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The Dark Without
You cannot change what has already happened, just as what will happen cannot be altered. Lies. Nothing but lies!
“Humankind is always doomed to fail. It has fallen many times before, and many times we have intervened to ensure it stays on the correct course. Earth is salvageable, but if you had continued along the path you were on, it would not have been. You have billions of years more to exist before your planet’s final destruction. We are only making certain it survives that long, and ensuring your survival until the ultimate end. At times you progress too fast, but such is humankind’s way. So we had to accelerate this current failure sooner in order to restart. As we have done before, a guide with a better objective and understanding of how to protect your world, will be inserted…”
But why did they care what humans did with their lives? They were aliens—beings from another dimension! Earth wasn’t their home.
Esme Serrano’s predestined encounter with the trans-dimensional anthropomorphic Aakehollats sends her on a multi-pathed journey spanning ten thousand years. A journey riddled with lies, manipulations and untold layers of deception. She guides Earth as the Sibyl, a powerful and mystical leader, and brings the dying world back from the brink of death. She helps the Aakehollats, and ensures that Earth survives until its ultimate destruction in the cosmos.
But her one true goal is, and always will be, to kill the Aakehollats.
“Humankind is always doomed to fail. It has fallen many times before, and many times we have intervened to ensure it stays on the correct course. Earth is salvageable, but if you had continued along the path you were on, it would not have been. You have billions of years more to exist before your planet’s final destruction. We are only making certain it survives that long, and ensuring your survival until the ultimate end. At times you progress too fast, but such is humankind’s way. So we had to accelerate this current failure sooner in order to restart. As we have done before, a guide with a better objective and understanding of how to protect your world, will be inserted…”
But why did they care what humans did with their lives? They were aliens—beings from another dimension! Earth wasn’t their home.
Esme Serrano’s predestined encounter with the trans-dimensional anthropomorphic Aakehollats sends her on a multi-pathed journey spanning ten thousand years. A journey riddled with lies, manipulations and untold layers of deception. She guides Earth as the Sibyl, a powerful and mystical leader, and brings the dying world back from the brink of death. She helps the Aakehollats, and ensures that Earth survives until its ultimate destruction in the cosmos.
But her one true goal is, and always will be, to kill the Aakehollats.
242 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2023
About the author
T.K. Toppin
29 books60 followers"I tell lies, write them down, and call it fiction."
T.K. Toppin writes character-driven tales, loaded with mystery, intrigue and adventure, navigating the realms of Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction and Space Opera. Previously with small press publishers, she is now immersed in indie publishing, embracing its many challenges and delights. A member of SFWA, T.K. is also an award-winning author, her novel The Dark Without, received Literary Titan's Book Award.
Born, raised and living in Barbados, when T.K. is not writing, can be found studiously working on her doctorate in Procrastination by binge-watching shows on streaming networks, doing absolutely nothing, and juggling the baffling realm of social media marketing.
T.K. Toppin writes character-driven tales, loaded with mystery, intrigue and adventure, navigating the realms of Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction and Space Opera. Previously with small press publishers, she is now immersed in indie publishing, embracing its many challenges and delights. A member of SFWA, T.K. is also an award-winning author, her novel The Dark Without, received Literary Titan's Book Award.
Born, raised and living in Barbados, when T.K. is not writing, can be found studiously working on her doctorate in Procrastination by binge-watching shows on streaming networks, doing absolutely nothing, and juggling the baffling realm of social media marketing.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 20, 2023
Science Fiction prophecy has been a part of our culture for decades. Science Fiction writers find a way to take what is happening in our world today and figure out what is coming next. This book is another great example of that heritage. After reading the first few chapters of THE DARK WITHOUT, I saw our world today--political upheaval, climate change, skyrocketing food prices, rolling blackouts--all of these things are affecting us today. T.K. blends the reality of our world with the possibility that life exists out there, watching over us. It's a powerful story of a world controlled by a single doctrine, forged from the story of one person setting humanity on its destined course, but what if they got the story wrong? Can humanity survive knowing the truth? These questions boggle the mind but it keeps you enthralled with every page. T.K. belongs with the science fiction prophets of the past, giving us ample warning about our future.
