I'm so happy to hear you gush about Iron Gold. I'm so tired of hearing people dunk on it. It's by far his most thematically poignant book and I love Ephraim and how he manages grief. And you are so right. The entire plotline with house Ra and how it culminates with "the walk".. Arguably the best thing Pierce has written.
Totally agree! And as much as I LOVED reading from Darrow's POV in the first three books, I actually thought his chapters in Iron Gold were the least exciting ones. Still great, but the other three were more compelling to me.
I read Morning Star for the first time a couple months ago and I can tell you yes, it feels like there is A LOT to cover next, it doesn't feel like the story is yet complete because there are three or four big loose ends.
Just finished this yesterday. I put off reading the sequel, even though I read this first saga again to continue with this new continuation. I wish I had Morning Star fresh in my mind but I felt this was a more jaded look at winning the rebellion. I agree that Morning Star had a few threads unresolved that Brown used well here. For me, the slower pace, new characters, the view from the Moon Lords with the underlying thread of something being off was well executed. I had no problem with either Lyria or Ephraim.
It took me two tries to get into Iron Gold because the first time I was burnt out from reading and the first parts of Lyria's chapter were a bit too dark for me at the time, but I really think every book is better than the last. Darrow's pov (which I really like) was actually my least favorite just from how much I enjoyed the slow burn, worldbuilding, and character work of the other three. Lyria might actually be ny favorite pov which I've heard is an unpopular opinion for this book. Second favorite book in the series, Dark Age being first.
Thanks Mike!! I was on the fence because I didn't want these new stories to ruin my experience of the first trilogy (which I think ended very well) but you've convinced me to start it.
I have tried to finish Iron Gold multiple times but always put it down. I know I need to finish it though, as everyone says Dark Age is incredible thanks for the review Mike!
i felt the same about iron gold. actually gave it 3 stars out of 5. but dark age is a 5. it is not as fast paced full adrenaline epic as first trilogy though.
I just finished Iron Gold this morning and enjoyed this video. I agree with a lot of what you said. I struggled with this book quite a bit. I found myself having trouble following the story for much of the book, especially the first 60% or so. Then there were to some really good parts that improved my experience. I will probably read again and I’m sure I will enjoy more the second time.
It is a very great book. Loved it! Thanks again for getting me into this series. Most of what you said was an elaboration of my own review on Goodreads. One difference though, I heard you and several people say that the books become darker. I personally did not feel so. It becomes more mature and less hopeful, but I think the cruelty and violence are similarly dark as the previous books :)
Great review Mike, as always! I Just finished this week and enjoyed! Looking forward to diving into Dark Age next month. Gonna read a Dresden book in between (#9 white night)…still fortunate enough to have those as pallet cleansers as I haven’t finished them yet!
When I started listening to this one, I stopped as soon as I got to the second Lyria chapter. It was just feeling bored, plus Darrow what being put down. I returned to a few months later, and I'm glad I did. The rest of this book and the following two are contenders for my favorite books now. Don't give up on it!
I read the original trilogy at my coworkers recommendation. I'm more fantasy than dystopian sci fi and while I liked the second book, I was mostly meh. When I saw there were more books out, I asked my coworker and she said that she heard they weren't very good and hadn't read them. I wanted my own opinion and respected the hell out of Brown's world building so I picked up Iron Gold and absolutely loved it.
Finished this earlier this month for the first time with the read along and I was really happy with it! I have no idea why, but i just didn't bother with the sequels after i finished the originals about 5 years ago haha I thought the multiple POVs were done really well and it's got me so excited to start Dark Age in a few days
You know, the cynical part of me just realized that Pierce did what you hated about Brent Weeks, stretching out a story because he'd gotten something successful on his hands, except Pierce made it work. Darrow was a Mary Sue but he quickly developed as Pierce levelled up(exponentially) as the books went along and I'm glad for the sequels. Iron Gold stumbled but I'm in the minority that loved it because he takes his time with it and we finally get worldbuilding that is a bit deeper than the og trilogy. Rip roaring action is neat but I love when an author takes his time to flesh things out. And this book sets the stage for glorious Dark Age.
I agree. Finished Dark Age a couple of weeks ago. I read the original trilogy like 5 years ago and didn’t even realize there were sequels until Mike said so. Dark Age was honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Just finished this yesterday. Great read but the start was rough and it took me a quarter of the book to get used to the new POV's. Multi POV first person is hard and if this would have been the first book of the series I would have DNF'd tbh. But luckily I trusted the process and ended up liking it though not as much as the first trilogy.
A pedestrian’s penchant for circumambulatory locomotion is the pedantic paroxysm of a pleonasm of peremptory drivers and sometimes leads to imperfectly preventable parricide. Pierce Brown, Iron Gold Does it mean anything or just a piece.... to confuse readers ?
Having finished Iron Gold just this morning, I am so satisfied with where Brown has taken the story. It was like visiting old friends... I didn't reread the 1st 3 books, I just jumped into the "iron rain" sort o'speak.😉 It was violent, grim, and dark, and just what I'd been hearing about. These are the kinds of books I intend to read more of in the coming year. I loved the new POV's, btw. Ephraim, jaded and morally grey, and Lyria young and angry with good reason. I hope I can watch the spoiler discussion, I would be curious to see what others thought or are thinking will happen next. I will be reading Dark Age as well in May. I have a feeling though I will be itching to read Lightbringer sooner rather than later when the paperback is released... 📖🥰📚
I think people were too close minded when it comes to Iron Gold. If new things are introduced (like the two new POVs, a change of pace, more political maneuvering, etc.), it's ok for a book to step out of the comfort zone you've put them in. If you end up not liking it, that's fine; but you have to let authors challenge you, even in their own Universes.
I’ve just started Dark Age and I’m very happy so far because it’s just Darrow and Lysander pov, which I expect will change soon. With Iron Gold, I didn’t like Lyria and Ephraim was just meh but the Darrow and Lysander/Cassius stuff was excellent
Lyria's character doesn't become any kind of interesting until most of the way through dark age IMO. This entire series is amazing though I listened to all 5 books in a month. Highly recommend the sequels, and can not wait for lightbringer
The biggest issue I had with the book is that I really disliked Lysander, Ephraim or Lyria. Ephraim has a good sense of humour but not very likeable. Lyria is just a pit of despair. Lysander actions border on idiotic.
Pierce actually finishes his books. Would that make him a better writer than GRR? Skipped every chapter of Lyrica and only read one chapter of Ephraim in Dark Age. These characters are lame, whiny, and boring.
I will always stand by what i say about the next trilogy after morning star. Firof if you guys like the next trilogy i hooe you enjoy it . Art is subjective and we all love diffrent things. So i am glad you enjoy the new trilogy but i dont. Iron gold was not dar it was a bore. Ephrain and lyria are two god damn awful characthers. Volva i am 50 50 with her. Lyria remi ids me of that made from the autukn republic that Bo trained into a privelage and god did i hate that maid. I belive Brown saw how popular the first trilogy was and did not want to give up a cash cow. I just finished reading dar ages yesterday and god that book i have so much to say. There are some great things i loved but so many terrible things i hated. I can go deeper but i dont want to give out spoilers but in conclusion i am not a fan of most of the new characthers and the ones i like which are a few die quickly ow and i will praise to high heavens who ever kills lysander in the next book.
Reading this made my head hurt, you good? 😂 I agree that art is subjective, and I could not be more polar opposite than you on this. You also might be the first person I’ve ever seen that talked negatively on Dark Age, so congrats to you on that I guess.
@@PapiChuloooo669 if i am the first person that you heard say he did not like dark ages then i would tell you to get out of your bubble. Many people did not like dark ages. Many reviews on good reads which are below 3 stars. Just the other day i watched a youtube vid from worldhoopers that discussed overhyped books and some on the panel said they do not like the new books in the red rising series. Or just stay in your bubble and be afraid to hear other peoples opinions which difer from yours. Again if you liked the book great fpr you. We are all readers and am glad you enjoyed it but to say i am the first one you heard that does not like the book screams to me you live in a bubble
@@JohnDoe-xf9ly thank you for typing normal this go around. I’m not in a bubble, I read this series a while back and enjoy lots of others. You are just quite literally the first person I have seen talk negatively on Dark Age. I haven’t seen the good reads reviews, which I believe you.
My main issue with this one was completely not caring about the new characters and that entire plot line. I agree that going multi pov was definitely the right choice, I just dont know if these characters (specifically the new two) were the right choice
Felt like I got to see the world how dorrow did the first three books. but I was looking at dorrow this time and got to see the world and feel what it was like to live in the world he created. And felt their pain
Iron gold has always been my second favorite, mainly because of house Ra, and Ef. Lysander in the outer system with cassius is so damn good, lysander and cassius seeing parts of the system we've only heard hints of waa fhe best part for me.
'Lo Mike! Glad to see this title getting some well-deserved praise. Currently rereading all the books in anticipation for Light Bringer and I have to say Iron Gold is even more enjoyable the second time around. Lyria and Ephraim are important perspectives to add some dimensionality in how we as readers understand the impact of the rising on the rest of the population in this universe. Looking forward to diving back into Dark Age before we get the next book!
Holiday, ef, sefi are all amazing Ef is so good, he was set up in the first trilogy, if only thru his sister I don't LOVE lyria, but but her stuff with kevax was so good
I'm so happy to hear you gush about Iron Gold. I'm so tired of hearing people dunk on it. It's by far his most thematically poignant book and I love Ephraim and how he manages grief. And you are so right. The entire plotline with house Ra and how it culminates with "the walk".. Arguably the best thing Pierce has written.
This book really cements the world of Red Rising as a fully HUMAN world, rather than a set of plot points. I love it.
100 pages in and loving the new multi POV perspectives. It's what the series needed at this point, I would've gotten burnt out with just Darrow.
Totally agree! And as much as I LOVED reading from Darrow's POV in the first three books, I actually thought his chapters in Iron Gold were the least exciting ones. Still great, but the other three were more compelling to me.
Honestly… this book had my gripped from start to finish. I would definitely rate this above red rising and morning star
Cant wait for your live discussion on this one!!
The books' maturity grows up with Darrow
Finished this yesterday, just in time for the review. Really enjoyed it and straight on to Dark Age
I read Morning Star for the first time a couple months ago and I can tell you yes, it feels like there is A LOT to cover next, it doesn't feel like the story is yet complete because there are three or four big loose ends.
Spot on my goodman!
Just finished this yesterday. I put off reading the sequel, even though I read this first saga again to continue with this new continuation. I wish I had Morning Star fresh in my mind but I felt this was a more jaded look at winning the rebellion. I agree that Morning Star had a few threads unresolved that Brown used well here. For me, the slower pace, new characters, the view from the Moon Lords with the underlying thread of something being off was well executed. I had no problem with either Lyria or Ephraim.
It took me two tries to get into Iron Gold because the first time I was burnt out from reading and the first parts of Lyria's chapter were a bit too dark for me at the time, but I really think every book is better than the last. Darrow's pov (which I really like) was actually my least favorite just from how much I enjoyed the slow burn, worldbuilding, and character work of the other three. Lyria might actually be ny favorite pov which I've heard is an unpopular opinion for this book. Second favorite book in the series, Dark Age being first.
I'm surprised to see anyone say they didn't like Lyria's chapters they were my favorite from Iron Gold!!
Thanks Mike!! I was on the fence because I didn't want these new stories to ruin my experience of the first trilogy (which I think ended very well) but you've convinced me to start it.
I have tried to finish Iron Gold multiple times but always put it down. I know I need to finish it though, as everyone says Dark Age is incredible
thanks for the review Mike!
i felt the same about iron gold. actually gave it 3 stars out of 5. but dark age is a 5. it is not as fast paced full adrenaline epic as first trilogy though.
Lyria’s chapters are my favorites
I just finished Iron Gold this morning and enjoyed this video. I agree with a lot of what you said. I struggled with this book quite a bit. I found myself having trouble following the story for much of the book, especially the first 60% or so. Then there were to some really good parts that improved my experience. I will probably read again and I’m sure I will enjoy more the second time.
Just started it. Took a while to adjust to the new pov but I'm well and truly hooked now
Happy reading to you!! 📖
Apollonius is hilarious.
He's so camp! Lol
One of my favourite new characters along with Duke of Hands! The prose is just “to die for darling”!😂
I’m halfway through iron gold and loving it
I'm so in love with those series!
The political/intrigue scenes are my favorite!
I found a copy of Red Rising for a buck at a library sale last week. At that price, I will give it a try and see how it goes.
Just finished the original trilogy last night and will be reading iron gold in may I can’t wait!
