Genre
Sci-fi
The sequel to Red Rising, Golden Son by Pierce Brown sees Darrow out of the academy and into the double-crossing, dangerously political real world.
What I like ✅ suspenseful, brutal and highly-emotional
✅ well-written, well-executed fight scenes
✅ a fascinating world with extended world-building
✅ discusses interesting themes such as the greater good, economic freedom
✅ in the scope of a trilogy (where the second book is the darkest), it hits all the right plot beats, particularly with THAT CLIFFHANGER ENDING.
What I didn't like ✖ characters edge on unbelievable — Darrow becomes a Gary-Stu, Mustang is just... *yawn*, and the Jackal is a run-of-the-mill sociopath
✖ the non-stop action of Red Rising is replaced with political intrigue dialogue
✖ the events play out as a melodrama at times Rating 4/5🌟
Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Discussion How do you feel about cliffhanger endings? Love 'em or loathe 'em?