Find my reviews here: Literary Meanderings 
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 3.5 stars 
 Synopsis: Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within. 
 What do you live for? 
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 **This review is going to contain tons of spoilers!** 
 So, this book tore me in half. I was so angry, sad, but impressed at the same time. I had trouble rating the book. I was tempted to do a 3-star, but I couldn't bring myself to. I guess I'll go with a 3.5. 
 What I had issues with: 
 * The plot had a lot of filler. There were too many scenes with characters doing a whole lot of talking and taking very little action. I think this book could've been condensed a little. I felt the urge to skim and that is never a good thing. 
 * I understand why the author skipped ahead a few years after the events of Red Rising, but I still didn't like it. I GET IT. It just felt like a cop-out. I realize this book could've had middle-book-syndrome otherwise... but, I still just didn't like it. Just didn't. I felt cheated in not seeing the interactions between the characters during that crucial time after the gritty events in RR. 
 * Mustang confuses me. Why did she sing Eo's song while she and Darrow were in the cave in RR? This was an indication that she agreed that change was needed; that she understood what that song means. So this confuses me. Why did she have the negative reaction to Darrow's true identity? 
 This brings me to my likes: 
 * Mustang's reaction to Darrow's true self. lol While her singing Eo's song confuses me, I still enjoyed her reaction to Darrow being a Red. I mean, I didn't enjoy it in the way you are thinking... It actually broke my heart and made me feel dead inside. BUT, I was impressed that the author didn't make it so easy on Darrow--or us, for that matter. He made it realistic. The fact of the matter is this: Mustang is a Gold. It is ingrained into her psyche that Reds are below her--that they are slaves. Not to mention, she feels foolish. She was tricked thoroughly and it makes the most sense that she would be pissed. Still... my heart! 
 * The war & the action! I found this book very full of action (between the fillers, that is) and I loved it. There was always a battle, always a fight. 
 * Pierce Brown isn't afraid to kill characters. Again, it is sad, but necessary for the book to make sense and to make you feel it. 
 * Darrow himself. I am so impressed with how true Darrow has stayed to Eo and their dream even after years of being amongst the Golds. I also appreciate that we get to see a human side of the Golds by the interactions with the people he has befriended. I am so very curious to see how this will all end! 
 How do we feel about Fitchner being Ares? IDK how I feel. I felt a pang of disappointment that it was him. Meh. 
 THAT CLIFFHANGER THOUGH. GAH! 
 All in all, Golden Son was a great second installment. I had my pet peeves, but I am 100% going to move into book three sometime this week. :) 
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 Book source: Personal collection 
 Publisher: Del Rey/Penguin Random House 
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