“Tells you how the sausage is made” lmao I love that
It is a very great book. Loved it! Thanks again for getting me into this series. Most of what you said was an elaboration of my own review on Goodreads. One difference though, I heard you and several people say that the books become darker. I personally did not feel so. It becomes more mature and less hopeful, but I think the cruelty and violence are similarly dark as the previous books :)
The scene Darrow says pick 2 people to get in the ship and the rest will die, I was like yes this is getting darker lol
Great review Mike, as always! I Just finished this week and enjoyed! Looking forward to diving into Dark Age next month. Gonna read a Dresden book in between (#9 white night)…still fortunate enough to have those as pallet cleansers as I haven’t finished them yet!
I loved the book. Great Review ❤
Thanks for watching!
Finished it in 10 days, which is very fast for me. Can’t wait to read Dark Age
When I started listening to this one, I stopped as soon as I got to the second Lyria chapter. It was just feeling bored, plus Darrow what being put down. I returned to a few months later, and I'm glad I did. The rest of this book and the following two are contenders for my favorite books now. Don't give up on it!
I did the same exact thing
I read the original trilogy at my coworkers recommendation. I'm more fantasy than dystopian sci fi and while I liked the second book, I was mostly meh. When I saw there were more books out, I asked my coworker and she said that she heard they weren't very good and hadn't read them. I wanted my own opinion and respected the hell out of Brown's world building so I picked up Iron Gold and absolutely loved it.
Finished this earlier this month for the first time with the read along and I was really happy with it! I have no idea why, but i just didn't bother with the sequels after i finished the originals about 5 years ago haha I thought the multiple POVs were done really well and it's got me so excited to start Dark Age in a few days
Have not read dark age yet but this book is probably my second favorite so far after golden sun.
The first time I read books 1-4, 2 was easily my favorite, 3 and 4 were my least but upon re-read, 3 and 4 have grown tremendously on me.
Great recap, Mike!
Excellent book, gotta agree with you here, the sequals are better than the first trilogy imho....
Can't wait for the third one!
You know, the cynical part of me just realized that Pierce did what you hated about Brent Weeks, stretching out a story because he'd gotten something successful on his hands, except Pierce made it work.
Darrow was a Mary Sue but he quickly developed as Pierce levelled up(exponentially) as the books went along and I'm glad for the sequels. Iron Gold stumbled but I'm in the minority that loved it because he takes his time with it and we finally get worldbuilding that is a bit deeper than the og trilogy. Rip roaring action is neat but I love when an author takes his time to flesh things out. And this book sets the stage for glorious Dark Age.
Finished Dark Age yesterday after waiting over 2 years to read the sequels…. What a mistake from me. Dark Age is a masterpiece. Ephraim is my favorite
Thanks Mike for always pushing the series!!
I agree. Finished Dark Age a couple of weeks ago. I read the original trilogy like 5 years ago and didn’t even realize there were sequels until Mike said so. Dark Age was honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Just finished this yesterday. Great read but the start was rough and it took me a quarter of the book to get used to the new POV's. Multi POV first person is hard and if this would have been the first book of the series I would have DNF'd tbh. But luckily I trusted the process and ended up liking it though not as much as the first trilogy.
I’m about 10% in and really struggling to buy in (yes super early).
But the other books had me locked in from page 1
A pedestrian’s penchant for circumambulatory locomotion is the pedantic paroxysm of a pleonasm of peremptory drivers and sometimes leads to imperfectly preventable parricide.
Pierce Brown, Iron Gold
Does it mean anything or just a piece.... to confuse readers ?
370 pages in, I'm reading a bit slower than anticipated but it has been great so far
Having finished Iron Gold just this morning, I am so satisfied with where Brown has taken the story. It was like visiting old friends... I didn't reread the 1st 3 books, I just jumped into the "iron rain" sort o'speak.😉
It was violent, grim, and dark, and just what I'd been hearing about. These are the kinds of books I intend to read more of in the coming year. I loved the new POV's, btw. Ephraim, jaded and morally grey, and Lyria young and angry with good reason. I hope I can watch the spoiler discussion, I would be curious to see what others thought or are thinking will happen next.
I will be reading Dark Age as well in May. I have a feeling though I will be itching to read Lightbringer sooner rather than later when the paperback is released...
📖🥰📚
Iron Gold is just as good as books 2 and 3 in my opinion, might even be better. I can’t believe people some people think it’s too slow!
Can’t wait to start the sequels. I am a finishing up another series and then it’s going down!
I think people were too close minded when it comes to Iron Gold. If new things are introduced (like the two new POVs, a change of pace, more political maneuvering, etc.), it's ok for a book to step out of the comfort zone you've put them in. If you end up not liking it, that's fine; but you have to let authors challenge you, even in their own Universes.
