Overall I really liked it, although I think it had a slow start. Here are my main thoughts and feelings about it:
• Darrow made so many stupid decisions in part 1. Trusting Orion after all the trauma she’s been through? Using the storm gods? Feeling little to no remorse about all the civilian casualties? I can’t...🤦🏼♀️
• Kalindoria is one of my all time favorite golds. She was a sweetheart from the get go.
• “I find myself unusually embarrassed by my initial attraction to the vicious woman. But my attraction still persists.” 😑 stfu Lysander.
• I could tell Atlantia was creeping on Lysander right away. As soon as he said he felt “guilty excitement” from her lingering kiss I was like, uh oh.
• Seraphina’s sudden death was such a pleasant surprise. Bitch had to go!
• Lysander deciding to stay in the desert for the Praetorians is literally the only honorable thing he has done so far in this series.
• Dedicating all of part one to one battle was...a bad choice. The pacing was really slow and I hard time keeping track of everything that was happening.
• I feel really conflicted about Virginia’s POV. She’s never been a favorite of mine and seeing how cold and calculated her inner monologue is didn’t help. I can tell she truely wants what’s best for her people though, even if some of her actions are misguided.
• “Bravo, Sevro. Your wrath is SO legendary.”💙
• Virginia using the psychoSpikes to erase the Duke of Hands’ memory was terrifying and very morally grey. The Duke doesn’t deserve any sympathy, but I’m not comfortable with that kind of technology being in the universe. It could easily get in the wrong hands.
• Ephraim’s entire POV was such a gift. I loved his light humor, his unexpected friendship with Pax and how he grew so close to the Skuggi.
• Ephraim named his new ship Snowball!!! Brb, I’m crying! 😭
• I literally laughed out loud when Ephraim ran into battle high and armed only with a broom😂
• The Day Of Red Doves broke my heart. 💔 Virginia and Darrow definitely screwed up in leading a revolution and then letting so many of the low colors down after winning. She didn’t deserve to be beaten by a mob though.
• Volga and Lyria’s friendship was something I never knew I needed. Here’s to hoping it turns into something more in the next book. 🤞🏻
• Volga being such a precious baby with an unexpected dark streak is one of my favorite things about the sequel trilogy. I love her.
• Adrius is back? As a 10 yo clone??? SHOOK
• Virginia tricking her brother into taking the night lily was incredible.
• I’ve always found Victra irritating, but Ulysses being nailed to a tree was absolutely heartbreaking.
• After being kind of a meh character in Iron Gold, Lyria really pulled through in Dark Age! Almost singlehandedky taking down the Red Hand, saving a bunch of child brides and getting her revenge on Harmony was so fast paced and exciting to read. Her POV ended up being my favorite in this book.
• Rhonna and Alexandar’s nicknames being Pup One and Pup Two is so freaking adorable. OTP
• Ephraim finally admitting to himself how much Volga means to him was such a lovely moment!
• “She is my home. She has been since I found her on Echo City. What a pity I only just realized it.” Beautiful 💙
• Volsung killing Ephraim right after he was finally reunited with Volga was absolutely devistating.
• Darrow describing Lysander as having “latent sociopathic tendencies” gave me life. DRAG HIM!
• I’m so glad we got a chance to see Rhonna and Alexandar as a couple, if only for a chapter.
• Lysander calling Rhonna a “child warrior.” 😠 Shut up you pretentious piece of shit.
• ALEXANDAR!!!!! 💔😭
• Literally any hope I had for Lysander’s redemption died along with Alexander.
• “I would die for the truth that all men are created equal.” That’s the Darrow we know and love!!!
• “‘Reaper!’ He does not turn around. ‘Slave!’” HOW DARE HE?
• Cassius coming in clutch!!!
• “Oh gods. Brooding again? Some things never change.” How is it that Cassius has only one line in Dark Age and it’s easily the best line in the whole book. Iconic.
• Can we just take a moment to appreciate how beautiful Pierce Brown’s writing style is? “My true heart is laid bare, awash with exultation, clouded with confusion, pure with purpose.” Stunning 🙌🏻
• Volga cradling a dead Ephraim was easily the saddest part of this book. 😢
• I’m calling it, Lyria’s parasite is a prototype of The Mind’s Eye. Octavia screwed with Lysander’s brain so much as a child, I wouldn’t be surprised if she implanted a parasite too, without his knowledge.
• Lysander marrying his 34 yo aunt as a “political affair?” Disgusting. Can’t say I’m surprised though.
• I’m really sad about Kalindoria’s death. Even though she’s a lot older than him, I think she and Lysander would have been a sweet couple. And I think he would have been a better person for it too.
• Pretty sure Atlantia poisoned Kalindoria to speed up her death so no one would find a cure for her in time. She totally knew about Lysander’s love for the knight and couldn’t risk him marrying Kalindoria instead of her.
• “When she is done with me, I lie there staring at the ceiling feeling dead inside.” Oof. I still hate Lysander but I can’t help but feel pitty for him.
• Oh shit! I forgot about Adrius’ clone with everything else that’s been going on. 😳😂
• Teaming up with Apollonius? Lysander, you little shit!
5/5 stars for creativity and ingenuity. Dark Age is like nothing else I’ve ever read. I’m not even gonna bother trying to predict what’s going to happen in the next book because let’s be real, nothing Pierce Brown writes is ever predictable. I definitely can’t wait to find out though!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Red Rising Series - Pierce Brown
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Alexandar au Arcos/Rhonna (Red Rising)
Characters: Alexandar au Arcos, Rhonna (Red Rising)
Additional Tags: Sensory Deprivation, Blindfolds, Light Bondage, Riding, Kinktober 2019
Series: Part 8 of Red Rising Kinktober 2019
Summary:
Rhonna had never had problems with close spaces or darkness. Growing up in the mines had accustomed her to being out of control fo the environment, being at mercy for whatever was presented to her.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Red Rising Series - Pierce Brown
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Alexandar au Arcos/Rhonna
Characters: Alexandar au Arcos, Rhonna (Red Rising)
Additional Tags: Licking, attempted dirty talk, Cunnilingus, Vaginal Fingering
Series: Part 22 of Red Rising Kinktober 2019
Summary:
