Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Golden Son summary
Brief summary
Golden Son by Pierce Brown is a thrilling science fiction novel that follows the story of Darrow as he continues his fight against the corrupt society of the future. It is a gripping tale of rebellion, loyalty, and the quest for justice.
Table of Contents
Golden Son
Summary of key ideas
Rising Trials and a Power Struggle
In Golden Son, Pierce Brown heaves us straight into the ongoing power struggle as Darrow, born a Red, now pretends to be a Gold—the ruling class in the color-coded society of the future. At the start of the book, Darrow is studying at the Academy, where he competes in a fierce war game. Once successful, he would attain the rank of peerless scarred, the highest honor within Gold society. Despite his stellar tactics, Darrow's success is thwarted through betrayal, leading to his team's defeat.
Darrow is summoned by Nero au Augustus, the father of his dead friend and sworn enemy. Augustus shows Darrow that their society is on the brink of war, incited by the ruthless Sovereign. To prevent an all-out civil war, Augustus proposes a plan to strike an alliance between their houses.
Alliances and Betrayals
As part of Augustus's plan, Darrow must convince Pliny, Augustus's trusted advisor, of his loyalty and propose to Virginia, Augustus's daughter. Although successful, he soon uncovers Pliny's plot to betray Augustus and claims the position of trusted advisor. Realizing the extent of the Sovereign's brutal rule, Darrow decides to remove her from power and ends betraying House Augustus by choosing to back October au Bellona, a rival house.
Simultaneously, Darrow must carefully try to unite the different Colors. He saves Sevro, his fellow Gold and friend, from being hanged by the lowColors, revealing his true identity as a Red in the process. Fortunately, Sevro stands by him, and they form the secret group "The Sons of Ares" aiming to overthrow the hierarchical society.
Revolution Unfolded and Hidden Secrets
As the plot thickens, Darrow and his crew launch an attack on the unsuspecting Sovereign during a dinner party, leading to a bloody deadlock. In the ensuing chaos, Darrow is captured and tortured by the Jackal, his sworn enemy.
The Jackal cruelly reveals his final play. He conspired with Roque, Darrow's trusted friend, who had felt increasingly alienated. In a cruel twist of fate, Darrow is betrayed once again when Roque hands him over to his enemies.
Hope Amongst Despair
In the closing stages of Golden Son, Darrow is publicly humiliated and sentenced to death. But just when all hope is lost, Darrow is rescued by an unlikely alliance of his friends, including a Gold whom he once showed mercy.
Through many plot twists, backhand deals, and realistic portrayals of political maneuverings, Pierce Brown skillfully navigates the struggles of Darrow. Leaving readers on a cliffhanger, Brown sets the stage for the ensuing rebellion and war, promising another heart-thumping ride in the next installment of the Red Rising saga.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Golden Son about?
Golden Son is the second book in the Red Rising trilogy, a gripping science fiction series set in a dystopian future. Written by Pierce Brown, the novel follows the protagonist Darrow as he navigates the dangerous world of interplanetary politics and warfare. Filled with action, intrigue, and complex characters, Golden Son explores themes of power, loyalty, and the cost of revolution. It's a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Golden Son Review
Golden Son (2015) is a thrilling sequel to Pierce Brown's Red Rising, set in a future society divided by color-based castes. Here are three reasons why this book is a must-read:
- With its Action-packed plot, filled with political intrigue, epic battles, and unexpected plot twists, it keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
- Through its complex characters and morally gray choices, the book explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of revolution, making it a thought-provoking read.
- The world-building in Golden Son is rich and imaginative, transporting readers to a vividly depicted future where power, ambition, and sacrifice collide.
Who should read Golden Son?
- Fans of science fiction with a passion for fast-paced and action-packed stories
- Readers who enjoyed the first book in the series, "Red Rising," and want to continue the thrilling journey
- Those who appreciate complex and morally ambiguous characters in a dystopian setting
Categories with Golden Son
Book summaries like Golden Son
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Golden Son FAQs
What is the main message of Golden Son?
The main message of Golden Son is about loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of power.
How long does it take to read Golden Son?
The reading time for Golden Son varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Golden Son a good book? Is it worth reading?
Golden Son is worth reading for its gripping plot and complex characters.
Who is the author of Golden Son?
The author of Golden Son is Pierce Brown.
What to read after Golden Son?
If you're wondering what to read next after Golden Son, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda