Woman Reading

That was amazing.

I wouldn't change anything about this book!

Why is it that the books that you loved so very much, that you feel so inspired by, are the ones that are so hard to review? I loved Morning Star so much. I loved the entire Red Rising series so much, I want my review to reflect how incredible and detailed the series is, but without giving away spoilers. And yet, I feel like I have no words.

There isn’t anything I would change about this story. These characters, most of them, are not perfect. They’re flawed, and they occasionally make poor decisions. They can be easily led by their emotions, even in directions that we hate. That’s what gave them such forceful personalities.

For me, it was the characters who were the more flawed that I loved the most. Mustang is a wonderful character, but she didn’t stumble often enough for me. I prefer to see my favorite characters falter. I’m not complaining, though. I think Mustang was perfect. She filled a specific role. Darrow needed her to keep him steady. To show him the possibilities.

Darrow… When I started Red Rising I felt like Darrow was already a man. At only 16 he was married, he was living an adult life, with adult responsibilities. Now, reading the last page of Morning Star, I realize how young and naive Darrow actually was. Darrow, in the end, was so humble and centered. He loved so deeply. I think that was one of my favorite characteristics of his personality, his ability to love and forgive. He was the sword of his people, killing when he needed to, but he always loved so deeply. I know there are readers out there probably rolling their eyes at his compassion and empathy, but for me it was his greatest attribute. Those were the reasons I would have followed him.

What I really loved the most, though, was Darrow and Sevro’s unbreakable friendship. No matter what circumstance Darrow found himself in, he has always had an ally in little ornery Sevro. In return, Darrow has loved Sevro more than he loved anyone else. (Even more than Mustang, I believe.) It’s not hard, I loved Sevro more than anyone, too. He wasn’t always right, or good, but he was always real. He made me a Howler in my heart.

What it all boils down to is that Pierce Brown wrote a story full of hope, revolution, love, and betrayal. People you thought would stay connected were torn apart, and people you thought would hate each other forever found their way back to friendship. He filled you with so many characters to love, and some of them we lost. I cried in the middle, and then in the end while I read the last paragraph, I cried all over again.

I’m so thankful for the news that this world is not over. That we don’t have to say goodbye. We’re very lucky fans, getting a follow up trilogy with the entire group. It made the end not quite so painful.

Read this review, and others like it, at Badass Book Reviews!