Ricky Church reviews Iron Gold by Pierce Brown…
Pierce Brown’s Red Rising trilogy ended a couple years ago, but the author has returned to his high concept sci-fi tale in an intriguing first chapter of a new trilogy. Where the Red Rising trilogy followed a slave revolution across the solar system, Iron Gold picks up a decade after the events of the trilogy and focuses on what comes after the destruction of a galactic-wide government. Brown builds upon the mythos and events from the trilogy while also making some bold new choices both narratively and stylistically.
Rather than outright winning the war as in the end of Morningstar, Darrow and the new Senate of the Solar Republic have been stuck fighting the remnants of the Society that want to keep Darrow and the other colours in chains to restore the old order. After a significant victory over the remnant, Darrow’s choices catch up to him as some believe he’s becoming the very thing he has been fighting against while new threats brew within and outside their rule.
The other books in the series strictly followed Darrow and his story, but Brown adds three other perspectives for readers to follow in Iron Gold: Lyria, a Red who undergoes a terrible tragedy, Ephraim, a freelance mercenary, and Lysander, heir to the Society in hiding. The book shifts between these four POVs every couple of chapters in what seem like individual stories loosely connected, but by the book’s conclusion they come together in some brilliant ways. For veterans of the Red Rising trilogy, it’s a bit different to be suddenly placed in the POV of someone other than Darrow, but Brown manages to make each voice and perspective unique, adding to the world he’s created.
One of the things he accomplishes through the new characters is challenging the reader to rethink their stances on characters and previous events. Seeing old characters through new eyes puts a great spin on their status in Iron Gold by adding to their journeys. It doesn’t challenge our own assumptions, but the characters as well as they face hard truths about the new world. Darrow and Virginia, for example, come out as much more multi-layered characters when seen through multiple perspectives.
The plot for Iron Gold starts off a bit slow, but ramps up fairly quickly. Brown’s latest entry in his series offers up much more Game of Thrones-level political intrigue as several characters try to outmaneuver the other. It really does a good job painting a picture of what takes the place of a tyrannical empire and how all the problems can’t be solved overnight. There’s also a lot of different scopes here, from the politics and backstabbing to some of the characters planning Ocean’s 11-like heists. Brown offers a lot of variety in the story, arguably more so than the previous books.
That thought of what comes after such a terrible war and slave-driven empire is the main theme throughout the book for each character. It does something different in each of their journeys as they have to face the new dangers or emptiness ‘peace’ brings. It’s quite an interesting theme and Brown explores the many facets of what it does to the characters, in particular a brewing resentment to the leadership as its taking much longer for things to change. Another important theme, however, is that of parentage and legacy, especially in regards to Darrow and his son, Pax. Brown gives a lot of thought to what is left behind for the next generation. It takes a little while for this theme and Pax’s role to pay off, but once it does it sets up the next books quite nicely.
Iron Gold is a risky endeavour with the changes Brown brings, but he succeeds not only in writing a great book, but adding to the world and Red Rising‘s mythos. The characters are great to read and the new perspectives add a freshness to the series while challenging the reader’s preconceived notions. The mix of political intrigue, action and thematic journeys elevate this book from a simple sci-fi adventure into something more thought-provoking and rewarding. Fans of Brown and his series should really enjoy this latest addition to Red Rising.
Rating: 8/10
Ricky Church