February 21, 2023
"You cannot change what has happened, just as what will happen cannot be altered."
"Lies. Nothing but lies!"
The trans-dimensional anthropomorphic aliens in THE DARK WITHOUT influence the path of humankind from within hidden recesses of space. They have a hand in major conflicts and wars and global change across the ages, pulling the strings of individual lives to steer the Earth toward some kind of destiny they've chosen for us.
It's no wonder Esme Serrano wants to kill them.
But when Esme was chosen - taken - and learned of the aliens for the first time, she never envisioned travelling back and forth across 10,000 years attempting rescue all of humankind.
T.K. Toppin portrayed Esme's struggle against the aliens with realism and a strength of character that rivals many mainstream superheroes of today. Esme's resilience and growth is believable and moving, her motivations and actions consistent and unwavering. From her time as a young teen who'd hadn't even found her feet before the world fell apart, riddled with blackouts, food and water shortages, violence, sickness and death, to a woman determined above all else to rid the Earth of this unknown, powerful alien dictatorship, on her own, is an inspiring story. It had my heart pounding with rage for her, sharing her passion from beginning to end.
The story starts split chapter for chapter between the points of view of three characters in vastly different times and places, but these storylines were easy to follow despite the fragmentation. I particularly loved how vivid each character's perspective was. I felt like Toppin picked me up and dropped me into a whole new world each time.
As a sci-fi nut, the VR actress was enthralling with the fully immersive virtual system. The passionate - though occasionally dry - scientists had me eager and curious to see just how all the pieces would fit. And Esme's own story had me on the edge of my seat with excitement and awe as each timeline grew closer to the final climactic collision; an ending that did not disappoint!
Overall, THE DARK WITHOUT is fast paced, the main character's journey takes the reader back and forth between timelines without stalling and the conflict builds to an explosive finale. I tend to avoid time travel tropes because the MC almost always gets stuck in a time and place for extended periods and frankly, it's boring. However, Toppin has mastered time travel in THE DARK WITHOUT, offering readers a thrilling sci-fi where each chaotic piece builds in line with the main plot to combine into a climax that inspires us to think about the state of the world and the future of humankind with a fear and reverence for the vastness of space and its infinite possibilities. Encouraging age-old questions that only the best sci-fi can offer.
Why are we here? How did we get here? How have we survived through so much turmoil? Will humans ever live in space? On other planets?
Is there life out there?
Is it already here?
A fantastic novel for sci-fi readers who love a plot that makes them think.
"Lies. Nothing but lies!"
The trans-dimensional anthropomorphic aliens in THE DARK WITHOUT influence the path of humankind from within hidden recesses of space. They have a hand in major conflicts and wars and global change across the ages, pulling the strings of individual lives to steer the Earth toward some kind of destiny they've chosen for us.
It's no wonder Esme Serrano wants to kill them.
But when Esme was chosen - taken - and learned of the aliens for the first time, she never envisioned travelling back and forth across 10,000 years attempting rescue all of humankind.
T.K. Toppin portrayed Esme's struggle against the aliens with realism and a strength of character that rivals many mainstream superheroes of today. Esme's resilience and growth is believable and moving, her motivations and actions consistent and unwavering. From her time as a young teen who'd hadn't even found her feet before the world fell apart, riddled with blackouts, food and water shortages, violence, sickness and death, to a woman determined above all else to rid the Earth of this unknown, powerful alien dictatorship, on her own, is an inspiring story. It had my heart pounding with rage for her, sharing her passion from beginning to end.
The story starts split chapter for chapter between the points of view of three characters in vastly different times and places, but these storylines were easy to follow despite the fragmentation. I particularly loved how vivid each character's perspective was. I felt like Toppin picked me up and dropped me into a whole new world each time.
As a sci-fi nut, the VR actress was enthralling with the fully immersive virtual system. The passionate - though occasionally dry - scientists had me eager and curious to see just how all the pieces would fit. And Esme's own story had me on the edge of my seat with excitement and awe as each timeline grew closer to the final climactic collision; an ending that did not disappoint!
Overall, THE DARK WITHOUT is fast paced, the main character's journey takes the reader back and forth between timelines without stalling and the conflict builds to an explosive finale. I tend to avoid time travel tropes because the MC almost always gets stuck in a time and place for extended periods and frankly, it's boring. However, Toppin has mastered time travel in THE DARK WITHOUT, offering readers a thrilling sci-fi where each chaotic piece builds in line with the main plot to combine into a climax that inspires us to think about the state of the world and the future of humankind with a fear and reverence for the vastness of space and its infinite possibilities. Encouraging age-old questions that only the best sci-fi can offer.
Why are we here? How did we get here? How have we survived through so much turmoil? Will humans ever live in space? On other planets?
Is there life out there?
Is it already here?
A fantastic novel for sci-fi readers who love a plot that makes them think.
March 11, 2023
When young Esme's world crumbles, she's stunned to learn that humanity's existence has been manipulated by trans dimensional aliens. Forced into becoming Earth's false 'saviour' she travels across 10,000 years of timelines, weaving a hidden web that must achieve the impossible: the death of the aliens.
Utilising multiple timelines, the staggeringly complex, yet understandable narrative gradually delivers layer upon layer of plotting, betrayal, lies and grief.
This stunning exploration of manipulated faith, destiny, revenge and the nature of truth wasn't an easy read, since I am a woman of faith, myself. Nonetheless, a masterpiece.
Utilising multiple timelines, the staggeringly complex, yet understandable narrative gradually delivers layer upon layer of plotting, betrayal, lies and grief.
This stunning exploration of manipulated faith, destiny, revenge and the nature of truth wasn't an easy read, since I am a woman of faith, myself. Nonetheless, a masterpiece.
June 11, 2023
I hope you are not one of those people who skip to the end of a book when you start reading in order, for some odd reason, to find out what happens. This book requires immersion, deep identification with Esme and all her permutations. You need to swim through the morass that multiple lives over thousands of years have created in this young yet old mind and soul. Only then can you appreciate the "ending."
October 19, 2025
The Dark Without isn’t just another dystopian read. It’s a reckoning. T.K. Toppin takes the bones of our world and holds them to the light, showing how fragile, how human, how salvageable we still are. Esme’s journey is haunting and intimate, and the world she moves through feels terrifyingly near.
What I loved most was how the story feels lived-in: the writing is clear, the atmosphere believable, and every moral turn feels earned. This isn’t spectacle, it’s consequence, and it lingers.
What truly won me over was the emotional texture. T. K. doesn’t shy away from the ache of displacement, the fear of being powerless, the longing for meaning when the lights go out. She reminds us that even when the lights go out, humanity still flickers. And I found myself holding onto pages just to slow time and feel all of it.
What I loved most was how the story feels lived-in: the writing is clear, the atmosphere believable, and every moral turn feels earned. This isn’t spectacle, it’s consequence, and it lingers.
What truly won me over was the emotional texture. T. K. doesn’t shy away from the ache of displacement, the fear of being powerless, the longing for meaning when the lights go out. She reminds us that even when the lights go out, humanity still flickers. And I found myself holding onto pages just to slow time and feel all of it.
January 7, 2025
The Dark Without by T.K. Toppin plunges readers into a haunting vision of Earth’s future—a world ravaged by humanity’s excesses and the relentless effects of climate change. In this dystopia, the government holds a monopoly on technology and resources, leaving the rest of society to languish in darkness and poverty. The planet itself has become a sprawling wasteland, its landscape littered with the ruins of centuries. Amidst this grim reality, people cling to fragments of normalcy—attending school, eking out livelihoods—but an air of despair pervades. The bleakness of this setting provokes a deep existential question: what’s the point of it all?
From the start, the story grips you on an emotional level. The world Toppin paints feels disturbingly plausible, a terrifying extrapolation of today’s crises. Esme’s journal entries, recounting her family’s harrowing escape during riots, are especially compelling. These passages tug at the heart, vividly capturing the chaos and fear of displacement. The parallels to real-world struggles are impossible to ignore, adding layers of poignancy and urgency to the narrative.
The plot takes an unexpected turn into science fiction when Esme experiences what can only be described as an alien abduction—but not in the way one might anticipate. This twist is both startling and fascinating, tapping into speculative theories about extraterrestrial involvement in human affairs. While I don’t subscribe to such ideas, the book’s exploration of them is captivating. Toppin crafts a scenario that feels both imaginative and unnervingly credible, lending the story a thought-provoking edge.
Themes of government corruption and humanity’s self-destructive tendencies resonate deeply throughout the book. These elements ground the fantastical aspects of the narrative in reality, prompting readers to reflect on the parallels to our own world. Fiction like this—stories that entertain while challenging us to confront uncomfortable truths—has a unique power. In some ways, The Dark Without feels like a grown-up counterpart to The Lorax, delivering its cautionary tale with a sharp, sophisticated edge.
The ending left a strong impression on me. Dark and perhaps morbid, it feels entirely fitting for the story Toppin tells. It delivers a poetic sense of justice. This is a gripping and thought-provoking read. The emotional depth, compelling themes, and unexpected twists make The Dark Without a standout work of speculative fiction. Highly recommended for anyone ready to be both entertained and unsettled by a vision of what might come if we don’t change course.
From the start, the story grips you on an emotional level. The world Toppin paints feels disturbingly plausible, a terrifying extrapolation of today’s crises. Esme’s journal entries, recounting her family’s harrowing escape during riots, are especially compelling. These passages tug at the heart, vividly capturing the chaos and fear of displacement. The parallels to real-world struggles are impossible to ignore, adding layers of poignancy and urgency to the narrative.
The plot takes an unexpected turn into science fiction when Esme experiences what can only be described as an alien abduction—but not in the way one might anticipate. This twist is both startling and fascinating, tapping into speculative theories about extraterrestrial involvement in human affairs. While I don’t subscribe to such ideas, the book’s exploration of them is captivating. Toppin crafts a scenario that feels both imaginative and unnervingly credible, lending the story a thought-provoking edge.
Themes of government corruption and humanity’s self-destructive tendencies resonate deeply throughout the book. These elements ground the fantastical aspects of the narrative in reality, prompting readers to reflect on the parallels to our own world. Fiction like this—stories that entertain while challenging us to confront uncomfortable truths—has a unique power. In some ways, The Dark Without feels like a grown-up counterpart to The Lorax, delivering its cautionary tale with a sharp, sophisticated edge.
The ending left a strong impression on me. Dark and perhaps morbid, it feels entirely fitting for the story Toppin tells. It delivers a poetic sense of justice. This is a gripping and thought-provoking read. The emotional depth, compelling themes, and unexpected twists make The Dark Without a standout work of speculative fiction. Highly recommended for anyone ready to be both entertained and unsettled by a vision of what might come if we don’t change course.
March 30, 2024
The Dark Without is one of those books that creeps up on you, taps you on the shoulder and asks: Why have you stopped reading? It pulls you in, playing on the concept of humankind slowly destroying their environment. With the people of the world trying to work together to end an energy crisis linked to a rapidly developing environmental one, the depiction of Esme as the world crumbles around her rings true. Not only that, she is a member of a family that understands their role in trying to help, but can also see what’s coming. When an energy switch off sparks riots, and the rapid (and I mean rapid) breakdown of society is triggered, they desperately try to survive a world slipping into despair and madness. When this fails, Esme discovers a deeper, darker secret. One that she can never forgive, and it is there that the true sci-fi root of this novel shapes into a story of dark revenge. The novel then swoops into twists of time and deceit, revenge and hate, where both parties are playing the long game. Within the sci-fi trope of time within time, Toppin plays on our perceptions of religion and figureheads. Drawing you in and dropping time bombs that tease the reader into thinking they know, when in reality you need to keep on reading to be sure. Just don’t expect to agree with every choice Esme makes, and that is as it should be. A superb read.
December 29, 2024
Wildly inventive
I’ve read numerous books and stories by this author, and she has never failed to surprise me with her innovation! “The Dark Without” is no exception. There is so much to like about this book.
The story begins under this one premise: “Humankind is always doomed to fail.” The story revolves around time travel, aliens who believe it’s their responsibility to intervene with the evolution of the human race to keep it “on course,” and a brilliant depiction of fundamentalist worship to a deity referred to simply as The Sibyl. Toppin’s description around the trek of the young protagonist, Esme Serrano, trying to escape the global power shutdowns, the loss of family, and the disintegration of society as we know it, is absolutely chilling.
