The Aurora's Pale Light

Epic WalrusTech Universe #2

by E.W. Doc Parris

Time is a motherf@#er.
The rules that govern time machines are strict. Penalties for violations are severe and unpredictable. Ask decorated war hero John Banks how he knows.
History will record that the end of human civilization occurs six years from now, that a demonic virus will claim six billion lives, and that one John Arthur Banks died two weeks ago in a California wildfire. Forensics confirmed it. The Governor of California and the Joint Chiefs of Staff attended his funeral. It made all the news streams.
And yet…
John Banks is alive. Thanks to a little sleight of hand and a time machine, John’s cheated death. That’s the upside. The downside? It falls to him to prepare the world for the coming demon apocalypse. He can’t change history. Time won’t permit it, but he can prepare for the aftermath. Six years till doomsday and John’s determined to cheat death one more time, on a global scale. Failing that, he’ll have to lead the survivors out of Hell. There’s only one problem with that option.
The Highway out of Hell is not on GPS.

350 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2024

About the author

E.W. Doc Parris (he, him, his) is a science fiction writer based in Northern Virginia, in the US.
He is the debut author of ‘The Dent in the Universe’, the first of his ‘WalrusTech’ series chronicling humanity’s downfall and the subsequent climb back to their former heights and beyond. "The Dent in the Universe" is available for free via Amazon's Kindle Unlimited.
In addition to being a science fiction author, Doc has held many jobs in a long and varied career. He’s been an actor, graphic designer, art director, 3D modeler, animator, iOS developer, and currently works as a front end solutions architect developing real-world content management systems for the rest of us.
He can be found on his website www.ewdocparris.com as well as the following social media platforms
mastodon: @ewdocparris@writing.exchange
instagram: @ewdocparris

Reviews

[John (LHBC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time Travel, Apocalypses, and a Hero Who’s Already Dead: The Aurora’s Pale Light Is a Must-Read Sci-Fi Thriller

When I first dove into A Dent in the Universe by E.W. Doc Parris, I was blown away by its chaotic mix of technology, murder, and time-bending mayhem. So naturally, I couldn’t wait to see where the story would go in its sequel, The Aurora's Pale Light. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t just meet expectations—it shatters them.

This time around, we follow John Banks, a war hero who’s somehow alive despite history—and his death certificate—insisting otherwise. Armed with the same time-bending tech from the first book, John faces an even more impossible task: preparing humanity for the looming apocalypse. The catch? He can’t stop it. Time travel doesn’t allow for do-overs or miracle saves, and the rules are as unforgiving as they are flexible (with a copious amount of creativity).

Parris cranks up the intensity in this sequel. The stakes aren’t just personal—they’re apocalyptic. As John races against the clock to prep the world for its inevitable collapse, the story dives deep into ethical dilemmas, exploring whether knowing the future is a blessing or a curse. Can one person truly make a difference without rewriting history? And if they could, should they?

The pacing is relentless, the action is chaotic (in the best way), and the world-building is impressively detailed yet disturbingly plausible. Parris excels at blending realistic dystopian elements with a sci-fi edge that feels both thrilling and unsettling. The "rules" of time travel, while complex, are fascinating—and they create just enough tension to keep you guessing how John will pull off the impossible.

Paris also does an excellent job with character development. John Banks is no superhero; he’s flawed, resourceful, and burdened by the weight of what he knows. His struggle to balance personal survival with the responsibility of saving others feels raw and genuine.

That said, it’s been a while since I read the first book, and I wish it had been fresher in my mind. While The Aurora's Pale Light provides plenty of backstory, there’s something to be said for diving in with all the details still sharp. If you haven't read A Dent in the Universe--start there.

If you loved the blend of science fiction, mystery, and chaos in A Dent in the Universe, you’re going to enjoy this sequel. It’s darker, more intense, and even more mind-bending. The themes are thought-provoking, the action is pulse-pounding. I am almost to a place where I could describe the action as "Pure Parris".

Thanks to E.W. Doc Parris for the advanced copy. I’ll be impatiently waiting to see where this series goes next.

[Ren || Reading What I Want · Rating 5 out of 5]

|| REVIEW || ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Length: 350p
Source: Physical ARC - Author
Series: Epic WalrusTech Universe, #2
Release Date: November 29, 2024
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The second book in the series, The Aurora’s Pale Light is a captivating, utterly addictive, downright confusing (in a good way) science fiction time travel journey of epic proportions.

You HAVE to start with book one.
The world is realistic but dystopian.
It has multiple plot points that both explain the central plot of time traveling tech while also adding layers of political intrigue and paranormal action sequences full of monsters and demons.

The world is building and it’s so flushed out and descriptive I feel like I personally recognize it.
I honestly devoured the first book in a day and immediately jumped into this one because I needed to know what was going to happen next.

If you’ve ever enjoyed the complex world building of Dune or other similar works, then this one will be right up your alley.
Thanks SO much to the author for gifting me this dark, thrilling sci-fi adventure.
Purchase it here —> https://magicgenius.co/books/

{I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All reviews are my own.}

[Dan Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling 2nd entry in this series. Continuing what I loved from the first, this book has some of the most creative and original ideas of time travel I've ever experienced. It's got some great visual storytelling and plot beats that really stuck with me. Also had some really good plot twists I did not see coming. Can't wait to see what comes next.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it was possible but this one was better than the first. Action packed with all the elements of hard science fiction, horror, AI, and futurism. Beautifully written. Can't wait for the next one.

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has potential but needs a heavy hand with editing the book and the story line.

I got this as an ARC off Netgalley and I had read the first one, which also had amazing potential but again editing..

This was a bit like a bunch of ideas jammed in a plastic bag and then trying to interlink them dosent work.

But the idea and synopsis are great.

And I'm not one of those people that mind having a million characters and plot points.

This just wasn't cohesive enough to enjoy.

[Allison Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

**SPOILERS**

Full disclosure: I am E.W. Doc Parris's critique partner, podcast co-host, and a beta-reader. On the one hand, this probably makes me a bit biased. On the other, I am in a unique position to describe and rate this work having seen it from the ground up.


I absolutely adore how the Walrus Tech Universe is unfolding. For me, the combination of sci-fi, tech, and horror is delectable - especially when you add ZOMBIES!! It is exceedingly difficult to incorporate a well-trod trope such as zombies into a novel without it tipping over into cheesy nonsense. However, Parris has managed to do so in a modern, sleek, and unique light. Walking through the domes that serve as safe havens for the remnants of society that big tech chose to save (for now), I felt both relief and a tinge of bitterness at the world's designation of who is worthy and who is not. Roaming the wilds with the Lost Boys, I wanted to take on every hellish demon they encountered. I absolutely adore Parris' ability to take characters I'd otherwise despise thanks to their position in life (CEOs are not exactly my bag, and uber muscular heroes don't particularly inspire me), and breathe humanity into them. I find myself rooting for those I'd otherwise dismiss as caricatures thanks to his careful, compassionate treatment of these personalities.

While I am a huge fan of The Dent in The Universe, I enjoyed The Aurora's Pale Light even more thanks to the increased horror elements! That's personal preference, but if you are a big ol' horror nerd like me who enjoys a good zombie romp, this is for you! The icing on top is the occult aspect which Parris works in seamlessly, crafting one scene in particular that took my breath away as a call back to classic Poe scenery.

Of course, I hold an undying love for WALRUS, a character who brings such kindness, gentleness, and humanity to a tale which could easily tip over into mere bro-ish slaps on the back. Instead, we're given a gentle giant with a heart of gold whose brilliance is misused. Yet, he holds no malice toward those who abused his genius, preferring to work towards a brighter, better, kinder future.

This is one of my comfort reads, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the intersection of tech SF and horror. It will definitely be beneficial to start with the first novel in the trilogy. However, the two books offer very different elements which will keep you hooked and guessing which way Parris will throw you next on this wild ride of a nightmare!

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book The Dent in the Universe, so I knew I had to read this one! The Aurora's Pale Light starts after the events in the first book so if you haven't read or finished that book, I will try not to spoil any of it for you. You need to read the first book before this one to make sure you get every bit of the story before you continue to the second book!

The Aurora's Pale Light starts out with Julia Swann, the detective in the previous book, is an outpatient psychiatric center, the NTC. She is a survivor of the Cure, which helped save her from the stage 3 GGB-Z infection. She has no memory of getting to the NTC and her memory is just one of her questions she has. But then one day John Banks, who is supposed to be dead from a fire. Yet, he sat in front of her trying to help her regain her memory. John promises to tell her everything, including Stephan Lucas, whom she vaguely remembers meeting.

John starts telling Julia about the night he 'died'. He talks to the team who placed the other body into the ditch, and they talk about Stephan Lucas and what John's role is in the future. I loved the way the author wrote the back and forth of the book, where we hear John's side of the story and Julia's reaction. That was creative and I love the back and forth from the past and future timelines. The Aurora was an interesting twist to this book, it works kind of like an interactive VR set for John to help him stop the zombie apocalypse. The Rules in the beginning and throughout the book also help both the readers and John to understand the Aurora:) And the need to find Stephan Lucas is a need for me too.

This second book was well written by the author. The characters are hugely engaging still with John, Julia, and Stephan my favorites. I can't wait for the next one, as there is a definite promise of John's return in the next book entitled The Atlas Of Human Struggle!

[to'c · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to The Dent in the Universe by the same author. Follows a different arc and different characters. Mostly different characters. I don't want to say who you'll see again.

Just how does one save the future? Especially when that future can you tell you what happened and cautions you not to prevent it? Yikes! But that's mission given to John Banks. Wait. Didn't John die in the first book? Wasn't that a main plot point in the first book? Well… Yes. All will be explained.

This is a trip thru both Paradise and Hell. Unfortunately for John most of his work takes place in Hell. After all, the future has chosen him to be The Hero. But John knows he's no hero. He's already failed to save the most important person in his life. And that failure haunts him some thirty years later. But cities are burning, demons are on the rampage, and only John has a direct line to the future. Not that he can tell the future much about what he's doing. Not that the future can tell him much about what's going on. So, yeah, life's a bitch. John can accept that.

Sometimes all it takes is a good horse…

Full disclosure: Doc and I worked briefly for the same company so I know him a bit. Luckily for us both that affected his excellent writing skills not one wit. Also, NetGalley provided me with a free ARC and that's the edition I reviewed. NetGalley's worth looking into if you read ebook editions.

[Keila (speedreadstagram) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a wild ride. Following Dent in the Universe, this one picks up and is full of time-travel and thrills. I think this book is even more intense than the first. Full of so much action and chaos. It’s great. This book seamlessly melds science fiction, horror and futurism into one action-packed novel. I was sucked right in from the start, and it didn’t let up. The writing is precise and intense. There are plenty of details without things getting bogged down. I loved how the main character, John grew as a character and dealt with his demons over the course of the book. It helped me get into the story and become fully engaged. Yes, this book has some weird stuff, but I loved that about it. It’s what made this book unique and loads of fun to read. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.

If you can’t wait to read these and see what the action is all about, follow the author @ewdocparris for updates!

You can pre-order this book now!

Thank you to @ewdocparris for sending me a copy of this book to review. All thoughts are my own.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is 4.5/5.0 stars, only because it lags in a few sections. Could I have done better? The answer is "nope", so it's 5.0 for fairness & because I enjoyed the escapism, thought provoking, & the writing itself. I enjoy books that encourage me to look up a word here and there & say "WTH???" often.

It picks up where the last book left off & does a good job of condensing the first book for those (like me) who had read it a bit ago. There is a Ton of gore, tension, & a fair bit of humanity at its worst. It also shows what could be possible at its best. It's enjoyable & as 2024 moves along it's scary to think about, really. It's just a lot of everything.

I stand by my review of the first book, which to summarize was: it is Absurd, but also maybe not? After this year and really since 2019 or so, anything seems possible, especially the absurd. Ask me again this time next year..... If I heard this plot on the news today, I would probably say to myself: "that sounds right".

I look forward to book 3 & hope our own world gets it together!

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to E.W. Doc Paris, Magic Genius Books, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in The WalrusTech Universe and although the author does a great job so that it could be read independently of the first book, my recommendation is that you start with the first book for this series.

This story uses time travel to help avoid and then mitigate a zombie apocalypse. A team of soldiers and scientists, aided by the future, seek to rescue as many people as they can from the zombies. However, they must follow the time machine rules – not following, even accidentally, leads to severe and unwanted consequences.

This book is original in its ideas, has interesting characters, and is well written. It is a good follow up to the first, which I also enjoyed. Recommended.

[Carissa Hardcastle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a perfect follow up to THE DENT IN THE UNIVERSE. Every bit as mind-blowing, every bit as gripping, every bit as thrilling. I'm shocked that this hasn't gotten more attention, because this series wholly deserves it.

[Roy Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent continuation of the Walrus tech series. The characters and story are very engaging.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book when it is released.
I really appreciate the plot recap from the first book that the author provided.

[MARK C · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting concept

The main premise is interesting, and the way time travel could be used and not used to affect the past and present is engaging. The characterizations are fairly bland but not offfensive.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

One of the best books I've read this year. It had all my faves: zombies, temporal hijinks, cool cops, geniuses and so much more! Absolutely loved it. Can't wait for part 3. Highest recommendation!

[E.M. Hamill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series and looking forward to book 3!

[Kylee Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay wow! This was just as good as the first book! The entire concept of this book is just insane, and the author does such a good job with it. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen. I truly love all the character's and am so excited for book 3!!!
If you like sci-fi with a little taste of horror, then I think you should give this series a chance. I'd have to say it's one of my favorite series that I read in 2024!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fellow travelers on the path to None-Of-It; Gather round for a tale of heroes and demons, wonder and terror, laughter and heartache!

A masterfully plotted follow-up to the thrilling time-travel mashup Dent in the Universe, The Aurora's Pale Light is a story of outrageous thrills and compelling characters in the spirit of its predecessor. Reading a Walrustech book is like opening a door to another dimension: the more you understand, the more beautiful it becomes. Parris handles complex themes of grief and forgiveness with a deft hand, delving into existential philosophy and complex sociopolitical issues with genuine insight. Witty and well-balanced between thrills and comic relief, the story flows along furiously with references to everything sacred to nerds from Star Trek to James Bond to the Princess Bride, John Wick, The Matrix and Stephen King.

The second book in the series, even more than the first, is filled with the action-packed chaos of McCammon's post-apocalyptic epic, Swan Song.
In Aurora, John Banks further embraces the role of the conflicted hero, expertly cutting down hordes of demons while grappling with personal struggles. Some of the most eloquent, elegant, and exciting science fiction writing in existence, there hasn't been a more cinematic literary series since The Hunger Games.

As this installment expands the scope of the story's time travel tech, the epic scale of the Universe becomes clearer, bringing the Walrustech phenomenon closer to the status of the Bene Gesseritt in Herbert's Dune series in terms of possibilities for future (and past) adventures. This wild ride has something for everyone, from a winter march across frigid plains complete with Conestoga wagons, to the ultra-convenience of futuristic terraforming technology. The Aurora's Pale Light is fantastic fun no reader should miss.

An Epic thank you to NetGalley, Magic Aurora Books and the author for this highly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed ARC.