Dark Age and Golden Son are a 1a-1b pair for me. It started off very confusing, but after the first 100 pages when I got through the confusion it kept going and never stopped. One of the best books I’ve ever read. Hail Liberatas.
I'd expect you to read it in two days if it's great. Just finished the Iron Gold in two sittings on two days. Three weeks would be a "I need to finish this because I paid for it" kinda book.
Duuuuuuude! I am 50 pages from wrapping this 1 up. My read of the year so far hands down. First novel I would have to give a 5 out of 5 on my young channel. I am dying to talk to someone about this book!!
It's funny because when reading Dark Age, I did not feel it was grimdark at all until the switch to Mustang POV. All the opening stuff on Mercury I was energised and enthusiastic - yes there were setbacks, but it was just one awesome scene after another, with Darrow perhaps reaching his pinnacle as a character.
I remember not LOVING Dark Age because I thought Pierce jumped the shark a couple times in it, but I feel like my opinion will have changed once I get to my reread. Currently reading Red Rising again in preparation for Light Bringer, I'll probably get to Dark Age in a couple weeks.
I felt the same when I read it a couple of years ago. My opinion may change with a reread too, but I'm not sure. I felt it was a good book, but I didn't love it like I did the previous three.
I'm excited to make my way to this book, because I love dark literature. I feel like I've peaked with horror, and I need books like this to kick me in the feels. Great review!! Im MORE than sold!
1:25 Because the video’s title caught my attention and I know you’re pretty good about giving spoiler warnings. I’ve already read the first three books… I guess I’ll have to come back after reading the fourth.
I stopped at Iron Gold but really want to continue with the series. I think I'll wait till book 7 (Red God) comes out though. Thanks for the review Mike.
This book blew me AWAY. 100% one of the best books i’ve read. It felt crazier than A Memory Of Light, I didnt think the final battle could be topped… but idk, everything that happened … the ascomanni showing up like a straight up horror movie, with the zero g and the lights flickering on and off…. Just finished part one of light bringer…still find myself lost in thought thinking about dark age.
While the story is darker I don’t know if I would call it overly dark. The progression has been a steady pace that makes sense. OG trilogy being a story of hope and the sequel series showing hope has a price is very reasonable. I’m the US we look at war and say “ah yeah war is bad” but don’t really have a good look into the losing side.
Just finished it this morning (couldn't put it down it's soo good!) loving Lyria's arc, but Lysander...🤔& am now just counting down the days to Lightbringer!
Only finished Dark Age a few weeks ago but absolutely adored it. So many sensational sequences. A few developments that I'm not too convinced by but will give Pierce the benefit of the doubt. Glad I don't have to wait for Light Bringer- will be there day one!
Absolutely loved the book. Much as I hated what happens to some of the characters, I love being shocked and stunned. Didn't expect Pierce to do what he did. This series has gotten me back into binging novels. I can't wait for Light Bringer.
Great review! I think if anyone's not sure if they should continue with this book, this video will be very helpful to decide. And just thinking of Dark Age without actually re-reading it bring back this strong feelin of "I need to know what happens next like immediately." Can't wait for Lightbringer.
Great review Mike! I joined the reread of the Red Rising and picked up the sequels for the first time and now I'm at ch. 15 of Dark Age, one of the coolest battles in the series so far, but it sure is gloomy. Update, just finished the book, what an intense and dark book, but so good
A real depiction of war? Does that mean there's hours of campfire talk and building comaraderie? 😄 I haven't read any Red Rising yet, but I am watching your review. The whole series seems badass and I do plan to start by August. (I won't remember anything you said here, specifically, so I'm not worried about being spoiled)
Boy, did it ever continue to take the series in a new direction! And I Loved it!!!🥰 so dark... Holy Faaaaaaaaaaaa... I can't help myself... please forgive. I need to amuse myself somehow... because heavy stuff... and i did read Dark Age the same day I finished Boudica: Dreaming the Hound. ... also heavy. I think not rereading the first 3 Red Rising and jumping back in made the time less harsh for me. It felt like the dacade gap was more natural. I didn't feel the drag at all, and I can't wait to get to Lightbringer. 📖😌📚
Just finished this book this morning. I thought it was great. The first half was a challenge to get through for me, but I feel the investment was worth it! Ready to get to Light Bringer.
