***Full Review now posted*** 
 Red Rising was a book that probably would not have been on my radar if it hadn't been for a fellow bookwhore, Dri-G, telling me I HAD to read it because it was amazing. And it was. 
 Golden Son left me with such a bloodydamn book hangover and pissed off because I had to wait to find out the fate of characters I'd come to love...and hate as well. 
 And then Morning Star finally appeared and all I can say is that it was bloodydamn EPIC! And though I didn't want it to end (I waffled between wanting to gorge on it vs. savoring it many, many times) it was an amazing and appropriate ending to this insane, haunting, beautiful and just all around addictive trilogy. 
 I've been having a hell of a time trying to figure out how to start this review because how does one really sum up the end of what was an epic journey? So, I stopped trying and slept on it. And guess what? It came to me. 
 'Reap what you sow'. 
 Now, that statement isn't owned solely by The Red Rising Trilogy, but it became a call to arms ina sense throughout the series and after two books, five years as far as timeline in the story is concerned, we are finally seeing what all of the decisions that each of these characters have sown and it was a hell of a ride. What started out as a desire to topple the power the Golds held over the masses morphed into the understanding that it was the entire Society that needed an overhaul. Of course nothing is ever that simple in this world, but Pierce Brown made it happen. The twists and turns that kept popping up had me on the edge of my seat and though I knew things would work out, one way or another, there were quite a few times when I was screaming WTF ?!?! (in my head of course because that would be frowned upon at work) but no matter the outcome, it all made sense and the ending was perfect. It's not a HEA, let's all join hands and sing kumbaya ending, it's more of a 'one door closes, another opens' one that stays true to the story. 
 And then there cast of characters that made this journey worthwhile for me because I loved that they were all flawed in some way, but they each owned those flaws. Darrow really came into his own here and matured. He finally grasped the big picture and what his role was in the big scheme instead of always looking at things as if he was carrying out Eo's or Fitchner's ideals. He still had his selfish moments and was still quite sneaky, though in a good way, but he's learned from his past mistakes and finally figured out that he isn't alone and didn't have to do it all on his own. Sevro, I seriously adore the Goblin. His crass I don't give a bloodydamn personality had me cracking up, but even he matures and I swear there were times when I wanted to hug him...at least after he bathed. The character that surprised me the most in how much I came to adore her was Victra. She is such a Gold, but the confidence she has and her blunt honesty was refreshing and had me wanting to grab a razor and head into battle with her. Ragnar I loved, period. And though Mustang didn't always do it for me, she is definitely what Darrow needed in the end. As for the rest (because I could go on and on and on about each one and then we'd be getting into a thesis paper which we don't need) let's just say that, for the most part. they all get the endings that are right for them. 
 For Morning Star I mixed it up and did the audio book route and read when I wasn't at work and I must give Tim Gerard Reynolds a huge shout out. He did such a beautiful job narrating this entire trilogy from the various accents used to the intonation of his voice to convey the emotion of the scene was simply perfect. 
 The Bottom Line: Bloodydamn EPIC!