I'm amazed at how well Brown can pick up the story and re-inhabit the characters after such a lengthy break between books. This is right up there with the best installments in this series. No one writes an epic space battle better and the twists and turns, while maybe not as jaw-dropping as in some of the others, are still here and still unexpected. Plus, the rise of Lysander into an outright monster.

Phenomenal! This books had me at the edge of my seat and I loved every moment of it. Even the heartbreaking moments. Such a great installment in the Red Rising series. I am really looking forward to the next book.

I’ve set down to do this review so many times, and just haven’t been able to accurately get my thoughts down.
 
I’m talking about the absolute banger that is Light Bringer by Pierce Brown, the sixth book in the Red Rising Saga.
 
Honestly I wasn’t sure what to expect after how dark, Dark Age was, but this brought the story back to a more familiar tone, this is not to imply that it’s a reskin of previous works though.
 
I don’t want to get into spoilers even though this is the sixth book in a series but in as vague terms this is the story of Darrow and the crew once again having to discover who they are in a rapidly changing universe. Frankly, I’m impressed with how well Brown explores this. I feel like in most series our characters are given an arc and that’s their development, he really makes his characters constantly have to grow and adapt to the world (s) around them in a satisfying way. To me, this mirrors real life in that we are more than just a single arc and journey and need to grow as our world changes (hopefully in less drastic ways than Reaper is dealing with)
 
Beyond personal development the protagonist are also questioning that after overthrowing the government in the original trilogy, are they really any better than the one they brought down. Which again is something that I think sets Red Rising as a whole apart, we all love a story of overcoming the odds and defeating oppression but rarely do we see a story explore the aftermath of those events in a meaningful way.
 
The only drawbacks in my opinion are the title, but that may be just because I’m such a fan of Brent Weeks’ Lightbringer series, and I would have liked to get more about Pax and what’s going on with him. I guess to add one more that I will probably get hate for, I think Lysander did kind of got the shaft in character development here <spoiler> going from a complex antagonist, to a pretty basic bad guy I feel like was a missed opportunity </spoiler>
 
Switching back to the positive, I think what made this so enjoyable is that it combined the larger scale space opera characteristics from books 4 and 5 and the more intimate story telling from the original story in smooth way giving us really the best of both worlds.  So yeah this is a book about war, suffering, and loss, but it’s also a story about family, duty, friendship, and surprisingly it’s still about hope in the face of darkness.
 
I was worried that this would be a filler book before the conclusion but I never felt that way at all, this was as much of emotional roller coaster as the other entries in the series, and 100 percent leaves me drooling to get my hands on Red God. Brown definitely knocks it out of the park again and if you haven’t read the Red Rising Saga you should absolutely bump it up to the top of your TBR pile it’s top tier writing that delivers on a epic fantasy feel in a sci-fi setting

As the sixth book in this series, it is difficult to for me to talk about what happens in this book because spoilers. So, I’ll just say that the action and direction of the story for this installment of the Red Rising saga is superb! I liked the previous two books, Iron Gold and Dark Age, but Light Bringer is just top tier. I am excited to read the next book when it comes out!

Man. What a book. What a series. I only took off a star because I feel like Brown is trying to juggle a few too many characters now and some (ahem, Lyria and Virginia) got some story time in the middle, but were ultimately left hanging in favor of following the clashes between Darrow and Lysander. It felt a little similar to reading A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin and realizing about halfway through that we weren't following any of the characters I cared about (but less so). As always with Brown's writing, expect some beautifully crass, brash, soldierly perspectives about stink, puss, gore and glory in battle. I don't always like to got there, but Brown does it so well. Plus, now that the characters are getting older-- Darrow and Virginia are in their mid-thirties now-- a lot of the "glory of battle and revolution" is tempered by questions of whether what they're working for is worth the personal sacrifices they've lived through. Ugh! I can't wait to see how everything wraps up in book 7, Red God, which theoretically comes out next year.

