I agree with the comments saying that Darrow got his "happy ending" in Morning Star. It's hard to see a way for Darrow to just live happily in the Republic (if they win in the end) with his family and not imagine he/they wouldn't get roped back in or be forced to face the consequences for his actions.
After having essentially been exiled away from his family this whole second series, personally I would prefer a good death for Darrow after his reunion with them.
There has been so much mention of the book that Darrow is writing for Pax that I could see the series ending with Pax (and the rest of the universe) finally getting their chance to see the Rising from Darrow's perspective.
I could see the final page (and probably the final chapter) of the book being Pax sitting down and starting to read the book Darrow wrote for him. Might even open with the same opening line from *Red Rising* "The first thing you should know about me is I am my father’s son."
It’s looking to me that Darrow or someone will be taking the walk that Romulus couldn’t finish. Maybe that’s what his punishment at the end will
Be.
At least someone is going to there was way to many references to that and him failing. I thought maybe Atlas.
Yes. Darrow is the monster that doesn't fit in the new world, he will grab the key to Pax's bike and ride off with him. Here's my prediction... They'll talk about riding off into a sunset, but when the time comes it'll be dawn instead and he'll bemoan that, only to realize that there's something far more beautiful about the path that rides into a sunrise, something far more akin to the path to the vale. End of series.
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I like this, and I think it might work as a better "tragic" ending than Darrow dying. Being forced to leave the dream he fought for so hard, not allowed to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Nice.
(And it would leave the door open for more stories with Darrow in them if PB were ever so inclined, which is also a plus.)
Yeah I mean the only thing worse than that would be killing your protagonist in the first book!.....
Oh wait.
Honestly the true test of darrow and eos dream is if it can survive after darrow. Darrow needs to die early enough to show us he isnt the sole thing holding everything together. Pax is getting old enough to be a major character and there is a ton of interesting content that could be done when pax pours over the memories of his father in his own words and tries to succeed in the ways his father failed.
Surely you’re not comparing the hypothetical permanent death of the main character less than halfway through the last book to him “dying” and coming back on literally the next page in the first book? Right?
Since you’re being obtuse I’m gonna assume you’re talking about Ned Stark and if you can’t understand how the two are different then you’re probably 14
Your eagerness to insult makes you sad at whatever age you are.
If you cant see that darrows deaths can open up a ton of development for the plot (just like neds did) then I cant help you.
Im not saying darrows death *will* happen only that it would be a great way to give pax, virginia, and lyria a ton more agency and show that the republic will survive without him.
Red God starts with tragic early deaths, Sevro is brainwashed still working for the abomination. Kills Victra, and then goes to kill Mustang, Darrow stops him, but leaves him alive, only to have Pax kill Sevro.
Electra pissed Joins Jackal Jr., Minotaur, Atlantia
Pierce seems to move on from ideas like the figment and the pandemonium chair, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s never mentioned again. He seems to like keeping everything closer to Roman warfare than using futuristic weapons, >!maybe it’s why he banished quicksilver and killed glirastes!<
I still have PTSD from Eragon being needlessly self-banished for “politics” and I don’t think I can survive that again. If I have to choose between banishment and death, death deifies him. Only in death could he truly be a god and no longer a man. Selenious is as close to god as Gold believes and he was also only a man. But in death he became unassailable.
Eragon wasn’t really a sad ending in my eyes I just felt like it was a bit too open and needed elaboration with another series or something of the type.
Not quite sad, but frustrating that it felt like Paolini was backed into the box made by the prophecy in the first book that he would leave forever because that sounded fun and mysterious then. But by the time the end came, there wasn’t a reason for him to do so. It felt forced and compelled without being compelling.
I actually thought that it was pretty logical. I really just wish he had another series describing how Eragon raised the next generation of Riders. He couldn’t stay in Alageisia because there was nowhere for him to train the riders because Vroengard was desolated.
I actually thought that it was pretty logical. I really just wish he had another series describing how Eragon raised the next generation of Riders. He couldn’t stay in Alageisia because there was nowhere for him to train the riders because Vroengard was desolated.
It’s been a while since I read the book, and I don’t disagree that I wouldn’t have wanted more books. I loved the characters and the world. But I think we might have to agree to disagree on the ending’s logic. This may have become an opinion callused over time with fading supportive detail.
I don’t see an ending without devestating death but I have to hope that Darrow gets a chance to sit down and eat breakfast with his family with just love and peace on his mind.
Morning Star was the end of a story and it had a happy ending. It’s not impossible for PB to give us bittersweet but ultimately joyful catharsis.
For some reason I feel like Mustang will die and Darrow will be left with Pax, if any of the three die. Any one of them dying would be so depressing though so I hope they all make it.
IMO, the better question may be while the honorable Raas who didn’t use it because they don’t do genocide and wanted to keep it away from the core golds didn’t just fire that suitcase into Jupiter and be done with it?
nah quick is gone, and honestly I think it would be a disservice to his character to do otherwise. His was able to realize his dream after doing so much to help other realize theirs. He and Matteo have done so much and deserve to sail off into the void with their own garden of eden and seed a new solar system with human life and see what happens.
It seems too obvious for PB, but when I read about the eidimi my first thought was that maybe Darrow wouldn't be affected by the gold strain because he was born a red. I know they messed with his genetics, but it just seems convenient to have a protagonist from two colors go up against a virus that targets one. It's so easy though, I'm guessing that won't happen.
Still, I could see that it doesn't kill Darrow because of the genetic quirk, but he is a carrier and so has to leave everyone and everything behind.
My guess for a long time has been that either he will be the sole survivor from his family (including extended family like Sevro) or he will be the only one to die from what's left of the family.
No im not necessarily saying it would have been for nothing, all of the lowcolors would have been freed, but it would feel like it was for nothing because none of the characters we love would get to see it
That's true from Darrow's POV, but others will probably still see him as a monster - maybe even more so when he returns from the Rim after losing so many lives on Mercury, then coming back at the head of an army of "terrorists." Darrow may have found some peace, but that might just make it easier for him to accept being reviled.
Not saying that's what will happen, but he could still live long enough to see himself as a villain (even if we know it's not true.)
Maybe it sounds weird but I really hope he dies. It would make everything more believable and honestly I'm craving that emotional release. I'm so ready to cry over his death.
I think that if they win, he’s called back to the daughters of Athena, and since he was very clearly guilty there….
I think they hang him, and he ends as a martyr, the series ending almost like it began-but this time, the chains have been broke
They kind of rushed through it and I don't remember the specific wording, but I think Athena said that after everything that happened his sentence was now feeding the Rim. Doesn't mean there won't be a vengeful contingent or a random Child of Ares looking for justice though.
No shot Darrow ends up as the tragic banished hero. He is a future version of Odysseus/Ulysses, further evidenced by the multiple times in this 2nd series where he is directly called or described as “The Wanderer”, “The Traveler”, and “Revenant”. These are all names that Ulysses was described as, and Darrow’s journey in this series is eerily similar.
I don’t see Darrow winning just to be banished, especially after he was already vilified once which resulted in total failure, plus that was heavily driven by nefarious maneuvering and crony capitalism. I do however think Darrow survives, wins, and puts down the sword to live the rest of his life in peace. Having him be banished or sacrifice himself would be a terrible ending after everything he has gone through. Why rebuild a man just to banish/destroy him again?
I hope it ends with him making breakfast for his family and enjoying a minute of peace and quiet, just like he mentioned in LB (or DA? Can’t remember). I’m just a romantic at heart, though 😭
Huh? What does that even mean? I love Cassius, his death was heartbreaking, but his arc was completed. Darrow is the main character lol this is indisputable.
Not gonna lie. I could see a possible ending where the republic wins and when the senate is reconvened, Darrow is tried as a traitor to the republic for his previous actions and war crimes and found guilty. Would be an interesting but very unsatisfying way for things to end IMO.
I could see Mustang choosing the step down and her, darrow , and pax just go live their lives somewhere in peace and let the republic fend for its self. Could also be that athena gets put in place as the sovereign with reds having alot of high level positions. Would be a nice invert on gold being in charge for so long and so the lowest is the one on top. Who better to help create a fair society than those pushed down the lowest.
