by Pierce Brown

Book 2 in the Red Rising Saga

Okay. Let’s talk about Golden Sun.

The further I get into this series, the more I love it — and I didn’t think that was even possible after Red Rising. But somehow, this book doesn’t just continue the story… it expands it, deepens it, and then calmly sets everything on fire while you’re still emotionally attached.

And I mean that lovingly.

The Scale? Massive.

Where the first book felt intense and claustrophobic in the best way — survival, strategy, raw ambition — Golden Sun throws the doors open. Suddenly we’re not just dealing with personal battles. We’re in full political chaos. Space warfare. Power plays that feel like high-stakes chess matches where every piece is a person you care about.

The world gets bigger. The stakes get sharper. And the consequences? Brutal.

It feels cinematic in a way that makes you stop mid-page and think, How is this not already a blockbuster franchise?

Darrow’s Growth (and Pain)

Darrow is no longer just trying to survive. He’s trying to lead. And that shift changes everything.

You see the weight of leadership settling on his shoulders. The decisions get harder. The morality gets murkier. And the cost of every move is heavier than before. I love that he isn’t perfect. He makes choices that hurt. He miscalculates. He struggles.

It makes him real.

The emotional complexity in this book surprised me. Beneath all the battles and strategy, there’s this constant undercurrent of grief, loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice. You can feel how much it’s costing him — and everyone around him.

The Twists. Oh My God.

Pierce Brown does not play fair.

Just when you think you’ve figured out the direction of the story, he flips the board. Alliances shift. Secrets unravel. Characters reveal layers you didn’t see coming. I had multiple moments of literally pausing because I needed to process what had just happened.

And yet — it never feels random. Everything is seeded. Everything makes sense. It’s clever without being confusing.

The Side Characters? Elite.

One of the reasons I’m loving this series more and more is the side characters. They’re not just background noise. They’re complicated, charismatic, dangerous, loyal, unpredictable. Every relationship matters. Every alliance has tension behind it.

The friendships feel earned. The betrayals sting. The loyalty hits deep.

And the banter? Still sharp. Still witty. Still one of my favourite parts.

The Writing

Pierce Brown’s writing is intense without being overwhelming. It’s dramatic, but not melodramatic. There’s poetry in the brutality. The pacing is relentless — but somehow you still get emotional breathing room when it counts.

The action scenes are vivid. The political manoeuvring is smart. The quiet character moments are where it really lands.

It’s layered storytelling, and you can feel the confidence in it.

Final Thoughts

The further I go into this series, the more I realise this isn’t just a good sci-fi series — it’s something bigger. It’s ambitious. It’s emotional. It’s strategic. It’s painful. It’s addictive.

Golden Sun didn’t just live up to the first book for me — it surpassed it.

And honestly? I’m slightly scared to continue because I know I’m about to get emotionally destroyed again.

But I will absolutely be continuing.

Five stars. No hesitation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