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Into The Dax
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26"Recalls such religious dystopian narratives as Margaret Atwood's The Testaments. . . . Impassioned pro-green military SF featuring drone combat, corrupted religiosity, and insidious propaganda." — Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Verdict: ✅ GET IT
"A dynamic dystopian novel filled with moral quandaries and people testing their ethical boundaries." — Foreword Clarion Reviews (4/5)
"I'm a huge fan of female leads, especially in a genre where there are few, and Kiley is the intelligent protector I was looking for." — Readers' Favorite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A powerful and timely novel that not only entertains but also provokes meaningful reflection on the future of our world.” — Goodreads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The world-building is first-rate… Well written and wholly immersive. Very highly recommended." — Readers' Favorite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
AN AWAKENING WRAPPED IN A THRILLER—WHERE NATURE, SCIENCE, AND RELIGION COLLIDE.
In the fractured remains of North America, young bioscientist Kiley Van is hunted by the Elect, a theocratic regime bent on exploiting the earth in defiance of the changing climate that has unraveled civilization and devastated the natural world.
On the run and desperate to understand why she has been targeted, Kiley uncovers a buried family legacy—a biotechnology so powerful it could remake the world, for good or ill.
Finding refuge with the Dax people, an Earth-revering community, Kiley awakens to the Earth as a living entity—and to ancient knowledge that science has yet to divine.
Confronted with decisions of life and death, both personal and global, Kiley reluctantly becomes the face of resistance. But as the Elect close in, she faces an impossible choice—one that goes against everything the Dax have awakened in her, and whose consequences will determine the future of all living things.
Kirkus Verdict: ✅ GET IT
"A dynamic dystopian novel filled with moral quandaries and people testing their ethical boundaries." — Foreword Clarion Reviews (4/5)
"I'm a huge fan of female leads, especially in a genre where there are few, and Kiley is the intelligent protector I was looking for." — Readers' Favorite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A powerful and timely novel that not only entertains but also provokes meaningful reflection on the future of our world.” — Goodreads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The world-building is first-rate… Well written and wholly immersive. Very highly recommended." — Readers' Favorite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
AN AWAKENING WRAPPED IN A THRILLER—WHERE NATURE, SCIENCE, AND RELIGION COLLIDE.
In the fractured remains of North America, young bioscientist Kiley Van is hunted by the Elect, a theocratic regime bent on exploiting the earth in defiance of the changing climate that has unraveled civilization and devastated the natural world.
On the run and desperate to understand why she has been targeted, Kiley uncovers a buried family legacy—a biotechnology so powerful it could remake the world, for good or ill.
Finding refuge with the Dax people, an Earth-revering community, Kiley awakens to the Earth as a living entity—and to ancient knowledge that science has yet to divine.
Confronted with decisions of life and death, both personal and global, Kiley reluctantly becomes the face of resistance. But as the Elect close in, she faces an impossible choice—one that goes against everything the Dax have awakened in her, and whose consequences will determine the future of all living things.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 30, 2026
About the author
Bob Welch
1 book1 followerBob Welch is an American author, game designer, and producer.
Bob designed best-selling games like Bop It and oversaw the creative development and production of global video game hits, including Civilization, RollerCoaster Tycoon, and Act of War.
Building on a game career that focused on creating immersive, emotionally engaging experiences and worlds, Bob now brings that same depth of storytelling and worldbuilding to fiction. His debut novel, Into The Dax, tackles themes of climate change, political and religious oppression, technological progress, and disinformation.
Born and raised in Western New York and formed by summers in the Adirondacks, Bob writes full-time from Massachusetts, where he lives with his wife and remains closely connected to his sons and extended family.
With curiosity in his heart and the belief that stories help us make sense of a rapidly changing world, he is currently at work on his next novel.
Bob designed best-selling games like Bop It and oversaw the creative development and production of global video game hits, including Civilization, RollerCoaster Tycoon, and Act of War.
Building on a game career that focused on creating immersive, emotionally engaging experiences and worlds, Bob now brings that same depth of storytelling and worldbuilding to fiction. His debut novel, Into The Dax, tackles themes of climate change, political and religious oppression, technological progress, and disinformation.
Born and raised in Western New York and formed by summers in the Adirondacks, Bob writes full-time from Massachusetts, where he lives with his wife and remains closely connected to his sons and extended family.
With curiosity in his heart and the belief that stories help us make sense of a rapidly changing world, he is currently at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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June 8, 2026Into the Dax by Bob Welch is an ambitious and deeply relevant eco dystopian novel that combines climate fiction, biotechnology, political intrigue, and spiritual awakening into a compelling story about humanity’s relationship with the living world.
What makes this novel especially compelling is its fusion of environmental urgency and personal transformation. Kiley Van’s journey begins as a desperate struggle for survival but gradually evolves into something much larger a confrontation with competing visions of humanity’s future and the ethical responsibilities that accompany knowledge and power.
