Iron Gold: Perhaps An Issue of Too Much Hype

DANGIT. This book definitely got over-hyped for me. All the reviews I saw talked about how emotionally destroyed they were by this book and how they’re going to have to book hangover for the rest of their life. So I was expecting to feel some of the seriously intense feels I did after reading Golden Son and Morning Star. But, alas, I didn’t. That being said, I really enjoyed the book… I just found myself dissappointed to not be sobbing at the end. Anyway, read on to see my Iron Gold review and determine if you should take on the fourth book in the Red Rising series.

They call him father, liberator, warlord, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the pale blue planet, his armor red, his army vast, his heart heavy. It is the tenth year of war and the thirty-second of his life.

A decade ago, Darrow was the hero of the revolution he believed would break the chains of the Society. But the Rising has shattered everything: Instead of peace and freedom, it has brought endless war. Now he must risk everything he has fought for on one last desperate mission. Darrow still believes he can save everyone, but can he save himself?

And throughout the worlds, other destinies entwine with Darrow’s to change his fate forever:

A young Red girl flees tragedy in her refugee camp and achieves for herself a new life she could never have imagined.

An ex-soldier broken by grief is forced to steal the most valuable thing in the galaxy—or pay with his life.

And Lysander au Lune, the heir in exile to the sovereign, wanders the stars with his mentor, Cassius, haunted by the loss of the world that Darrow transformed, and dreaming of what will rise from its ashes.

Red Rising was the story of the end of one universe, and Iron Gold is the story of the creation of a new one. Witness the beginning of a stunning new saga of tragedy and triumph from masterly New York Times bestselling author Pierce Brown.

First of all, if you haven’t read the Red Rising series, you need to click here to see why you should remedy that ASAP.

If you haven’t yet decided whether or not you should read Iron Gold, let me tell you the things I really liked about this book:

1. It is very cool to see the aftermath of the Rising. We don’t often get that opportunity in fictional stories- to  see what happens after these epic revolutions.

2. The characters you loved in the first three books are at it again in this one. You’ll definitely find yourself laughing at Sevro and aching for Darrow.

3. The world building gets a HELL YEAH!!! Pierce Brown added so much cool shit to his world, I can’t even begin to explain it. It was freaking fantastic seeing all of the bizarre and amazing details that were included in this book. This alone is reason to read the book! 

BUT: This book definitely feels like the first book in a series (kind of like Red Rising did, but maybe not quite as exciting??)

I’m hovering between 3.5 and 4 stars. I definitely liked it and think that you should absolutely read it if you read the Red Rising series. Definitely just go in without too many expectations (don’t make the same mistake I did!!!!)

If you read Iron Gold, can we please talk about it?! I need SOMEONE to talk to! 

A.S. Thornton

A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.