by Pierce Brown
Series: Red Rising #4
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
They call him father, liberator, warlord, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the pale blue planet, his armor red, his army vast, his heart heavy. It is the tenth year of war and the thirty-second of his life.
A decade ago, Darrow was the hero of the revolution he believed would break the chains of the Society. But the Rising has shattered everything: Instead of peace and freedom, it has brought endless war. Now he must risk everything he has fought for on one last desperate mission. Darrow still believes he can save everyone, but can he save himself?
And throughout the worlds, other destinies entwine with Darrow’s to change his fate forever:
A young Red girl flees tragedy in her refugee camp and achieves for herself a new life she could never have imagined.
An ex-soldier broken by grief is forced to steal the most valuable thing in the galaxy—or pay with his life.
And Lysander au Lune, the heir in exile to the sovereign, wanders the stars with his mentor, Cassius, haunted by the loss of the world that Darrow transformed, and dreaming of what will rise from its ashes.
Red Rising was the story of the end of one universe, and Iron Gold is the story of the creation of a new one. Witness the beginning of a stunning new saga of tragedy and triumph from masterly New York Times bestselling author Pierce Brown.
Howlers prepare yourselves, for the war is not yet over, and your heart may not survive. Action-packed with multiple perspectives, Iron Gold shares updates, current conditions, and prepares us for what is to come. New and old characters will pull you into this world once again thanks to the brilliance of Pierce Brown’s creative mind.
Unlike the previous novels in the Red Rising Saga, Iron Gold is told from multiple perspectives. Each shares a different storyline that gives us insight into the state of the council, their enemies, and the people. Knowing we would have at least a year wait before the next book, I attempted to savor this novel by forcing myself to stop at the end of chapters. It was bloodydamn hard.
We are given a lot of information about the world since Darrow’s victory. Battles still rage, colors still suffer and anger stews. We have idealists, rationalist and those who feel left behind. Pierce Brown will have you doubting our hero, holding your breath and weeping over those lost to us.
Iron Gold, begins with the Fall of Mercury giving us an idea of what has transpired since Golden Son. We then move into the multiple perspectives and storylines starting with Darrow the Hero of the Republic. Pierce also introduces a few new characters as he shares updates and points of interest for beloved and hated characters.
The storylines:
- Darrow the Reaper, leader of the Howlers, returns home on Liberation Day. It has been four years since the war, but we quickly learn the fight is far from over. Darrow and his team have been leading strikes to bring all the planets into the Solar Republic. He is tired, misses his family and wants to end this war and come home. Darrow’s storyline was intense, as we watch our war-weary hero make sacrifices and decisions that affect not only him but his team, family, and country. Lord do we see some unexpected things as we enter the battle that includes rifts among the group.
- Lyria of Lagalos is a young Red, who desperately wants to believe in all that the Rising stands for, but her circumstance and those of her family make it difficult. From the beginning, readers will sense the strength of Lyria, even through her tears. We learn of her families fate and her reality. We journey with her as she does what she can for herself and brother. Her storyline weaves with another pov and added suspense as the reader is privy to things she is not.
- Ephraim: He abandoned the fight and made a name for himself as a lucrative thief. Together with his team, he is forced to take part in a high stakes plot. Here we see key players from the Rising Saga, and catch a glimpse at profiteering and plotting in this worn torn world. While I never doubted he was looking after his own hide, I came to like Ephraim.
- Lysander au Lune: Lysander travels on a ship with Cassius au Bellona, the man who allowed Darrow to destroy his world, but also saved him from death at the hand of Sevro. This is a dark thread that begins when they answer a distress signal and find themselves, unwilling guests on an asteroid. Here we explore guilt, the cost of war. Gorydamn Brown slew me with this thread
All of these storylines were masterfully woven together by Brown as we came to understand the state of the Solar Republic. We are privy to its successes as well as failures. The story prepares us for what is to come, and I for one cannot wait to see where Brown takes us. Iron Gold was brilliant, dark, captivating and ruthless. I find myself thrilled to be a part of his fandom.
Prepare yourselves Howlers for the war is not over. Iron Gold by Pierce Brown shared multiple povs that kept me fully engaged and desperate for more. #mustread #gorydamn #RedRising Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks
I was reading this review really carefully, basically peeking with just one eye and generously skipping, cause I haven’t even finished the series yet, and I am avoiding spoilers like the pitfires of hell 😀 but I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! It just makes me even more excited for both the series and the new one 🙂
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
As I have this on my kindle, I didn’t read your review, Kim. I just checked your rating, and that alone made me very happy! I can’t decide if I want to jump right in, or if I should keep it for a day when I need a really good book to keep me company 😀
Kari @ Kari Reads and Writes
I read the first two books and look forward to continuing the series. I skimmed your review in case I got a mild spoiler for book 3, which I’ve yet to pick up. I’m so glad you really loved this series! I remember enjoying Darrow’s character 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Feel better, poor baby 🙁 thanks for the great review I know you love this series!
Lily
gahhh I heard this series just gets better, I really need to find my book 1 and read it
Tyler H. Jolley
I’m so excited for this, Kimba! I agree, it’s an auto-buy for sure. Hope you’re feeling better.
Jenea's Book Obsession
Yes please! This sounds AMAZING! I so need this series in my life!
Sophia Rose
I was wondering what turn the series would take after the last arc seemed complete. An expanding view of a transitioning world does sounds exciting and intense. Glad its good stuff.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I am really looking forward to this one. I have it requested from the library and hope to get my hands on it soon. I wasn’t sure that we would see Darrow in this one so I am happy to see that we do. Glad you enjoyed it!
Angela Adams
“Action-packed with multiple perspectives” — multiple perspectives makes for good reading. Thanks for the post.
Nadene
This sounds good. Hope you are feeling better.
Blodeuedd
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK
kindlemom1
The fact that my heart might not be able to take it, is exactly why I haven’t started this yet LOL! So glad it was good. I didn’t have any doubts that it would be though. 😉
Maggie
Feel better Kim (I saw you weren’t feeling well). I am hoping to snatch this book too, I am looking forward to reading it though I still have 2 more books to read in the series before I can start reading this one
Ailyn Koay
hope you are better! book looks very tempting, though I think I will have to start from book 1
Olivia
I can’t wait to read this and your review is amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Jo
I like stories told from different perspectives, they’re always so much more thorough. I’ve told myself I would stop reading so much fantasy and mix it up with other genres as well but your review and high rating tempt me so much to check out these series!