Morning Star: the explosive third book in the globally bestselling dystopian science fiction series RED RISING (Red Rising Series)

What an incredible book. I've pretty much abandoned all the books on my TBR so that I can read the entirety of the Red Rising saga. This series is so compelling, so utterly addictive, that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Morning Star is the third book in the series, and we follow Darrow and his friends as they continue on their mission to overthrow the Sovereign and the colour system that governs their world. I am not a particularly big sci-fi reader, but this has got to be my all time favourite sci-fi series. It's fast paced, it's full to the brim with action and political intrigue, and quite honestly, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Over the course of the three books, I've become pretty attached to the characters in this story, and I love seeing how they grow and how their relationships have changed as allegiances shift and secrets are revealed. There are some really sad, harrowing moments in this story, and Pierce Brown certainly doesn't hold back when it comes to letting the characters suffer. There are plenty of dark and bloody moments in this story, and I am equal parts excited and terrified to see where the story is going to go in Iron Gold. I feel like I'm the last person on the planet to pick up the Red Rising series, but if you haven't had the chance to try it out yet, I can't recommend this one highly enough, it's an absolute must read.

I loved the opening of this book. Coming from Golden Son with all the additional characters, the character building/arcs, continuous world building and ultimate conclusion of it all... fantastic. A proper trilogy that then moves into a new era starting with Iron Gold. The hype is real, its justified around this series in general. There's inevitably lulls and highs but overall its just a great read.

Big, rangy space opera that is genuinely hard to put down. Masterful cliffhangers, suspense, twists and some really good characters. I've happily ploughed through the first three this summer.

What a fantastic conclusion to a high octane Sci-fi trilogy moving at the pace of a action movie meets thriller novel. This third book is excellent in characters really going through everything possible with each one of those built up by the series getting their big moment. The emotional impact here is so high and you're pulled from shock and awe, to laughter and fun all the way to sorrow and even the odd tear. I don't was to spoil any plot points but I do remember in the middle of Red Rising that it was all a but too much hunger games after a great start. Push through that middle part of book 1 and you will not be disappointed with how it builds on the characters, world and incredible political system so very representative of what we could become. I'll also add this has the best use of pop culture references and even a full meme written woven into the action. I'm tempted to re-read to find any I missed. Wonderful book series, I'm ready for the next era with Darrow to start!

How the hell do I review this book? I've read it twice now and I STILL can't find the right words to describe how bloodydamn brilliant it is. For the last 2 years Pierce Brown has been in my top 10 books of the year with Red Rising and Golden Son and he's done it again with Morning Star, no small feat when this was my most highly anticipated book of the year and my expectations were through the roof. This entire trilogy has been an emotional rollercoaster, the highs are like nothing you've ever seen before but oh how the lows will rip you to pieces. Fans of the series will know that Pierce Brown isn't afraid to kill popular characters so the fear is real in Morning Star, the fear is REAL. I don't think I've ever felt so terrified reading a book and there were moments when I was so utterly heartbroken that I had to put the book down, walk away and have a little cry. I'm not going to lie, this book will be bad for your blood pressure and I'd definitely recommend having tissues on hand, but never fear because Sevro and Ragnar are on hand to make you howl with laughter too. I honestly don't want to say too much about the plot but you can expect to be shocked and horrified, there will be betrayals and new alliances, romances blossom in the strangest of places, families are created while others are torn apart and the power base of a universe is turned on it's axis. Love them or hate them these characters are unforgettable. Darrow is changed by the events of Golden Son and I was quite worried about him for a while, Sevro has always been my favourite but even he gets swept up in things and goes much further than he should do but luckily Ragnar is on hand to knock sense into both of them. I have mixed feelings about Mustang, I've never quite forgiven her for the way she acted after Darrow's big revelation and there are certain things about her in this book that made me incredibly angry but at the same time I can see where she was coming from about a lot (but definitely not all) of them. There are too many characters I was invested in for me to mention all of them but Kavax and Sophocles never failed to make me smile and I actually think I want the Telemanus family to adopt me! Morning Star is without a doubt an epic conclusion to one of my favourite trilogies EVER. I'm so happy that Pierce Brown has confirmed that he isn't done with this world yet, there are so many possibilities that could still be explored and I can't wait for every single amazing, heart wrenching page.

Damn! Honestly another rollercoaster of emotions in this book. Like it's just ridiculously good. I don't remember a book series making me feel all these sorts of ways. Like the characters have gripped me in ways I never dreamed of. Like I kind of guessed some things well more hoped then guessed and others blew my mind. But I'm confused and intrigued about this book because it's book 3 what's the hell is gonna happen in books 4-7 like I don't know where this is going now....? One thing tho I'm not sure if I can take the emotions I'm sure l'm gonna feel.

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Red Rising trilogy, would this final book continue to engross me? To be honest, it does have a slightly sticky start. Brown’s forthright pacey style stuttered, and I found the opening pages a bit of a trudge as it seems to backtrack, rather than plunge headlong into the galloping plot. However, I persevered as I had really enjoyed the first two slices of this adventure, and was very curious to see how it would all pan out. About a quarter of the way in, the book picked up pace as Darrow was busy trying to stay alive, lurching from crisis to crisis as the rebellion kicked off around him. I like his character. Brown manages to provide the classic, driven alpha male who nonetheless is assailed by doubts and painfully aware of the consequences of some of his actions. I also enjoyed the fact that although there are regular outbreaks of bloody violence throughout the trilogy – this is not one for the squeamish – those deaths continue to impact on the action, both personally and politically. I like the fact that it mattered when some of the characters died – and went on mattering throughout the trilogy. Once Morning Star found its feet, the plot barrelled forward with Brown’s usual explosive energy. There is also a fair amount of humour running through the story and some moving moments as Darrow strives to hold onto the group of people he has befriended during his roller-coaster progress, though those friendships are constantly threatened by the sense of betrayal they feel at his duplicity. I also enjoyed the dilemma Darrow faces as he becomes the poster boy for the rebellion due to a particular piece of film repeatedly shown to inspire the Reds to rise up for justice. How can he move on from his bereavement and invest in another relationship, when he is defined by his heartbreak and grief? Not that Brown breaks his stride when presenting his character this particular problem – he is too busy creating yet another crushing problem for Darrow to endure. So, did he accomplish a suitably climactic and convincing ending? Yes, he did. It was a fitting conclusion to a really entertaining and enjoyable read – and if you haven’t yet had the pleasure, don’t start with Morning Star, get hold of Red Rising. Pierce Brown is One To Watch.

After 2 great books already, the 3rd one lands perhaps even better. Bringing the story so far to a conclusion, but setting up more to come. An absolute rollercoaster coaster final 1/3rd really brings it home.