I loved this book. Although I loved the original trilogy, I am really enjoying seeing Brown progress as an author as well as evolve the story rather just making it a non-stop action fest for 400-500 pages.
Yeah the tree event hurt like bad and i cant even imagine how my guy is gonna react if he gets a chance to find out. Hes gonna loss it in the worst way and i cant wait but dread it too
Not a grimdark guy but im soo into this story i have to push through. So many times i was yelling at this book just irate with some of the things that happen but thats the genious. Pierce makes you feel all the time even if it is a bad feeling now and then.
First Law Questions 1) Which of the stand alone first law books do you think is the best and why? 2) How does the 2nd First Law trilogy compare to the 1st? ty
I’m only 1/3 though but this is already my favorite Red Rising book! Part 1 was one of the most epic things I’ve ever read! I’m loving the multi-POV format of the sequel series, and imo, each book has been better than the last.
I will slightly disagree as I do not think this is as grimdark as First Law. Grimdark is more nihilistic; this universe does have a moral center, or at least characters who believe there is one, that's the difference. There is obviously good and evil at work here and and unlike the morally gray characters that populate most grim dark, we are blessed with characters that understand the basic worth and dignity of most humans. We also see characters that obviously do not care and would like a return to status quo. What makes this book dark is the argument of how far is to far in order to obtain the goals of freedom for all. Does that line exist? An example of this is Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It's easy to pick them apart 80 years later, but if you were an American commander getting sick of seeing your troops slaughtered, maybe the bombs were the better way to go? I think those are some of the uncomfortable truths this books deals with, and why it makes people uncomfortable to read it.
This book still has a lot of humor and hopeful scenes to balance out the darkness. I don't think this book is anywhere near as bleak and depressing as everyone else thinks it is
Dark Age and Golden Son are a 1a-1b pair for me. It started off very confusing, but after the first 100 pages when I got through the confusion it kept going and never stopped. One of the best books I’ve ever read. Hail Liberatas.
Hail Reaper
Hail Reaper
These books changed my life i found em accidentally an give em a shot. I was in a prison library lol
Why would I watch a review for book five if I haven’t read the other ones?? CUZ IMMA CRAZY PERSON THATS WHY!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Broo just ruined my favorite series for himself why do that :/
@@someweeb4110 literally the only thing I remember from this review is the phrase “twitching meat carpet” 😂
@@samm8190 XD fair enough partner
The fact I binge read this book in three weeks speaks volumes about how great it gets
The 1 book or series?
@@visiblehuman3705 This one book
I'd expect you to read it in two days if it's great. Just finished the Iron Gold in two sittings on two days. Three weeks would be a "I need to finish this because I paid for it" kinda book.
@@Jeroenneman I only have a limited amount of time each day to read. So, for me, two weeks is lightning fast.
@Jeroenneman some of us have lives dude. Can't spend all day reading
Duuuuuuude! I am 50 pages from wrapping this 1 up. My read of the year so far hands down. First novel I would have to give a 5 out of 5 on my young channel. I am dying to talk to someone about this book!!
Join the red rising subreddit, we are all obsessed over there.
@@Incognito_alien Thanks for the tip I have joined.
Honestly this is one of my favorite books ever
It's funny because when reading Dark Age, I did not feel it was grimdark at all until the switch to Mustang POV. All the opening stuff on Mercury I was energised and enthusiastic - yes there were setbacks, but it was just one awesome scene after another, with Darrow perhaps reaching his pinnacle as a character.
I loved the description of the Fear Knight, the screaming children and Gorgons
Cannot wait for Lightbringer! Dark Age is SO freaking good. I keep forgetting how much happened in it.
Great review, Mike! I hope to see you and HowlerPod take on this book before Light Bringer. Those chats are always great to watch/listen to
I remember not LOVING Dark Age because I thought Pierce jumped the shark a couple times in it, but I feel like my opinion will have changed once I get to my reread. Currently reading Red Rising again in preparation for Light Bringer, I'll probably get to Dark Age in a couple weeks.
