Golden Son (Red Rising Book 2)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR, BUZZFEED, AND BOOKLIST • “Gripping . . . On virtually every level, this is a sequel that hates sequels—a perfect fit for a hero who already defies the tropes. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly

As a Red, Darrow grew up working the mines deep beneath the surface of Mars, enduring backbreaking labor while dreaming of the better future he was building for his descendants. But the Society he faithfully served was built on lies. Darrow’s kind have been betrayed and denied by their elitist masters, the Golds—and their only path to liberation is revolution. And so Darrow sacrifices himself in the name of the greater good for which Eo, his true love and inspiration, laid down her own life. He becomes a Gold, infiltrating their privileged realm so that he can destroy it from within.
 
A lamb among wolves in a cruel world, Darrow finds friendship, respect, and even love—but also the wrath of powerful rivals. To wage and win the war that will change humankind’s destiny, Darrow must confront the treachery arrayed against him, overcome his all-too-human desire for retribution—and strive not for violent revolt but a hopeful rebirth. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and deceit, Darrow must choose to follow Eo’s principles of love and justice to free his people.
 
He must live for more.

Praise for Golden Son

“Stirring . . . Comparisons to The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones series are inevitable, for this tale has elements of both.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Brown writes layered, flawed characters . . . but plot is his most breathtaking strength. . . . Every action seems to flow into the next.”—NPR

Don’t miss any of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga:
RED RISING • GOLDEN SON • MORNING STAR • IRON GOLD • DARK AGE • LIGHT BRINGER

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466 pages

Average rating: 9.15

27 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

katietopp
Jan 01, 2025
10/10 stars
Excellent. I hate that it took me so long to read the second. It kills me the things Darrow did in this book. For himself. His people. The future of mankind. I think this is the only second book in a dystopian trilogy that didn’t feel useless. This book actually did something. Fuck if that ending wasn’t insane as well. I can’t handle the insanity of this book, and this universe that Brown created. This is one of those twists that you knew was coming but not this way. My heart breaks for Darrow and his friendships/loves. Like wtf happened at the end there.
cch.84
Nov 21, 2024
10/10 stars
Fantastic.. so many twists that I didn’t even almost expect! Can’t wait to start Morning Star!
Kierstencora
Oct 10, 2024
10/10 stars
Wow this one was SO GOOD!! Everything you could want from a sequel. Packed with action, plot twists, and heart-wrenching scenes.

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