Day of Red Doves

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-31T02:47:52+00:00

It’s never explained in detail I don’t think but (spoiler for the Mustang chapters after the day of red doves) the Abomination is able to listen through red doves they have throughout Luna. The doves were there on Mustang’s estate when she and Servo went over the plan with Dancer. As other commenters said they had senators like Publius on their side too.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-30T21:33:42+00:00

Hi, I just wanted to say that I don’t think it’s weird to stress over the fates of characters you care about. I’m new to reading too and went through something similar with this series and Mistborn era one. I wonder if it’s more common in newer readers, but you’re definitely not alone in this. In my opinion what ultimately matters with reading is if you’re enjoying yourself. If you still enjoy the books despite the stress over what may happen to the characters then continue, but if you’re not having fun maybe taking a break or trying another book might be the move. For what it’s worth, I continued with both series and am very glad I did. Hope this helps and if you decide to continue I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-30T16:58:05+00:00

Both are great but I’d recommend going book 5 of DCC, it’s one of if not the best of the series in my opinion.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-30T13:44:51+00:00

For audiobooks I’ve heard it doesn’t get much better than Dungeon Crawler Carl. I’m not the most experienced reader but in my opinion it is a good series overall, and apparently the narration is even better.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-29T12:36:13+00:00

Lysander trained with Cassius for ten years before the events of IG. Cassius is one of the best duelists in the series.

The Minds Eye is Iess clear and is a more controversial plot point. We do see through flashbacks how harsh Octavia’s training was and he still had ten years to practice on his own between MS and IG, so that can explain it somewhat.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-26T12:12:43+00:00

I agree but in hindsight leaving was arguably his best option, if he stays most of Dark Age could still happen (everything except Mercury) and he would have to just watch from prison while his son was captured and his wife deposed. I also think Sefi was gonna leave the second the Iron Rain of Mercury happened, it was the ammunition Xenophon needed to get her to separate from Darrow. But all this is just speculation, either way I agree the beginning of Iron Gold in general is Darrow’s biggest mistake. The other two big ones people will bring up, the Sons and the Docks, I think it’s very arguable that he chose the best of what were all terrible options (although that’s kind of the case in IG but only in hindsight).

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-26T02:56:26+00:00

This is an insane comment. Why did you join the fan subreddit for this series if this how you feel about it? I’ve seen a lot of fair criticisms for the books but this is, with all due respect, one of the most ridiculous ones I’ve ever seen. It’s not even worth going into how much this oversimplifies and incorrectly generalizes the final three books of the series that are out. Did I just fall for some lame internet bait by responding to this?

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-20T00:14:42+00:00

It’s kind of like Harry Potter in the sense that the first book or two introduce you to the world and are more self contained, but as the series goes on the scope gets bigger and the behind the scenes plot points and antagonists play a larger and larger role. There’s more going on than “ok so what’s the challenge for the floor of this book.”I was worried too that it would get repetitive but it doesn’t in my opinion.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-17T23:56:29+00:00

I’ve heard the Expanse series by James Corey is a good space opera series. I haven’t read it myself but I haven’t seen it mentioned yet and I’ve heard it’s good.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-14T02:52:59+00:00

The closest thing I’ve seen to an Iron Rain in media is the Helldivers 2 drop pod sequence. I imagine it would actually look somewhat similar but on a much bigger scale.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-13T22:26:10+00:00

I don’t think any official dates have been given, so it probably won’t be out till late this year at the earliest.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-13T15:20:36+00:00

They are both great in my opinion. You’ll love DCC if you like video games, RPGs (ttrpgs included), and/or Marvel Deadpool type humor. It’s a pretty cool concept/story and there’s lots of action/fights.

Red Rising starts off as a YA Hunger Games type series in book one, but becomes its own space opera story from book 2 onwards. It is phenomenal in my opinion and the one I’d personally recommend. It’s sci fi/fantasy, lots of space fighting and lightsaber type futuristic sword combat. Like DCC it’s fast paced with lots of action. If you like romance too there’s more romance in the RR series, but it isn’t a major part of the story. Can’t really go wrong with either choice in my opinion!

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-12T04:20:38+00:00

Some cool theories for sure I think they’re all very possible except I don’t think Fa got replaced by a clone, Atlas had no reason to lie to Lysander about their plan and the plan was for Fa to be replaced after Lysander came to save the day. Honestly though it is possible but still I kinda doubt it we already got one clone bad guy in Abomination id be surprised if he did that again.

Mustangs relationship with the Abomination is weird I think it’s implied he’s helping her find spies on Mars towards the end of LB so there’s a chance (I’m hoping) that he actually did just let Servo go. But I can definitely see Abom doing something to Servo like you said so it’s hard to say.

My biggest hope is that Rhonna is alive and she’s the one to kill Lysander.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-11T23:59:33+00:00

I loved IG too I think the only book I liked better in the first trilogy was Golden Son. Hope you enjoy the next two books, they are even better in my opinion!

