About done with Dark Age Spoiler maybe this is because I’ve watched / read GoT first, but the arrival of Volsung and the Ascomanni feel like the arrival of the white walkers. In that they are some sort of existential threat over the infighting between the groups. Also RIP to Ephraim. One of my favorite characters
Just finished Dark Age Spoiler so the guy Fitchner defeated in battle is supposed to be the big bad Lysander needed to take on everyone? I do wish we had some closure with Cassius appearing out of nowhere to grab Darrow
I finished Lightbringer a few days ago. I had to distance myself from it a little bit Spoiler Because I wanted to rate it 1 star after Cassius's death. Fuck Lysander. No redemption arc for him, I hope Darrow goes full Ramsay Bolton on him. If Brown tries to write a redemption arc I'll neve forgive him. Book was great. I re-read books 1-5 before starting this which is why I'm so late in finishing. I'm really happy that I did because the re-read was immensely enjoyable and I didn't have any moments of "who is that character again?" "Why is this so important" etc... When Cassius and Darrow were having their moment together I knew some shit was going to go down, but I still held out hope that Cassius wouldn't die. Still gutted me. He went out well though, fuck Atlas. My only regret is that Cassius wasn't able to snap his razor rigid and decapitate Atlas before the little punk ass bitch shot him. Early in the book I was hoping Brown would let Cassius have a happy ending and find a true love interest by the end of the series I also think Lady Ballona will end up helping the republic. Darrow is winning based on his ability to for the most part do two things, win over people he has wronged and keep his friends close. He got Cassius back after killing Julian, he got Diomedes to his side after betraying his father and destroying the docks. He got the daughters of Athena after abandoning them to Romulus. He has a group of family around him that he would die for and would die for him. That is where Lysander fails. He views it as a good thing that he has cut his "puppet strings" but he has no one. I think Brown is clearly drawing that distinction between the two. Darrow was Cassius's brother, Lysander murdered him and allowed his corpse to be mutilated. I'm not sure if Julia is Mustang (she'll always be Mustang to me) 's contact in the republic but either way I think she ends up if not fully defecting, helping them in some key way. I didn't mind Fa being a complete fake and talking like a Venitian Gold, I think it fits in being one of Atlas's closest friends / allies. I thought for the longest time Ajax's death was a ruse. Lysander thinking about his death was always weird to me and he was semi "off screen" since we only saw a holocam. I'm glad it wasn't though because even though she had help, Victra fucking got his ass. Victra is a queen. I love her. So the "big bads" we have left are Lysander, Atalantia, Apollonius and Adrius 2.0. Virginia takes out Adrius 2.0 Diomedes takes out Apollonius Lysander kills Atalantia Darrow kills Lysander fin.
Spoiler we’ve yet to see Diomedes in razor action, despite being billed as one of the galaxy’s best. I thought Darrow’s new form was built for beating Apollonius but maybe Diomedes gets him instead. I think I’ll be a little disappointed either way tbh because if it’s not Appolonius, I’m not sure who is worthy of testing Diomedes Neither Atalanta or Adrius are worthy of that fight
Just finished dark age, super happy I stopped when I did, the book doesn’t get any better for my mental health. The world he’s built and the way the story has evolved but stays engaging is staggering.
Dark age is just the protagonists getting outsmarted at every turn. In a series of brutal books this was a 700 page kick in the nuts
Just started my series re-read, 20 pages into Red Rising, the description of what the Helldivers do is just so good. Shit is about to go down
Was in a Libby hole as I wait for holds to come open and reread Lightbringer. If Lysander doesn’t die horribly I’m going to be very put out
I'm working through my series re-read, just finished with the Gala in Golden Son, forgot how good that fight was (also forgot Mustang was ever "with" Cassius and how he taunts Darrow about it). Knowing how the various things play out, you just want to scream at Darrow for some of the choices and alliances he makes, not that he had much choice most of the time.
I'm just finishing up Red Rising on my 1st re-read through the series. Not sure if I'm going to go straight through the series or hop between it and other books.
Looks like I have 10 chapters left in light bringer. Any announcement when to expect the next book? Did I hear he thinks there’s one more left? Going to be really hard to tie things up in one book
I bet I can guess what chapter youre on. One left. This was supposed to be the last one, but it got too big so he split it in two. PB said he if everything goes smoothly late this year. Then immediately followed up with "which never happens so probably spring of '25"
I just got done with several Darrow chapters in a row and it just hopped back to him. He’s a little bitch nepo baby who will sell out anyone and everyone to aggrandize himself under the guise of doing what is right for everyone. At least Atlas is honest
In his defense - Lysander is kind of a little baller in Morning Star. Depending how far into IG he his - maybe he he's still working on previous impression.
Halfway through the first book, thank you Truman for the recommendation. Loving the exposition and appreciate how Brown fleshes out every nook and cranny in few sentences. MC isnt predictable, secondary character carry weight to them. Loving the first book and if the rest only get better, it'll be a fun ride.
was going to post this yesterday: fucking rofl at Darrow mashing brute Pax's nether region, admitting it be a cheap, but effective shot now I'm somber, Pax :(
Be curious to see how long it lasts. One minute you're halfway through book 1, and the next time you look up, you're starting Iron Gold.
At the time I genuinely thought I'd skipped some pages. I didn't understand how Darrow was handling him. Think that was the 1st time Brown revealed that more was happening than just what we were reading.
Had to look it up too, thought I missed his training with Dorn learning the Willow Way. Turns out Darrow forewent operas and hanging with friends to train. I appreciate the surprise and the ass kicking he handed out
For those on the fence. Red Rising Kindle version is $2. https://slickdeals.net/f/17456121-red-rising-red-rising-series-book-1-ebook-by-pierce-brown-1-99?src=jfy&prop=rcmid-01738444a0d8b2ffdb2b19d88eb847d0&attrsrc=JFYCarousel:Position:5|JFYCarousel:Type:thread
the only disappointment I have in this series is that I only have 4 books left to read. Halfway through Golden Son, can't put it down. Darrow is currently meeting with Lorn on Europa. Reallyyyy looking forward to Ragnar mashing Golds and Obsidians up.
Ragnar, if I'm not safe here, I'm not safe anywhere. Go to bed. I sleep with my eyes open, dominus. Really? Yes.
the start of the Iron Rain, Darrow and company ripping through the edge of space to the surface of Mars, was glorious got a feeling Roque is going to betray Darrow though