Golden Son
Page turning
Fast paced
Thrilling

Golden Son

Pierce Brown2015
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR, BUZZFEED, AND BOOKLIST • “Gripping . . . On virtually every level, this is a sequel that hates sequels—a perfect fit for a hero who already defies the tropes. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly As a Red, Darrow grew up working the mines deep beneath the surface of Mars, enduring backbreaking labor while dreaming of the better future he was building for his descendants. But the Society he faithfully served was built on lies. Darrow’s kind have been betrayed and denied by their elitist masters, the Golds—and their only path to liberation is revolution. And so Darrow sacrifices himself in the name of the greater good for which Eo, his true love and inspiration, laid down her own life. He becomes a Gold, infiltrating their privileged realm so that he can destroy it from within. A lamb among wolves in a cruel world, Darrow finds friendship, respect, and even love—but also the wrath of powerful rivals. To wage and win the war that will change humankind’s destiny, Darrow must confront the treachery arrayed against him, overcome his all-too-human desire for retribution—and strive not for violent revolt but a hopeful rebirth. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and deceit, Darrow must choose to follow Eo’s principles of love and justice to free his people. He must live for more. Praise for Golden Son “Stirring . . . Comparisons to The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones series are inevitable, for this tale has elements of both.”—Kirkus Reviews “Brown writes layered, flawed characters . . . but plot is his most breathtaking strength. . . . Every action seems to flow into the next.”—NPR Don’t miss any of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga: RED RISING • GOLDEN SON • MORNING STAR • IRON GOLD • DARK AGE
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Reviews

Photo of Pedro Rodarte
Pedro Rodarte@perodarte
5 stars
Feb 18, 2025

Que que foi isso

Photo of fris🐝
fris🐝@lfrisbee
5 stars
Oct 21, 2024

I really liked this, it was hard to follow up the first one but I think this delivered, what I liked most is that the first one left a lot unanswered and also focused more on the fighting, and this one was more introspective and focused more on the politicking, which was my jam

Photo of deacon
deacon@deacon
3 stars
Sep 28, 2024

Idk man some of these “twists” and shock factor moments are getting exhausting. Still an entertaining read though. This series would make good big budget action movies.

Photo of Nina
Nina@ninbean
4.5 stars
Sep 12, 2024

the plot only GETS BETTER! love seeing a writer grow. pushes me to ask questions about society in a similar way to hunger games. excellent read. onto book 3!

+6
Photo of Jenny Engel
Jenny Engel@jennifer975
5 stars
Aug 11, 2024

This book was fast-paced and full of action and political scheming. Author does a fantastic job writing war and all the tragedy that comes with it. Great follow-up to Red Rising, and looking forward to next.

Photo of Jordan
Jordan@jrstos
3.5 stars
Aug 8, 2024

Not as gripping for me as the first. Got lost in all the names and space talk. There’s a joke about how this is not the Iliad near the end and sometimes I did feel like we were veering into unnecessary confusion. BUT that ending…woke me up real quick.

+3
Photo of Drew Nerbas
Drew Nerbas@drew_cn
4 stars
Jul 24, 2024

The ending blew me away, the last 100 pages were incredible. Unfortunately the beginning of the book didn’t capture the same intensity of the last 100 pages or first book. Still really good just a bit slow but also there were times where I feel like it moved too fast in a way where I was constantly missing something. Still great, excited for book 3, 4.3/5

Photo of Ryan Mateyk
Ryan Mateyk@the_rybrary
4 stars
Jul 4, 2024

I definitely enjoyed the first one more, but Golden Son was still pretty solid. And that ending got me like On to the next one!

Photo of Daphne Li-Chen
Daphne Li-Chen@daphne
4.5 stars
Jul 2, 2024

shaking in my boots at the drama, the twists, the execution!!! this book explores humanity, love, friendship, betrayal, and anger in all its forms

+4
Photo of anya
anya@anyasrvn
3.5 stars
Jun 23, 2024

i nearly screamed on the plane how does that make you feel pierce brown

Photo of Gigi Wood
Gigi Wood@gigixwood
5 stars
Jun 22, 2024

Just incredible. Edge of my seat the entire time, laughed, cried. This and Red Rising are the best books I’ve read in years.

+6
Photo of Jeremy Mano
Jeremy Mano@jeremyma
4.5 stars
Jun 7, 2024

Mischung aus Science Fiction und Fantasy. Gutes world-building, starke Protagonist*innen und krasse Schlachten. Starkes (vorläufiges?) Ende der Trilogie.




Photo of Shohini Gupta
Shohini Gupta@shohini
5 stars
May 14, 2024

Full of twists and turns, great beach reading

Photo of claudia alford
claudia alford@claudalford
3.5 stars
May 13, 2024

better than the 1st —women better written and developed.

Photo of Omar
Omar @sparsesuccess
4 stars
Apr 11, 2024

Definitely better than the first one Far more happens here, and the weight of the consequence is palpable. Characters don more importance, events lay thicker. Twists are more elaborate. Nevertheless, the authors general writing ability lags. The words are simplistic and overly dramatic, and the story is sometimes stitched together with “and then”. Definitely an improvement, but more to go

Photo of Christine
Christine@definitelynotskittles
4 stars
Apr 2, 2024

that's a cruel cliffhanger... and a bunch of unexpected plot twists... darrow's still a jerk tho

Photo of akynn
akynn @akynn
4 stars
Mar 9, 2024

4.3 Stars ⭐️ holy fuck

Photo of Kyle Kettler
Kyle Kettler@kylekettler
3.5 stars
Jan 19, 2024

3.25. Better writing and less predictable than Red Rising, but still mostly an entertainment book.

Photo of Syahla Aurel
Syahla Aurel@owhrel
5 stars
Jan 10, 2024

I'm not a conquering hero. I'm a necessary evil. GIVE MY BOY DARROW A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!! PIERCE BROWN, YOU ARE EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF WITH THE ENDING??????!!!!!!

Photo of George
George@tlxy
3 stars
Jan 8, 2024

kinda disappointed with book 2 and I didn't enjoy reading it as much as book 1, book 3 def going a bit further back in my tbr

Photo of praline
praline@praaliine
5 stars
Jan 2, 2024

** spoiler alert ** where do i even start? golden son was really something, only one other book (series) has ever put me through an emotional wringer like this. every little detail in this book was worth paying attention to because pierce brown leaves no stone unturned. this was in no way a senseless science fiction, it really explored the tragedy of human nature and the relationships developed in this book were the most profound and complex i’ve ever read. there’s a big cast of characters and not one was irrelevant, pierce brown breathed so much life into the supporting characters that i cried at their pain. i really love how Darrow, as hot headed as he was (rightfully so), remained self aware through it all, he’s broken, confused, (stupid)ly brave and gets ahead of himself way too much, yet he realizes this and isn’t afraid to say so. I could go on all day about every single character, but i’ll stop here. it took me longer than i would have liked to finish the book, but that’s on me because i’m pushing through a slump. golden son was epic, i’ll always recommend it.

Photo of Savannah
Savannah@savvyy
4.5 stars
Jul 9, 2023

This was even better than the first book just because of that ending omg

Photo of Apiecalypse Jen
Apiecalypse Jen@chippedfang
5 stars
Apr 12, 2023

Just like being repeatedly punched in the face by plot…

+4
Photo of Brandyn
Brandyn@booksintheshire
4.5 stars
Mar 30, 2023

Not a full 5 stars simply because I didn't love that there was a massive time jump and I was still a bit confused with characters 😂

Highlights

Photo of Pedro Rodarte
Pedro Rodarte@perodarte

“Power is the crown that eats the head”

Photo of Jordan
Jordan@jrstos

Sometimes I wonder if (Cassius) were raised a Red and I a Gold if he wouldn't have ended up a better man than l am now, and I a worse man than he ever could be.

Page 314
Photo of Roxana Casuso Castañeda
Roxana Casuso Castañeda @roxana94

Fitchner smiles "Who can I reason with?"

"Me" The Jackal takes a step forward.

"Hmm...pass! You're creepy"

He shoots the Jackal in the chest with the stunFist.

Photo of Roxana Casuso Castañeda
Roxana Casuso Castañeda @roxana94

Rise Man of Mars, and take with you my Wrath

Photo of anya
anya@anyasrvn

I look into the box and see Fitchner's head staring back at me, eyeless, mouth stuffed with grapes. Ares, the one hope we had, the one man who picked me up when I was broken and gave me a chance for something better than revenge, has been butchered. And I know we are undone.

FUCKING FUCK FUCK FUCK

Photo of anya
anya@anyasrvn

"Sevro scared the piss out of me. I wasn't looking at what he was wearing," Roque replies, drawing laughs. "I thought he'd been bitten bya squirrel and contracted rabies somehow."

"Roque?" Sevro calls sweetly.

"Sevro."

"Hello."

"Hello?"

"Next time I see you, I'm going to bite you."

"I must go."

teehee

Photo of anya
anya@anyasrvn

"Yes. The Stradivarian. He sold it, then felt so guilty he didn't let the sale finalize with the auction house. Made them cancel the order. He was practicing in private, shaking off some of the rust. Said he wanted to surprise you with a sonata, Darrow."

how are you making me feel bad for tactus

Photo of anya
anya@anyasrvn

The Howlers emerge from the sea beyond the castle. Water drips from them as they fly silently over the hundred-meter-high walls, armor glistening like black beetle shells. A golden lion has been painted on each breastplate. The gold winks as lightning flashes. They land silently around us.

icons

Photo of anya
anya@anyasrvn

"It chafes my balls. This Pie talk chafes my balls!"

relatable

Photo of Nour
Nour@bookalchemists

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

Page 87
Photo of Nour
Nour@bookalchemists

"Everyone's honest till they're caught in a lie."

Page 46
Photo of Laura
Laura@athene_sionnach

"I'm a Gold, bitch. What did you expect? Warm milk and cookies just because I'm pocket-sized?"

Page 289

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