Couldn’t finish it. :/
I’ve just started Dark Age and I’m very happy so far because it’s just Darrow and Lysander pov, which I expect will change soon. With Iron Gold, I didn’t like Lyria and Ephraim was just meh but the Darrow and Lysander/Cassius stuff was excellent
Not a fan of Ephraim, Lydia was meh but her pov is getting better slowly
Lyria's character doesn't become any kind of interesting until most of the way through dark age IMO. This entire series is amazing though I listened to all 5 books in a month. Highly recommend the sequels, and can not wait for lightbringer
The biggest issue I had with the book is that I really disliked Lysander, Ephraim or Lyria. Ephraim has a good sense of humour but not very likeable. Lyria is just a pit of despair. Lysander actions border on idiotic.
Personally loved the two new povs here. Darrows pov was actually my least favorite, I did not like him in this book. Am I alone on this?
Pierce actually finishes his books. Would that make him a better writer than GRR? Skipped every chapter of Lyrica and only read one chapter of Ephraim in Dark Age. These characters are lame, whiny, and boring.
My ranking of Red Rising:
1a) Golden Son
1b) Dark Age
3) Morning Star
4) Iron Gold
5) Red Rising
I will always stand by what i say about the next trilogy after morning star.
Firof if you guys like the next trilogy i hooe you enjoy it . Art is subjective and we all love diffrent things. So i am glad you enjoy the new trilogy but i dont.
Iron gold was not dar it was a bore. Ephrain and lyria are two god damn awful characthers. Volva i am 50 50 with her. Lyria remi ids me of that made from the autukn republic that Bo trained into a privelage and god did i hate that maid. I belive Brown saw how popular the first trilogy was and did not want to give up a cash cow. I just finished reading dar ages yesterday and god that book i have so much to say. There are some great things i loved but so many terrible things i hated.
I can go deeper but i dont want to give out spoilers but in conclusion i am not a fan of most of the new characthers and the ones i like which are a few die quickly ow and i will praise to high heavens who ever kills lysander in the next book.
Reading this made my head hurt, you good? 😂 I agree that art is subjective, and I could not be more polar opposite than you on this. You also might be the first person I’ve ever seen that talked negatively on Dark Age, so congrats to you on that I guess.
@@PapiChuloooo669 if i am the first person that you heard say he did not like dark ages then i would tell you to get out of your bubble. Many people did not like dark ages. Many reviews on good reads which are below 3 stars. Just the other day i watched a youtube vid from worldhoopers that discussed overhyped books and some on the panel said they do not like the new books in the red rising series.
Or just stay in your bubble and be afraid to hear other peoples opinions which difer from yours.
Again if you liked the book great fpr you. We are all readers and am glad you enjoyed it but to say i am the first one you heard that does not like the book screams to me you live in a bubble
@@JohnDoe-xf9ly thank you for typing normal this go around. I’m not in a bubble, I read this series a while back and enjoy lots of others. You are just quite literally the first person I have seen talk negatively on Dark Age. I haven’t seen the good reads reviews, which I believe you.
My main issue with this one was completely not caring about the new characters and that entire plot line. I agree that going multi pov was definitely the right choice, I just dont know if these characters (specifically the new two) were the right choice
And it’s not about them being new characters, it’s just that their storyline seemed a bit silly?
I liked it quite a bit
Felt like I got to see the world how dorrow did the first three books. but I was looking at dorrow this time and got to see the world and feel what it was like to live in the world he created. And felt their pain
I didn't find Harmony that much I'm the story. I hate her by the way.
Series lost me midway through Dark Age. I tried.
:(
Iron gold has always been my second favorite, mainly because of house Ra, and Ef. Lysander in the outer system with cassius is so damn good, lysander and cassius seeing parts of the system we've only heard hints of waa fhe best part for me.
'Lo Mike! Glad to see this title getting some well-deserved praise. Currently rereading all the books in anticipation for Light Bringer and I have to say Iron Gold is even more enjoyable the second time around. Lyria and Ephraim are important perspectives to add some dimensionality in how we as readers understand the impact of the rising on the rest of the population in this universe. Looking forward to diving back into Dark Age before we get the next book!
Holiday, ef, sefi are all amazing
Ef is so good, he was set up in the first trilogy, if only thru his sister
I don't LOVE lyria, but but her stuff with kevax was so good