Hello everyone, long time no see. I apologize for being silent for so long but I simply didn't have anything worthy to write about. However, last week I finally read a book that inspired me to write proper review to share with you.
Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
(Red Rising Saga #4)
Published by: Del Rey Books
Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopia
Release date: January 16th 2018
They call him father, liberator, warlord, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the pale blue planet, his armor red, his army vast, his heart heavy. It is the tenth year of war and the thirty-second of his life.
A decade ago, Darrow was the hero of the revolution he believed would break the chains of the Society. But the Rising has shattered everything: Instead of peace and freedom, it has brought endless war. Now he must risk everything he has fought for on one last desperate mission. Darrow still believes he can save everyone, but can he save himself?
And throughout the worlds, other destinies entwine with Darrow’s to change his fate forever:
A young Red girl flees tragedy in her refugee camp and achieves for herself a new life she could never have imagined.
An ex-soldier broken by grief is forced to steal the most valuable thing in the galaxy—or pay with his life.
And Lysander au Lune, the heir in exile to the sovereign, wanders the stars with his mentor, Cassius, haunted by the loss of the world that Darrow transformed, and dreaming of what will rise from its ashes.
Red Rising was the story of the end of one universe, and Iron Goldis the story of the creation of a new one. Witness the beginning of a stunning new saga of tragedy and triumph from masterlyNew York Times bestselling author Pierce Brown.
MY REVIEW:
"War eats the victors last."
SPECTACULAR STORYTELLING! I knew before that Pierce Brown had a great way with words. But with interweaving 4 different POVs into one story, his storytelling skills reached new heights. I was spellbound from beginning to the end and as cliché as it may sound, I could not put this book down. Pierce Brown definitely knows how to make me FEEL while I read his books!
Minor spoilers for those who have not read previous books in Red Rising series, however no spoilers for Iron Gold storyline:
Once again, Darrow's POV and storyline excited and touched me the most. He is the ultimate tortured hero and author spares him nothing. After everything that Darrow sacrificed, it broke my heart to see him doubting himself and blaming himself for so many things.
Among new main characters, Lyria has become my favorite. She is direct, always does what is need to be done. She goes through so much but remains empathetic towards others. She may be naive and inexperienced but she has genuinely good heart, strong backbone and she is a person of high morals. And I have to respect her for that. Together with Darrow's POV, hers was the most emotional one.
Lysander's storyline was a fascinating one. Not because of what he did or said but because of the situations he found himself in and people he met. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of Lysander himself; there is something about him that rubs me the wrong way. But all in all, I'm very curious to see where Pierce Brown will take his character in the next book.
The last one of new characters, Ephraim, is another proof that Pierce Brown likes his characters to be complex, complicated and never ever fully good or fully bad. I'm going to repeat myself but the die is cast and I am super excited to see how Pierce Brown is going to play this game when it comes to Ephraim.
All that said, I have to admit that Iron Gold didn't have the same wow factor as previous books. This book felt like it was "only" setup for bigger things to come. And to imagine that there are even bigger things to come, I truly cannot wait for Dark Age!
Minor spoilers for those who have not read previous books in Red Rising series, however no spoilers for Iron Gold storyline:
Once again, Darrow's POV and storyline excited and touched me the most. He is the ultimate tortured hero and author spares him nothing. After everything that Darrow sacrificed, it broke my heart to see him doubting himself and blaming himself for so many things.
"It feels like the world is doing this to us. But is it the world or is it the me? The way I am built? A breaker, not a builder after all."
Among new main characters, Lyria has become my favorite. She is direct, always does what is need to be done. She goes through so much but remains empathetic towards others. She may be naive and inexperienced but she has genuinely good heart, strong backbone and she is a person of high morals. And I have to respect her for that. Together with Darrow's POV, hers was the most emotional one.
Lysander's storyline was a fascinating one. Not because of what he did or said but because of the situations he found himself in and people he met. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of Lysander himself; there is something about him that rubs me the wrong way. But all in all, I'm very curious to see where Pierce Brown will take his character in the next book.
"Using claws of others is not brave, nor it is the same as having claws."
The last one of new characters, Ephraim, is another proof that Pierce Brown likes his characters to be complex, complicated and never ever fully good or fully bad. I'm going to repeat myself but the die is cast and I am super excited to see how Pierce Brown is going to play this game when it comes to Ephraim.
All that said, I have to admit that Iron Gold didn't have the same wow factor as previous books. This book felt like it was "only" setup for bigger things to come. And to imagine that there are even bigger things to come, I truly cannot wait for Dark Age!
