Thanks to David at Penguin Random House and Del Ray for the review copy. Of course, this review copy had no bearing on the review itself, anyone who knows me will know I’m madly in love with Red Rising as a series, and this entry was no different in that fact. As you can see from the rating, it only just missed the top mark by a little, and I’ll try to explain why below. I’ll try to find the words to describe just how I felt about this behemoth.
There may be some spoilers ahead, but only for the previous entries in the series. I’ve kept it spoiler-free for this current book, for those who haven’t read but want to know how the book felt to read, from my point of view.

Light Bringer in itself is a twister of emotion – a torrent so raw and aggressive it scratched away at my psyche only to pick at the scab chapter after chapter. It was brutal, but not in the way of Dark Age. If the previous book was huge, total war in its bloated and truest of forms, then this was personal, a knife in the dark, twisted.
Okay, so Light Bringer was quite different from what we’ve seen for a while, the scope of the series has always been large, how can it not be when it spans the known solar system? In Iron Gold we saw Darrow facing off against the Society Remnant, headed toward the last fleets of the Ash Lord, only to find him already dead and a knife in his back in the form of his Scepter Armada headed by his surviving daughter, Atalantia au Grimmus, in the orbit of Mercury. In Dark Age, Darrow and the Lost Legions are marooned on Mercury and face orbital bombardment, an Iron Rain, torture at the hands of the Fear Knight, and the wrath of the Storm Gods, at the hands of an insane Orion. It is army to army, dogfighting in the desert, nuclear warheads firing and terraforming-scale storms smashing and destroying … and then Light Bringer comes along. These are quiet moments, bonds formed. There’s action, but on the back of character work and not leading it. It solos in on the individual, focuses on the smaller fights, the personal battles. It was a complete change of pace but for good reason. We needed a breather from Dark Age, our heroes needed to regroup, make new bonds and mend old ones. The book itself felt like the largest by a long way, just through the sheer number of places visited, conversations had, moments taken. If you’re looking for a book that follows on from Dark Age in spirit, then this one might surprise you. But for good reason. I can’t go into too much detail on the POV or even the character relationships, because I realise at the point we left off in Dark Age, the despair and destruction, it’s very easy to spoil Light Bringer by even mentioning one character who spoke to the other. There’s always the how and why they got together etc.

For the POVs that I can talk about, I’ll say I enjoyed Mustang’s and the action that we got to see her in. Since Iron Gold, she’s stood as a figurehead that didn’t really come into her own as Virginia, but rather as the Sovereign. In Light Bringer, we explore a lot more of Virginia, what makes her tick, and what she will do to protect those she loves. I feel like this is the first book we’ve really got to see her intelligence in action since the Institute, it had an element of Red Rising in that respect in this book. Each character came into their own again. In a sense, we stepped back from the Solar Republic’s war against the Society Remnant and got to feel, know and see Virginia’s war against those who would see her dead. And oh boy does she not disappoint. Lyria also has grown on me, though I can’t yet tell entirely where her character arc will end up. She was a very, very intriguing part of this book, but really, she is the centre of a lot of spoilers, so that is all I’ll say. I’m glad she came into her own.

Darrow, Darrow, Darrow … just how do you pick yourself up after the events of Dark Age? You don’t do it alone, you do it among friends. You listen to people around you and take support, you do not shoulder it alone: and we see a lot of that here. Again, I’m going to compare Darrow’s story here to that of the Institute in Red Rising. Though matured through the years and battles since the first book, the story comes full circle in Light Bringer. His point of view at times is very introspective and slower-paced, it focuses on relationships, rebuilding that character, and doing away with the warlord, ArchImperator Darrow, and again focuses on Darrow the Red, Darrow the man. Pierce did a fantastic job at repositioning and refocusing Darrow’s purpose – forgotten as it had been through the grit and horror of war. Though, in those slow, personal, and talkative moments, it is where Pierce best knows how to tear your heart out.

There was only one downside for me, and I felt that was this time the characters did a lot of their working-out-of-problems in many many long and drawn-out conversations, there was a lot more telling the reader what was happening through this conversation, and a lot less letting the actions and words speak for themselves. It did seem like at times there was an attempt to force us as a reader to feel the way the story wanted us to feel, rather than making our own minds up. But that really is my only complaint in the field of compliments.
Though this book was not my favourite in the series (I really, really do love the full-metal, war-on-steroids masterpiece that is Dark Age) it is the first book in the series that truly, truly broke my heart. I won’t be afraid to say this book made me cry and properly. It is the first book to do so. I can’t go into the why or how, but for a book to really capture my emotion like that, it proves it is something special. Pierce did not earn that in cheap writing, or careless death, he earnt that in masterful character work. In order to make someone feel, you have to make them care. And I certainly did care.

Overall, you won’t learn much about the book from this review, you won’t get snippets of what’s to come, I couldn’t do that to any of you. But I will conclude by telling you, though we waited long for it, Pierce Brown has certainly not lost his mojo. Light Bringer truly earns its place as the penultimate book in the Red Rising Saga, which I cannot recommend enough.

This book! My heart! Really, after all that has come before, I should have known better.
This was a fantastic continuation of story I fell in love with in Red Rising. I was worried after the previous book or two in this series. It felt like Pierce had lost the magic that made RR such a stellar read.
But he's back. And breaking our hearts all over again.
Just don't get too attached to any of the characters, because there is some heart break coming your way.
Loved this.

Light Bringer picks up not long after the final events of Dark Age finding Darrow and Cassius working on a way to get home when they discover that Sevro has been captured by the Society. As with the previous books in the (soon to be) tetralogy, the reader learns of the other events in the on-going war through the eyes of different characters. Light Bringer focuses most on Darrow and Lysander, through Lyria has her moments and we do get a few chapters of Virginia. Personally, I would have liked to see a chapter through Sevro's eyes since it would have brought some very dark humor to his situation.
This volume has less from the political front than the previous two, but also seems to jump from one action scene to a brief lead up to the next action scene. It was an improvement over Dark Age which seemed to leave cliffhangers on one character's POV while we read several chapters of other characters. Some things did get wrapped up fortunately, and the finish should be entertaining at the least.
It has been a long wait for this volume and I hope it won't be as long to the next novel.

Light Bringer is the marriage of the velocity/action of Golden Son and the heart of Red Rising. It is a love story to all the books that came before and it holds me in waking dreams
I've lost sleep, lost sanity, lost breath reading the magic crafted by Pierce Brown in this book

Pierce Brown has become a razor master with his words, & we are simply the unworthy & unprepared challengers that he's toying with for fun in front of his audience.

After the blunt pain, brutality, & havoc wrecked by Dark Age, this book could not be more necessary, & its title could not be more appropriate. This book does bring light, & joy, & takes us back to the basics of the relationships we've watched these characters create over the last 5 books... While slowly & elegantly cutting at your heart & your psyche, & leaving you demanding more through the pain.

Light Bringer was worth every second of the wait, Howlers.

Wow! The readers waited and Pierce Brown did not disappoint. As always he is a master at his craft. His storytelling is so immersive that he places the reader there right beside his characters. This sixth installment of the Red Rising Saga kept me up all hours of the night and pulled my thoughts to it throughout the day.
Light Bringer picks up a few months after Dark Age leaves off and it grips you from the start. We see even more growth and evolution from its cast of characters. Brown gives us a tangled web of characters to root for and those who we perhaps might want to see take their last breaths. Although I am now chomping at the bit to read the seventh book, Light Bringer gave me so much to “chew on” and think over while waiting. I can’t wait to buy this for my personal shelves.

This is another volume in the Red Rising series. Once again Brown does an admirable job of universe building and his characters are both relatable and genuine. I really enjoyed reading this book. That being said it took me longer to engage with the story than in past volumes but I was fully on board for the second half. That second half was a bit of a roller coaster! Fans of this series should not miss this addition.
This is a review of an ARC provided by NetGalley.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I hate spoilers and this will have none of them. General impressions and vibes below.

Man this was intense. The bar for this book was already incredibly high after loving both Iron Gold and Dark Age being one of the biggest roller coasters since Storm of Swords.

Pierce Brown continues to impress me with his writing growth. We get some of the best imagery in this book that we've had for the whole series. As well as some visceral combat both large and small scale which is hard to do and make it feel tense where anything can happen.

I do think this book has a little bit of inconsistency both within itself and as the larger part of the series. This one is more focused on a smaller number of POVs and goes deeper into the storylines than both Iron Gold and Dark Age.

This can make it so you get less of a well rounded perspective on events and makes it feel closer to the original trilogy than any of the other sequel books so far, however we do get major plot movement and huge things definitely do happen which is great as the penultimate entry in the series. It sets us up for an epic finale as well as respecting everything that came before.

There's also a bit of inconsistency within the book itself where I felt like the highs are very high. There's not really lows, but there are some parts of the book that had less tension or I was hoping tied into the climax a bit more.

