Morning Star

Bravo! That’s what I call an ending. As I mentioned in my review of Golden Son, there’s a possibility that this book can fall short of my expectations. But I also indicated that Pierce Brown has a greater probability of creating a wonderful ending to bookend this series and I’m so happy (with a little bit of relief thrown in) that my faith paid off. Looking back on this series and the individual books that make it up, each book had its own different tone and personality. And yet, they still managed to carry the story’s main thread and keeping a sense of continuity. The first book, Red Rising, was the introduction being very informative and detailed so as to lay the foundation for the subsequent books. In the second book, Golden Son, it was very action orientated and brimming with such energy that pushed the story to another level. What makes Morning Star compelling, is how it’s geared towards more inward and interpersonal relationships. Strategy, plotting, intelligence, counterintelligence, conflicts - both of the inner and outer variety - make up the meat of this third installment. Don’t get me wrong. There’s still some epic fight and battle scenes (it wouldn’t be a Red Rising book if there wasn’t), but the book’s gripping narrative lies with Darrow trying to navigate being the voice of a rebellion that has exceeded his expectations. And a lot of the conflict that Darrow has to go through revolves around difficult choices. Choices that forces him to take unwanted actions that may create more enemies, make sacrifices on a grand scale, may make others doubt his decision-making. And at the heart of it all, this is a story of a character whom when we first met was just a boy filled with grief and anger, believing he knows what he’s fighting for with the knowledge and plan at how to go about it, to a man who has survived various setbacks to become a more self-aware person and stronger leader for the rebellion. Morning Star really encapsulates all that Darrow has become, both the good and the bad. He’s not the perfect “hero”, but he went through that hero’s journey and came out a better person for it, making him a character that’s likeable and sympathetic. It’s Darrow’s coming-of-age story, except, you know, with space battles, espionage, killings and deaths. Out of all the books in the series, I think this one was the one that roused the most emotions and reactions from me. It had so many moments that left me gasping in surprise at the many twists and turns to the plot or moved by the various speeches that were made in the story. And while this may be a science fiction book with a good versus evil theme to it, I really enjoy (and admire) how Brown didn’t make things so clean cut and tidy. Morning Star really exemplifies this, making for a more realistic and credible story to buy. Brown’s whole Red Rising trilogy was one really epic series (or space opera). This book was dramatic in every way it can be that had me engrossed from beginning to end. Once it started it never let up, elevating the story with each installment. It had everything: great writing, a gripping story including all the subplots and story details that make it up (I commend Brown for being able to keep track and maintaining continuity through all three books), compelling characters (both main and supporting) and just being overall creative and smart. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been inspired me to write such a gushing review, but when you’ve Brown’s Red Rising series and the books that encompass it, it’s not so hard to understand that inspiration. And to tell you the truth, I don’t think I did a good enough job relaying how much I loved this series. All I can do, is stand up and applaud this epic odyssey. Bravo!