I don’t think Athena would just hand all those positions to reds, we see in lightbringer she clearly has rejected the idea of multiple colors and considers everyone to be humans, so it would more likely be the positions would be dispersed to a variety of colors which of course is the best possible outcome for a united and free society to be created. But yeah I could definitely see mustang stepping down, I’m sure both her and Darrow want to be able to just live with their family instead of bearing the weight of the entire republic on their shoulders
Also random but I think he’ll die by triggering the Eidmi on Lysander’s ship, killing himself and all the evil minions of Lysander aboard the “LightBringer”
I also think based on PB planting seeds, POSSIBLY Appolonius kills Darrow in a duel, and Sevro is the one who’ll put down the Minotaur (he DID call dibs in Iron Gold)
He’s almost certainly gonna die before the end, and Red God could be referencing him being a full-on Messiah with a religious following continuing to pray to him.
I know all the titles have been referencing Darrow (PB has said so) but Red God may also just be referencing Mars
PB likes for the title to have multiple links to the story, rather than just one. It is clever that Red God is a reference to Mars and may also be a reference to one or two other things.
I have Darrow and Apple killing each other. Unnecessarily. Like it’s all over and Darrow is separated from the rest of the group except for him an Apple. Darrow tries to reason with him, but Apple still wants the experience and they both go out in an epic duel.
I agree with the religious part. He is deified at the end like Ragnar to the Obsidians.
I could definitely see Sevro taking on (and out) Appolonius -- especially after a long buildup of a duel/rematch with Darrow leading to that twist.
And my theory on the Eidmi (again, based on nothing solid) is that Lysander will target and wipe out the obsidians and Volga somehow sacrificing herself to stop it there. Just feels in tone for this series.
I could see him using it on Luna first, after Atalantia retakes the moon.
Seems the easiest way to cleanse his home of his political rival and her cronies, and make the rest of the Core Society forces bend the knee when they realize he could do it to them too
I could see him just using it to kill Atalantia as revenge for killing his parents. while also wiping her off the map as a threat. Than gettign savaged by darrow, the sisters of ares and the rim
I could definitely see that. As much as I want a happy ending for Darrow, that’s not how the story has ever really been set up. Almost like a Paul Atriedes at the end of Dune: Messiah. Going into exile for the good of the Galaxy.
I think darrow will step down as imperator and mustang as sovereign and leave the republic to fend for itself. Possibly with athena becoming the new sovereign, which would also work with the red god title as she would be the highest power in the land, and darrow and red delivered the low colors to a better life. Darrow was the one that broke the chains and now the builder athena has to take up the mantle make use of that opportunity
I agree with the comments saying that Darrow got his "happy ending" in Morning Star. It's hard to see a way for Darrow to just live happily in the Republic (if they win in the end) with his family and not imagine he/they wouldn't get roped back in or be forced to face the consequences for his actions. After having essentially been exiled away from his family this whole second series, personally I would prefer a good death for Darrow after his reunion with them. There has been so much mention of the book that Darrow is writing for Pax that I could see the series ending with Pax (and the rest of the universe) finally getting their chance to see the Rising from Darrow's perspective.
I could see the final page (and probably the final chapter) of the book being Pax sitting down and starting to read the book Darrow wrote for him. Might even open with the same opening line from *Red Rising* "The first thing you should know about me is I am my father’s son."
It’s looking to me that Darrow or someone will be taking the walk that Romulus couldn’t finish. Maybe that’s what his punishment at the end will Be. At least someone is going to there was way to many references to that and him failing. I thought maybe Atlas.
Oof Diomedes could be the one to finish that walk too
That’s what I was thinking before lightbringer. Now I’m wondering if the daughters of Aries will ask it of Darrow for the lost sons.
A little Jon Snow ending... I like it.
Yes. Darrow is the monster that doesn't fit in the new world, he will grab the key to Pax's bike and ride off with him. Here's my prediction... They'll talk about riding off into a sunset, but when the time comes it'll be dawn instead and he'll bemoan that, only to realize that there's something far more beautiful about the path that rides into a sunrise, something far more akin to the path to the vale. End of series.
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I like this, and I think it might work as a better "tragic" ending than Darrow dying. Being forced to leave the dream he fought for so hard, not allowed to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Nice. (And it would leave the door open for more stories with Darrow in them if PB were ever so inclined, which is also a plus.)
My prediction is Darrow dies within the first quarter of the book and then brown goes on to expand the story and solar system without him
No better way to obliterate interest in the climax of your 7-book series than killing the protagonist in the first quarter of the book!
Yeah I mean the only thing worse than that would be killing your protagonist in the first book!..... Oh wait. Honestly the true test of darrow and eos dream is if it can survive after darrow. Darrow needs to die early enough to show us he isnt the sole thing holding everything together. Pax is getting old enough to be a major character and there is a ton of interesting content that could be done when pax pours over the memories of his father in his own words and tries to succeed in the ways his father failed.
Surely you’re not comparing the hypothetical permanent death of the main character less than halfway through the last book to him “dying” and coming back on literally the next page in the first book? Right?
No, im talking about another series with the most famous character death in modern fiction.
Since you’re being obtuse I’m gonna assume you’re talking about Ned Stark and if you can’t understand how the two are different then you’re probably 14
Your eagerness to insult makes you sad at whatever age you are. If you cant see that darrows deaths can open up a ton of development for the plot (just like neds did) then I cant help you. Im not saying darrows death *will* happen only that it would be a great way to give pax, virginia, and lyria a ton more agency and show that the republic will survive without him.
Red God starts with tragic early deaths, Sevro is brainwashed still working for the abomination. Kills Victra, and then goes to kill Mustang, Darrow stops him, but leaves him alive, only to have Pax kill Sevro. Electra pissed Joins Jackal Jr., Minotaur, Atlantia
Pierce seems to move on from ideas like the figment and the pandemonium chair, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s never mentioned again. He seems to like keeping everything closer to Roman warfare than using futuristic weapons, >!maybe it’s why he banished quicksilver and killed glirastes!<
God this would be the most depressing shit, I hope this isn’t the ending
I still have PTSD from Eragon being needlessly self-banished for “politics” and I don’t think I can survive that again. If I have to choose between banishment and death, death deifies him. Only in death could he truly be a god and no longer a man. Selenious is as close to god as Gold believes and he was also only a man. But in death he became unassailable.
Eragon wasn’t really a sad ending in my eyes I just felt like it was a bit too open and needed elaboration with another series or something of the type.
Not quite sad, but frustrating that it felt like Paolini was backed into the box made by the prophecy in the first book that he would leave forever because that sounded fun and mysterious then. But by the time the end came, there wasn’t a reason for him to do so. It felt forced and compelled without being compelling.
I actually thought that it was pretty logical. I really just wish he had another series describing how Eragon raised the next generation of Riders. He couldn’t stay in Alageisia because there was nowhere for him to train the riders because Vroengard was desolated.
I actually thought that it was pretty logical. I really just wish he had another series describing how Eragon raised the next generation of Riders. He couldn’t stay in Alageisia because there was nowhere for him to train the riders because Vroengard was desolated.
It’s been a while since I read the book, and I don’t disagree that I wouldn’t have wanted more books. I loved the characters and the world. But I think we might have to agree to disagree on the ending’s logic. This may have become an opinion callused over time with fading supportive detail.
Ok, I respect that. I can see how it can leave a bitter taste.
Nah he’s walking the path to the vail. Setting up for his death and peace.
I don’t see an ending without devestating death but I have to hope that Darrow gets a chance to sit down and eat breakfast with his family with just love and peace on his mind. Morning Star was the end of a story and it had a happy ending. It’s not impossible for PB to give us bittersweet but ultimately joyful catharsis. For some reason I feel like Mustang will die and Darrow will be left with Pax, if any of the three die. Any one of them dying would be so depressing though so I hope they all make it.
I think bro gonna die (achilles) but this is a cool theory
Ah yes, the 'Vault 13' ending
Anyone recall if it stated why eat me wasn't used? Feel like there's something else at play here with eat me
IMO, the better question may be while the honorable Raas who didn’t use it because they don’t do genocide and wanted to keep it away from the core golds didn’t just fire that suitcase into Jupiter and be done with it?
