6. place: Iron Gold [4th book in the series] Iron Gold was a great introduction after a 10 year time jump. Though while reading it that‘s what it was for me only, an introduction. Now after finishing the second trilogy, I can definitely appreciate this book a lot more, than while I was reading it. All the characters that I got to love in Dark Age I had to get to know in Iron Gold. What I found especially intriguing was the portrayal of Darrow and the doubt that the republic (and me) had in him. 5. place: Red Rising [1st book in the series] Red Rising was the opening to everything. It is fast paced and feels small compared to what‘s to come. That does not diminish my rating, nor the quality of the book, it‘s just that the books that are following are even better. And it has the best opening line to a book and series that I‘ve ever read. 4. place: Dark Age [5th book in the series] Dark Age was a bummer. The title describes the plot perfectly. I cannot count how many beloved characters died, especially characters that I just noticed how dearly I liked them until they were dead. Ephraim and Alexander were especially sad, as well as Daxo because I thought that he might betray Virginia throughout the book. That and the fact that he fought to protect her until the end made his death so much more gruesome and heartbreaking. 3. place: Morning Star [3rd book in the series] Morning Star feels like a cozy read compared to the other books. I love it. Darrow reuniting with his family, him being joined by the Telemanuses, all of his interactions and moments with Virginia and the ending are just awesome. I enjoy the Jackal as main villain as well. All in all the most wholesome book out of the series. 2. place: Golden Son [2nd book in the series] Golden Son was the peak book in the first series for me. Darrow‘s whole aura up until the most shocking ending of a book I‘ve ever read was insane. Darrow asking Pliny: „And who do you know that can kill me? The Jackal failed. Antonia au Severus-Julii failed! Proctors Apollo and Jupiter failed! Cassius au Bellona failed! Karnus failed! Cagney failed! Aja au Grimmus and her Praetorians failed!“ The hangman failed. The mines and pitvipers failed. „And now you fail.“ And of course Darrow‘s confession to Virginia which still leaves a mark in my heart. 1. place: Lightbringer [6th book in the series] Lightbringer was epic. I love the complextiy of Lysander and I have to admit that I do not compeletely hate him. I even kind of understand him. Darrow is the villain in his story and to be honest had we gotten the story from his POV completely I think we might have even agreed. Nonetheless Cassius death crushed something in me. I did not think it would hurt me that bad, but his character arc and his maturity made it so much more heartbreaking and that even though I read some spoilers beforehand and knew it would happen. All in all I am really scared for Red God. I want Darrow to have a happy ending. After almost 15 years of him fighting he deserved his peace and I‘m scared that‘s not what will happen. So we‘ll just have to wait until the book release. Until that I will just suffer and do some rereads @Pierce Brown 👀 #RedRising #PierceBrown #DarrowofLykos #BookTok #BookRecommendations - @jessicasbookbase