Golden Son

Author: Pierce Brown

Publisher: Del Rey (Random House)

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy

Release Date: January 6th 2015

Format: Audiobook/Hardcover

Page Count: 464

ISBN: 9780345539823

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“My enemies grow by the day, but these new ones prefer whispers to razors.”

Golden Son. The sequel to the highly praised first novel by Pierce Brown, Red Rising. Now, I’m not sure if many of you remember, but I was one of the very few who had mixed feelings about Red Rising. It had its great moments, but for the most part, it felt as though it dragged on and I became bored, or perhaps more restless and eager to finish it as it continued on. I was worried I was going to feel the same way about Golden Son which is why I took so long to finally pick it up. I mean, I bought it the day it came out and I didn’t even start reading it until I realized the release of the third and final book, Morning Star, was just around the corner.

As I began reading, I thought that my speculations were becoming true as the story was just moving so slowly. I don’t know if this is something that just occurs to me when I’m reading this series, but everything just feels like it’s moving at a snail’s pace. What really frustrates me is that it spikes and then falls continuously. The story will be moving so slowly and then all of the sudden it picks up and I can’t put the book down…only for it to fall and drag on once more. This could definitely be something that just affects me personally. I feel as though I have quite a short attention span and when things aren’t moving quickly enough for me, I lose interest.

Another aspect of the story that may be part of the reason I struggle to enjoy it as much as others is that there are just too many characters. I lose track of them so easily and tend to forget who is who. I’ve managed to keep track of the main characters that are present throughout each chapter such as Mustang, Sevro and obviously Darrow, but there are just so many other characters that my brain just can’t seem to keep up with them all.

Golden Son definitely had its moments where my interest was peaked and I just wanted to continue and find out what happens next! Regardless of if you found the story a little slow or whether you enjoyed it all the way through, there’s no denying that Pierce Brown is one hell of a talented writer. The detail and descriptions and the complexity of the world of Red Rising is phenomenal. The story is written so well that it keeps me wanting more, regardless of the fact that these books take me forever to read.

“Home isn’t where you’re from, it’s where you find light when all grows dark.”

I mean, that ending though…it’s endings like the one at the end of Golden Son that make me want to pick up the next novel just because of how shocking it is. That cliffhanger was insane…I’m lucky I chose to read Golden Son a few weeks before Morning Star was released rather than when Golden Son first came out. Now I understand the pain the rest of you have been dealing with.

I really do wish that I were able to enjoy these novels as much as the rest of you. I know this series is so highly praised, but maybe it isn’t exactly the perfect fit for me. However, based on the wonderful writing style of Pierce Brown as well as the ridiculous cliffhanger at the end of this novel, I will definitely be continuing on with Morning Star, which just so happens to be sitting in my mailbox as we speak!