“The Dark Without” spans some ten thousand years, and Toppin handles the time shifts deftly, with plenty of direction to keep you in the loop. And when you see where she’s headed, you’ll understand the reasoning behind her structure—the story had to be told this way! Another fine read from T.K. Toppin.
I’ve read numerous books and stories by this author, and she has never failed to surprise me with her innovation! “The Dark Without” is no exception. There is so much to like about this book.
The story begins under this one premise: “Humankind is always doomed to fail.” The story revolves around time travel, aliens who believe it’s their responsibility to intervene with the evolution of the human race to keep it “on course,” and a brilliant depiction of fundamentalist worship to a deity referred to simply as The Sibyl. Toppin’s description around the trek of the young protagonist, Esme Serrano, trying to escape the global power shutdowns, the loss of family, and the disintegration of society as we know it, is absolutely chilling.
“The Dark Without” spans some ten thousand years, and Toppin handles the time shifts deftly, with plenty of direction to keep you in the loop. And when you see where she’s headed, you’ll understand the reasoning behind her structure—the story had to be told this way! Another fine read from T.K. Toppin.
February 26, 2023
I was lucky enough to have a preview read of this and I enjoyed it immensely. Living in a world of turmoil and confusion with a year of war in Europe, climate change and ongoing human stupidity, TK’s world where humanity has destroyed itself by destroying the planet rings true as a launching point for a great read. TK has developed a science fiction version of recovery for the planet and humanity that is intriguing. The grooming of a new massiah to save humanity and the backstory to this made for an interesting central theme, which coupled with the flexibility of time and the weaving of characters through time was really entertaining. As it built to its climax the pages turned ever more quickly all the way to the end. As with many of her other books TK has developed strong female characters who it is easy to build a connection with. Well worth the read.
September 4, 2023
It wasn't an easy read, I had to focus through every chapter, to keep up with the plot. The book starts with a situation where electricity is shut off for a month to give Earth time to recuperate. But a month becomes, two, three, six and everything is starting to fall apart: food, water, jobs are worth fighting and killing for.
But then something happens and a bit of hope finds the heroin of the story. It might not be what she wanted, or expected, nonetheless, it is a chance to change the future.
But then something happens and a bit of hope finds the heroin of the story. It might not be what she wanted, or expected, nonetheless, it is a chance to change the future.
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January 17, 2026Read for SPSFC. Full Review to come
April 1, 2023
I've enjoyed several novels by this author. In The Dark Without, Toppin makes an intriguing case regarding the origins of a global belief system in a futuristic society plagued by misinformation, conspiracy and power-hungry rulers. Alas, it all sounds too terribly realistic! With something for every reader, the novel combines themes of alien life forms, time and space travel — examining those deep questions that have puzzled humans since our earliest days. I enjoyed the strong female characters and the details of everyday life centuries into the future. This book is a spellbinder!
December 26, 2024
Human activity made Earth unliveable. To try and salvage the planet, governments of the world turn off electricity, but society collapses into chaos. One if the survivors, a young girl Esme Serrano is primed by trans-demential beings, the Aakehollats, to be a great Sybil that leads humanity to salvation. But when Esme discovers a sinister truth about these alien saviours, she conjures a revenge plan spanning millennia.
The story is told by jumping between different times and styles, which reminded me somewhat of the Cloud Atlas. The first part of Esme’s journey is very believed and devastating due to the hardships she must endure. The world building is vivid. The second part had me rooting strongly for Esme to get her revenge as her millennia-long plan begins to unfold.
Although some if the dialogues with the Aakehollats seemed lengthy, I really liked the concept and the themes of free will and pre-determination. A solid 4.5 stars.
Disclosure: I was provided a free arc copy of the book.
The story is told by jumping between different times and styles, which reminded me somewhat of the Cloud Atlas. The first part of Esme’s journey is very believed and devastating due to the hardships she must endure. The world building is vivid. The second part had me rooting strongly for Esme to get her revenge as her millennia-long plan begins to unfold.
Although some if the dialogues with the Aakehollats seemed lengthy, I really liked the concept and the themes of free will and pre-determination. A solid 4.5 stars.
Disclosure: I was provided a free arc copy of the book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews