Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Page Count: 630
I have waited for this book to be released for what feels like eternity. However, I will be the first to admit that the wait was totally worth it. I had the pleasure to buddy read this book with the one and only Analee @Book Snacks (read her review here!) and it couldn’t have been more fun. I guarantee, there were a lot of ALL CAPS conversations going on and I just love that we were able to talk about it in almost real time, even though we are time zones apart.
Before I continue, this review is Spoiler free, nonetheless, I urge you to not read on if you haven’t checked out the original Red Rising trilogy first.
Reading this book was like coming home after a very, very long time, just to find your life in ruins with your friends and family tired and divided. We pick up 10 years after the end of Morning Star and the new Republic is still at war with its bordering regions. I was disappointed in the lack of progress Darrow and Mustang have achieved during their reign and definitely understood the frustration among the people. It just feels like it NEVER ends! The pain keeps coming, the injustice keeps happening and as always death begets death begets death.
The saga was always about racism, but somehow it hit me in the face even more during this part of the series. There were some scenes that might as well could have been straight out of the 21st century with examples of racial profiling and police brutality. Especially one of the new POVs offered insight into this matter and quickly became one of the most stand-out voices.
To put it lightly, shit escalates quickly. I don’t see what good it would do to go into detail about the plot, especially since I promised this would be spoiler free. Instead, I want to focus on my thoughts and feelings for all 4 different POVs.
- Darrow: Reaper has gotten older, but I am not sure he has gotten all the wiser. His decisions weigh heavy on him and there are things he has done that he will most likely never be able to redeem.
It is obvious that he loves his family, the one he was born into and the one he chose, but the war has worn his trust thin and his patience even more so. I am at a loss with Darrow. On the one hand, I understand most of his decisions and that he truly believes he is doing what is best for his people, but on the other hand, I think he has lost sight of who he is.
One of his greatest qualities was always his ability to inspire faith and trust in others, but now that he has lost that in a way, I am not sure how he will fare. I think that the next novel’s title (Dark Age) will also very much mirror Darrow’s inner storm. - Lyria: Lyria’s POV was the one I could get into the easiest. She is a fierce Red with a tragic backstory. There was an immediate emotional connection and I absolutely loved how her story slowly intertwined with those of the others. She deserves so much better than the crap that life handed her, but she’s a survivor, much like Darrow even if she would hate that comparison.
- Ephraim: Eph sure doesn’t make it easy to like him. He brings a sort of heist-component to the story, but makes it difficult to connect with him. He is bitter and reckless and does just plain wrong things, but he also has one of the most precious crew members in the shape of Volga. I find it hard to see where his allegiance lies. I think he is at a point in his life where he only lives for himself, if what he does can be called living.
- Lysander: Lysander is cancelled for life! I cannot even with this child of a man. All he cares about is Gold and honor, without understanding what either of those things mean. He has one of the most fickle minds I have EVER seen in the history of literary characters and it drove me nuts! All of his decisions were selfish and childish. He refuses to listen, he doesn’t honor those closest to him and I very much doubt he has the stomach for what is to come next. Wherever he goes, people will keep dying and I have no problem blaming him for it.
At the end of it all, Iron Gold was definitely more of a set up and introduction of new players than anything else. I cannot wait for what’s to come next and I am sure Pierce Brown will deliver as per usual. According to Goodreads, Dark Age will be released on Sept. 11 and that means the book gods have blessed us with two releases in one year. I might actually burst into happy tears!
Fazit: 5/5 stars! I have only love for this saga (and a lot of anger)!
Have you read the Red Rising saga? Have you read Iron Gold? What are your thoughts?
Life and Other Disasters 
Ive been dying to get my hands on Iron Gold!! I was at the bookstore the other day and I to literally pry my hands off a copy (payday needs to come faster! Lol). I loved hour review so much!! I also really appreciated that it was 100% spoiler free but gave me really deep insights into the characters.
Ps, I’ve missed you!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t resist pre-ordering it with my Christmas money, but in my country pre-ordering doesn’t mean I actually get it on the release day. I only received it a week afterwards, but I saved 50 cents haha
I am so glad you said that about my review! I find it so hard to get across what I was feeling without actually spoiling anything for anyone. Happy reading once payday comes around 😉
P.S. I MISS YOU TOOOOO! Where have you been? HOW have you been? Are you still writing??
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually asked for the pre-order for Christmas >.< Lol. I also asked for Shatter Me #4 (I'm drawing a blank on the actual name).
Oh, I always love your reviews, non-spoilery and spoilery! You're my fav. I may not always comment, but I come to your blog to get the updates on stuff 🙂
I've been so good! I'd love to share everything with you! Dreamweaver is finished and out with one publisher right now! *shrieks with glee*
How have you been!?! We need to link up on messenger or something! Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no! Too bad you didn’t get it then 😦 I ordered both Iron Gold and Restore Me. We have VERY similar tastes hahaha
I am so happy to hear it, Nicolette! And we’ve got each other on Facebook, right? I’ll message you in a bit 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll come back to this point when I’m done with the book. That should be soon, possibly by the end of the week: I’m about halfway through, but with audio books, you never know. Especially when you only listen to them at work.
LikeLike
I just don’t understand how curiosity isn’t absolutely killing you.
LikeLike
I’ve other obligations that are much more likely to kill me.
LikeLike
The correct answer would have been “because I am not a cat”, but I shall accept this answer as well.
LikeLike
Bwahahaha!
LikeLike
Great review for this book Kat. 😀 I definitely feel your frustration with how little Darrow and Mustang have achieved in the ten years since the end of Morning Star but it seems like there is a lot still working against them, mainly Dancer and the Voice of the People working against Mustang and the Ash Lord still hanging over Darrow’s head. I hope the end of this trilogy has more of a resolution that’s for sure. I really loved Lyria’s character, but I actually enjoyed Lysander’s chapters as well even though his character frustrated me sometimes (I will say the other character in Lysander’s chapters who died I so don’t believe is actually dead, like there’s no way!)
I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the next book, after that ending I know it’s going to be an epic story that’s for sure!
Again great review. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, there is much that prevents them from focusing on the people and the issues at hand. 10 years of war are draining on resources and options on how to deal with everything. I know that, but at the same time I can’t help but feel like they haven’t really focused on the little people as much as they have on keeping the upper colors in check.
Anyway … this is the first time I can’t relate hahaha because I hate Lysander with a passion. He is racist and keeps changing his mind and twisting the course of events. When he went to save that one Gold over the countless Reds and other low-colors and then pretended SHE robbed him of the chance to save those people instead of how his worldview prevented him from doing it in the first place, I just wanted to slap him. He deserves his nightmares. I am sorry, but I am very passionate about this haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I get what you mean. Like the whole of Lyria’s character and her journey is a result of them not focusing on the little people. In a way it seemed like they tried doing too much too quickly.
Well I guess in the end it sounds like you’re hatred of Lysander’s character didn’t destroy your enjoyment of the book which is the main thing right? I do agree some of his decisions sucked big time. I’m hoping he’ll develop into a better character throughout the series. Maybe right? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, no! I have no problem with reading books with people I don’t like. Villains and adversaries perspectives are necessary to create a well rounded story. That doesn’t mean I think he will ever be a good person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live in hope, there’s still two more books so I guess anything could happen. 🙂
LikeLike
Fair enough!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh I literally can’t wait for this (and am so excited that there won’t have to be a long time to wait between books) I’ve heard from a few people that this focuses a lot on introducing new characters- I’m glad to see you enjoyed it. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just loved being back in this world so much! I do think the stakes feel less high at times than they did during the previous books, but the multiple POV thing really changes the game. I am intrigued to see who you like or don’t like!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes I get that- I mean they started from a very different position, so I can see how that would be the case! Yes, I can imagine. hehe so am I 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
So I finished the book earlier this evening. Wow, that was bleak at the ending. And Lysander’s a little idiot. Did he not hear a word Romulus said? And those cliffhangers! And Darrow…yeah, he’s definitely a little lost, to say the least.
Anyway, looking forward to Dark Age in September. I’ll read it, but I hope it’s a bit more upbeat!
LikeLike
Well, the cliffhangers were obviously going to happen hahaha I knew that we wouldn’t actually get a sort of closed ending for anything if it was only the beginning of the series.
I very much doubt Dark Age will be any more upbeat whatsoever if the title is any sort of indication. In fact, I think it might be even darker.
LikeLike
I figured as much, but one can hope. Oh well, I’ll make sure to bring a flashlight when it comes out, LOL.
LikeLike
Ahhh I love this review, Kat!! And it was such a pleasure to buddy read this with you, because I would’ve been only been screaming to myself or angrily ranting about Lysander in my head otherwise 😂 We have pretty much identical thoughts on this one! My review is a lot less coherent than yours haha. Lysander was just SO FRUSTRATING and even weeks after reading this book I’m still so furious at him?? (Also that one particular death is unforgivable and I blame Lysander lol) I think you’re totally right on the second book’s title reflecting Darrow! I sure hope he finds his sense of self and gets back on his feet as the Darrow we know… things ended on such a horrible note for him 😱 I’m also hoping Ephraim doesn’t ruin anything for Pax and Electra in his quest to get Volga back?? As much as I appreciate the Volga love, I want the children to be safe 🙈 I absolutely can’t wait for the second book, we are so lucky if the release date doesn’t change from September this year!!
Anyway, that grew to be quite a large comment haha, this was a lovely review, Kat! (We need to buddy read more books haha)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, yes, yes, to all of this! I was SO glad to have you during that buddy read as well, because some of these things just NEEDED to be talked about!!! I’d love to do more buddy reads in the future. I have no idea when I will start something that’s not on my backlist, but I will keep you updated 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right?! Don’t worry about it! I’m totally open to backlist titles as well, though I have no idea which ones or when ’cause my mood is all over the place. 🙈 But yes, do keep me updated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] you want to read a more in-depth review, I recommend checking out Kat’s review which was super insightful! […]
LikeLike