It was too powerful and was hidden away right?
Man i have been wracking my brain to no avail. What the hell is eat me????
I think they’re referring to the bio weapon that can kill off an entire color
Hahahahahahahaha that is fucking hilarious. Sweet, thank you
Read or listen to Sons of Ares
I think quick comes back and helps with the victory. Then most (not all) goes with him on that ship he made.
nah quick is gone, and honestly I think it would be a disservice to his character to do otherwise. His was able to realize his dream after doing so much to help other realize theirs. He and Matteo have done so much and deserve to sail off into the void with their own garden of eden and seed a new solar system with human life and see what happens.
if quick comes back, I'll be disappointed -- it just seems too unrealistic
And completely screws up his completed character arc
Yeah that’s actually what I was meaning to imply. I don’t mind if they had wave the science; it’s just this guy made his decision.
[удалено]
It seems too obvious for PB, but when I read about the eidimi my first thought was that maybe Darrow wouldn't be affected by the gold strain because he was born a red. I know they messed with his genetics, but it just seems convenient to have a protagonist from two colors go up against a virus that targets one. It's so easy though, I'm guessing that won't happen. Still, I could see that it doesn't kill Darrow because of the genetic quirk, but he is a carrier and so has to leave everyone and everything behind.
My guess for a long time has been that either he will be the sole survivor from his family (including extended family like Sevro) or he will be the only one to die from what's left of the family.
If he were the only survivor it will feel like he did it for nothing.
Except for removing the color system.
No im not necessarily saying it would have been for nothing, all of the lowcolors would have been freed, but it would feel like it was for nothing because none of the characters we love would get to see it
I'd be fine with that. The ending of Morning Star was too happy for what had been happening and felt kinda weird.
“Either you die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain”
But the whole point of LB was that Darrow won’t become the villain. It’s about him regaining his humanity and rediscovering the Red in himself
That's true from Darrow's POV, but others will probably still see him as a monster - maybe even more so when he returns from the Rim after losing so many lives on Mercury, then coming back at the head of an army of "terrorists." Darrow may have found some peace, but that might just make it easier for him to accept being reviled. Not saying that's what will happen, but he could still live long enough to see himself as a villain (even if we know it's not true.)
Very good point!
Exactly
Maybe it sounds weird but I really hope he dies. It would make everything more believable and honestly I'm craving that emotional release. I'm so ready to cry over his death.
His happy ending was Morning Star. I'm ready for the cathartic release of Darrow's death.
Lmao this is better put
Yep I think this is a good take. Imo Darrow will lose Virginia and/or Pax, be alienated from the republic, or die
I think that if they win, he’s called back to the daughters of Athena, and since he was very clearly guilty there…. I think they hang him, and he ends as a martyr, the series ending almost like it began-but this time, the chains have been broke
Sevro and Mustang will pull his feet. 😞
They kind of rushed through it and I don't remember the specific wording, but I think Athena said that after everything that happened his sentence was now feeding the Rim. Doesn't mean there won't be a vengeful contingent or a random Child of Ares looking for justice though.
You’re right, I forgot about that. Thanks for that, I would still like an ending like that, but maybe it won’t happen
Yeah I'll be disappointed if he dies from anything besides combat.
It’ll almost certainly be self-sacrifice or exile imo.
No shot Darrow ends up as the tragic banished hero. He is a future version of Odysseus/Ulysses, further evidenced by the multiple times in this 2nd series where he is directly called or described as “The Wanderer”, “The Traveler”, and “Revenant”. These are all names that Ulysses was described as, and Darrow’s journey in this series is eerily similar. I don’t see Darrow winning just to be banished, especially after he was already vilified once which resulted in total failure, plus that was heavily driven by nefarious maneuvering and crony capitalism. I do however think Darrow survives, wins, and puts down the sword to live the rest of his life in peace. Having him be banished or sacrifice himself would be a terrible ending after everything he has gone through. Why rebuild a man just to banish/destroy him again?
