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A Dark Culling
Convicted killer Rick Dawson thought he’d be spending the rest of his life imprisoned within the cold, bare walls of prison complex Ceris Max. Instead, the Sentinel Program offered him a way out. Working as a mercenary for the shadowy Sovereign Estate, Rick can earn his freedom one contract at a time - just as long as he doesn’t get too squeamish about who winds up in the crosshairs.
When a high-ranking Sovereign Estate official offers Rick his latest contract, it almost sounds too good to be Track down and eliminate fugitive Imogen Rivera and he can walk out of Ceris Max a free man.
The hunt leads Rick to Torine, a sprawling megacity drawing in corruption and violence. There, he’ll face off against rival operatives, evade ruthless law enforcement, and barely survive a prison break engineered by another Sentinel assassin.
But when Rick finally does track down his target, the truth is deadlier than any bullet. He learns that Imogen Rivera isn’t your typical fugitive from justice. She’s on the run from the Sovereign Estate because she holds the key to a horrifying conspiracy - one that could lead to the deaths of millions of innocent people.
With their fate in his hands, Rick is forced to re-examine his loyalties - and decide if the freedom he’s been promised will be worth the price he’ll have to pay for it.
A Dark Culling is a fast paced, hard science fiction thrill ride set in a dystopian world. If you like page turning suspense, intense action, assasssins, corruption, and brutal fist fights, then this just might be the book for you.
When a high-ranking Sovereign Estate official offers Rick his latest contract, it almost sounds too good to be Track down and eliminate fugitive Imogen Rivera and he can walk out of Ceris Max a free man.
The hunt leads Rick to Torine, a sprawling megacity drawing in corruption and violence. There, he’ll face off against rival operatives, evade ruthless law enforcement, and barely survive a prison break engineered by another Sentinel assassin.
But when Rick finally does track down his target, the truth is deadlier than any bullet. He learns that Imogen Rivera isn’t your typical fugitive from justice. She’s on the run from the Sovereign Estate because she holds the key to a horrifying conspiracy - one that could lead to the deaths of millions of innocent people.
With their fate in his hands, Rick is forced to re-examine his loyalties - and decide if the freedom he’s been promised will be worth the price he’ll have to pay for it.
A Dark Culling is a fast paced, hard science fiction thrill ride set in a dystopian world. If you like page turning suspense, intense action, assasssins, corruption, and brutal fist fights, then this just might be the book for you.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2025
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
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March 23, 2025
In another life, Rick Dawson was a rig operator for a construction company. Married. Loved. Happy. In another life, he had a future. He doesn’t deserve a second chance—but when one is offered, he takes it. The mission: search and destroy. The prize: freedom.
A Dark Culling almost hits the mark as a sci-fi thriller, but it falters at key moments with pacing, tension, and character development. Rick Dawson serves as a compelling anti-hero—arguably a tragic one—though the emotional weight of his arc is largely rooted in a backstory that unfolds before the novel’s timeline.
One standout moment comes mid-heist, when the author captures a poignant exchange about regret and identity. It’s a rare, quiet pause that touches on acceptance and personal growth. Probably my favorite lines in the novel:
There are glimpses of moral complexity and emotional depth throughout, but the novel doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. Still, A Dark Culling is a decent read—especially for fans of gritty sci-fi with anti-hero leads. It just didn’t fully click for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Dark Culling almost hits the mark as a sci-fi thriller, but it falters at key moments with pacing, tension, and character development. Rick Dawson serves as a compelling anti-hero—arguably a tragic one—though the emotional weight of his arc is largely rooted in a backstory that unfolds before the novel’s timeline.
One standout moment comes mid-heist, when the author captures a poignant exchange about regret and identity. It’s a rare, quiet pause that touches on acceptance and personal growth. Probably my favorite lines in the novel:
A part of me wished I did things differently. Wondering what ifs, you know? I can imagine on my deathbed, granted I make it that far, being surrounded by the ghosts of the many futures I could’ve chosen. What would I see? I’m guessing a small crowd. The best and the worst of me.
There are glimpses of moral complexity and emotional depth throughout, but the novel doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. Still, A Dark Culling is a decent read—especially for fans of gritty sci-fi with anti-hero leads. It just didn’t fully click for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 of 1 review