Morning Star: Book III of the Red Rising Trilogy
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 41,097 ratings
Price: 22.57
Last update: 06-04-2024
About this item
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.
Top reviews from the United States
From the very first page, "Morning Star" grips readers with its relentless pace and unwavering intensity. Picking up from the devastating cliffhanger of "Golden Son," we find Darrow imprisoned and at his lowest point. Yet, even in the darkest of times, his resolve to topple the oppressive Gold regime and bring justice to the galaxy burns brighter than ever. Brown expertly navigates Darrow's journey from desolation to resurgence, crafting a narrative that is as exhilarating as it is inspiring.
The world-building in "Morning Star" reaches new heights, expanding the already vast and complex universe established in the previous books. Brown's meticulous attention to detail and imaginative vision breathe life into the story, making every setting—from the war-torn battlegrounds to the opulent palaces of the elite—feel vividly real. The intricate social hierarchy, technological advancements, and cultural nuances of each caste are explored with a depth that enhances the story's authenticity and immerses readers in its rich tapestry.
Character development is where "Morning Star" truly shines. Darrow's evolution from a vengeful insurgent to a wise and compassionate leader is both compelling and believable. His inner struggles and moral dilemmas add layers to his character, making him relatable and deeply human. The supporting cast is equally remarkable, with standout performances from familiar faces like the fierce Mustang, the enigmatic Sevro, and the steadfast Ragnar. Their individual arcs are handled with care and precision, adding emotional weight to the narrative and heightening the stakes of their collective fight for freedom.
The action sequences in "Morning Star" are nothing short of spectacular. Brown's vivid and dynamic writing style places readers in the heart of the conflict, capturing the chaos and intensity of battle with cinematic flair. Each skirmish and strategic maneuver is meticulously crafted, blending visceral combat with intellectual warfare in a way that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The tension is palpable, and the twists and turns are expertly executed, ensuring that the story remains unpredictable and thrilling to the very end.
Beyond its adrenaline-fueled plot, "Morning Star" is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope. It delves into themes of loyalty, redemption, and the cost of revolution, offering poignant reflections on the human condition. Brown's exploration of these themes adds a profound layer of meaning to the narrative, making it not just a tale of rebellion, but a meditation on the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit.
In conclusion, "Morning Star" is a triumph in every sense of the word. Pierce Brown has delivered a stunning finale that exceeds all expectations, providing a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion to an extraordinary series. With its unforgettable characters, masterful storytelling, and unyielding intensity, "Morning Star" deserves its place among the best of science fiction. This is a five-star epic that will leave readers breathless and longing for more.
I am excited to bring this review to you. I finished this book two days ago, and I just could not write a review outright. I know that sounds funny, but the overwhelming variety of emotions I felt after completing this book was just too much to bare. So please bare with me, as I do my best to describe why this book is so amazing, because I know for a fact there's no way anything I can say will do it justice.
The Red Rising trilogy is a rare trilogy that has been solid all the way through. Most authors burst onto the scene with vengeance, some gain momentum as they go, and yet others hit their peak midway through. Pierce Brown is a rare author who has written solid gold all the way through. Sadly, my blogging hiatus happened during the time I read Red Rising and Golden Son, so I never got to review it. I will say a bit about each before I move on to the glorious Morning Star.
Red Rising is a book that takes place in space, where everyone is part of a caste system. Golds are depicted as God like figures, and rule over the Greys, Obsidians, Pinks, and on the lowest level, Reds. (I'm sure I'm missing a color or two, but you get my point. Our protagonist Darrow is a lowly red, and like all his people, suffer because he's not part of the ruling class. Golds act like tyrants, and like all tyrants, they believe they rule for the better of everyone. Now, I won't give out spoilers, but a catalytic event takes place that sends Darrow on a road of revenge, glory, love, and most of all, betrayal. Darrow becomes a shining beacon for his people, and Red Rising is a book that shows us that Darrow is a character not to be taken lightly.
Golden Son, also known as book two, continues the journey Darrow and his band of misfit supporters have embarked on. Their goal: justice and freedom for all. An uprising has begun to happen, and Golden Son is smack dab in the middle of things. It was very political in the sense that, it reminded me of a Presidential Campaign. Who has who's vote? Who will fight for whom? What resources can you provide? Are you willing to double cross the opponent for the right price? And so on and so forth. The biggest theme for me is betrayal. Golden Son ends with the biggest cliffhanger I've ever read, and the fact that we had to wait a whole year for Morning Star was not easy. Darrow learns an important lesson and I'll just say he's never truly the same. Heart-breaking really.
Now, for the best book yet, Morning Star. Where to begin I ask myself...
Pierce Brown has created such a wide variety and swoon-worthy characters and he makes it feel effortless. Darrow is the hero we all want, deeply flawed but we love him viscously. Mustang is a fierce woman character that modern literature gravitated to, and with good reason. Dear old Sevro is by far one of my favorite characters in literature. He's hilariously blunt, a fierce fighter, deeply loyal to Darrow, yet we all can see he has daddy issues. On character I loved to hate was Aja. She was fierce, cruel, and entitled in her Gold status. She was definitely a female version of Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones. There's plenty of other characters to discuss, but these four stand out the most to me.The dialogue and fluid banter between characters is superb, and I'm sure I laughed out loud more times than I could count.
The. Damn. Plot. Oh! My! God! Never in my entire book-reading life have I ever been so on edge with a book. This book gave me twists and turns, perouettes, literally everything Pierce Brown could throw at you---he did! The battles are phenomenally described, and Brown doesn't bog down his book with murky and boring details, despite the massive length of his book that might make you think otherwise.
I don't think I can say anything else except me sharing some important quotes that are near and dear to me. These quotes come from some of the best moments in the book, and pretty much the trilogy. Many are empowering dialogues, philosophical cathartic moments, and some are just down-right heart breaking in the grand spectrum of things. Read them and weep :)
When I looked up at my father as a boy, I thought being a man was having control. Being the master and commander of your own destiny. How could any boy know that freedom is the lost the moment you become a man. Things start to count. To press in. Constricting slowly, inevitably, creating a cage of inconveniences and duties and deadlines and failed plans and lost friends.
Pierce Brown hit home with this quote. It spoke to my adult self, mourning the death of my youth. We can only dream now of our youthful glory days. Touché Brown, touché!
We were just an idea. But Roque has made them think the thought that unites all masters who have ever been: what if the slaves take my property for their own?
So insightful. I would have totally used this in my African American slave narratives class if I could have had the chance. I'm sure all tyrants fear this, as they should.
Battles are won months before they are fought
This gave me Sun Tzu Art of War REALNESS! It's a brilliant deductions, and so true. It reminded me of one of my favorite book trilogies The Shattered Sea by Joe Abercrombie, particularly book three Half a War. I can't find the quote but it was something like half a war is fought on the battle field, while the other half is fought politically. Horrible paraphrasing, but that is the sentiment behind it. Planning is everything!
And....that's it readers. I literally can go on for days about this book. It took me there and back again. I haven't felt so emotionally invested in a book in such a long time. It was refreshing to do so again. If you haven't read this trilogy, I urge you, PLEASE DO! Even if it isn't your type of genre, I promise you there's a little something for every kind of reader. And of course, if your are a YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction fan, this is a definite must-read for you.