Overall I'm really loving the series, was so happy to read an advanced copy of the book, and I'm dying to know how everything ends. Probably my favorite epic political war series since a Song of Ice and Fire with as many twists and jaw dropping moments.

Easily a 5 star book and looking forward to the ending and anything else Pierce Brown writes going forward.

After re-reading Dark Ages, I wasn't quite sure if I was ready to have my heart ripped open again by Pierce Brown. Light Bringer expands upon the incredibly built world and story that Pierce Brown has created and I raced through the book, finishing this 800 page tome in THREE DAYS. His writing is unmatched, as are the details in his scenes, particularly within battles and fights. Not always an easy book to read (filled with violence and gore), Brown pulls us into a world that I found myself blearily blinking around when looking up from the book. The beginning is a little slower, building towards an un-put-downable latter half. Brown perfectly encapsulates the calm before the storm (although his calm is perhaps more lightning-like than my calm) and truly captures the chaotic nature of battles and war. Like a symphony, Brown has orchestrated a true masterpiece in epic science fiction and I'm now incredibly upset that I have to wait for the next installment.

Wow. How do I even begin.
I loved this book from start to finish. It did so many things right. Every character felt realistic; I felt like I could feel their emotions. This book put a focus on relationships and highlights platonic relationships, new and old, in such a beautiful, unique way.

It’s Incredibly paced and keeps you reading throughout the entire book. The scenes in this book span from quiet character moments to the grandest battle scenes in the series. I didn’t think that I could love the series more. Pierce Brown you have outdone yourself.

This has definitely become my favorite in the series, and I cannot recommend it enough. Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. Love love loved this book. Everyone needs to read the gorgeous novel that is Light Bringer.

Non-spoiler highlights
-A certain unexpected friendship between two characters
-Holos
-𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨
-Ham :)

(Will be posted on NetGalley and GoodReads)

Oh. My. Gosh. This book. I feel like Pierce Brown has hit his stride in these second era books. I love the way they make you think and how he can still surprise you even when you are in the MC's head. The plot was excellent, the character work *chef's kiss* and the ending... This does not suffer from "middle book syndrome" although it is setting the stage for the finale. There were plenty of little images and reminders of the past that harken back to the previous books; not in a cheesy way, but in a way that the characters are looking back at their past - both good and bad - and seeing (like the reader) how far they've come.
If you have made it this far in the Red Rising series, pick this up. If you haven't started the series yet...start so you can get to this book!

[Thanks a million to NetGalley for providing an ARC of the book. I'll be providing a spoiler-free review on Goodreads to share here later]

If you're reading this review of Light Bringer, I'll assume you're a fan of the Red Rising saga. If you're not, welcome to the Howler family! We're dysfunctional and we're masochists. Come in, the water’s great!

As a longtime lurker of NetGalley (and Goodreads, by extension), I’ve never posted a review before. But Papa Pierce took his time with creating this book, and I feel it’s only fair to respond in kind. As a huge fan of Red Rising, I’ve always admired Brown’s writing and the world he’s crafted. A Golden Son stan, I now believe that Light Bringer deserves the new spot for the best book Brown has ever written. “Blasphemy!” some will cry. “Burn the Pixie!” others might chime. But, let me break down how fantastic this book is into four distinct categories to justify my reasoning and to explain why this is the easiest 5 star review I’ve ever given.

I. Criteria 1 – Writing Style / Prose
Since the beginning of the saga, Red Rising has focused more on substance over style. Fortunately, with every new book in the saga, Brown’s writing style improved, allowing for amazing figurative language and quotable dialogue to shine, and Brown blew it out of the ballpark with Light Bringer. The delays for Light Bringer were a point of contention for the most ardent members of the Red Rising fan base. But I knew that, as Geri from Toy Story 2 points out: "You can't rush art!"

And art it was. Even as an uncorrected proof, Pierce crafted a novel that was as meticulous as it was beautiful. Some dialogue and passages were so beautiful, in fact, that I annotated my ARC with color-coded highlighters and bookmarks. 133 passages were highlighted in blue for the most delectable passages and quotes. On the other hand, my inner English major couldn’t resist to highlight grammatical errors in red (just 68). But even then, 133 > 68, for the mathematically inclined, and those errors won’t even make it to the final draft. I thoroughly devoured the novel, and amidst the indigestion after gorging myself, I demand another.

II. Criteria 2 – Setting / World-Building
The world of Red Rising spans a futuristic dystopian version of our very own solar system where a color-coded caste system inhabits terraformed planets and moons. Fantastical as the sci-fi genre may be, Brown anchors his series with human characters and believable science. Ever since the beginning of the series, I always appreciated how Brown painstakingly plotted the passage of time within space travel. The characters can travel our system at speeds that are currently impossible, but it still takes weeks or even months to travel from planet to planet.
However, due to this keen attention to detail within the saga, the story would slow down considerably as Brown would describe each new setting in extensive detail; conversely, in Light Bringer, Brown has found the perfect ratio of describing these new settings within the novel at a palatable pace. It wasn’t an argument of showing versus telling. It was simply that Light Bringer had a clear trajectory, and the world building flowed so seamlessly that I couldn’t believe I was reading a Red Rising novel. Each moon and new planet felt so diverse, and care was taken to make each place dynamic and memorable without detracting from the story in any noticeable way. I felt like a tourist going on an excursion with a patient, sage guide that was happy to answer every question I had (but was secretly counting the minutes in his head until the excursion was over or hoping that I would trip and get concussed on the hard pavement). Again, Brown’s writing is no joke in this one, and I’m so delighted to have seen this growth.

III. Criteria 3 – Characters
Red Rising has some of the best characters in the sci-fi / fantasy genre. From badass female leaders to heartfelt men that bounce off each other with playful banter, you’d be hard-pressed to not enjoy or sympathize with a majority of the cast. From the tensest battles that are Lord of the Rings-level in scope, to the comical exchanges of found family that would give the Guardians of the Galaxy a run for their money, each character is allowed to shine here.
Unlike the nonstop aggression of Iron Gold and Dark Age, Light Bringer takes the time to be introspective and have its characters face their fears, bringing back overarching themes that have spanned the entirety of the saga. For the POV characters, we join a Darrow who is broken, a Lysander who is drowning in politics and self-doubt, a Lyria who is constantly finding herself in dangerous situations, and a Virginia who is encumbered with the burdens of leadership. There are battles, for sure, and some of my favorite fight scenes in the entire saga can be found in Light Bringer, but Brown doesn’t hesitate to grapple with the internal conflicts of his characters as well.
My only nit-pick of this novel is that one POV character got considerably less chapters than the rest. Taking into account where the story was going, this was only natural, and they had incredible chapters towards the beginning of the book; nevertheless, I wish there was a chapter made to check up on this character, even towards the end of the novel. Again, this is a minor criticism and a testament to Brown’s dramatis personae that you want more of them. And I am certain (without fear of spoilers) that we will see more of that character in Red God…I hope.

IV. Criteria 4 – Plot
If you know anything about Red Rising, it’s this: the story Never. Lets. Up. However, in Light Bringer, Pierce slows down the story beats not only to be more introspective with his characters, but also to heighten the tension. I swear to you, this book took me over a MONTH to read because I was genuinely terrified to continue. It is Stephen King levels of terror, boy-o. But I pushed through and enjoyed every bit of the story, while dreading the tension and wishing it would let up before my heart gave out.
As mentioned earlier, there were moments of brevity and delight, where I laughed out loud reading this book. Those moments are great, necessary even, but don’t forget that this is a Red Rising book. The comedy only heightens the tragedy, which is probably why my peanut brain was so terrified to swipe right on my e-file. Tinder doesn’t have shit on the heartbreak of Light Bringer. I sobbed for three hours straight when I was done with the novel.

In conclusion, Light Bringer is a culmination of Brown’s talent and storytelling. It’s got action, political intrigue, war, violence, love, found family, death, heartbreak, beards, clanging metal, sunflower butter: the works. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will come back, begging for more while flailing on the floor in the fetal position.
Now, Pierce, if you ever see this, just know that in the time it takes you to publish Red God, I will be researching the best lawyer to find out how I can take you down for the emotional damage and heartbreak you have caused me. I’ll be laughed out the door, but that won’t stop me from trying, my goodman.

As I started reading, I was quickly confused. This felt like I was getting a bunch of rehashing/build up from a prior book. I gave up at about 5%, and when I investigated, yes, it’s a sequel. Oops. Does not work as a stand alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown is the sixth book in the Red Rising series. I have been a fan of these books for years, but had only read through the series (as it was at that point) once. In prep for this one, I re-read all five books. Darrow has had his ups and downs throughout the series. There has been so much turmoil and death. There was very little happiness in the previous two books other than a few random moments. Because I had just re-read them, I was immediately able to jump into this world again.

