You know how sometimes the second book in a trilogy can suffer from a weird pacing dip, where you're just waiting to get through the middle part? That did not happen here. Golden Sun is the second book in the Red Rising trilogy—which later expanded into a full series—and it was so good.
If you don’t know what Red Rising is, the best way I can describe it is like The Hunger Games set in space. But as we move into Golden Sun, there's no more Hunger Games-like aspect. Now, we’re fully immersed in the broader society, almost like if Katniss had actually infiltrated the Capitol more deeply—kind of how Finnick did. That's the best comparison I can make.
At the top of this society are the Golds, and our main character, Darrow, started out at the very bottom. He's infiltrated the Golds, and Golden Sun picks up after a time jump, where Darrow has been studying war for the past two years.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
If you haven't read both Red Rising and Golden Sun, now is your time to exit. Major spoilers ahead!
The Academy and War Games: Darrow Au Andromedus in His Gold Life
Golden Sun opens with Darrow at the Academy, where he's been for the past two years learning war strategy as Augustus’ Lancer. They’re involved in these elaborate war games, which at first seem like a simulation, but we quickly realize that they’re more than just practice—people actually die during these exercises. The Golds view the lower colors as disposable, so they lose lives in these games without a second thought. This sets the tone for how brutal and indifferent the Golds are to anyone they see as beneath them.
During the war games, Darrow is furious about the losses and ends up launching himself in a one-man missile toward the enemy ship. His anger and frustration are understandable—he's spent two years without hearing from the Sons of Ares, and all that tension is boiling over. (Basically, Darrow has spent so much time in their society that he is the “Golden Son” (get it?), while Darrow’s kind - the Reds - are still enduring backbreaking labor.)
Because he’s too valuable to lose, the Academy shuts him down before he can actually kill himself.
Political Maneuvering and Meeting the Jackal: Finding Golds in the Mines Deep Beneath Mars’ Surface
Darrow knows that Augustus plans to let him go as Lancer, which leaves him vulnerable to the Bellona family, who plan to kill Darrow. House Bellona is eager to kill him in retaliation for Julian’s death during the Passage. Although every Gold in the society went through the same kill-or-be-killed trial, the Bellona haven't forgiven Darrow.
At this point, Darrow meets the Jackal—Mustang’s brother and Augustus’ son—undercover as an obsidian. The Jackal proposes an alliance and shares his grand plan to allow low colors to "rise" through the ranks by being carved into a new color. The Jackal also plans to kill the Sons of Ares, not only because they would ruin his business model, but also because of the influence of Pliny, Augustus’ conniving right-hand man.
Eo's Secret and Darrow’s New Resolve: Eo Gave Up More Than Just Her Own Life
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Eo’s sister, Dio, reappears and shows Darrow footage of Eo’s hanging—this time with enhanced audio, revealing that Eo was pregnant when she was executed. This revelation sends Darrow into a new spiral of depression and anger, which motivates him to carry out a plan to bomb a gala where all the important Gold families will be gathered. However, before he can go through with it, Darrow decides on a new, more effective strategy. Instead of simply killing the Golds, he realizes that turning them against each other in a civil war would be far more effective.
(BTW - right before Darrow visits the gala, Roque presents Darrow with a poem that makes him see Roque as more than just another Gold, but as a good person. Darrow then knocks Roque out to keep him from being at the gala when everything goes down.)
The Duel and Civil Unrest: Darrow Uses the All-too-Human Desire to Be Respected Against His Gold Peers
Darrow convinces Augustus to let him "make him king," and challenges Cassius to a duel. Over the past two years, Darrow has been training with Lorn au Arcos, which makes him a much better fighter. As Darrow is about to defeat Cassius, the Sovereign steps in and stops the fight, even though it's against the rules to intervene in a battle to the death. This exposes her bias towards House Bellona, signaling a shift in the balance of power within the Gold society.
The duel causes chaos, sparking civil war among the Golds. Families begin hunting each other, and Darrow is taken to the Sovereign.
The Sovereign’s Game: Darrow Finds Friendship That Will Save Him
The Sovereign puts Darrow through a bizarre lie-detector test involving venomous creatures. During this tense exchange, Darrow uncovers her plan to let House Bellona kill Augustus and take control. Meanwhile, Mustang, who has infiltrated the Sovereign's house, helps rescue Darrow and the Howlers.
As they make their escape, they are caught, but manage to hold the Sovereign’s grandson as a bargaining chip. They flee, but it’s clear that the civil war has only just begun.
Trust and Betrayal: Mustang and the Jackal
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Throughout the story, Mustang (Virginia au Augustus) warns Darrow not to trust her brother, the Jackal. While Darrow has his doubts about both siblings, Mustang’s loyalty proves true, while the Jackal reveals his true nature as a cunning and ruthless enemy.
In the final battle, Darrow’s forces are ambushed. He is forced to cut off his own arm to escape being trapped, in a brutal callback to his days as a miner. Despite his injuries, Darrow manages to lead the fight, showing incredible resilience. However, the Jackal's betrayal is fully revealed when he kills Augustus and announces his ambition to take over.
The Fallout
In the aftermath, Darrow is physically and emotionally drained. He begins to question his alliances, especially with Mustang, though their relationship deepens by the end of the book. The final reveal—that Fichtner, Darrow’s mentor, is actually the leader of the Sons of Ares—sets the stage for the next book, Morning Star.
Conclusion: Goolden Son Sets Us Up for An Epic Book 3
This book was intense, and by the end, we’re left in a very dark place—fitting for the second book in a trilogy. The story has set up the stakes for the next installment, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
Final Thoughts: Book 2 of the Red Rising Saga
In this second Red Rising, Golden Son, Darrow sacrifices for the cause again and again (honestly, it’s shocking he’s only briefly lost a hand). My favorite part was any time we saw the Howlers—they add a great family dynamic to the story and they’re my favorite part of the Red Rising Universe right now. Pierce Brown writes layered, exciting characters and Golden Son continues to unfold those dynamics.
As of writing this, Pierce Brown has already released Morning Star, Iron Gold, Dark Age, and Light Bringer. The final book in this science fiction series is meant to be published this year…probably. But it’ll take me a bit to get through these four books, so I’m one of the lucky few who isn’t waiting on pins and needles…yet haha.