Veil of Dawn's Promise

by Joe Sarkic

“Veil of Dawn’s Promise" unfolds in the futuristic city of Cyronis, a towering beacon of human ingenuity and technological prowess, set against a planet scarred by past mistakes. The city, under the vigilant surveillance of an entity known as the Watchers, encapsulates a perfect blend of advanced technology and strict societal control. Amidst this backdrop, the narrative follows Elysa Jane Hawthorne, a pivotal figure within Cyronis's intricate data nexus, who finds herself entangled in a web of clandestine rebellion and hidden truths.

The story opens in the vibrant heart of Cyronis, the marketplace, where the rhythms of daily life are suddenly disrupted by a meticulously orchestrated assault. Shadowy figures, members of a rebellious faction known as The Veil of Dawn, execute a series of attacks, leaving the city in disarray and the populace reeling from the unexpected violence. The aftermath exposes the vulnerabilities of Cyronis’s seemingly impenetrable surveillance system and sets the stage for a deeper conflict.

Elysa Jane Hawthorne, grappling with fragmented dreams and a sense of a lost past, finds these disturbances unsettlingly close to her personal sphere. As she delves deeper, she discovers connections to her own life and a much larger conspiracy that extends to the very core of Cyronis's governance and its artificial intelligence, Orion. The story navigates through layers of political intrigue, personal discovery, and societal upheaval.

Central to the narrative is the complex relationship between technology and humanity, explored through the lens of Elysa’s experiences and her interactions with Orion. The novel adeptly portrays the struggle for identity and freedom within a system designed for absolute control. Elysa’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she uncovers hidden aspects of her past and the true nature of her existence within Cyronis.

"Veil of Dawn's Promise" masterfully weaves themes of surveillance, autonomy, and the human spirit against a backdrop of a futuristic dystopia. It presents a world where the lines between human emotion and technological advancements blur, creating a compelling narrative that questions the very essence of human freedom and the price of security.

287 pages, ebook

First published January 27, 2024

Reviews

[Logan Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veil of Dawn pulls you into a futuristic world of surveillance, rebellion, and secrets. Elysa Jane Hawthorne, a data miner in a city ruled by watchful eyes, stumbles into a conspiracy that challenges everything she knows.

Joe Sarkic’s world-building is stunning—Cyronis feels alive, with neon-lit streets and ever-present danger. The tension is constant, the twists are sharp, and Elysa is a character you can’t stop rooting for. If you love Blade Runner or Altered Carbon, this is a must-read.

Highly recommended!

[Zafar hasnain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping tale of humanity’s future with AI

This story echoes Orwell’s 1984. The narrative is layered with surveillance, autonomy, the role of technology in society in an Orwellian dystopia. The thrilling story doesn’t just entertain, it also asks the reader to think where our world is heading as we integrate AI into our lives. Good read!

[Kailyn Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mesmerizing dive into a futuristic world where freedom and control dance on a knife's edge. The vivid descriptions of Cyronis' neon-lit cityscape pulled me in, but it was Elysa’s journey, laden with mystery and personal stakes, that held me captive. This is a must-read for fans of intricate plots and complex characters.

[Alex Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This book has action, keeps you gripped to the story, I could not stop reading as I had to found out what happened, so many twists and turns in the book.
I hope there will be another one to continue this story further.
Beautifully written, hats off to you Joe Sarkic.

[Paul Leverell · Rating 4 out of 5]

great sci-fi

The book takes place in Cyronis, a futuristic city boasting advanced technology overseen by the watchful AI, Orion. Despite its gleaming facade, a rebellion known as The Veil of Dawn disrupts the city's order.

[Simon Linton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book!

The narrative centers on intricate character dynamics and inner conflicts, highlighting Elysa's personal struggles and her relationships with key individuals in her life. Good story.

[Cindy Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a perfect balance of suspense, technological intrigue, and emotional depth. I was captivated by the way Joe Sarkic crafted a world that felt simultaneously alien and relatable. Elysa's struggle with her identity amidst the chaos of Cyronis kept me turning pages late into the night.

[Meredith Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely does a sci-fi novel feel so grounded yet so imaginative. The juxtaposition of Cyronis’ advanced AI systems with Elysa’s deeply human dilemmas makes for a compelling narrative. The plot twists are unexpected and the prose is lyrical—this is storytelling at its finest!

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book. The world building was great; I felt immersed in the story and the city. One recommendation is I felt like descriptions of scenes or people were either too much or too little. Example: there was a paragraph on a character walking and the bottom of the jacket "kissed" against the top of their boots and the rain dropped off their hat. But the location of a distinctive face tattoo (besides saying it was near an eye) is not described. Balancing what adds to the story and what doesn't would take this book from decent to wonderful. But overall I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.