To be honest, I have been displeased with Darrow for about the last two books or so. The battles throughout the series have all run together, and the scale of these battles is incomprehensible – millions of people are fighting and dying yet there seems to be an unending amount of bodies to cycle through. It just seemed inevitable that the hopes of Eo, Darrow and Virginia will all die and somehow the evil, but thinks he is righteously correct, Lysander will triumph. It is exhausting.

With all of that said, this is without a doubt the best book in the series since at least book 2, and rivals book 1. It is so interesting and intriguing and yet brings so many great characters together. It is funny, witty, beautiful, tragic, hopeful and devastating. The end absolutely broke my heart.

While we will have years to wait until RED GOD, the seventh and final book in the series, I look forward to it. I cannot recommend this sixth book, Light Bringer, enough. THANK YOU NetGalley for the ARC!

I have heard nothing but good things about this series and getting this arc was the kick in the pants that I needed to get myself to start finally. I loved the story it crafts as the characters go on adventures. The story was face-paced but not overwhelmingly slow. My only regret is that I did not read these sooner.

Spoiler Free Review: @piercebrownofficial gave me nightmares for weeks with Dark Age & I’m happy to say IT WAS WORTH IT. This book was incredible. If Dark Age was The Empire Strikes Back, then this is The Return of the Jedi. I am absolutely certain this book will be in my top 5 this year, and I cannot wait to talk about it at length to anyone who will listen when it’s out.

Thank you so much from the bottom of my gorydamn heart to @netgalley & @delreybooks for the eArc.

I'm going to keep this vague on account of the book isn't out for another couple of months. I greatly enjoyed it, and this series will continue to appeal to folks that enjoyed Game of Thrones. We got the return of the fan-favorite character and the begrudging and amusing friendship that he develops elsewhere. The book also does a really good job with the power of choices. We see one character that is continuously offered the opportunity to do the right or best thing, and continuously rejects it, to the point where I think this character is slowly and inexorably going mad. We see another character that gets pulled back from the brink by unlikely friendship, and what it looks like for that character to have to amend atrocities as a new ruler.

Five out of five stars.
I’m finding it hard to write a coherent review of Light Bringer. I’m trying to collect my thoughts after having my heart ripped out by Pierce Brown. This was an emotional roller coaster of a novel. There were so many beautiful, quiet character moments. This is the most emotional I’ve ever felt while reading this series of novels. I’m sad. I’m heart broken. DAMN YOU PIERCE BROWN!!

Light Bringer also has so many epic battle Scenes. Brown does not shy away from the gore here. The war and battle scenes are so well written. In my opinion, and from early reviews I’ve read… Light Bringer contains the most epic showdown in the entire saga so far. All I’ll say is:
Clang! Clang! Clang! CONFESS!!

For those readers who wanted more of The Rim.. you’ll fine it here as most of the story takes place on the moons of the rim.

The story is epic in scope but also small in the fact that we’re mostly with Darrow the whole time. The other POV characters do get some time but it’s mostly Darrow. This was a much needed return to bringing the story back to Darrow and its roots.

Overall I loved Light Bringer. Just be prepared to have your heart Ripped out. Highly recommended. I can not wait for the physical release so I can listen to it on audiobook and follow along with the physical copy. Now bring on Red God!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Pierce Brown for letting me read the arc of Light Bringer.
I've been looking forward to reading this book, and was not disappointed. Still can't wait to listen to the audiobook when it's released.
Light Bringer isn't near as constricting for our heroes as Dark Age was, some threads are closed off but many storylines are left for a later day. Darrow's return home isn't quite what he hopes but finds a few things he needs along the way. This is very much a story of Friendship, brotherhood, accountability, and redemption for most characters. While others are trying to figure out who they truly are ,what kind of future they want, and what of others and themselves they are willing to give up to get it.
Overall Light Bringer is a much more hopeful story than Dark Age. Although, That hope doesn't come without the heartbreak and disappointments Mr Brown loves to throw our way. Red God can't get here soon enough. Until then , with Light Bringer we get more brutal battles, heartfelt reunions, surprising friendships, and great character interactions some harrowing some humorous to hold us over til it arrives.

I think this might be my favorite of the series so far. Hard to say if it IS actually, objectively better in any way, or just the excitement of finally having this newest installment after almost four years of waiting. Like the rest of the series, there's plenty of action, violence (some of it gory/graphic), drama, humor, snark. But it seemed (to me, anyway) a lot less dark somehow. Despite the book's length (around 700 pages), I never got bored or hit a wall; I was always eager to pick it up, even if I only had time to read a chapter or two. The next (and final) book of the series can't come soon enough!