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DARE: The Curse of Croatoan
The mystery surrounding the Lost Colony of Roanoke has remained unsolved for more than four centuries. It's one of America's most fascinating and enduring What happened to a group of English settlers who arrived on the North Carolina coast in the late 16th century and established a colony on the island of Roanoke?
DARE answers that question with an action-packed thriller that links the Lost Colony to a dystopian "alternative 21st century" in which the United States has been overrun by a race of superhuman cannibals known as the Devourers. Part cosmic horror, part science fiction, and part alternative history, DARE offers a unique blend of twists and horrors born in ancient traditions of the Carolina indigenous peoples.
Follow two survivors of the Lost Colony through a portal in time to the present, where a professor in a fortified research facility races to find a way to stop the Devourers--and an "electric girl" from a rundown carnival battles a powerful goddess for control of humanity's future.
DARE answers that question with an action-packed thriller that links the Lost Colony to a dystopian "alternative 21st century" in which the United States has been overrun by a race of superhuman cannibals known as the Devourers. Part cosmic horror, part science fiction, and part alternative history, DARE offers a unique blend of twists and horrors born in ancient traditions of the Carolina indigenous peoples.
Follow two survivors of the Lost Colony through a portal in time to the present, where a professor in a fortified research facility races to find a way to stop the Devourers--and an "electric girl" from a rundown carnival battles a powerful goddess for control of humanity's future.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2026
About the author
Stephen H. Provost
115 books101 followersStephen H. Provost writes fantasy adventures and historical nonfiction. A journalist with more than 30 years of experience and a former educator, he has worked as an editor, reporter, and columnist at four daily newspapers in California.
His works of fiction include "The Talismans of Time" and its sequel, "Pathfinder of Destiny"; the fantasy novels "Memortality" and its sequel, "Paralucidity"; the young adult science fiction adventure "Identity Break"; the novellas "The Only Dragon" and "Death's Doorstep"; and the "Twilight Zone"-inspired collection of short stories and dark poetry titled "Nightmare's Eve."
The author's nonfiction works include "Fresno Growing Up" and "Martinsville Memories" (history and nostalgia); "Highway 99: The History of California's Main Street" and "Highway 101: The History of El Camino Real (Americana and travel); "Yesterday's Highways" (Americana and travel); "A Whole Different League" (sports history); "The Legend of Molly Bolin" (sports biography); "Media Meltdown," "Political Psychosis" and "Jesus, You're Fired!" (commentary); "Please Stop Saying That! (humor, commentary); and "50 Undefeated" (history and inspiration).
His survey of American middle-sized cities and small towns, the Century Cities series, includes five titles so far: "Fresno Century," "San Luis Obispo Century," "Cambria Century," "Roanoke Century," and "Danville Century."
His extensive survey of ancient history, fable and mythology is contained in his Phoenix series of books.
His works of fiction include "The Talismans of Time" and its sequel, "Pathfinder of Destiny"; the fantasy novels "Memortality" and its sequel, "Paralucidity"; the young adult science fiction adventure "Identity Break"; the novellas "The Only Dragon" and "Death's Doorstep"; and the "Twilight Zone"-inspired collection of short stories and dark poetry titled "Nightmare's Eve."
The author's nonfiction works include "Fresno Growing Up" and "Martinsville Memories" (history and nostalgia); "Highway 99: The History of California's Main Street" and "Highway 101: The History of El Camino Real (Americana and travel); "Yesterday's Highways" (Americana and travel); "A Whole Different League" (sports history); "The Legend of Molly Bolin" (sports biography); "Media Meltdown," "Political Psychosis" and "Jesus, You're Fired!" (commentary); "Please Stop Saying That! (humor, commentary); and "50 Undefeated" (history and inspiration).
His survey of American middle-sized cities and small towns, the Century Cities series, includes five titles so far: "Fresno Century," "San Luis Obispo Century," "Cambria Century," "Roanoke Century," and "Danville Century."
