“BREAK THE CHAINS!” Golden Son Red Rising Book 2 | Deep Themes, Deep Thoughts, and Recap

Listen closely, my goodman, Golden Son ruined our bloody damn lives… and we’re here to fill you in on the heartbreak. ☄️

We kicked off Sci-Fi Summer with a full-length episode introducing the genre and setting the scene for a closer analysis of science fiction. We discuss who has historically defined and dominated the genre, its subsequent evolution, and how our newest deep dive obsession, the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown fits into it all. Next, we covered book one to see if it lives up to the hype you all have given it. And boy howdy did it exceed our expectations. 

Today we’re diving into book two: Golden Son. We’re out of The Institute and tossed into the “real world,” unforgiving and brutal as it is. We’re watching The Rising build and The Society break down (not unlike our main character Darrow) in real time, and the stress… is all-consuming (to put it mildly). We can only examine the implications of real or imagined technology and science on society thoroughly, critically, and responsibly through an intersectional lens. Is Pierce Brown doing this responsibly while also keeping us entertained? 

We bring you our spoiler free reviews, “Five Sentence Summary” and all our faves and least faves, but also discuss sci-fi themes, differences and similarities to fantasy, the romance, genre miscategorization, lore and fun facts, quotes, character growth and relatability, and most importantly… themes. It might be time to bust out the Cryometer™ because no one is safe in this brutal world and we fear the stakes are only going to get higher. 

Next week we will be covering the “conclusion” to the original trilogy with Morning Star but don’t worry, after that we will continue on with the next three…and finish one day with Red God!

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Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️

Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! 

https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE

Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B

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Ashley is wearing: A custom Impressive Wingspan tshirt from @DownTheBondofficial | Use Code: BestiesandtheBooks for 15% | https://www.downthebond.com

Liz is wearing: an Aedion hoodie from @thebeanworkshop | use our affiliate code “BOOKBESTIES10”)  | * https://www.thebeanworkshop.store/BOOKBESTIES10 

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