Rise

Dark Elements #1

by Luke Davids

A man in control, a rebel, an old dog with nothing to lose.

Welcome to Paradise.

For those who hold a chip in their head, the world is their oyster.

But for those who don’t, there’s nothing but hell. The world has moved on for those who dwell behind the border walls. Out there in the Outlands, suffering and toiling away for a chance at a better life. But for Duke Calgary, the promise of a better life is supporting his father’s cause – the great rebellion to save their people.

When a mysterious stranger appears at their doorstep, with an offer too enticing to deny, what will the rebels do?

Continue suffering as they always have or look to get revenge on the man who put them there, Indigo White?

Only time can tell, but is there enough to go around?

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2021

Reviews

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus Cornwall is a cop with a chip in head, but then so does everyone else. The chip was a godsend until Atticus was exiled into the Outlands. Now 15 years later and with his chip disabled, he is struggling outside the walls to survive in a world without chips. To survive and to get back inside the walls he must join forces with the warlord Hamish Calgary. Indigo White, one of the ruling class inside the walls, wants to kill Hamish and Atticus. Duke Calgary, Hamish’s son, may the the Outlander’s best hope, but he and Atticus must undertake a dangerous mission. The problem is that Duke is an untested soldier and leader. Can the two adventurers survive their first mission? The story lays a good foundation for the rest of the series.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I have to disclose that I was given an arc copy of this book before it's publication date in exchange for an honest review.

We have: -
- Atticus - the anti-hero, if you will, out for revenge
- Hamish - the warlord, trying to do what's best for his people and son, whatever means necessary
- Duke - the warlord's son, too young to be involved in his dad's war
- Indigo White - an evil tech genius with power over millions of people, trying to obtain even more
- Robert Birch - Indigo's co-conspirator, it appears he will do anything asked of him, what is his endgame?

This book is clearly set a long time in the future, I love the idea of an underwater habitat for the insanely wealthy, the book gives just enough description to picture it in your mind's eye. The outlands, where most of the book is set, is home to the poor where food, cigarettes and alcohol are the only currency and money bares no weight.

I loved this book, it felt like a mash-up between Altered Carbon and Mad Max with some undertones of Black Mirror. Since it is a short book it really does pack a punch, perfect for someone trying to get into the sci-fi genre or wants to get out of a reading slump. It's fast paced and character driven so you get to know the world gradually as you are flung through the character's sometimes impulsive choices, it feels like the pilot of a TV series. I really enjoyed the mix of points of view, separated by chapter, so you can get an idea of what each character is thinking. Even though getting some more description of things along the way would've been nice in some instances the pace is kept fast throughout so you are kept on your toes. The chapters are nicely bitesize, which is perfect if you like to break up your reading stints.  Although if you have a free evening you'll probably smash it out in one sitting and be itching to get hold of the second book.

I'm very excited that this is a multi-book series and since this is the author's first published works it will only get better from here.

The only thing that I felt was missing for me personally, would be a badass woman character, even if she was more of a side character that happened to be in a few chapters and interacted with the main characters. I understand this is subjective though so just my own thoughts but this why I'd like to rate it 4.5 rather than 5 but I can't do that on Goodreads unfortunately.

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dark Elements: Rise” is the first proper instalment in the “Dark Elements” series by Luke Davids (a prequel also exists). A dystopian thriller series evolving around Detective Atticus Cornwall and his world, that offers an inciting look into a dystopian society, in which people are strictly divided into those who have been chipped and those who have remained unchipped. The chipped run the place and enjoyed all privileges, while the unchipped survive at the will of the former. A premise that that feels all the more thrilling with the realization that, at the core, this world is not that different from our very own.

Atticus Cornwall is a chipped detective, which put him on the ‘have’ side of the society until he was exiled into the Outlands (the events that lead to that outcome are the plot of the aforementioned prequel (Dark Elements: Emergence). The main series takes place fifteen year after Atticus exile, his chip is disable and he is struggling to survive between the unchipped, ‘the have-nots’ of his world. Atticus goal is to finally go back inside the walls, to the ‘chipped society’. In order to do so he joins forces with Outlands’ warlock (Hamish), directing the hate of Indigo (one of the rulers of society) to himself. Indigo would stop at nothing to kill both Hamish and Atticus. Atticus mission just got more dangerous, and having the inexperienced son of Atticus (Duke) at his side, only make it all more difficult.

This is an intended six parts serialized story, each book (part) has a length of about 70 pages, and is a fast-paced, action-packed read. The books are been released in a short time span, which helps to highlight the serialized element of the narrative, comparable with a good Netflix dystopian series, but instead of ‘chilling and Netflix’, ‘thrilling while reading’ would be a much more accurate description for “Dark Elements”.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s only the highlife and the lowlife and your choice is paramount to success. But who says you ever had a decision at all?
The main character Atticus is always trying to do the right thing but this time the right thing was wrong and not safe.
Good thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

[Ken Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short with no conclusion

A very short story that does little more than introduce characters of what is probably a longer story. I wanted something longer with more meat. The writing is good, the world is interesting, but the story didn’t interest me enough to buy following books.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars and the story continues.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story it’s all about the chip in your head. If you have one you’re going fine. If not life isn’t worth it. How will it all end. Completely hooked and ready for more.