His extensive survey of ancient history, fable and mythology is contained in his Phoenix series of books.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
“As their curse has consumed us, we must curse ourselves to consume them” -Chepi, Weroanaqua
Dare opens in a dystopian version of 2007 where a government agency is tasked with capturing creatures known as Devourers. These cannibalistic zombies with superhuman strength proved to be elusive, hyper violent and extremely cunning. The story fractures across timelines to mid 1950s with a stranded traveling circus to early 1600s Roanoke with English settlers and an Algonquian tribe. Sandwiched between these time jumps are Dr. Leah Whitlock, anthropologist, trying to understand the origin of the Devourers to help the government put an end to the slaughter.
Provost weaves a story with multiple protagonists and does not sacrifice on characterization. Androcies Darke and his circus of freaks and geeks were a pleasure to make acquaintances with. The attention to historic detail and verbiage used made Manteo, Yonoke and tribe feel familiar and easy to envision. The commitment and love between Ginny and Gareth gives weight to the choices they make to survive. And this is only a sample of the large ensemble the author has crafted with calculated intention, allowing each character a unique personality. I enjoyed the folklore aspect and appreciate the time that was demanded of Provost to bring the rituals, omens and myths to the center of the story in an authentic way. The clever illustrations that begin each chapter are a visual detail that enriches the author’s voice and storyline. For me, the sketches were a wonderful bonus to a tightly written adventure.
Dare is a perfect demonstration of fusing folklore, historical fiction, horror, and sci-fiction. It is a narrative with clear influences of each genre that is melted together cohesively. For full transparency on my part, I did have to reread the opening paragraph of a few chapters to adjust to the new time period. This may not be an issue for other readers while navigating the story. For this reason alone, I did want to give 4.5 stars. However, Provost delivered an exceptionally written story with characters that were fleshed out so well I would have gladly purchased a ticket to see the Darke Bros. Traveling Circus Supreme. It is a story that I could recommend to almost any reader, regardless of their preferred genre.
Dare opens in a dystopian version of 2007 where a government agency is tasked with capturing creatures known as Devourers. These cannibalistic zombies with superhuman strength proved to be elusive, hyper violent and extremely cunning. The story fractures across timelines to mid 1950s with a stranded traveling circus to early 1600s Roanoke with English settlers and an Algonquian tribe. Sandwiched between these time jumps are Dr. Leah Whitlock, anthropologist, trying to understand the origin of the Devourers to help the government put an end to the slaughter.
Provost weaves a story with multiple protagonists and does not sacrifice on characterization. Androcies Darke and his circus of freaks and geeks were a pleasure to make acquaintances with. The attention to historic detail and verbiage used made Manteo, Yonoke and tribe feel familiar and easy to envision. The commitment and love between Ginny and Gareth gives weight to the choices they make to survive. And this is only a sample of the large ensemble the author has crafted with calculated intention, allowing each character a unique personality. I enjoyed the folklore aspect and appreciate the time that was demanded of Provost to bring the rituals, omens and myths to the center of the story in an authentic way. The clever illustrations that begin each chapter are a visual detail that enriches the author’s voice and storyline. For me, the sketches were a wonderful bonus to a tightly written adventure.
Dare is a perfect demonstration of fusing folklore, historical fiction, horror, and sci-fiction. It is a narrative with clear influences of each genre that is melted together cohesively. For full transparency on my part, I did have to reread the opening paragraph of a few chapters to adjust to the new time period. This may not be an issue for other readers while navigating the story. For this reason alone, I did want to give 4.5 stars. However, Provost delivered an exceptionally written story with characters that were fleshed out so well I would have gladly purchased a ticket to see the Darke Bros. Traveling Circus Supreme. It is a story that I could recommend to almost any reader, regardless of their preferred genre.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I finished Dare by Stephen H. Provost a few weeks ago and I'm horrible and haven't gotten a review up yet.
This is a pretty great take on Roanoke. I enjoyed getting to know a couple of the characters.
There are some time hops that got a bit confusing, but I also was reading at bedtime so that could have something to do with it.
Overall definitely a good read. Pick this one up. You won't be sad about it.
☠️☠️☠️☠️
This is a pretty great take on Roanoke. I enjoyed getting to know a couple of the characters.
There are some time hops that got a bit confusing, but I also was reading at bedtime so that could have something to do with it.
Overall definitely a good read. Pick this one up. You won't be sad about it.
☠️☠️☠️☠️
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews