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sav_j's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
robchandler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
mimimilaa's review against another edition
5.0
warning: may contain unwanted spoilers
After such an attention grabbing first book and an even more alluring teaser, I had to pick up Golden Son as soon as I could. Although I did notice aspects of the book resembling other stories, I don't think that's unlike anything you see nowadays, and Brown did exactly what should be done. He enhanced everything. I was so captivated by his words and what was going on, yet occasionally I wanted to punch Darrow in the face because of how he interacted with Mustang.
I think Golden Son did a better job at showcasing Darrow's flaws and made his character seem more personable because not everything goes his way. Whether it be the underwater scene or bringing Mustang back to his home or becoming an expendable to Augustus or not knowing what's going on with Ares. Obviously not everything can go perfectly in life and luckily, Brown didn't allow for everything to go perfectly in his book either.
As always, I very much enjoyed Darrow and Sevro's friendship and interaction. I think that even though neither shows a lot of emotion, they really portray a great friendship. Especially after Sevro finds out that Darrow is a red and is completely unbothered by the fact. I loved that Sevro had been contacted by Ares, too. I think that just strengthed his bond with Darrow. ALSO, I loved the comic relief at the beginning with Sevro sending unicorns! :)
But now it's time to talk about by far the BEST part of the book.... the ending. If you do not have the desire to read the final book in the trilogy ASAP then I don't even know what think. All I could think about after finishing the book was "HOLY SHIT." This plot twist was MUCH better than Red Rising's. In the first book, I had a strong feeling that the Jackal was going to end up being Mustang's brother, and even in Golden Son I knew that Fitchner was going to end up helping Darrow eventually, although he somewhat infuriated me throughout the beginning of the novel. But I was 100% definitely NOT expecting him to be Ares. Once I found out, I was like hell yes, now Fitchner can totally help Darrow and everything is going to go smoothly. But no, Brown decided to throw me ANOTHER curveball. I mean Roque and the head and killing Augustus and the Jackal and so many things were going on at once and I was just dumbfounded. It took me a minute to get my bearing after I finished reading everything. And of COURSE the teaser was extremely short.
That being said, I am so excited for the third book to come out so that I can conclude this trilogy. I have loved it so much and I'm hoping that the trend continues and the third book is somehow even better than Golden Son, but I don't know how that could be. I didn't think Golden Son could be better than Red Rising, though, and I was definitely proven wrong.
After such an attention grabbing first book and an even more alluring teaser, I had to pick up Golden Son as soon as I could. Although I did notice aspects of the book resembling other stories, I don't think that's unlike anything you see nowadays, and Brown did exactly what should be done. He enhanced everything. I was so captivated by his words and what was going on, yet occasionally I wanted to punch Darrow in the face because of how he interacted with Mustang.
I think Golden Son did a better job at showcasing Darrow's flaws and made his character seem more personable because not everything goes his way. Whether it be the underwater scene or bringing Mustang back to his home or becoming an expendable to Augustus or not knowing what's going on with Ares. Obviously not everything can go perfectly in life and luckily, Brown didn't allow for everything to go perfectly in his book either.
As always, I very much enjoyed Darrow and Sevro's friendship and interaction. I think that even though neither shows a lot of emotion, they really portray a great friendship. Especially after Sevro finds out that Darrow is a red and is completely unbothered by the fact. I loved that Sevro had been contacted by Ares, too. I think that just strengthed his bond with Darrow. ALSO, I loved the comic relief at the beginning with Sevro sending unicorns! :)
But now it's time to talk about by far the BEST part of the book.... the ending. If you do not have the desire to read the final book in the trilogy ASAP then I don't even know what think. All I could think about after finishing the book was "HOLY SHIT." This plot twist was MUCH better than Red Rising's. In the first book, I had a strong feeling that the Jackal was going to end up being Mustang's brother, and even in Golden Son I knew that Fitchner was going to end up helping Darrow eventually, although he somewhat infuriated me throughout the beginning of the novel. But I was 100% definitely NOT expecting him to be Ares. Once I found out, I was like hell yes, now Fitchner can totally help Darrow and everything is going to go smoothly. But no, Brown decided to throw me ANOTHER curveball. I mean Roque and the head and killing Augustus and the Jackal and so many things were going on at once and I was just dumbfounded. It took me a minute to get my bearing after I finished reading everything. And of COURSE the teaser was extremely short.
That being said, I am so excited for the third book to come out so that I can conclude this trilogy. I have loved it so much and I'm hoping that the trend continues and the third book is somehow even better than Golden Son, but I don't know how that could be. I didn't think Golden Son could be better than Red Rising, though, and I was definitely proven wrong.
anallambias's review against another edition
5.0
Ok I think this is the best series I’ve ever read. I am just obsessed. This is too good. Can’t get enough. Mr. Brown you are a stellar author. There are no gaps, not a moment where something isn’t happening. So dynamic and the characters are so rich. Darrow’s character development is astonishing and the side characters are simply everything. Again, I am obsessed.
dani_saur30's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abake113's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐️ . I really like this series.
Omg all hell broke loose at the end. Roque is a bad/ understandable person. I can’t fault him for not trusting Darrow. The Jackal will pay for his crimes. Just killing people left and right. I don’t understand how they knew he was a red tho. How would they have known he was a red and not just a rebel supporter or a higher color like obsidian or grey or bronze??? Now I gotta read the next book. Also, Mustang is gonna be PISSED!!! And Sevro…he is my favorite character!!
RIP Victra, Lorn, Augustus, etc. Y’all didn’t deserve that shit!!
Omg all hell broke loose at the end. Roque is a bad/ understandable person. I can’t fault him for not trusting Darrow. The Jackal will pay for his crimes. Just killing people left and right. I don’t understand how they knew he was a red tho. How would they have known he was a red and not just a rebel supporter or a higher color like obsidian or grey or bronze??? Now I gotta read the next book. Also, Mustang is gonna be PISSED!!! And Sevro…he is my favorite character!!
RIP Victra, Lorn, Augustus, etc. Y’all didn’t deserve that shit!!
dezzella's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Really liked this one too, perhaps not quite as much as the first. It is more action oriented (for reasons that do make sense within the plot) but overall still a great read. You're getting to stay in the same gritty setting while learning more. I am excited to continue reading.
chloeduky's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
loganj20's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5