I felt the same when I read it a couple of years ago. My opinion may change with a reread too, but I'm not sure. I felt it was a good book, but I didn't love it like I did the previous three.
Sci-Fi First Law..? Damn you, Mike! I have enough on my TBR already! ;)
I'm excited to make my way to this book, because I love dark literature. I feel like I've peaked with horror, and I need books like this to kick me in the feels.
Great review!! Im MORE than sold!
Started this series because of your recommendation--just finished Dark Age and loved it! Looking forward to Lightbringer!
Dark Age is my favourite book in one of my favourite series of all time.
I think it was longer but I could have just done "Fuck Lysander" for my Goodreads review and that would have about summed it up.
Best book I’ve ever read. Part one and 4 were insane.
I was just wondering if you had done a video on this yet! Excited for the new book.
1:25 Because the video’s title caught my attention and I know you’re pretty good about giving spoiler warnings. I’ve already read the first three books… I guess I’ll have to come back after reading the fourth.
I stopped at Iron Gold but really want to continue with the series. I think I'll wait till book 7 (Red God) comes out though. Thanks for the review Mike.
Dark age was much better, I didn't really like iron gold that much. But the pacing, character moments and action are just so much better in this one
This book blew me AWAY.
100% one of the best books i’ve read.
It felt crazier than A Memory Of Light, I didnt think the final battle could be topped… but idk, everything that happened … the ascomanni showing up like a straight up horror movie, with the zero g and the lights flickering on and off…. Just finished part one of light bringer…still find myself lost in thought thinking about dark age.
While the story is darker I don’t know if I would call it overly dark. The progression has been a steady pace that makes sense. OG trilogy being a story of hope and the sequel series showing hope has a price is very reasonable. I’m the US we look at war and say “ah yeah war is bad” but don’t really have a good look into the losing side.
Just finished it this morning (couldn't put it down it's soo good!) loving Lyria's arc, but Lysander...🤔& am now just counting down the days to Lightbringer!
Only finished Dark Age a few weeks ago but absolutely adored it. So many sensational sequences. A few developments that I'm not too convinced by but will give Pierce the benefit of the doubt. Glad I don't have to wait for Light Bringer- will be there day one!
Always love the Red Rising theme music you use for these vids
Absolutely loved the book. Much as I hated what happens to some of the characters, I love being shocked and stunned. Didn't expect Pierce to do what he did. This series has gotten me back into binging novels. I can't wait for Light Bringer.
If you liked the war scenes in The Heros and Dark age, try The Killer Angel's a novelization of the battle of Gettysburg
Great review! I think if anyone's not sure if they should continue with this book, this video will be very helpful to decide.
And just thinking of Dark Age without actually re-reading it bring back this strong feelin of "I need to know what happens next like immediately." Can't wait for Lightbringer.
Great review Mike! I joined the reread of the Red Rising and picked up the sequels for the first time and now I'm at ch. 15 of Dark Age, one of the coolest battles in the series so far, but it sure is gloomy.
Update, just finished the book, what an intense and dark book, but so good
Iron Gold I’d say is more divisive with fans while I’ve seen many ranked Dark age on top of this list as their favorite.
iron gold is def slower than dark age too idk how mike thinks dark age is the slowest
Great video! One of my favorite series🐺
A real depiction of war? Does that mean there's hours of campfire talk and building comaraderie? 😄
I haven't read any Red Rising yet, but I am watching your review. The whole series seems badass and I do plan to start by August. (I won't remember anything you said here, specifically, so I'm not worried about being spoiled)
Boy, did it ever continue to take the series in a new direction! And I Loved it!!!🥰 so dark...
Holy Faaaaaaaaaaaa... I can't help myself... please forgive. I need to amuse myself somehow... because heavy stuff... and i did read Dark Age the same day I finished Boudica: Dreaming the Hound. ... also heavy.
I think not rereading the first 3 Red Rising and jumping back in made the time less harsh for me. It felt like the dacade gap was more natural. I didn't feel the drag at all, and
I can't wait to get to Lightbringer.
📖😌📚
Just finished this book this morning. I thought it was great. The first half was a challenge to get through for me, but I feel the investment was worth it! Ready to get to Light Bringer.
I wish someone would do a 15 minute recap per book. I literally have no idea what happened in the previous couple books.
I loved this book. Although I loved the original trilogy, I am really enjoying seeing Brown progress as an author as well as evolve the story rather just making it a non-stop action fest for 400-500 pages.
Yeah the tree event hurt like bad and i cant even imagine how my guy is gonna react if he gets a chance to find out. Hes gonna loss it in the worst way and i cant wait but dread it too
Not a grimdark guy but im soo into this story i have to push through. So many times i was yelling at this book just irate with some of the things that happen but thats the genious. Pierce makes you feel all the time even if it is a bad feeling now and then.
First Law Questions
1) Which of the stand alone first law books do you think is the best and why?
2) How does the 2nd First Law trilogy compare to the 1st? ty
I just started Dark Age today! I'm hoping to finish it before Lightbringer releases. But we'll see it's a big book and I'm a slow reader
Just bought the blade itself after your recommendation hope it's as good as the red rising series.
I am starting to see what you are saying about Golden Son
I’m only 1/3 though but this is already my favorite Red Rising book! Part 1 was one of the most epic things I’ve ever read! I’m loving the multi-POV format of the sequel series, and imo, each book has been better than the last.
“I can’t believe you got this past your editor” does that relate to an incident involving a Tree?
Ha ha, maybe.
Excellent book!!!! Can't wait for Lightbringer!!!!
edit:
Thought Lightbringer was going to be the last one.... Ugh!!!!!!!!!
How come you never read the red rising graphic novels ?
Where can I buy that shirt?
“Idk why you would watch a video of a book #5 of a series” WELL MAYBE THE TITLE SJOULDNT HAVE INTRIGUED ME
Maybe I should read it
Virginia and Victra carried this book for me!
I can think of several that could top him. One of them is Martin
Bookmarked. I’ll be back
Looking forward to Dark Age spoiler talk, so hurry up!
Lightbringer is the name of Lucifer and also the planet venus. Maybe the author wanted a hero (angel) fall to evil side like lucifer? Hmm
Loved this book a lot, but it's straight depression and I had to take a few breaks reading it
Wanted to apologize in advance. Sent you a book to review and didn't realize you were no longer accepting submissions. Hope you like the coin though
But it's not based on reality am I right? So its basically like a adult dungeons and dragons rather than Blood Meridian deal 🤔
Yes, you’re in a SFF channel. So it’s all going to be fiction.
@mikesbookreviews ah OK cool thanks. At least people are still reading
Couldn't get through book 2. So I don't mind getting spoiled. Like the story. Not so much the prose.
I will slightly disagree as I do not think this is as grimdark as First Law. Grimdark is more nihilistic; this universe does have a moral center, or at least characters who believe there is one, that's the difference. There is obviously good and evil at work here and and unlike the morally gray characters that populate most grim dark, we are blessed with characters that understand the basic worth and dignity of most humans. We also see characters that obviously do not care and would like a return to status quo. What makes this book dark is the argument of how far is to far in order to obtain the goals of freedom for all. Does that line exist? An example of this is Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It's easy to pick them apart 80 years later, but if you were an American commander getting sick of seeing your troops slaughtered, maybe the bombs were the better way to go? I think those are some of the uncomfortable truths this books deals with, and why it makes people uncomfortable to read it.
Iron Gold really damaged my love for the series. I need to give Dark Age another try though.
That’s a shame. The sequels are great.
@@Ghostlyape123 Iron Gold sure isn't
@@fconstraints disagree. Though it is my second least favorite of the series. I recently reread it and it does do better the second time.
@@fconstraints i like it better than dark age actually
This book still has a lot of humor and hopeful scenes to balance out the darkness. I don't think this book is anywhere near as bleak and depressing as everyone else thinks it is
I hate those black snake on the cover have to paper my book over
lol
"Worthy"
Ulysses 😢
LUNE INVICTUS
This one was only behind Golden Sun for me in the series. Each of the arcs were very well realised
Like teen fiction
What tf do you know about war? Where you in Afghanistan?
Is that the prerequisite now? I’ll await your approval next time.
@@mikesbookreviews As far as judging how realistic a depiction of war is in a novel I´d say yes being in one is a pretty good prerequisite