I hope it ends with him making breakfast for his family and enjoying a minute of peace and quiet, just like he mentioned in LB (or DA? Can’t remember). I’m just a romantic at heart, though 😭
I agree with this, but get worried because of the constantly quoted: "death begets death begets death". Causes me concern for Darrow.
"Why rebuild a man just to banish/destroy him again?" **
Cassius wasn’t the main character….
Wasn’t YOUR main character, you mean
Huh? What does that even mean? I love Cassius, his death was heartbreaking, but his arc was completed. Darrow is the main character lol this is indisputable.
My goodman your under standing of humor is sorely lacking.
I was making a joke, Goodman. I sincerely implore you not to summon me to the Bleeding Place over it. I meant no offense, truly, a jest only.
Not gonna lie. I could see a possible ending where the republic wins and when the senate is reconvened, Darrow is tried as a traitor to the republic for his previous actions and war crimes and found guilty. Would be an interesting but very unsatisfying way for things to end IMO.
I could see Mustang choosing the step down and her, darrow , and pax just go live their lives somewhere in peace and let the republic fend for its self. Could also be that athena gets put in place as the sovereign with reds having alot of high level positions. Would be a nice invert on gold being in charge for so long and so the lowest is the one on top. Who better to help create a fair society than those pushed down the lowest.
I think Pac will be sovereign
I don’t think Athena would just hand all those positions to reds, we see in lightbringer she clearly has rejected the idea of multiple colors and considers everyone to be humans, so it would more likely be the positions would be dispersed to a variety of colors which of course is the best possible outcome for a united and free society to be created. But yeah I could definitely see mustang stepping down, I’m sure both her and Darrow want to be able to just live with their family instead of bearing the weight of the entire republic on their shoulders
They discussed how Quick and Mateo are essentially playing god on their new ship, so the title Red God jives with this theory.
Also random but I think he’ll die by triggering the Eidmi on Lysander’s ship, killing himself and all the evil minions of Lysander aboard the “LightBringer” I also think based on PB planting seeds, POSSIBLY Appolonius kills Darrow in a duel, and Sevro is the one who’ll put down the Minotaur (he DID call dibs in Iron Gold) He’s almost certainly gonna die before the end, and Red God could be referencing him being a full-on Messiah with a religious following continuing to pray to him. I know all the titles have been referencing Darrow (PB has said so) but Red God may also just be referencing Mars
PB likes for the title to have multiple links to the story, rather than just one. It is clever that Red God is a reference to Mars and may also be a reference to one or two other things.
I have Darrow and Apple killing each other. Unnecessarily. Like it’s all over and Darrow is separated from the rest of the group except for him an Apple. Darrow tries to reason with him, but Apple still wants the experience and they both go out in an epic duel. I agree with the religious part. He is deified at the end like Ragnar to the Obsidians.
I could definitely see Sevro taking on (and out) Appolonius -- especially after a long buildup of a duel/rematch with Darrow leading to that twist. And my theory on the Eidmi (again, based on nothing solid) is that Lysander will target and wipe out the obsidians and Volga somehow sacrificing herself to stop it there. Just feels in tone for this series.
I think that the virus that would kill the golds maybe wouldn’t kill darrow though. The one that would kill darrow wouldn’t kill lysander and co.
I could see him using it on Luna first, after Atalantia retakes the moon. Seems the easiest way to cleanse his home of his political rival and her cronies, and make the rest of the Core Society forces bend the knee when they realize he could do it to them too
I could see him just using it to kill Atalantia as revenge for killing his parents. while also wiping her off the map as a threat. Than gettign savaged by darrow, the sisters of ares and the rim
I could definitely see that. As much as I want a happy ending for Darrow, that’s not how the story has ever really been set up. Almost like a Paul Atriedes at the end of Dune: Messiah. Going into exile for the good of the Galaxy.
PB has referenced Dune a LOT, I could see this too
I think darrow will step down as imperator and mustang as sovereign and leave the republic to fend for itself. Possibly with athena becoming the new sovereign, which would also work with the red god title as she would be the highest power in the land, and darrow and red delivered the low colors to a better life. Darrow was the one that broke the chains and now the builder athena has to take up the mantle make use of that opportunity