeamish, and I didn't have a problem with it, but it is definitely up to you to decide if it's something you can handle. I'd say do your research (carefully, to avoid spoilers), and if you think it will not bother you, then by all means read it. It's an amazing book and one I won't forget for a while.
5/5 stars!
Edit 06/01/16: added hyperlink
Another book to add to my list. I enjoyed your review. I know what you mean about being speechless. That's how I felt when I read The Grapes of Wrath.
ReplyDelete