I love the Red Rising series! I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this book and it was very well done. Overall it was a great book and a good read.

I couldn’t put this book down, it was fantastic, beautiful, heartbreaking! Absolute worth the wait. I can’t believe I have to wait for one more book before this series ends. This book left me crying, laughing, cheering, panicked page and page and chapter after chapter.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the advanced copy.

Heartbreaking but still epic. This was such a good boo!

I eagerly awaited this installment, and am a huge fan of the Red Rising Series, but needed time after finishing ‘Light Bringer’ to let it “sink in” before leaving my thoughts.
After some time, I’ve decided that despite my initial instinct, I really liked this book—it was not my favorite in the series, but it’s a solid installment, and Darrow is back in fine form as The Reaper and leader of the uprising.
There were major changes and character beginnings and endings in this book, so it was certainly polarizing, but in the end I still give it a very solid 4/5 stars.
All opinions are my own. Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC.

A continuation of Pierce Brown’ multi-world scifi fantasy, Light Bringer is amazing! This series has been so compelling all along it is incredible the author can make this sixth title so phenomenal. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one!

mr brown did it again… i won’t spoil but WOW?&?$?!? give me the next book and if you know who doesn’t die a terrible terrible death i will be so upset. i loved all of the different characters meeting each other, the standouts were definitely diomedes cassius and lyria. i was sad virginia and kavax and co weren’t as involved in this book but i guess it makes sense with how the story was being told. so excited for red god!

I love this series and this was a great book. I'll keep reading anything Pierce Brown writes. Some parts felt a little long, but I feel that way often when there are multiple narrators because I am always eager to get back to the perspective of my favorite characters.

4.5*
This is the sixth book in the <i>Red Rising Saga<i/>. Back are Darrow, Sevro, Cassius, Lysander, Lyria and the rest of the crew. Brown’s a skilled writer who juggles all the different planets, numerous characters and multiple storylines while keeping readers riveted to the complex plot. He weaves everything together, making and breaking connections, introducing new angles and alliances. It’s more than just battles, sabotage and intense action. There’s also a thoughtful overarching discussion of what it means to lead, to choose the best path, to admit errors.

This book is a complete package. Everything is cleverly knit together with unexpected obstacles and pacts introduced which compound the already existing complicated partnerships. Brown’s characters demonstrate depth and complexity. They are well-defined and extraordinarily memorable. It takes a gifted writer to craft a storyline of such breadth and make the connections so pronounced.

Lovers of the series will devour this newest installment and will still be holding their breath as they finish the last sentence. They will also be shedding a few tears along the way. This science fiction saga is well-written and thoughtful; a real triumph. Who knows what Brown’s imagination has in store when the saga continues. Certainly, many will be waiting in anxious anticipation.

I have absolutely no words. I do have emotions and a whole river of tears.

Pierce Brown does it again. I am stunned and heartbroken and I feel like my brain has been pushed through the tiniest holes of a cheese grater.

Pierce writes the unexpected and it works and holds up so well through the years. You can very much see the tragic flaws of each character throughout reading his works and so when you reach the end of the book, you know the kind of trauma to expect but you don't exactly know what's going to happen so it still will hit you like a sledgehammer.

It's beautiful; it's traumatic; it's timelessly human. The beauty and freedom that his words provide allow readers to examine the world in in the highest stakes of fiction without challenging the truth of our reality today.

I'm quite upset that our journey is almost over.... but boy what a ride. Thank you Pierce for writing.

Thank you so much Sabrina at Del Ray and Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC of this book I am so grateful.

This book is tied with book 3 for my favourite of the series. I need book 7 NOW!

I still cant stop thinking about this book and will be doing a reread with the audio as soon as possible!

I absolutely adore these books. Red Rising is my favorite series of all time and Light Bringer was a great addition. Pierce Brown is masterful at writing character relationships and it only gets better in this book. I cannot wait til the next book is out.

This took me way longer than it should have. 37 days to be exact. I think its partly due to not wanting to finish and have to wait another year for book 7. Though the larger is reason is it was a LOT to digest.

In my opinion the first 3 books in this series are fast reads, the last 3 books not as much. This isn't because they aren't as good (They are!) it's just that there is a lot more happening and things to keep up with. Instead of a single POV we now have multiple. Which means multiple plots to follow. Due to those factors (Along with doing a full reread of the series leading up to diving into Light Bringer) it caused me to need more time to follow along and digest what was going on in each chapter. I absolutely cannot wait for book 7! This book was absolutely phenomenal.

If you have yet to dive into this series, now is the time.

I love the Red Rising Saga and Light Bringer by Pierce Brown was one of my most anticipated books/audiobooks. Brown did not disappoint, and I listened as I read along. This series and these characters bring forth every emotion. The story left me spent and eager for the next novel. Check out my thoughts.

Headphones on and with my hardcover copy in hand, I curled up with Light Bringer and prepared for Darrow’s journey home. Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds, this science fiction fantasy takes us back to the roots of the saga. While I missed seeing characters, Brown knock it out of the park.

From glorious battle scenes to emotional moments, Light Bringer brings the focus back on Darrow, The Reaper. Told in four parts as we traverse the galaxy, we spent our time between Lysander and Darrow (and crew.) I walked away from this, knowing Darrow and others more intimately. I felt their pain, fears, sacrifices, friendships, loss and hopes.

Was it worth the four year wait after Dark Ages? Abso-freakin-loutely. While not as gut-wrenching and nail-biting as the Dark Ages, it delivered all that I hoped for, and more. Brown scaled the story down and focused on these two men who have journeyed so far. The world and the war Brown has created comes to life in vivid 3D. He hits home on the sacrifices, the greed, the sheep and the loss. His characters have a genuineness to them and consistently stay true to themselves as they evolve and grow. I feel as if I know them and share their experiences and emotions. I should mention that I also feel enraged by the actions of some, from self-serving greed to the hierarchy and trappings of the colors.

The last section held me in its grip and damn it, Brown had me weeping. I cannot wait for Red God, the next novel in the saga. I desperately hope it isn’t another four year wait, but you can bet I will be pre-ordering the novel & audiobook as soon as they go up for sale.

I love reading the books and began the series that way, but the audio adds an element to the characters and story that I enjoy. Tim Gerard Reynolds did a great job capturing the emotions of these characters and the scenes.

It was a long wait for this one! Pierce definitely didn't disappoint. Whenever I think I know where the story is headed, something changes, someone dies, and I'm left a little sad but clamoring to read more.

I absolutely adore Pierce Brown’s writing and cannot recommend his books enough! He is the kind of author who isn’t afraid to destroy the heart of his readers with his words and I know I can trust him to emotionally damage me and then build me back up with his books. He is such a master of his craft and I can’t sing him enough praises.

Going into Light Bringer I was afraid of what would happen to my favorite characters, especially everyone’s favorite goblin Severo. Thankfully he didn’t go through anything as awful as I was imagining from the ending of Dark Age, and that alone was a relieve and makes me look forward to the final book more. Knowing we will still have Darrow and Severo until the last books makes me equally happy and terrified.

Now when it comes to this specific book, I loved every chapter that was from Darrow’s perspective; he is my favorite after all. Lysander on the other hand, I can’t stand his character but understand the necessity of him for the story and can see his point of view for certain things. I think all that comes down to the writing. He written in a way that the reader can understand and see his points of views, but also despise him for all his trickery and betrayals. It still grinds my gears that he is the one that takes out someone as magnificent as Cassius and I’ll be bitter about that for a long time!

There is so much more I could say about this book, but it would end up sounding like a love letter to Pierce Brown’s writing because I cannot praise and gush over it enough!