In the second installment of the Red Rising series, Darrow has made a name for himself by defeating the powers that be in The Institute and has made his fair share of enemies as well. Upon learning The Institute was rigged in favor of The Jackal (Adrius au Augustus) who is son to Nero au Augustus of House Augustus Darrow’s resentment for the Golds deepens. Because his mission is to defeat from within he joins forces with House Augustus, his biggest enemy, who find a need for his ruthless talent with a razer (a lightsaber that can turn into a whip). From here he goes on space adventures and ends up dueling with other peers like Cassius, the newly knighted Olympic Knight of House Bellona. This second book does a good job of world building and expanding our view of the Society and its multitude of problems. It adds a really rich portrayal of galactic politics with deep family ties and powerful moments between father, son, and siblings. With the ending leaving a lot of question marks and our hero locked away in a cell the Red Rising Revolution seems all too bleak. But fear not, Darrow and his companions find a way which makes this series barrel forward into its third installment. Not a great sequel, but solid enough to keep you asking for more.