I love the Red Rising Saga and Light Bringer by Pierce Brown was one of my most anticipated books/audiobooks. Brown did not disappoint, and I listened as I read along. This series and these characters bring forth every emotion. The story left me spent and eager for the next novel. Check out my thoughts.
by Pierce Brown
Series: Red Rising #6
Narrator: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Length: 30 hours and 8 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.45x
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Darrow returns as Pierce Brown’s New York Times bestselling Red Rising series continues in the thrilling sequel to Dark Age.
The Reaper is a legend, more myth than man: the savior of worlds, the leader of the Rising, the breaker of chains.
But the Reaper is also Darrow, born of the red soil of Mars: a husband, a father, a friend.
Marooned far from home after a devastating defeat on the battlefields of Mercury, Darrow longs to return to his wife and sovereign, Virginia, to defend Mars from its bloodthirsty would-be conqueror Lysander.
Lysander longs to destroy the Rising and restore the supremacy of Gold, and will raze the worlds to realize his ambitions.
The worlds once needed the Reaper. But now they need Darrow, and Darrow needs the people he loves—Virginia, Cassius, Sevro—in order to defend the Republic.
So begins Darrow’s long voyage home, an interplanetary adventure where old friends will reunite, new alliances will be forged, and rivals will clash on the battlefield.
Because Eo’s dream is still alive—and after the dark age will come a new age: of light, of victory, of hope.
Don’t miss any of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga:
RED RISING • GOLDEN SON • MORNING STAR • IRON GOLD • DARK AGE • LIGHT BRINGER
Headphones on and with my hardcover copy in hand, I curled up with Light Bringer and prepared for Darrow’s journey home. Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds, this science fiction fantasy takes us back to the roots of the saga. While I missed seeing characters, Brown knock it out of the park.
From glorious battle scenes to emotional moments, Light Bringer brings the focus back on Darrow, The Reaper. Told in four parts as we traverse the galaxy, we spent our time between Lysander and Darrow (and crew.) I walked away from this, knowing Darrow and others more intimately. I felt their pain, fears, sacrifices, friendships, loss and hopes.
Was it worth the four year wait after Dark Ages? Abso-freakin-loutely. While not as gut-wrenching and nail-biting as the Dark Ages, it delivered all that I hoped for, and more. Brown scaled the story down and focused on these two men who have journeyed so far. The world and the war Brown has created comes to life in vivid 3D. He hits home on the sacrifices, the greed, the sheep and the loss. His characters have a genuineness to them and consistently stay true to themselves as they evolve and grow. I feel as if I know them and share their experiences and emotions. I should mention that I also feel enraged by the actions of some, from self-serving greed to the hierarchy and trappings of the colors.
The last section held me in its grip and damn it, Brown had me weeping. I cannot wait for Red God, the next novel in the saga. I desperately hope it isn’t another four year wait, but you can bet I will be pre-ordering the novel & audiobook as soon as they go up for sale.
I love reading the books and began the series that way, but the audio adds an element to the characters and story that I enjoy. Tim Gerard Reynolds did a great job capturing the emotions of these characters and the scenes.
Read along as Tim Gerald Reynolds brings Light Bringer by Pierce Brown to life. #RedRisingSaga #SciFi #Fantasy #autobuy #mustlisten #NewRelease Share on XAbout Pierce Brown
Pierce Brown spent his childhood building forts and setting traps for his cousins in the woods of six states and the deserts of two. Graduating college in 2010, he fancied the idea of continuing his studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a magical bone in his body. So while trying to make it as a writer, he worked as a manager of social media at a startup tech company, toiled as a peon on the Disney lot at ABC Studios, did his time as an NBC page, and gave sleep deprivation a new meaning during his stint as an aide on a U.S. Senate Campaign. Now he lives in Los Angeles, where he scribbles tales of spaceships, wizards, ghouls, and most things old or bizarre.
About Tim Gerard Reynolds
Tim Gerard Reynolds is a best-selling audiobook narrator with over 300 titles recorded. He has narrated books in multiple genres including authors such as Salman Rushdie, Colm Tóbín, Michael J. Sullivan, Mike McCormack, Pierce Brown, Gene Wolf, Tana French, Hugh Howey, Andrew Seiple, Mark Lawrence, Larry Corriea, Caleb Carr, and many others. Best-know for narrating fantasy & sci-fi fiction, Tim has narrated many titles in most fiction and non-fiction categories, and has taken part in some notable collaborations such has the award-winning re-release of Margaret Attwood's The Handmaid's Tale.
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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
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I really need to get started on this series because I hear such great things about it. Great review!
Sophie
That’s why I have decided to wait for Red God before listening to the second part of the series! I have listened to the first three books and was amazed by them. But I couldn’t survive the cliffhangers so I decided to wait and binge read the second “series” once it will be all released (let’s hope we won’t have to wait four more years indeed).
Kimberly
I completely understand that and respect your decision. I couldn’t stand the wait…lol
Ethan
It’s invigorating to read about your immersive experience with Light Bringer. Tim Gerard Reynolds’ narration seems to have breathed life into the science fiction fantasy, rekindling your connection with the saga’s core. Fingers crossed for a prompt release of the upcoming novel!
Kimberly
We’ve got 2 novels left, and I cannot wait.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Wow that’s a long audiobook! Glad to hear the it was worth the 4 year wait!
Kimberly
Every one of them is long….haha. Red Rising book one is the shortest. It’s around 16 hours and I think Dark Ages the previous was something like 32 hours.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I own all these and I know they are good. I also view them as very long books and heart-wrenching. I plan to read them though. The long and heart-wrenching applies to some other authors I love a lot.
Kimberly
Yay, glad you will meet Darrow.
Lover of romance
Happy to see that this one delivered for you just as much as you were expecting. Thats always so satisfying.
Great review.
Kimberly
Thanks Renee.
ailyn koay
wonder if my library has them all? Do love this cover =D but golden sun still coolest!
Kimberly
Ooo maybe. I hope they do. I cannot find your blog. Did you delete it?
ailyn koay
I haven’t been looking because I’m reading mystery thriller called Silent Patient ( I think you have read it long long time ago). But My library Does have the whole set! Yippee! Link to my blog included today =)