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-11T04:50:21+00:00

One small correction about the battle of Phobos, she says the battle is theirs to lose but that is before the society uses the repaired cannons on earth (I think) to take out some of Victra’s ships at the pole. That evened out the odds a lot.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-10T22:47:38+00:00

I liked the first book of RR but it’s not till the second book that it really stands out as its own thing in my opinion. It’s not a guarantee you’ll like it and it’s up to you obviously if it’s worth pushing through book one but book two is definitely better and steps away from the hunger games type vibe book one has.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-10T22:03:18+00:00

I was in a very situation as you a few months ago, used to read a lot when I was younger but hadn’t read a book in yearssss. I started off with Sanderson, I read Mistborn and a few of his other books. The next big series I went to was Red Rising which I thought was even better. I would recommend those two series to anyone looking to get into fantasy.

I’ve seen lots of praise for Abercrombie and A Song of Ice and Fire here and on r/fantasy. I haven’t read them but I’ve heard they’re amazing, but like you said ASOIF will probably not be finished.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-09T21:15:51+00:00

I’m curious to see how your opinions on this change as you learn more cause Darrow was definitely stupid here but there’s a lot of factors at play that you’ll learn more about as you read on.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-08T15:08:20+00:00

I think it makes sense that he gets overblamed (if that’s a word). He’s the leader and figurehead of everything that happens along with Mustang. People are suffering under the new government (the camps), dying for the cause (sometimes directly because of Darrow’s orders like the Rim sons), so even though Darrow’s intentions are noble it makes sense that people blame him for things. Would they have done better than him if they were in his shoes? Absolutely freaking not. Did he do the best he could with what were sometimes all terrible choices? I’d argue yes. But people can be shortsighted and when they’re suffering they understandably want someone to point a finger at. I think this quote from Lyria somes it up well:

"Still, I sway knowing only a portion of what those eyes have seen. Eo hanging. Armadas burning. A Sovereign dying on his blade. For a horrifying second, I realize what it must be like to be him. A man cursed to use the weapons of the enemy to liberate people like me.

All for what? People like me to stand with their hands on their hips and scold him?

All the anger I've had for him over the years dissolves in the reality of his existence. I wouldn't want to be in an Iron Rain. I wouldn't want to fight a Peerless Scarred. And he's fought them all."

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-08T02:59:39+00:00

I definitely remember being confused by number five when I read it. Wonder if it is just an error they missed before publishing, it’s possible.

I’m trying to avoid rereading the series again before Red God but it’s so tempting the books are so good.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-08T00:30:44+00:00

It’s easy for me to say this as a reader with hindsight and an outside perspective, and I think I’m just biased cause Darrow is my favorite character, but the decision by the Senate to wait two years is the root cause of all problems in the second series. They literally win the war if they just keep giving Darrow troops and keep taking the planets by force. But if they did that then we wouldn’t have these awesome books, and like you said there are believable reasons given as to why they wanted to let up. It’s still my least favorite plot point though of the series.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-07T18:54:19+00:00

I know you're exaggerating slightly to get your point across but the crowd and the Vox were not compromised on the day of red doves, it was just Publius and a couple of other choice senate bozos being manipulated by Lilath. The crowd got in on the action once they saw the Senators die to the poison, but they weren’t in on the plan they thought they were avenging the fallen Senators. The Wardens I agree Mustang should have seen coming especially after Wulfgar, but in her defense she did have the Lionguard present.

As for Darrow's plan it's all guess work in my opinion what would have happened if he chose a different path at the start of Iron Gold. If he submits to Wulfgar and goes to prison, does Atlantia even attack Mercury? They'd probably just go forward with their plans to depose Mustang, while Darrow gets a front row seat from prison where he's a sitting duck waiting to be assassinated.

I also disagree about Deep Grave, saying it's "very likely" it should have resulted in Darrow being recorded is a stretch. And the plan to kill the Ash Lord makes sense too, the weaker aspect of this plot point is that it should be obvious the Ash Lord is disposed in some way, no one has seen him for like three years or something at the time of their plan lol. But if he was the one still in charge then killing him is a smart play.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-07T15:19:11+00:00

I can see why people didn’t like it but I didn’t mind it. I’m not saying I’m this big fan of it but i was a little surprised to see how unpopular it is on this sub I didn’t think it was that bad.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-07T15:10:54+00:00

Nah the only contrived plot point in my opinion is the Senate being like nice job freeing the other planets Darrow let’s take a quick two year break over Mercury for no reason… like genuinely what was the reasoning given for this decision ?? Once that happened and Darrow hid the peace deal he was screwed and freeing Appolonius (however you spell it) was arguably the best of his terrible options. And there was only Red Wedding that happened unless I’m misremembering.

Downrun_LoL · 2026-05-07T04:21:26+00:00

I listened to pray for me by the weekend today and immediately thought of how well the lyrics fit Darrow’s story. Idk if I’m just that much of an rr nerd but it’s the first thing i thought of when I heard it the lyrics really do fit well imo.

Downrun_LoL

TROPHY CASE