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Golden Son
RED RISING Trilogy re-reads
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The GOLDEN SON re-read: Part I BOW
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I guess I'll start us off! Pierce, when planning Golden son did you always envision it starting at the end of the academy? That two year jumped really disarmed me but I thought it was brilliant in the long run.
Appreciate you doing this by the way.
Kaleb wrote: "I guess I'll start us off! Pierce, when planning Golden son did you always envision it starting at the end of the academy? That two year jumped really disarmed me but I thought it was brilliant i..."
I agree. It put the story into warp drive, and it was disorientating at first, but it worked. Like warping into a space battle, in a way.
One of my favorite things about these books, that was more evident in Golden Son than in Red Rising, was how realistic and flawed the personalities are portrayed. Darrow isn't the "perfect savior" as evidenced with the garden scene in chapter 3. Nor is Darrow paired with these unrealistic, flawless, supporting characters, and yet, we still love them, hurt with them, laugh with them. . . I love that. It makes the story so much more relatable, even if certain decisions elevate my blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Hi there! Naturally, the thanks are coming first. Thanks for giving me something truly entertaining to read when I've got no power for weeks on end over here in Rwanda. I didn't expect to enjoy the series as much as I am (I swear this is a compliment).Now, for the question. The first book is on trend with recent young adult adventure books; you've got one large contest/pursuit/goal that the protagonist needs to overcome to benefit the larger society. Where things get really interesting is in Golden Son...when you veer away from those themes are get more into a space opera (though in your own style). In the beginning, when Red Rising was just a shiny thought bubble in your head, did you always know that you would dip into multiple genres/veer away from the standard seen in most YA novels?
Thanks!
Ignore, accidentally posted this twice =)
Pierce, in the scene where Darrow is confronted by the Bellonas, were you inspired a little bit from Ender's Game when Bonzo and Co. face off against Ender? Because I noticed a bit of a parallel in the situation, with the outcome a bit different of course.
So Im up to the part where Darrow gets jumped by the Bellona and I just want to say thank you for making them rush toward him all at once. I absolutely hate it when there is a fight scene and it's a group against one person and instead of rushing the victim they come at him one by one! So kudos my good man!
Thanks Pierce for Reread.Rereading this part,its struck just how much many High-Tech Armors is in this series.I mean we got Duroarmor,IonArmor,scarabArmor,PulseArmor,Recoil Armor,etc
Kinda confused on the differences between them.
So Pierce any chance you could shed more light on this?
Pierce - What character's death was the most impactful for you? For me, Red Rising - Pax, definitely. And for Golden Son - Tactus. I really liked the character with all his flaws and in the end, I think he would have stood by Darrow.
"To prosper, your superior must prosper. As I found a patron in Augustus, so must the lowColors find their own in me. It breeds a loyalty of necessity to Golds that the Color system itself cannot create by mere dictation."Pierce, I've been beyond impressed with the manner in which you communicate hegemony within this world. Anyone can create and authoritarian dictatorship that runs everything just because, but you've really put thought into the manner in which the government communicates its power to its people. Beyond the mere presence of the color system is the manner of assigning a meaning within each color to which the individual is expected to cling.
As someone who had studied in this topic I was wondering if you did any particular research on hegemony or perhaps imperial propaganda to make it feel so authentic in the books.
Melissa wrote: "Hi there! Naturally, the thanks are coming first. Thanks for giving me something truly entertaining to read when I've got no power for weeks on end over here in Rwanda. I didn't expect to enjoy the..."That's a good question because Red rising wasn't marketed as YA but Science Fiction it's more adult
I always though it read like adult also but I saw it listed as YA.
Diane wrote: "I always though it read like adult also but I saw it listed as YA."yeah me too until i saw when it first came out it as as Science fiction and then i saw YA but yes it reads like adult , Goodreads listing's always confuse me.
Darrow calling the Jackal as sociopath is a strong play. (Pg. 59). It communicates either that Darrow is really that confident or thinks his value that low. The decision to have Darrow call him by his name, Adrius, there is brilliant.
Caught this opportunity by accident but glad to finally be reading "Golden Son" before the third book is released! On page 41, Roque cites a quote, "A man is never too young to kill, never too wise, never too strong, but he can damn well be too rich."
Is this referring to murder, as in a rich man is not a desired target, or is it referring to assuming the role of killer, as in a rich man need not dirty his own hands - he can hire others to do the killing?
Thanks for clarifying! Congratulations on your successful publications!
Meedah wrote: "Diane wrote: "I always though it read like adult also but I saw it listed as YA."yeah me too until i saw when it first came out it as as Science fiction and then i saw YA but yes it reads like ad..."
I work for a public city library and it is cataloged as Adult Science Fiction in my library system as well as the other local county systems. Just to put that out there for the 'official' record... :) I think it is technically an 'adult' book but sometimes marketed in the YA genre due to the protagonists age in Red Rising.
Eneyi wrote: "Thanks Pierce for Reread.Rereading this part,its struck just how much many High-Tech Armors is in this series.I mean we got Duroarmor,IonArmor,scarabArmor,PulseArmor,Recoil Armor,etc
Kinda confu..."
I was thinking the same just this morning !
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Pierce, when planning Golden son did you always envision it starting at the end of the academy? That two year jumped really disarmed me but I thought it was brilliant i..."
Yes. I disliked in the hunger games how it repeated the original concept in the second one. I thought this was my way of bucking that trend, and saying: we were once in school, now we're in the world. I think it is tempting for a series to repeat the pattern that made it successful originally, but I saw it as my obligation to elevate the story, not simply repurpose it or recreate the original in a sequel form.
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On page 41, Roque cites a quote, "A man is never too young to kill, never too wi..."
Both
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Pierce, when planning Golden son did you always envision it starting at the end of the academy? That two year jumped really disarmed me but I thought it w..."
This series is not an epic fantasy, not a slow-mover. Sanderson and Martin books are glaciers. I love their hidden depths, their huge mass, but their DNA is much different from RR. RR is a screaming hornet on fire. I needed the jump to get to the meat.
To be honest, I disliked the second and third installments of the Hunger Games in that respect and overall.
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Thank you. It touches me to think these people are as real for you as they are for me. I think perfect characters are tempting to write because it's wish fulfillment. But I don't find myself addicted or intrigued by the perfect people in my life. I find myself drawn in by the crazies, the broken, the weird and sometimes wicked. I'd rather write about them than paragons
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Yes, I always knew it would veer away from traditional YA. Mostly becuase I didn't envision it as YA. I envisioned it as this massive sprawling space opera with burning knights falling from the heavens to conquer planets---but I needed a bridge between here and there. I needed something accessible to draw readers and a wider audience in.
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Actually, no. The bonzo interaction inspired the Passage
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Exactly. Golds aint stupid. They'll put anyone down fast as they can.
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Pax, always Pax. Even though Tactus was more fun to write, I miss Pax every time I sit down at my keyboard. I feel the weird sadness even now. And so do my characters. He resonates through this series, but how fitting that Pax (peace in Latin) died, and war began.
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Thanks man, those two have such a fun dynamic, because Darrow recognizes the JAckal, and what he is, but he can't control him, and vice versa
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Thanks man. Not necessarily. Much of it was gleaned from my rather spotty understanding of human history and macro psych stuff. I also get annoyed by books where the system obviously wasn't thought out by the author. I didn't want readers to think my world hollow. If something can't be supported by economics or logic or whatever, then it aint in the world.
I love how you interact with fans and how approachable you seem.Are some of the characters in Golden Sun and in the Red Rising Trilogy in general inspired by people you knew/know in real life?
What's a Stained ? It's an Obsidian, obviously, tattooed, yes, but what else ? What makes them Stained ?
Thank you so much for doing this! (And for these incredible books) What I always appreciated about Darrow as opposed to other popular young heroes/heroines is that while he's reluctant in some of his actions, he's fully embraced what he needs to do. He does whatever needs to be done for the greater good rather than spending a lot of time feeling sorry for himself and "why-me"ing. I think his situation is definitely pitiable but he doesn't spend much time wallowing in self pity. A lot of this is due to Eo's influence and her "dream" which drives his whole mission.
