This book is 4.5 stars, it is insanely entertaining and extremely well written. The world building is not as good as like, a high fantasy novel, but it doesn’t need to be because what matters most here is the family relationships and the color. Ultimately the only reason this book is not a 5/5 is because of the prevalence of r*pe in the book. I understand it’s purpose and how it matters to the discussion of golds and humanity, however it feels extremely too large of a theme here.

Darrow has no right to be a likable character quite honestly, he’s arrogant in every way. And yet, because of how well Pierce crafts the inner monologue, the arrogance accompanies subtle humbleness and love that makes him someone you simply want to root for. His hatred of goals, and yet his love for them create a refreshingly complicated character who is more than a martyr, but a leader.