Thoughts and feelings about the book (spoilers allowed)

[Tara]

I made a second discussion topic but this one can include spoilers unlike the other one. If you are not finished or just starting the book and want to discuss the book please go to the other discussion that will be spoiler free.

[Sammy]

I finished it yesterday. It turned out to be alright but I far from loved it. The whole book felt like I was reading Ender's Game, but with a slightly more believable main character. What really bothered me about the first part of the book was I felt it was really rushed. Darrow goes from thinking he is helping terraform Mars fr future generations to learning he is a slave, on the very bottom of societies ladder. His father, Eo, and his uncle all seemed to know, or at least suspect the state of affairs, and yet he had no idea. However, Darrow was the best helldriver and apparent prodigal son.

I really thought that part of the book as rushed. Darrow just goes with the flow to become a Gold. I think it could have been better if the book explored the differences between Darrow's world and the real Mars. Instead, it just rushes through, turns Darrow into some sort of undercover agent, and sends him on his way. It didn't start to encapsulate me until he finds out Titus is also a Red. That was when I started to really enjoy it, but that idea wasn't explored at all after that.

From there it was just a bunch of privileged rich kids fighting other privileged rich kids with Darrow fitting in so well that no one suspects a thing. His confidence about his true identity not being discovered bothered me, but his true identity is what enabled him to do what the other Golds could not and take Olympus.

I have a feeling that Darrow will go on to be the best, highest ranking gold blah blah that there is, and will probably forget his reasons for it and will eventually struggle with his internal self about whether he should keep his new life or help his enslaved family and friends. I also hope he finds more Reds hidden as Golds because that was a storyline that really needed more exploration.