Morning Star by Pierce Brown Review: The Grand Finale Delivered with Justice

April 13, 2016 by Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | 5 stars, Books, Reviews

Morning Star by Pierce Brown Review: The Grand Finale Delivered with JusticeMorning Star by Pierce Brown
Published by Hodder & Stoughton, Hachette Australia on February 11th, 2016
Source: Publisher
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction
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Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society's mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.
Finally, the time has come.
But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied - and too glorious to surrender.

Two years ago, we learnt of Eo’s dream. A dream that would spark an impossible revolution. The burden of hope would be placed upon a lowly Red miner. This Red, would be elevated into the heights of Gold society. He would lead, infiltrate and manipulate from behind the scenes, to bring forth war and revolution for his people. Break the chains.

Many plans have conspired since the beginning of Red Rising, with Morning Star being the epic grand finale that we’ve all been waiting for. While the first two books featured the plans being set into motion by Darrow and the Sons of Ares, the all out war will take place in this final book. You can see it’s a massive undertaking, bringing readers from the bleak end of Golden Son to the events that are due to happen here, and it’s an epic journey that features all out space warfare.

We are not Red, not Blue or Gold or Gray or Obsidian. We are humanity. We are the tide. And today we reclaim the lives that have been stolen from us. We build the future we were promised.

As with all of these books, Morning Star takes a while to build. The beginning is quite slow, as Darrow flies about the solar system, gathering troops for his army and making allies. There are so many twists and turns, that I had to put the book down to absorb things before picking it up again. The quieter moments mixed with technological space battles were worth it however, as it builds into an epic crescendo in the latter half of the book. I loved Darrow’s speeches, having the voice and the words which not only carry power, but hope and revolution.

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Through these quieter moments, we experience the hope and honour he places upon his friends, and even enemies. He’ll howl with Sevro in the moonlight, bear witness to Victra’s thirst for vengeance and experience the might of Ragnar the Obsidian. Darrow makes us believe that it’s his friends that make him who he is, and they take centre stage in Morning Star. Some of their final moments had me absolutely shattered, whereas others had me overjoyed. Whether as a Red, Gold or other colour, there are so many people who have touched Darrow’s life in one way or another, and you’ll see what will become of them in this book.

Never mind the darkness you spread, never mind the night you summon, we will rage against it.

Times have changed since the battle on the Institute grounds, as they’re now dealing with nuclear weapons, space warships and political warfare. We’ll also experience the solar system and its highlights in all of it’s glory – from the colder parts of the outer Rim to the Martian lands which Darrow calls home. From the snowy moon of Phobos, to Jupiter’s volcanic moon of Io and numerous warships and shuttles in space, the world in Red Rising sprawls across the solar system here.

As with impossible odds come impossible feats, and I love how the battles and overarching war never felt too easy. Plans will get foiled, their mission will get adapted, they’ll have victorious wins superseded by devastating losses. The build up was filled with twists and turns, and even in it’s final moments was a twist that I never saw coming.

epilogue

Morning Star is a book of impossible odds, of friendship, death and new beginnings. It’s absolutely everything that I wished for, delivered with finesse, perfection and justice. With Iron Gold coming out next year, I’m actually not too sad that this series was over because it was concluded so perfectly. For an epic technological dystopian set in space, you can’t go wrong with this series.

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Thanks Hachette Australia for sending me a review copy of this book.

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Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Twitter @happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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29 responses to “Morning Star by Pierce Brown Review: The Grand Finale Delivered with Justice

  1. I feel like I'm one of the only people who hasn't read this series! I'm so glad you liked this last book, though, Jeann 😀 I feel like last books have so much to deliver, and sometimes they don't do so great a job. So it's awesome that this one gave you everything you wanted.

    I love the fact that the main character's friends play such a huge role in this book! I think friends are sometimes overshadowed in preference for a love interest or romantic relationship, so to see such strong friendships at the centre of a book is awesome.

    I hope you like the new series as much as this one <3
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    • It is definitely a well loved series in the blogosphere hehe. Yeah, I just love that satisfying feeling at the end of a series when you know it's ended well and perfectly! Yes, the author actually wrote a note at the end to say he's already told Darrow's story in the first 2 books, so in this one he wanted to focus on the people around him. Thank you lovely!

  2. Grace @ RebelMommyBB

    So glad to hear this series ended on a great note!! It is one I plan to get to at some point since I have heard nothing but amazing things. Great review!!

  3. I haven't read this series yet, but everyone seems to love it, so I'll keep it mind for the next time I feel like reading a dystopia. It sounds like a nice build-up through the series to this book the big finale. It sounds like the perfect series ender with how you mention you aren't sad it has ended as it was just such a good ending.
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    • It's such a fantastic well developed Lola that really left an impact Lola! There was definitely a slow build up during the whole book and across the series. Sometimes we just want books to end satisfactorily you know?

  4. I love when a series wraps up well, especially when it has been a favorite! I still have yet to read Red Rising but I've heard nothing but good things and it's obviously worth reading! Great review, I can't wait to finally check this series out!

  5. The hubster said exactly the same thing too Jeann, how perfectly it ended and he was hoping for a spin off and may have fangirled a little when it was announced. I'm so disappointed that I could never get into the series myself, I see reviews like yours and I pick it up again and still can't make it to half way through. I'm determined to get through book one. Brilliant review Jeann, so glad this met your expectations and was the finale that fans deserved <3
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    • Even though it wasn't for you, I'm so glad that Professor Birdbrain enjoyed it Kelly! You should get him to do a review for this one, I'd be keen to hear his thoughts! Thank you lovely <3

  6. aentee @ read at midnight

    I cried real tears, Jeann! Omg, this book and all the curve balls and emotional trauma it threw into my freaking face. I cannot even. I still haven't managed to write a passable review for it, I should get it done soon – or at least before they announce the release of the Iron Gold series, since that would be all kinds of embarassing. I hope the Iron Gold series will follow Cassius and Lysander – esp Lysander, please!!! You heard it hear first, if this gets announce I will be the greatest of prophets.

    • Oh yes, I was crying tears during a certain scene as well Aentee! So much trauma, it's like when you read a good book and you're just so paralysed from it the whole day. It's just impossible writing a review that will do this book justice! I can't wait for Iron Gold omg, yes please.

    • I can't wait for you to pick it up! Oh I've been the same Joy, I'm 4 books behind at the moment but I don't care cos I'm enjoying what I'm reading so far.

    • Absolutely, I love it when a series ties up really well and is everything you ever wanted and more! I hope you do give it a shot sometimes Jen!

    • I totally agree, I always wait until the series is over before declaring it as my favourite and this one definitely makes the list as one of the favourites!

  7. That's fantastic that this book ended so brilliantly for you, Jeann. I haven't started this series yet, but it's on my list of series to binge read.
    The world building especially sounds so epic as do all the battles and the fabulous characters. I can't wait to experience this series for myself.
    Wonderful review, Jeann!
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    • I absolutely loved it Nick! The last one was a big endeavour but I really enjoyed it. I don't know how binge reading would go but at least you can do that now because the full series is out! It's super epic and I can't wait to see what you think of it!

  8. I love this series and I love this review 🙂 I am so excited about Iron Gold! The knowledge that we will get more from this universe does soften the fact that Red Rising trilogy is over.
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