“Morning Star” is the conclusion to a saga that I will recommend to anyone looking for a truly compelling and emotionally charged story. The series is more than just wellwritten – it’s full of complex characters, an intricate plot and challenging moral questions.
Book Review: “Morning Star”
- Author: Pierce Brown
- Series: Red Rising Saga #3
- Publisher: Del Rey
- First edition: February 9, 2016
- ASIN 0345539842
- Number of pages: 525
- Language English
Plot of “Morning Star”
The story of “Morning Star” picks up a year after the traumatic ending of “Golden Son”. After everything Pierce Brown put us through in the first two books, this installment offers a brief respite from the relentless fighting and bloodshed. That’s not to say they’re entirely absent, but Morning Star gives us a chance to delve deeper into the hardships of Darrow and his allies. The pace is slower, but the emotions are even more intense.
The Red Rising Saga is a story of war, bloodshed, betrayal, grief and loss. In three books, Pierce Brown explores feelings of anger, regret, pain and belief in goodness. The protagonist, Darrow, was just 16 years old when this journey began. Throughout, he has struggled to overcome oppression, never losing sight of the most valuable aspects of his life. Despite all the suffering he has endured, Darrow still has a place in his heart for family, friendship and love. He is always looking for the good in others and believes that whatever is broken can be fixed and that mistakes can be forgiven.
My opinion
The development of the characters continues in all three books, and their personalities are constantly given new facets. This closeness to the characters makes their journeys even more compelling. At the same time, Brown continues to expand the world, making it larger and more complex with each volume. Each book introduces new planets and gives deeper insights into the colors and hierarchical rules of this universe.
To back up my admiration for the series, I must also highlight the action scenes. Each time they have surprised me with their brutality, the sheer amount of bloodshed and their unpredictable endings. Pierce Brown is an excellent creator of gripping action sequences.
The books in the series offer everything you could want from a story: Characters you love and root for, a gripping plot, and a richly detailed world. I can recommend Red Rising to anyone looking for a science fiction saga full of moral dilemmas and a good dose of bloodshed.
Goodreads Choice Award
Winner for Readers’ Favorite Science Fiction (2016)
Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.
Finally, the time has come.
But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.