Another major strength lies in the worldbuilding. The conflict between the Elect and the Dax creates a rich ideological landscape where science, religion, ecology, and political control intersect. Rather than presenting simple oppositions, the novel explores the complexities of belief, stewardship, and the choices societies make when faced with environmental collapse.
The book also stands out for its exploration of biotechnology and ecological consciousness. Kiley’s discovery of a hidden family legacy introduces fascinating questions about innovation, responsibility, and whether humanity’s greatest solutions might also carry its greatest risks. The novel’s environmental themes feel timely without sacrificing narrative momentum.
Atmospheric, intelligent, and emotionally engaging, Into the Dax will appeal to readers of climate fiction, dystopian science fiction, ecological thrillers, and character driven speculative stories that examine the future of humanity through both scientific and spiritual lenses.
What makes this novel especially compelling is its fusion of environmental urgency and personal transformation. Kiley Van’s journey begins as a desperate struggle for survival but gradually evolves into something much larger a confrontation with competing visions of humanity’s future and the ethical responsibilities that accompany knowledge and power.
Another major strength lies in the worldbuilding. The conflict between the Elect and the Dax creates a rich ideological landscape where science, religion, ecology, and political control intersect. Rather than presenting simple oppositions, the novel explores the complexities of belief, stewardship, and the choices societies make when faced with environmental collapse.
The book also stands out for its exploration of biotechnology and ecological consciousness. Kiley’s discovery of a hidden family legacy introduces fascinating questions about innovation, responsibility, and whether humanity’s greatest solutions might also carry its greatest risks. The novel’s environmental themes feel timely without sacrificing narrative momentum.
Atmospheric, intelligent, and emotionally engaging, Into the Dax will appeal to readers of climate fiction, dystopian science fiction, ecological thrillers, and character driven speculative stories that examine the future of humanity through both scientific and spiritual lenses.
Review of advance copy
What stayed with me after reading Into the Dax is how it frames survival as something deeply entangled with belief systems, where science, religion, and environmental collapse are not separate forces but competing ways of interpreting the same broken world.
Kiley Van’s journey stands out because she isn’t just running from a regime—the Elect—but also running toward an understanding of what her own work in bioscience means in a world where nature itself has become politicized and weaponized.
What gives the story its weight is the way the Dax community shifts the narrative tone from resistance to awakening, positioning nature not as background, but as an active presence that challenges human assumptions about control and ownership.
The conflict feels less like a simple rebellion story and more like a philosophical struggle over what “progress” even means when civilization has already pushed the planet past its limits.
Readers who are drawn to dystopian science fiction with ecological themes, moral ambiguity, and layered worldbuilding will likely connect with this approach.
What lingers is the question of whether saving the world requires fighting for it—or learning how to listen to it differently.
Kiley Van’s journey stands out because she isn’t just running from a regime—the Elect—but also running toward an understanding of what her own work in bioscience means in a world where nature itself has become politicized and weaponized.
What gives the story its weight is the way the Dax community shifts the narrative tone from resistance to awakening, positioning nature not as background, but as an active presence that challenges human assumptions about control and ownership.
The conflict feels less like a simple rebellion story and more like a philosophical struggle over what “progress” even means when civilization has already pushed the planet past its limits.
Readers who are drawn to dystopian science fiction with ecological themes, moral ambiguity, and layered worldbuilding will likely connect with this approach.
What lingers is the question of whether saving the world requires fighting for it—or learning how to listen to it differently.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Into the Dax is a non-stop-action page-turner from the very beginning. It's a combination of adventure, dystopia, and science fiction with some very philosophical leanings that ring significantly in today's world. Bob Welch's background as a game designer is evident, but his fantastic descriptions and realistic dialog take it up a notch. Kiley is a reluctant heroine that you can't help but cheer for. I also enjoyed the nods to places around New York state, as will anyone who has ever loved NY. I highly recommend this read.
-Roberta Worthington
author of The Battle for Periphery
-Roberta Worthington
author of The Battle for Periphery
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book grabs your interest from the first page. I couldn't put it down. The main characters are multidimensional and you want to learn more about them and their beliefs. It is a dystopian world that has many relatable happenings in our current society. Questions I pondered while reading included how far would I go to save the world /loved ones, how far would I go to stand up for what I believe in. My heart raced in some scenes while also experiencing sadness, love and hope.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance copy from Netgalley. Into the Dax is a moving and thought provoking story that gripped me from the first page. It makes me wonder, is this a future we're headed towards, and if it is, do we have the strength to stand up for what is right? I definitely recommend this book to anyone who not only loves sci-fi dystopians, but to anyone who holds out hope for a better tomorrow.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Into the Dax ran me through the woods, across lakes and down rivers. Hi Tech , Ancient ways, Ideologies, Propaganda. Plenty to think about now and in the future. I would choose to be Dax. A fun read.
D Barber
D Barber
Review of advance copy received from Author
Very fast paced with small surprises included. Great character development and just enough learn as you go to keep it interesting and not bogged down with backstory. Very well written and certainly relatable to modern times. Can't wait to read a sequel (or prequel).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great read!! Can't wait for more books from Bob Welch.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews