Under a Dark Sky

by Johan M. Dahlgren

Most of us would drink to forget seeing a helpless man murdered in cold blood. The rest would reach screaming for the bottle when they saw what the victim did to his captors afterwards.

On the rebel colony planet Elysium, a man who claims to be Jesus Christ reborn is executed in a live video streamed by religious extremists. Nothing terribly original so far for Elysium. Only this time, the man doesn't die.

When cynical security expert Asher Perez is sent to find the self proclaimed saviour, it soon becomes apparent that no-one is who they seem and that something dark is stirring in the shadows.
Something that has been watching humanity since the dawn of history.

I very much enjoyed your characters, your story, and your writing… I enjoyed the humour in the story… The story moved along well with a good, crisp pace… You have a strong and unique story with unique themes.
— Ray Rhamey

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Genres: Science Fiction

286 pages, ebook

First published February 13, 2015

About the author

I am the author of Under a Dark Sky and Under a Winter Sun, scifi action adventure novels for adults, part of the Worldburner Suite.

I live in Kungsbacka, Sweden, and spend my days working as a professional web person and dreaming about the immensely glamorous lifestyle and huge piles of cash of a published sci-fi author.

In my spare time - when I'm not writing - I like to go downhill skiing, drinking micro brewed IPA and fine Scotch, learn to play the guitar and frequent my local gym.
Just like any regular 40-something guy.

Please visit my website www.johanmdahlgren.com for more information.

Reviews

[Henrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scifi I would love to see as a movie. Jungles like in the Predator or Avatar, cities like in Blade Runner and tech like in Aliens, Neuromancer and Altered Carbon. The main characters are violent, grim, funny, sarcastic, quick witted and above all unpredictable. And that goes for both the good guys and the bad guys. The story has several layers and more than one major plot twist. What in the beginning seems like separate story threads are slowly twined together and in the end the weave reveals a bigger truth that I for one cant’t wait to read more about in the sequel.

[Johan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced, exciting and full of twists! This dystopian sci-fi captured me from page one. With it's gritty tone, dark sense of humor and colorful gallery of characters it's really got it all. The characters are excellentally narrated and hard not to hate or love. The dialogue between the characters is absolutely brilliant and really funny at times. The story is both original and fast-paced, making it really hard to put down. This book is a true gem! Highly recommended! Pick up a copy today!

[Thomas Steffen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted concept and fun

The protagonist isn't who he thinks he is and continues to develop throughout the book. He is changed by the people who surround him. The action pulled the reader and the protagonist forward. The twists are philosophical and keep the reader guessing. I wonder what the next steps will be and who he will have to fight....

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent science fiction adventure

I loved this book, set on the rebel planet of Elysium, where it seems nothing and nobody is quite what they appear to be. Asher Perez is what we may describe as the hero of this futuristic tale though even he may not be all we believe him to be. The story is brilliantly told in a way that leaves the reader constantly guessing who is on the side of good as opposed to evil. If you can't trust an archbishop, just who can you trust? There's plenty of action and the world created by the author is well described and perfectly believable. I will certainly be reading more of Mr Dahlgren's work. I wholeheartedly recommend Under a Dark Sky, and easily give it 5 stars.

[Marcus Österberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced and filled with action. Not my usual genre of fiction but I got to say I'm extremely impressed with Dahlgren's writing and looking forward for a sequel.

[Reine Larsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardboiled sci-fi with lots of action and wry humor, enjoyable in the same vein as Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan.

[Richard A Weitzenhoffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man or God?


I've always been interested in the stories of where man came from. Is there a god (or gods)? This book gives us a glimpse into what might have been, will be or could be. It held my interest through the entire book. I had to stop myself from reading all through the night, like I did when I was a kid!

[Laurie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has more twists than a liquorice stick. It kept me engaged from the opening page to the end. Loved the concept of the various humanities and their abilities. Looking forward to reading more in this Worldburner Series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

compelling action story. the hero is a corporate security schill of no particular morals and with a tendency to get blackout drunk. while investigating a hostage execution gone wrong (the hostage survived and killed the captors) weird shit starts happening.

[Todd Haffner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Massive plot holes

One chapter is ten heavily armored soldiers, three paragraphs later they are lightly armored. Just terrible and frustrating. Happens through out the book.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagery

Many paths of discovery are involved in the story. Not sure I understood the significance of all of them but enjoyed the poetic justice served at the book's ending.

[Torfinn Ingolfsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Rebekka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is there a shortage on book editors for ebooks?