As a character we only met for a short time how do you use Eo's influence to push Darrow and the story along? And do you use Eo's character as a guide when you write Mustang? Darrow seems to compare them constantly in his mind when he's searching for validation.
Thanks again!!
I think Pax's death was crucial for your advancement of the story, but I'm also so sad because he was my favorite. I have his death up there with Amberle in Elfstones of Shannara (though technically not a death) or King Javan in Katherine Kurtz's series. So impactful. It felt like losing a family member.
Why monkey-cats? Anyone else disturbed by that mental image? Just me?
Shantel wrote: "Why monkey-cats? Anyone else disturbed by that mental image? Just me?"Lol, those carvers...
Reminds me of Avatar the Last Airbender. Almost all the animals are hybrids. Some viewers find it very disturbing.
Pierce wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Hi there! Naturally, the thanks are coming first. Thanks for giving me something truly entertaining to read when I've got no power for weeks on end over here in Rwanda. I didn't exp..."Understandable. When the story was just a blip in your brain, what was the image you had? Was it always Darrow's story that started it or did you imagine the caste system first? Feel me?
Jillian wrote: "Shantel wrote: "Why monkey-cats? Anyone else disturbed by that mental image? Just me?"Lol, those carvers...
Reminds me of Avatar the Last Airbender. Almost all the animals are hybrids. Some view..."
It's just so The Island of Doctor Moreau-ish! And that book (and movie) freaked me out in a major way, lol.
So I'm late the the party (b/c no way could I stick to a one-section-per-week plan), but I hope it's not too late to ask questions . . . *begs* *pleads* *GENUFLECTS*Apologies in advance for any questions that are answered in another thread or later in the book--I'm amazed at how much I've forgotten since last year.
1. Have you considered writing some kind of caste system primer? I'm super curious about all the colors, but the colors with the freaky mods--Blues, Violets, Obsidians--I want to know ALL THE THINGS.
2. Was it your intention to have Augustus and Jackal mirror each other the way they do? The irony of Augustus disinheriting the son most like himself, while mourning the death of his noble son, who, in all likelihood, would've grown to despise him is incredible.
3. Lurchers and Stained: are they specially bred, or is it just chance genetics?
4. What are you willing to tell us about (view spoiler)
5. In the main thread there's a lot of Roque discussion, (view spoiler) *wails*
6. How much of this: (view spoiler)
So I'm a little late to this discussion, but I couldn't resist joining in. I'm reading Golden Son for the first time right now, and it's breaking my heart. I'm at the part where (view spoiler) @Pierce you write with such a profound emotional connection, I really don't know how you do it. I was crying (abnormal for me when reading) and re-reading those few paragraphs over and over before I went to sleep last night. I'm not even past page 100. I can't imagine what the rest of the book holds.
Such a sweet ride Rebekah! You will not be disappointed.
Denise wrote: "Such a sweet ride Rebekah! You will not be disappointed.":)
Rebekah, yo have one hell of a ride ahead of you :DBe careful when reading what we talk about here in the group, though. There might be spoilers.
By the way, I'm on the same part of the book, but on my second read.
Remy wrote: "Rebekah, yo have one hell of a ride ahead of you :DBe careful when reading what we talk about here in the group, though. There might be spoilers."
Thanks for the tip! I just officially crossed into Part Two, so I'm heading to that thread next. It just keeps getting better and better!
This marks the beginning of the GOLDEN SON re-read. This week (1/11-1/17) we'll be reach section one - BOW.
For those who don't remember, here's a little intro to the section: Darrow’s loss at the Academy against his patron’s greatest familial rival diminishes his worth. If he hopes to survive the wrath of the Bellonas, he must figure out a way to reestablish ArchGovernor Augustus’s trust and interest in him.
From reading the comments on the intro thread, we do understand that the book reads fast and it's highly possible that you might read further and into Part II and beyond. That's perfectly fine! Please try to keep spoilers to minimum so that the first time readers can enjoy the experience.
As with the RED RISING re-read, the main purpose for breaking down the read is to keep the discussion focussed and if anyone has any specific questions for Pierce and/or his editor regarding a specific section.
Happy reading!
Pierce & Del Rey books