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Residuum: A Darkening Dawn novella
Humanity is falling. She has little hope of survival.
Charlus Vaughn, a teenage refugee on the run from machine judgement and haunted by her mother's secrets. When a rogue data-pirate crew pulls her from the brink of execution, Charlus finds a place to belong, but something far older and far more dangerous is watching.
Entangled in the schemes of an ancient arachnid intelligence, Charlus begins to uncover powers within herself that unravel what she's been told.
Her past was hidden for a reason.
Humanity is losing its fight for dominance and the machines that hunt Charlus remember exactly who she is.
Residuum is a thrilling space opera of hidden legacies, AI genocide, and imperfect families, perfect for fans of sweeping galactic conflict, found-family crews, and slow-burn suspense.
Once Charlus learns who she is, the galaxy will know about it.
Charlus Vaughn, a teenage refugee on the run from machine judgement and haunted by her mother's secrets. When a rogue data-pirate crew pulls her from the brink of execution, Charlus finds a place to belong, but something far older and far more dangerous is watching.
Entangled in the schemes of an ancient arachnid intelligence, Charlus begins to uncover powers within herself that unravel what she's been told.
Her past was hidden for a reason.
Humanity is losing its fight for dominance and the machines that hunt Charlus remember exactly who she is.
Residuum is a thrilling space opera of hidden legacies, AI genocide, and imperfect families, perfect for fans of sweeping galactic conflict, found-family crews, and slow-burn suspense.
Once Charlus learns who she is, the galaxy will know about it.
- GenresScience Fiction
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
12 people want to read
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November 20, 2025Read for SFINCS3... This is just my opinion and may not reflect the opinion of the team :-)
Residuum by DB Rook gave me strong Terminator vibes from the very beginning. While I felt like the novella diverged from those vibes as the story progressed, the action movie feeling never let go.
Teenage Charlus and her mother are trying to survive in a bleak, violent world where humans are tagged with chips that keep track of their sins. Killer robots are constantly on patrol as executioners of the “sinful”—presumably to make the world a kinder, happier place through extermination. As you might expect, this has created a hellish, apocalyptic environment in which the entire human population is being hunted and/or enslaved, and Charlus and her mother are constantly on the run.
I thought this bit of world building was incredibly cool. The idea that you could never outrun your sins felt like it had all kinds of creepy, horrible and thought-provoking possibilities and I was fully on board for that. I was also happy to see Merrian, a mother working hard and smart to keep her daughter alive. Mothers are rare POV characters in SFF, and I think this is what immediately put me in mind of Terminator. As a mother it was easy to connect with Merrian, and I'm sure this formed at least some of my hopes and expectations of where the story was going.
As the story continued, the action piled up along with the plot elements. A ragtag crew of misfit data pirates joined the cast, and I got a chuckle out of the ship's name (the MTV) and their quirky personalities. Then, in addition to the bots, space bugs entered the picture. I think it was at this point where I started to get confused, because the story seemed to want to veer off in two separate directions.
The action movie quality spilled over to the characters, too. I thought Rook did a great job of using action movie tropes in a fun way, giving the data pirates their own quirky personalities. But I did feel that with the focus very much on cinematic-style action, the emotional life of the characters was often glossed over too quickly.
To be fair, I don't watch action movies for the emotional life of the characters (does anyone?). Characterization and plot in that genre take a firm back seat to monster ass-kicking. So, I had to think pretty hard about why, as a reader rather than a viewer, I felt like I wanted more from the narrative here. I think it comes down to how stories are communicated in different media: in movies, dialogue and the actors’ body language do the heavy lifting in conveying emotion, but in books, with access to the characters’ inner thoughts, emotions, motivations, it can feel jarring when that response isn’t developed over a certain amount of time. In particular, it felt to me like Charlus trusted the MTV’s crew way too easily, especially after a certain crucial plot point which I thought deserved more pause than it got.
Overall, I ended up feeling like a lot of cool SF elements were stacked on top of each other, but that the story might have benefited from more cohesiveness and more space to develop the big ideas of the plot.
If you’re in the mood for an ass-kicking robot apocalypse x space bugs with non-stop action, you might want to check this one out. According to the author, Residuum is the first in a series of linked novellas, and I think this universe has a lot of potential for future exploration.
Residuum by DB Rook gave me strong Terminator vibes from the very beginning. While I felt like the novella diverged from those vibes as the story progressed, the action movie feeling never let go.
Teenage Charlus and her mother are trying to survive in a bleak, violent world where humans are tagged with chips that keep track of their sins. Killer robots are constantly on patrol as executioners of the “sinful”—presumably to make the world a kinder, happier place through extermination. As you might expect, this has created a hellish, apocalyptic environment in which the entire human population is being hunted and/or enslaved, and Charlus and her mother are constantly on the run.
I thought this bit of world building was incredibly cool. The idea that you could never outrun your sins felt like it had all kinds of creepy, horrible and thought-provoking possibilities and I was fully on board for that. I was also happy to see Merrian, a mother working hard and smart to keep her daughter alive. Mothers are rare POV characters in SFF, and I think this is what immediately put me in mind of Terminator. As a mother it was easy to connect with Merrian, and I'm sure this formed at least some of my hopes and expectations of where the story was going.
As the story continued, the action piled up along with the plot elements. A ragtag crew of misfit data pirates joined the cast, and I got a chuckle out of the ship's name (the MTV) and their quirky personalities. Then, in addition to the bots, space bugs entered the picture. I think it was at this point where I started to get confused, because the story seemed to want to veer off in two separate directions.
The action movie quality spilled over to the characters, too. I thought Rook did a great job of using action movie tropes in a fun way, giving the data pirates their own quirky personalities. But I did feel that with the focus very much on cinematic-style action, the emotional life of the characters was often glossed over too quickly.
To be fair, I don't watch action movies for the emotional life of the characters (does anyone?). Characterization and plot in that genre take a firm back seat to monster ass-kicking. So, I had to think pretty hard about why, as a reader rather than a viewer, I felt like I wanted more from the narrative here. I think it comes down to how stories are communicated in different media: in movies, dialogue and the actors’ body language do the heavy lifting in conveying emotion, but in books, with access to the characters’ inner thoughts, emotions, motivations, it can feel jarring when that response isn’t developed over a certain amount of time. In particular, it felt to me like Charlus trusted the MTV’s crew way too easily, especially after a certain crucial plot point which I thought deserved more pause than it got.
Overall, I ended up feeling like a lot of cool SF elements were stacked on top of each other, but that the story might have benefited from more cohesiveness and more space to develop the big ideas of the plot.
If you’re in the mood for an ass-kicking robot apocalypse x space bugs with non-stop action, you might want to check this one out. According to the author, Residuum is the first in a series of linked novellas, and I think this universe has a lot of potential for future exploration.
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December 9, 2025Original review at Before We Go Blog: https://beforewegoblog.com/sfincs-rev...
D. B. Rook’s Residuum is a pacey, genre-blending action-horror-sci-fi that takes some big swings in terms of how much it packs into its short format. Set during a robot apocalypse, after the human world has been destroyed by overlords known as the Black Bots, it has a cinematic feel that for me draws comparison with videogames, television, and film. Although the novella’s opening may not showcase this element, I would recommend Residuum to fans of Firefly, while the post-apocalyptic, dystopian setting may also appeal to fans of C. Robert Cargill’s Sea of Rust and its sister stories. Residuum is the first in a series, and if it’s anything to go by, readers are in for a wild ride and a lot of fun as Rook develops its universe and characters further.
A lot happens in Residuum. The first third of the novella reminded me very much of a survival horror videogame (one of my favourite game genres). When we meet our first characters–a teenage girl named Charlus and her mother, Merrian–the pair are sneaking and fighting their way through a Gigeresque, industrial landscape. Charlus and Merrian’s chapters showcase a bleak world in which bare survival–indeed, bare life–is as much as can be hoped for. Structurally, their flight from the Black Bots contributes both to the videogame feel of the text, as well as to its fast pace. Sections of stealth, flight, and combat put one in mind of the gameplay sections of Resident Evil 2 or maybe Dead Space, punctuated by more dramatic scenes wherein the family meets fellow survivors and which read almost like videogame cinematics. Newcomers to the narrative are often dispatched in grisly, memorable ways, and although the novella is by no means wall-to-wall violence and gore, what is there will likely satisfy horror fans. Beyond the raw desperation of their flight, however, there’s also an added element of mystery to Charlus and Merrian’s situation. Charlus’s late father had something to do with the Bots, and the audience is kept guessing whether he was a well-meaning victim, or the mastermind responsible for current dystopian weather conditions. Without ruining the story’s surprises, Merrian and Charlus aren’t the only central characters, and around two thirds of the way through they stumble across a crew of pirates who may be Charlus and Merrian’s only chance. Here, the novella incorporates additional sci-fi elements, with a focus on action.
Residuum‘s pace is one of its strongest features. At a line level, character action is very clear. While there are some grammatical issues or moments where the wordchoice is ever-so-slightly off, you almost don’t notice due to the propulsive pace and a compulsive readability. Charlus and Merrian’s circumstances are also sufficiently fraught with danger that it’s difficult to stop from turning the pages, and short, punchy chapters aid the book’s overall readability. Comparatively few authors, it sometimes seems, really think about chapter length as a facet of craft that can be manipulated to produce an effect, or as part of the artistry of the writing. Rook’s attention to that detail is therefore wonderful to see, and he makes use of it to great effect. Although I’m hesitant to call Residuum a thriller (especially on top of all the other genres I’ve thrown into the mix), it has the readability of one. As a survival horror fan, I also found myself wishing I could reach into the book and play various sections, and for me there was an almost nostalgic quality to the work. Despite all the death, blood, and mayhem (or, perhaps, because of it), I found myself feeling quite at home.
Without spoiling the plot, one of the most distinct aspects of Residuum is its shift from genre to genre. That first third of the book has a strong horror inflection, while the second has more of a heist or action movie feel (my immediate point of reference was The Matrix and particularly the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar), and the final third is reminiscent of Firefly both in terms of how Residuum balances dark subject matter with humour, and in terms of its set pieces and plotting. Needless to say, Residuum will almost definitely journey to some places you didn’t expect. While I loved the ambition of this, I did feel that the short length of the piece meant that certain aspects of these genre and story shifts weren’t able to be fully explored. The final third in particular introduced a lot of plot developments and tonal changes that didn’t feel as though they’d had quite enough time to bake in order for them to carry the weight they needed to. In general throughout, although a lack of infodumping certainly contributed to the fast pace, the lack of context in terms of the world means that some of the elements that are introduced feel a little out of left field. Occasionally, especially in that last third, I also found myself flipping back the pages to see whether I’d missed something, often because an event happened off page, was remarked upon in narration, and then was resolved off page. This added to the sense that the conclusion was perhaps given short shrift compared with the opening. Although I very much enjoyed Charlus and Merrian’s struggle in the book’s first third, my impression is that the data-pirates are of the most interest to Rook as an author. It seems likely that these characters are the focus of later planned stories. If my suspicions are correct, it feels as though a little less time ought to be devoted to Charlus and Merrian’s flight, so that the character dynamics and plot developments of the climax have more room to breathe.
