Yes, there’s high-octane action, and I feel like I’m one Darrow’s Howlers, loud and loyal, and itching to take down my enemies. This book hits the right notes as a commercial success, but there’s something deeper here, more primal, and undeniably powerful in the story and the decisions of its characters that decide the fates of worlds.

The narrative takes the approach of moving quickly from one major moment to the next in the unfolding revolution, but it maximizes each fateful encounter and nails the intensity of all the insane gambits and political machinations. These Golds rule with absolute impunity and when the tale begins Darrow has lived for four years perfecting his disguise among his enemies.

His extended band of loyal Golds include some new and fun additions–Victra and Ragnar as standouts–and when the original band is brought back together, author Pierce Brown does not waste the opportunity to build their parts in this world and how their fates intersect with Darrow’s.

Darrow is a compelling and conflicted protagonist and in stepping into his shoes you get a sense of the weight that he carries. The personal and societal developments deliver in a harrowing third act. But I’m getting ahead of myself…

Virginia de Augustus is Darrow’s anchor in his tortured reality among the Golds, and I think the book handles his inner struggle authentically as he tries to reconcile his love for a woman who is, for all intents and purposes, the enemy. As a fan, I hoped that there wouldn’t be any contrived, simple solutions in their relationship, and I wasn’t disappointed. The relationship reflects reality and the effort it takes to build trust in someone who you want to build a life with.

The story’s action deserves a dedicated standalone section. Even with the fast-paced encounters in the book, each one advances the story with a feel of distinct cinematic events. The action complements the personal story like a perfectly fitted glove and makes for a complete experience.

This is book two of a series. The story ends in a climax, and wow, it is a banger. It’s a testament to the writer that I had a physical reaction to the ending. Screaming wasn’t involved, more like stunned silence and immediate panic that the fates of the worlds are indeed up for grabs.

I plan to add to this review to break down some of the plot elements, so it will be a “spoiler section.” I’ve started it below, and it will expand. For me, remembering the details of what I loved about the story is important, so I’ll likely be including these at the end of my reviews.

Until next time, my goodman, don’t get bloodydamn complacent. No one is safe in the Society.

-Josh

SPOILERS:

Darrow makes a fateful choice

Like all good heroes must do, Darrow must decide what kind of man he wants to become, and in his path to revolution, he can become an extremist, or something else. He makes a fateful choice when he finds out his deceased wife was pregnant. It breaks him (and me if I’m being quite honest. Damn tears are coming right now just thinking about it.). He solidifies his quest for vengeance and decides to plant a bomb at a Luna event and effectively wipe out the Gold ruling class, the Peerless Scarred.

But then something happens. He alters course and makes a harder choice along a longer and more perilous path. He decides to incite civil war among the Golds, and how he does it is a rousing, movie-worthy spectacle of calling out his archenemy to a Razor duel. These razors are swords that can turn into deadly whips, making it a versatile weapon. His opponent Cassius has few equals and Darrow looks like he’s signing his own death warrant, never having mastered the art of the Razor.

It’s a satisfying bait-and-switch, because in his four years in Society, Darrow studied the Razor in secret with a master, Lorn au Arcos, aka the Rage Knight. The ensuing confrontation is reminiscent of the duel at the end of Dune. Kingdoms are at stake here. This is when the adrenaline started pumping and never really quit. What a fight!