Golden Son (Red Rising Series)
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
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
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
Golden Son is definitely a much better sequel to the previous book in this series. The more I read, the more it improved—like a slow burn that suddenly turns into an emotional explosion. Rich, detailed, lived-in world-building makes it such a treat to read. You can feel the gravity of every political move, every betrayal, every fight scene. The plot is tight—clearly thought through, with layers upon layers that keep unfolding in such satisfying ways. Characters you thought you had pegged surprise you with depth, loyalty, ambition, and regret. They’re real people, not just pawns in a space opera. Once again, Darrow’s “I am the storm/I am the shadow/I am the breakfast cereal” monologues are still there, but definitely toned down. He’s growing, and I’m here for it. Everyone feels sharper, more human, more themselves in this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
golden son ruined me. like actually shattered me in ways i wasn’t prepared for. i was already obsessed with red rising, but this book launched me into full-blown emotional chaos. the politics were brutal. the betrayals were relentless. the battles are cinematic. i felt like i was gripping the edge of a cliff the entire time and pierce brown just kept stomping on my fingers.
darrow has me in a chokehold. his growth, his grief, his guilt. i would literally fight for the reaper with zero hesitation. the way he carries the weight of the world while still trying to hold onto the pieces of who he used to be are devastating. beautiful. powerful. he’s a legend and a boy just trying to survive, all at once.
the writing is sharp and poetic and so full of tension i could barely breathe. every chapter was like stepping into a war zone—strategic, violent, heartbreaking. the alliances were constantly shifting, the emotions were high, and i trusted no one. this book took every thread from book one and tangled it into something massive and unhinged in the best possible way. the last 100 pages made me scream. i was wrecked. i immediately downloaded the next book on kindle and started it.
golden son is a masterpiece of tension and pain and ambition and i’m still not over it.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.