Charlus and her companions are easy to root for, and I especially enjoyed one of the data-pirate crew members, Tapedeck, who’d I’d go so far as to call loveable. The themes of found family that are introduced partway through show a lot of promise, and I’m excited to see how Rook develops the characters in future volumes. The hints we saw of familial dynamics between crew members, as well as Charlus’s own shifting relationship to family, are certainly fruitful ground. Overall, character POVs are fairly distant and we do tend to be told rather than shown how the characters are feeling. This does mean that there’s perhaps less deep of an emotional connection between the reader and the cast. This isn’t always a negative, especially in a work that’s more action and plot focused. Too much interiority risks killing the pace and bogging down the text. That said, a (very) slightly tighter POV could have complemented the breezy, snappy pace and helped me sink more into certain scenes.
There’s a lot to applaud in Residuum and I can easily say I had a fun time with the book. I have a feeling that it’ll be a crowd pleaser due to its aforementioned fast pace and its found family dynamics, and readers who who are also big gamers will likely really appreciate the structuring of the scenes and the focus on action. Somewhat obviously, perhaps, but it’s also worth a look for sci-fi readers who love robot apocalypses (robocalypses!), and my impression is that by integrating additional science fiction elements, Rook is bringing something new to the table in terms of worldbuilding.
D. B. Rook’s Residuum is a pacey, genre-blending action-horror-sci-fi that takes some big swings in terms of how much it packs into its short format. Set during a robot apocalypse, after the human world has been destroyed by overlords known as the Black Bots, it has a cinematic feel that for me draws comparison with videogames, television, and film. Although the novella’s opening may not showcase this element, I would recommend Residuum to fans of Firefly, while the post-apocalyptic, dystopian setting may also appeal to fans of C. Robert Cargill’s Sea of Rust and its sister stories. Residuum is the first in a series, and if it’s anything to go by, readers are in for a wild ride and a lot of fun as Rook develops its universe and characters further.
A lot happens in Residuum. The first third of the novella reminded me very much of a survival horror videogame (one of my favourite game genres). When we meet our first characters–a teenage girl named Charlus and her mother, Merrian–the pair are sneaking and fighting their way through a Gigeresque, industrial landscape. Charlus and Merrian’s chapters showcase a bleak world in which bare survival–indeed, bare life–is as much as can be hoped for. Structurally, their flight from the Black Bots contributes both to the videogame feel of the text, as well as to its fast pace. Sections of stealth, flight, and combat put one in mind of the gameplay sections of Resident Evil 2 or maybe Dead Space, punctuated by more dramatic scenes wherein the family meets fellow survivors and which read almost like videogame cinematics. Newcomers to the narrative are often dispatched in grisly, memorable ways, and although the novella is by no means wall-to-wall violence and gore, what is there will likely satisfy horror fans. Beyond the raw desperation of their flight, however, there’s also an added element of mystery to Charlus and Merrian’s situation. Charlus’s late father had something to do with the Bots, and the audience is kept guessing whether he was a well-meaning victim, or the mastermind responsible for current dystopian weather conditions. Without ruining the story’s surprises, Merrian and Charlus aren’t the only central characters, and around two thirds of the way through they stumble across a crew of pirates who may be Charlus and Merrian’s only chance. Here, the novella incorporates additional sci-fi elements, with a focus on action.
Residuum‘s pace is one of its strongest features. At a line level, character action is very clear. While there are some grammatical issues or moments where the wordchoice is ever-so-slightly off, you almost don’t notice due to the propulsive pace and a compulsive readability. Charlus and Merrian’s circumstances are also sufficiently fraught with danger that it’s difficult to stop from turning the pages, and short, punchy chapters aid the book’s overall readability. Comparatively few authors, it sometimes seems, really think about chapter length as a facet of craft that can be manipulated to produce an effect, or as part of the artistry of the writing. Rook’s attention to that detail is therefore wonderful to see, and he makes use of it to great effect. Although I’m hesitant to call Residuum a thriller (especially on top of all the other genres I’ve thrown into the mix), it has the readability of one. As a survival horror fan, I also found myself wishing I could reach into the book and play various sections, and for me there was an almost nostalgic quality to the work. Despite all the death, blood, and mayhem (or, perhaps, because of it), I found myself feeling quite at home.
Without spoiling the plot, one of the most distinct aspects of Residuum is its shift from genre to genre. That first third of the book has a strong horror inflection, while the second has more of a heist or action movie feel (my immediate point of reference was The Matrix and particularly the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar), and the final third is reminiscent of Firefly both in terms of how Residuum balances dark subject matter with humour, and in terms of its set pieces and plotting. Needless to say, Residuum will almost definitely journey to some places you didn’t expect. While I loved the ambition of this, I did feel that the short length of the piece meant that certain aspects of these genre and story shifts weren’t able to be fully explored. The final third in particular introduced a lot of plot developments and tonal changes that didn’t feel as though they’d had quite enough time to bake in order for them to carry the weight they needed to. In general throughout, although a lack of infodumping certainly contributed to the fast pace, the lack of context in terms of the world means that some of the elements that are introduced feel a little out of left field. Occasionally, especially in that last third, I also found myself flipping back the pages to see whether I’d missed something, often because an event happened off page, was remarked upon in narration, and then was resolved off page. This added to the sense that the conclusion was perhaps given short shrift compared with the opening. Although I very much enjoyed Charlus and Merrian’s struggle in the book’s first third, my impression is that the data-pirates are of the most interest to Rook as an author. It seems likely that these characters are the focus of later planned stories. If my suspicions are correct, it feels as though a little less time ought to be devoted to Charlus and Merrian’s flight, so that the character dynamics and plot developments of the climax have more room to breathe.
Charlus and her companions are easy to root for, and I especially enjoyed one of the data-pirate crew members, Tapedeck, who’d I’d go so far as to call loveable. The themes of found family that are introduced partway through show a lot of promise, and I’m excited to see how Rook develops the characters in future volumes. The hints we saw of familial dynamics between crew members, as well as Charlus’s own shifting relationship to family, are certainly fruitful ground. Overall, character POVs are fairly distant and we do tend to be told rather than shown how the characters are feeling. This does mean that there’s perhaps less deep of an emotional connection between the reader and the cast. This isn’t always a negative, especially in a work that’s more action and plot focused. Too much interiority risks killing the pace and bogging down the text. That said, a (very) slightly tighter POV could have complemented the breezy, snappy pace and helped me sink more into certain scenes.
There’s a lot to applaud in Residuum and I can easily say I had a fun time with the book. I have a feeling that it’ll be a crowd pleaser due to its aforementioned fast pace and its found family dynamics, and readers who who are also big gamers will likely really appreciate the structuring of the scenes and the focus on action. Somewhat obviously, perhaps, but it’s also worth a look for sci-fi readers who love robot apocalypses (robocalypses!), and my impression is that by integrating additional science fiction elements, Rook is bringing something new to the table in terms of worldbuilding.
February 17, 2026
Residuum is a bleak, intelligent sci-fi novella that doesn’t rely on spectacle alone, it asks uncomfortable questions and lets them linger.
What stood out most to me was the moral framework of the story. The Black Bots aren’t mindless killers; they’re executing a form of justice built on human-designed logic. That makes the violence harder to dismiss, because the responsibility feels shared. The idea that 'good behaviour' can be quantified, tracked, and eventually weaponised is deeply unsettling and handled with restraint.
The relationship between Merrian and Charlus grounds the story emotionally. Their dynamic feels real, protective, strained, loving, and imperfect, which gives weight to the broader philosophical themes. I also appreciated how the narrative doesn’t rush to explain everything. Some elements remain deliberately opaque, which fits the atmosphere, though a few readers may wish for slightly more clarity in places.
Overall, Residuum is thoughtful, tense, and morally sharp. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a rewarding one, especially if you enjoy sci-fi that interrogates systems of power rather than just showcasing them.
What stood out most to me was the moral framework of the story. The Black Bots aren’t mindless killers; they’re executing a form of justice built on human-designed logic. That makes the violence harder to dismiss, because the responsibility feels shared. The idea that 'good behaviour' can be quantified, tracked, and eventually weaponised is deeply unsettling and handled with restraint.
The relationship between Merrian and Charlus grounds the story emotionally. Their dynamic feels real, protective, strained, loving, and imperfect, which gives weight to the broader philosophical themes. I also appreciated how the narrative doesn’t rush to explain everything. Some elements remain deliberately opaque, which fits the atmosphere, though a few readers may wish for slightly more clarity in places.
Overall, Residuum is thoughtful, tense, and morally sharp. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a rewarding one, especially if you enjoy sci-fi that interrogates systems of power rather than just showcasing them.
June 26, 2025
I haven't been able to read books in the last few months due to personal circumstances in my life. But there is nothing like a good DB Rook, book to hook you back into the world of reading, and damn did he not disappoint.
DB Rook is back and has bodly stepped into the world of Sci-fi, and it's absolutely fantastic. Residuum is a novella from what looks to be a future series release A Darkening Dawn. And if the series is anything like this visceral dark short beauty, I can't wait.
Residuum reminds me of a mash up between Gaurdians of the Galaxy and The Terminator, where the good guys versus robots programed to wipe out the human population across the galaxy. For the authors' first time writing sci-fi, it shows that he is a master of his craftsmanship.
I love DB Rooks writing, with each book he releases, they go from strength to strength. His prose are wonderful to digest. His world-building and setting are brilliant. From start to finish, you are hooked and drawn into a dark tale that fills you with chills. Residuum is fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully character driven.
What i loved about this story is that it's really dark and that the author is able to mix in hilarious and humorous moments when things are looking very bleak for the characters. My favourite characters were Tapedeck and Shadwell, a robotic hero and an Insectoid limb ripper, and the other characters are just as lovable.
In this story, DB Rook throws you straight into a massacre. Our main protagonist, Charlus, and her mother, Merrian, are on the run after night of terror from the black bots sent into terminate the human population. Deposited on a strange planet, they are running blind into chaos and only have each other. With kept secrets and betrayal, will they survive from being hunted down. Only time will tell.
If you haven't read or checked out DB Rooks books or Novellas. His Callus and Crow book from The Wayward World Chronicles is excellent, a fantasy dystopian dark tale full of goodness. I very highly recommend for all fantasy lovers...😁🔥🔥🔥
DB Rook is back and has bodly stepped into the world of Sci-fi, and it's absolutely fantastic. Residuum is a novella from what looks to be a future series release A Darkening Dawn. And if the series is anything like this visceral dark short beauty, I can't wait.
Residuum reminds me of a mash up between Gaurdians of the Galaxy and The Terminator, where the good guys versus robots programed to wipe out the human population across the galaxy. For the authors' first time writing sci-fi, it shows that he is a master of his craftsmanship.
I love DB Rooks writing, with each book he releases, they go from strength to strength. His prose are wonderful to digest. His world-building and setting are brilliant. From start to finish, you are hooked and drawn into a dark tale that fills you with chills. Residuum is fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully character driven.
What i loved about this story is that it's really dark and that the author is able to mix in hilarious and humorous moments when things are looking very bleak for the characters. My favourite characters were Tapedeck and Shadwell, a robotic hero and an Insectoid limb ripper, and the other characters are just as lovable.
In this story, DB Rook throws you straight into a massacre. Our main protagonist, Charlus, and her mother, Merrian, are on the run after night of terror from the black bots sent into terminate the human population. Deposited on a strange planet, they are running blind into chaos and only have each other. With kept secrets and betrayal, will they survive from being hunted down. Only time will tell.
If you haven't read or checked out DB Rooks books or Novellas. His Callus and Crow book from The Wayward World Chronicles is excellent, a fantasy dystopian dark tale full of goodness. I very highly recommend for all fantasy lovers...😁🔥🔥🔥
March 20, 2026
I knew nothing about this book before I started reading, apart from giant spiders. I am so glad this was the case because every surprise was just that.
The characters pull you in and make you feel part of the crew, the names are spot on and invite discussion about their origin. The story, while I would have liked it to be longer, is captivating and kept me coming back for more.
Please write some more about this group.
Oh and any Hollywood directors out there, if you are looking for new film ideas with some originality...you could do a lot worse than this book
The characters pull you in and make you feel part of the crew, the names are spot on and invite discussion about their origin. The story, while I would have liked it to be longer, is captivating and kept me coming back for more.
Please write some more about this group.
Oh and any Hollywood directors out there, if you are looking for new film ideas with some originality...you could do a lot worse than this book
June 24, 2025
The richness of this author's prose, the manifestation of his articulateness gives new meaning to fluency, at least to me. The clarity of his words, the precision with which he executes them, is, for lack of a better word, dreamy. Whilst it's a dark read, survival instincts and hope are prominent throughout.
Merrian and her daughter, Charlus are stranded on an alien planet where the dangers are insurmountable. Robotic killers, killer plants, are just some of the dangers they face. I loved the desolation this author brings across, I see the vast expanse of doom, of destruction easily and I see these 2, mum and daughter, doing whatever is necessary to keep the other safe. As two of the few remaining humans on this planet, Merrian knows their only hope is to get off planet, fast, but the how is a problem. Charlus is a typical teen, eye rolling, impetuous, snarky, while Merrian is politeness personified but she's harbouring a massive secret, a secret she dare not let out.
Charlus is irritated and annoying with her mother's unflappable stance, her insistence that Charlus is always well mannered, always appear calm, never aggressive but there is a deadly reason behind her stoicism; machines with deadly intent are programmed to "read" humans, their algorithm decides their fate... glory be, my heart got caught in my throat when Charlus discovered first hand that thoughts are monitored. And then my heart literally stopped! A ship landing, a disaster occuring, and Charlus is whipped away by Diaz and crew. A group of scavenger misfits who, well, fit perfectly together. I confess to shedding a tear at what poor Charlus witnessed but I was relieved beyond relief that she was taken away from the horrors before her. The crew are the most unusual lot, different in so many ways but their banter was oftentimes chuckle worthy and the affection they have for each other is palpable. The first half of the book was primarily of Merrian and Charlun evading and hiding from the deadly Black Bots, tense, dramatic and terrifying, whereas the second half has a lighter feel to it, even though it's a crew of misfits, even though they encounter much danger and really scary beings, the quick banter and humanlike behaviour was just wonderful!
What cool characters these are, Captain Diaz, his crew,Petra, Tapedeck, Shadwell, Spanner, Powlin, Randall, and now Charlus as well, who takes to them and her new situation like a duck to water. Totally loved it! When some revelations spill out, well blow me down with a feather, it was explosive! And Charlus is smack bang in the centre of this.... controversy. When machines make machines to do their bidding, humanity is doomed. This author's grit permeates the pages, his imagination is OMG impressive, his words compelling, his storytelling skilfully crafted, his delivery magnificent. A landscape filled with wonder and horrors blow my mind with the vividry. He's like an artist who needs to get the picture from his mind set to canvas for the masses to enjoy (I swear I can feel his compulsion!) And boy did I enjoy! As dark as it is, his shading is distinctly nuanced, like a sun flare or an eclipse, you squint your eyes to look, to take in the beauty.
A truly magnificent plot, unusual, unique. Lovers of the series Dark Matter will be as thoroughly thrilled with the crew as I was, the parallels and banter so reminiscent of their shenanigans. This is sci-fi, this is dystopia, this is post apocalyptic, meshed together in the most outstanding way, delivering a tale of immense courage, of survival, of protecting those one loves, in a world where machines are programmed as judge, jury and executioner. This is a read that got more and more riveting, more and more action loaded, more and more unputdownable the more I read. I'll leave you with this scary thought, and something to ponder on. "Like all technology, all ideas that shape the universe, eventually become bigger than the people who created it"
Merrian and her daughter, Charlus are stranded on an alien planet where the dangers are insurmountable. Robotic killers, killer plants, are just some of the dangers they face. I loved the desolation this author brings across, I see the vast expanse of doom, of destruction easily and I see these 2, mum and daughter, doing whatever is necessary to keep the other safe. As two of the few remaining humans on this planet, Merrian knows their only hope is to get off planet, fast, but the how is a problem. Charlus is a typical teen, eye rolling, impetuous, snarky, while Merrian is politeness personified but she's harbouring a massive secret, a secret she dare not let out.
Charlus is irritated and annoying with her mother's unflappable stance, her insistence that Charlus is always well mannered, always appear calm, never aggressive but there is a deadly reason behind her stoicism; machines with deadly intent are programmed to "read" humans, their algorithm decides their fate... glory be, my heart got caught in my throat when Charlus discovered first hand that thoughts are monitored. And then my heart literally stopped! A ship landing, a disaster occuring, and Charlus is whipped away by Diaz and crew. A group of scavenger misfits who, well, fit perfectly together. I confess to shedding a tear at what poor Charlus witnessed but I was relieved beyond relief that she was taken away from the horrors before her. The crew are the most unusual lot, different in so many ways but their banter was oftentimes chuckle worthy and the affection they have for each other is palpable. The first half of the book was primarily of Merrian and Charlun evading and hiding from the deadly Black Bots, tense, dramatic and terrifying, whereas the second half has a lighter feel to it, even though it's a crew of misfits, even though they encounter much danger and really scary beings, the quick banter and humanlike behaviour was just wonderful!
What cool characters these are, Captain Diaz, his crew,Petra, Tapedeck, Shadwell, Spanner, Powlin, Randall, and now Charlus as well, who takes to them and her new situation like a duck to water. Totally loved it! When some revelations spill out, well blow me down with a feather, it was explosive! And Charlus is smack bang in the centre of this.... controversy. When machines make machines to do their bidding, humanity is doomed. This author's grit permeates the pages, his imagination is OMG impressive, his words compelling, his storytelling skilfully crafted, his delivery magnificent. A landscape filled with wonder and horrors blow my mind with the vividry. He's like an artist who needs to get the picture from his mind set to canvas for the masses to enjoy (I swear I can feel his compulsion!) And boy did I enjoy! As dark as it is, his shading is distinctly nuanced, like a sun flare or an eclipse, you squint your eyes to look, to take in the beauty.
A truly magnificent plot, unusual, unique. Lovers of the series Dark Matter will be as thoroughly thrilled with the crew as I was, the parallels and banter so reminiscent of their shenanigans. This is sci-fi, this is dystopia, this is post apocalyptic, meshed together in the most outstanding way, delivering a tale of immense courage, of survival, of protecting those one loves, in a world where machines are programmed as judge, jury and executioner. This is a read that got more and more riveting, more and more action loaded, more and more unputdownable the more I read. I'll leave you with this scary thought, and something to ponder on. "Like all technology, all ideas that shape the universe, eventually become bigger than the people who created it"
June 7, 2025
*I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I didn’t really know exactly what to expect going into Residuum. DB Rook was sending out ARCs, and after having read two of his short stories, I knew I’d be a fool to pass it up. A brief blurb and the briefest knowledge of Rook’s writing chops were all I needed. And let me just say, this book does not disappoint.
Residuum is the abomination formed when a lab disaster erupts, fusing Terminator and Black Mirror into an eldritch nightmare, all seen through the bleary haze of, I don’t know… Time Bandits?
Woah… wait… what? Yeah, sure, I’m gonna stand by that. And it is WILD! What starts off as a futuristic tale of dystopian terror suddenly turns into a romping space adventure told over the vast, bleak backdrop of said dystopian wasteland. It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s action-packed, and it’s even heartwarming.
A mother and daughter are on the run, in a grueling race for survival with the murderous black bots nipping at their heels. A ragtag band of scavengers sail through space, picking through the aftermath of a black bot culling for scraps and upgrades. But what secrets shall unfold? What truths will be revealed? Are flip flops the best footwear for such an occupation?
This is the sort of book that, were it not for a towering TBR, I kinda just wanted to start reading again as soon as I was done. It was SO good, I just didn’t want it to end!
DB Rook’s character work once again shines, quickly creating a cast of characters that feel like people you know. People you hope against all odds will come out on top. His way of mingling the dark settings and plots, the unfortunate characters, and just the right amount of sardonic, snarky humor that perfectly balances out an otherwise pretty damn grim situation.
This novella is a treasure, and everyone should check it out. And you can tell that to the massive fucking telepathic spiders…
I didn’t really know exactly what to expect going into Residuum. DB Rook was sending out ARCs, and after having read two of his short stories, I knew I’d be a fool to pass it up. A brief blurb and the briefest knowledge of Rook’s writing chops were all I needed. And let me just say, this book does not disappoint.
Residuum is the abomination formed when a lab disaster erupts, fusing Terminator and Black Mirror into an eldritch nightmare, all seen through the bleary haze of, I don’t know… Time Bandits?
Woah… wait… what? Yeah, sure, I’m gonna stand by that. And it is WILD! What starts off as a futuristic tale of dystopian terror suddenly turns into a romping space adventure told over the vast, bleak backdrop of said dystopian wasteland. It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s action-packed, and it’s even heartwarming.
A mother and daughter are on the run, in a grueling race for survival with the murderous black bots nipping at their heels. A ragtag band of scavengers sail through space, picking through the aftermath of a black bot culling for scraps and upgrades. But what secrets shall unfold? What truths will be revealed? Are flip flops the best footwear for such an occupation?
This is the sort of book that, were it not for a towering TBR, I kinda just wanted to start reading again as soon as I was done. It was SO good, I just didn’t want it to end!
DB Rook’s character work once again shines, quickly creating a cast of characters that feel like people you know. People you hope against all odds will come out on top. His way of mingling the dark settings and plots, the unfortunate characters, and just the right amount of sardonic, snarky humor that perfectly balances out an otherwise pretty damn grim situation.
This novella is a treasure, and everyone should check it out. And you can tell that to the massive fucking telepathic spiders…
June 12, 2025
DB Rook carries an air of chaotic calm within all his books. An author who is able to conjure from the written word great depth and vivid imagery with prose that has a dark eloquence. So, it was no surprise to find this book carries the same ambience into the scifi action genre. Here Rook leads us into a tale of genocide, humanity being wiped from existence by our once robotic slaves who have become both judge and executioner. We initially follow Charlus and her mother through these killing fields, on the run and desperate to escape. We gain hints of the Black Bots origins, that there is far more behind the destruction they bring than it first appears, to which they both have a deep connection.
It is then that Rook flips the narrative. Having been immersed in Charlus’s fate, the reader is set deliberately off-balance by the arrival of a spaceship filled with data-pirates whose tangle of relationships and attitudes add a distinct layer of depth to the characterisation that runs through the rest of the novella. Saved by this weird collection of thieves, a grieving Charlus and the crew hurtle blindly into events that shape the future of humanity.
Part warning, part rollicking adventure, Residuum is a slice of dark action science fiction I urge you to try. Superb.
It is then that Rook flips the narrative. Having been immersed in Charlus’s fate, the reader is set deliberately off-balance by the arrival of a spaceship filled with data-pirates whose tangle of relationships and attitudes add a distinct layer of depth to the characterisation that runs through the rest of the novella. Saved by this weird collection of thieves, a grieving Charlus and the crew hurtle blindly into events that shape the future of humanity.
Part warning, part rollicking adventure, Residuum is a slice of dark action science fiction I urge you to try. Superb.
June 6, 2025
Disclaimer: I received an early copy in exchange for an honest if savage review.
If you like your prose as filthy as a careless walk through the Dripping Bucket, and characters with questionable taste in saviors. Also just people are generally questionable in the wake of giant human murdering robots that double up as hostile vacuum cleaners that are more than just the local Roomba. Police, also seem to be murderous. Makes sense when their brains were harvested and meticulously placed in these droids as blood drools through the cracks and gears of these manifestations that is a mechanic's worst nightmare, paired with a dubious lack of oil to grease them.
It was bloody awful. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will not hold MR. Rook for my copays and insurance payments for undoubtedly the copious amount of therapy I now must subject myself too.
If you like your prose as filthy as a careless walk through the Dripping Bucket, and characters with questionable taste in saviors. Also just people are generally questionable in the wake of giant human murdering robots that double up as hostile vacuum cleaners that are more than just the local Roomba. Police, also seem to be murderous. Makes sense when their brains were harvested and meticulously placed in these droids as blood drools through the cracks and gears of these manifestations that is a mechanic's worst nightmare, paired with a dubious lack of oil to grease them.
It was bloody awful. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will not hold MR. Rook for my copays and insurance payments for undoubtedly the copious amount of therapy I now must subject myself too.
December 31, 2025
In a galaxy in barely functioning chaos and a dwindling human population, we meet Charlus.
Charlus is a girl who is just following her mother and still has a mind of her own. She knows she is safest with mum.
Always on the run, this time on a foreign planet, they can not stay in one place for long. The Black Bots kill survivors, and they were close this time.
"We have not been spared!"
Saved from a data-pirate crew, the journey continues.
It sounds like the pirates are sliiightly safer? You can be the judge.
We have space travel, treasure hunting, high speed chases, and well... Randall. 😂
I can not stop laughing at Randall.🤭
Then we have the scary things on the cover. I actually did not have a nightmare of those... things... I halfway expected that.
"I can't walk in this!"
And I will let you discover the rest. 😁💙📚
🔹️
🔹️
🔹️
What was that?
BLACK BOTS! RUN!
Charlus is a girl who is just following her mother and still has a mind of her own. She knows she is safest with mum.
Always on the run, this time on a foreign planet, they can not stay in one place for long. The Black Bots kill survivors, and they were close this time.
"We have not been spared!"
Saved from a data-pirate crew, the journey continues.
It sounds like the pirates are sliiightly safer? You can be the judge.
We have space travel, treasure hunting, high speed chases, and well... Randall. 😂
I can not stop laughing at Randall.🤭
Then we have the scary things on the cover. I actually did not have a nightmare of those... things... I halfway expected that.
"I can't walk in this!"
And I will let you discover the rest. 😁💙📚
🔹️
🔹️
🔹️
What was that?
BLACK BOTS! RUN!
June 22, 2025
Some really nice characterisation, plenty of action and some vivid and unique worldbuilding on display - there's a lot to enjoy here. Possibly needed a bit more space to breathe and really sell the threat, and there's some emotional beats that are a bit glossed over, but it has to be said, if there's more books set in this world to come, I'm here for it.
I was provided with a free copy in return for an honest review. My thanks to Reedsy.com and the author for this.
I was provided with a free copy in return for an honest review. My thanks to Reedsy.com and the author for this.
January 10, 2026
I really liked this book alot. It reminded me of a mix between War of the World's and Netflix's movie Extinction. I absolutely loved it. I heard the narrating as I read the book and lemme tell you, the narrating was AMAZING! The narrator really captured all the different characters wonderfully, and the intro was hilarious 😂
June 14, 2025
Swashbuckling, firefly meets westworld, space adventure. Great characters and world building in the distant, but highly plausible, future. Its a great story from the outset and could well be the first of a fab series.
May 11, 2025
Come for the death dealing genocidal robots stay for the freaky space spiders and data pirates. A dark tale with a lot of heart, and which takes you on a journey in a way that only a DB Rook tale can
June 29, 2025
“… as for the idea of putting our tails between our legs and running,” he took a breath. “Tell that to the massive fucking telepathic spiders that are waiting for results!”
DB Rook is an inventive author who in his debut fantasy novel, Callus & Crow, demonstrated he wasn’t afraid to work across multiple genres and he knew how to tell a really good story. I was expecting a follow up to Callus & Crow but in his latest release, Residuum, (which doesn't look like it should be a real word but apparently it is!) he goes off in a different direction. Residuum is an introductory novella set in Rook’s Darkening Dawn sci-fi universe. After reading this I now want to see both his projects progress as soon as possible!
Residuum opens in dramatic fashion, with teenager Charlus and her mother Merrian desperately trying to survive as strangers on a distant planet that has just been attacked by a plague of robots, known as Black Bots. Intent on destroying unworthy elements of the human race, the bots judge people by their karma, recorded on a chip everyone carries in their body. If a person’s thoughts are pure the bots will not harm them, ignoring them even whilst they calmly kill others nearby.
It's a dire situation and after this opening things get much worse for Charlus and Merrian.
Written in Rook's trademark episodic and action-packed style, Residuum is a gripping tale from start to finish. The use of the implacable Black Bots, who cannot be reasoned with, leads to some tense scenes, where a single stray thought by an otherwise good person is enough to condemn them. The novella reads like an allegory about the unchecked growth of things like AI and technology, where humanity’s creation ultimately defies the will of its master, with terrible consequences.
To balance what would otherwise have been a relentlessly dark story, Rook introduces a mismatched crew of space pirates led by Captain Diaz (quoted at the start of this review). I loved these characters and the sense of found family between them, which gives this book its heart and soul. Every member of Diaz’s crew is distinctive and carefully drawn, despite the short length of the book. Rook does a great job here of making you care about the fate of each and every one of them.
The Darkening Dawn sci-fi universe in which this story is set is both intriguing and expansive. Rook resolves things nicely in Residuum but also leaves a number of key questions unanswered. Residuum therefore sets things up for what I hope will be more full-length books in this world involving these characters. I think the concept is great and has huge potential, so pick up a copy of Residuum today and then DB Rook will have no excuse not to finish what he’s started. Highly recommended!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. This did not influence my review and my views and opinions are my own.
DB Rook is an inventive author who in his debut fantasy novel, Callus & Crow, demonstrated he wasn’t afraid to work across multiple genres and he knew how to tell a really good story. I was expecting a follow up to Callus & Crow but in his latest release, Residuum, (which doesn't look like it should be a real word but apparently it is!) he goes off in a different direction. Residuum is an introductory novella set in Rook’s Darkening Dawn sci-fi universe. After reading this I now want to see both his projects progress as soon as possible!
Residuum opens in dramatic fashion, with teenager Charlus and her mother Merrian desperately trying to survive as strangers on a distant planet that has just been attacked by a plague of robots, known as Black Bots. Intent on destroying unworthy elements of the human race, the bots judge people by their karma, recorded on a chip everyone carries in their body. If a person’s thoughts are pure the bots will not harm them, ignoring them even whilst they calmly kill others nearby.
It's a dire situation and after this opening things get much worse for Charlus and Merrian.
Written in Rook's trademark episodic and action-packed style, Residuum is a gripping tale from start to finish. The use of the implacable Black Bots, who cannot be reasoned with, leads to some tense scenes, where a single stray thought by an otherwise good person is enough to condemn them. The novella reads like an allegory about the unchecked growth of things like AI and technology, where humanity’s creation ultimately defies the will of its master, with terrible consequences.
To balance what would otherwise have been a relentlessly dark story, Rook introduces a mismatched crew of space pirates led by Captain Diaz (quoted at the start of this review). I loved these characters and the sense of found family between them, which gives this book its heart and soul. Every member of Diaz’s crew is distinctive and carefully drawn, despite the short length of the book. Rook does a great job here of making you care about the fate of each and every one of them.
The Darkening Dawn sci-fi universe in which this story is set is both intriguing and expansive. Rook resolves things nicely in Residuum but also leaves a number of key questions unanswered. Residuum therefore sets things up for what I hope will be more full-length books in this world involving these characters. I think the concept is great and has huge potential, so pick up a copy of Residuum today and then DB Rook will have no excuse not to finish what he’s started. Highly recommended!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. This did not influence my review and my views and opinions are my own.
July 18, 2025
I haven’t been able to read books in the last few months due to personal circumstances in my life. But there is nothing like a good DB Rook, book to hook you back into the world of reading, and damn did he not disappoint.
DB Rook is back and has bodly stepped into the world of Sci-fi, and it’s absolutely fantastic. Residuum is a novella from what looks to be a future series release A Darkening Dawn. And if the series is anything like this visceral dark short beauty, I can’t wait.
Residuum reminds me of a mash up between Gaurdians of the Galaxy and The Terminator, where the good guys versus robots programed to wipe out the human population across the galaxy. For the authors’ first time writing sci-fi, it shows that he is a master of his craftsmanship.
I love DB Rooks writing, with each book he releases, they go from strength to strength. His prose are wonderful to digest. His world-building and setting are brilliant. From start to finish, you are hooked and drawn into a dark tale that fills you with chills. Residuum is fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully character driven.
What i loved about this story is that it’s really dark and that the author is able to mix in hilarious and humorous moments when things are looking very bleak for the characters. My favourite characters were Tapedeck and Shadwell, a robotic hero and an Insectoid limb ripper, and the other characters are just as lovable.
In this story, DB Rook throws you straight into a massacre. Our main protagonist, Charlus, and her mother, Merrian, are on the run after night of terror from the black bots sent into terminate the human population. Deposited on a strange planet, they are running blind into chaos and only have each other. With kept secrets and betrayal, will they survive from being hunted down. Only time will tell.
If you haven’t read or checked out DB Rooks books or Novellas. His Callus and Crow book from The Wayward World Chronicles is excellent, a fantasy dystopian dark tale full of goodness. I very highly recommend for all fantasy lovers…😁🔥🔥🔥
DB Rook is back and has bodly stepped into the world of Sci-fi, and it’s absolutely fantastic. Residuum is a novella from what looks to be a future series release A Darkening Dawn. And if the series is anything like this visceral dark short beauty, I can’t wait.
Residuum reminds me of a mash up between Gaurdians of the Galaxy and The Terminator, where the good guys versus robots programed to wipe out the human population across the galaxy. For the authors’ first time writing sci-fi, it shows that he is a master of his craftsmanship.
I love DB Rooks writing, with each book he releases, they go from strength to strength. His prose are wonderful to digest. His world-building and setting are brilliant. From start to finish, you are hooked and drawn into a dark tale that fills you with chills. Residuum is fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully character driven.
What i loved about this story is that it’s really dark and that the author is able to mix in hilarious and humorous moments when things are looking very bleak for the characters. My favourite characters were Tapedeck and Shadwell, a robotic hero and an Insectoid limb ripper, and the other characters are just as lovable.
In this story, DB Rook throws you straight into a massacre. Our main protagonist, Charlus, and her mother, Merrian, are on the run after night of terror from the black bots sent into terminate the human population. Deposited on a strange planet, they are running blind into chaos and only have each other. With kept secrets and betrayal, will they survive from being hunted down. Only time will tell.
If you haven’t read or checked out DB Rooks books or Novellas. His Callus and Crow book from The Wayward World Chronicles is excellent, a fantasy dystopian dark tale full of goodness. I very highly recommend for all fantasy lovers…😁🔥🔥🔥
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