Review: Golden Son

Golden Son
Golden Son by Pierce Brown

Golden Son by Pierce Brown is a great, great book.  I just this moment finished it.  I started it the moment finished book one in the series, Red Rising.  At first, I was reeled into the story as it picked up right where they last book left off.  However, while reading I noticed that this book was much more wordy than the last.  I still laughed and was caught with awe and surprise at places in the book, but I did notice a slow down in parts of the book.  The pace was not consistent and I think it hurt the story.

I whole-heartily gave Red Rising 5 stars.  It earned them.  It is by far the best book I’ve read this year.  But, Golden Son is different.  It still earns 5 stars, just barely.  I want to compare it directly to Red Rising, but is that fair?  If it was not part of this series it would be a 5 star book easily.  But in comparing it to Red Rising it just is not that good.

Anyway, if you haven’t read Red Rising, read that first.  This is the second book in the series.  Once you’ve read that come back.

Okay, read it?  Good.  That was fast.  You’re a fast reader!  Anyway, this book continues to follow Darrow as he rises in the Gold Society.  Some major mysteries are unveiled in this telling of his story.  But they don’t have a huge build up, its just bang this is Ares, and you’re like WTF, really?  That was surprising, and there are more surprises like that in the book.  And it ends on a huge cliffhanger, not as good as Red Rising (again), but very good.

I’m going to take a break then read Morning Son.  I have it, but I am beginning a book with a book club soon, so it will have to wait.  And honestly, it will be good to have a little break from the fiction for a while.

Review: Red Rising

Red Rising
Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Wow!  This is an outstanding adventure/science fiction/fantasy/thriller.  I guess it is young adult.  I don’t know why I’m draw to so many young adult books recently.  Anyway, the genre doesn’t really matter to me that much.  This is just such an outstanding work.  I related to the characters instantly.  I was draw into their life right from the start.  At around page 50 I knew the book was very good.  At page 100, I thought this is a 5 star book!  By 150, I thought this book might just be my favorite book of 2016.

The settings were wonderfully done, with just enough description to not in get in the way of the story.  When I had to put the book down, I made it my priority to pick it up again.  The bad guys in there were very bad and you wanted them dead.  You just were grabbed and thrown into the main characters wild ride.  There were surprises and twist that I didn’t see coming.

Red Rising Signed
Red Rising Signed

Possibly the best part about this book was that I got it free from Comic-Con straight from the author and it is signed!  Even though, this book was free my opinion is my own.

My friend Tim recommended this book to me.  Tim reads a lot of sci fi and if he gives something a rare 5 it is very good.  The last recommendation that Tim gave me was The Martian which was my favorite book of 2014 and the goodreads choice winner for 2014.  Red Rising was also a 2014 goodreads choice winner.  If you want a exciting and thrilling read, read Red Rising today!  I’ve already ordered the next two books from Amazon: Golden Son and Morning Star.  I’m really looking forward to reading Golden Son.  I will devour these books!