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The Central #4
The Outer Dark
As treaties collapse and alliances crumble, Central is plunged into a state of war.
While the new Director, Rebecca Levy, struggles to control the situation with the help of Alice Gallow and a motley group of novice Auditors, the Anathema lurk in the Outer Dark, turning cartels and testing loyalties, armed with a World Tree and waiting for the right moment to invade Central.
The rivalry between the North Cartel and the Thule Cartel threatens to boil over into open conflict, dragging the rest of the Hegemony into chaos. As Anastasia Martynova reaches her debut and adulthood, tensions with her father over control of the Black Sun threaten to pit father against daughter for the fate of the cartel.
And, from an overlooked club room at the Academy, the Rescue Alex from the Outer Dark Club embarks on its daring mission.
The Outer Dark is the fourth of five novels in the Central Series.
While the new Director, Rebecca Levy, struggles to control the situation with the help of Alice Gallow and a motley group of novice Auditors, the Anathema lurk in the Outer Dark, turning cartels and testing loyalties, armed with a World Tree and waiting for the right moment to invade Central.
The rivalry between the North Cartel and the Thule Cartel threatens to boil over into open conflict, dragging the rest of the Hegemony into chaos. As Anastasia Martynova reaches her debut and adulthood, tensions with her father over control of the Black Sun threaten to pit father against daughter for the fate of the cartel.
And, from an overlooked club room at the Academy, the Rescue Alex from the Outer Dark Club embarks on its daring mission.
The Outer Dark is the fourth of five novels in the Central Series.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
600 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2017
45 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Zachary Rawlins
10 books151 followersZachary Rawlins lives in Oakland, California, with his amazing wife Chloe and his genius Corgi, Ein. During the day, he works in the Environmental industry. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, comic books, urban exploring, and writing. To date, much of his work has been in two novel series, as well as a variety of other side projects.
The Central Series spans five volumes, concerning the remarkable life of one wholly unremarkable Alexander Warner. The first book, The Academy, as well as the second volume, The Anathema, are both available on the Kindle store, and are filled with telepaths, vampires, schoolgirls fighting werewolves, and the romantic mishaps of poor Alex.
Unknown Kadath Estates is a three-volume series, and perhaps the first American-written light novels. The first book, Paranoid Magical Thinking, is currently available on the Kindle Store. Combining elements of the Cthulhu Mythos, chemically induced psychosis, magical realism, and black humor, the novel features cover and illustrations by artist Xi Lu.
The Central Series spans five volumes, concerning the remarkable life of one wholly unremarkable Alexander Warner. The first book, The Academy, as well as the second volume, The Anathema, are both available on the Kindle store, and are filled with telepaths, vampires, schoolgirls fighting werewolves, and the romantic mishaps of poor Alex.
Unknown Kadath Estates is a three-volume series, and perhaps the first American-written light novels. The first book, Paranoid Magical Thinking, is currently available on the Kindle Store. Combining elements of the Cthulhu Mythos, chemically induced psychosis, magical realism, and black humor, the novel features cover and illustrations by artist Xi Lu.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 22, 2017
Decent continuation.
I liked the book, but it left way too many unanswered questions. The plot was kinda jumpy, but most of it was well written and flowed well. The main issues I had was that I kind of expected more resolution in this book.
I liked the book, but it left way too many unanswered questions. The plot was kinda jumpy, but most of it was well written and flowed well. The main issues I had was that I kind of expected more resolution in this book.
June 22, 2017
Satisfyingly intricate
Though I do wish that one or two of the more persistent and vile characters would finally die. Could (as the author is undoubtedly aware) benefit from a professional copy edit..BUT those trivialities aside, it's a terrific read. I find it extremely odd that the series hasn't been picked up by a major publishing company. It's MUCH, much better than many wildly popular series that share the basic genre if not the essential cleverness. I also find myself, on the one hand, very frustrated that there is not an Audible, whisper-sync companion to the series. On the other hand, I'd have finished each of the books in less than two days if I could switch back and forth form text to audio, so I guess there is an upside to it being neglected by Audible.
A terrific read. All the books of he series are...as are his other works, which are, if anything, even more intellectually engrossing (without that in any way minimizing the quality of this series).
Though I do wish that one or two of the more persistent and vile characters would finally die. Could (as the author is undoubtedly aware) benefit from a professional copy edit..BUT those trivialities aside, it's a terrific read. I find it extremely odd that the series hasn't been picked up by a major publishing company. It's MUCH, much better than many wildly popular series that share the basic genre if not the essential cleverness. I also find myself, on the one hand, very frustrated that there is not an Audible, whisper-sync companion to the series. On the other hand, I'd have finished each of the books in less than two days if I could switch back and forth form text to audio, so I guess there is an upside to it being neglected by Audible.
A terrific read. All the books of he series are...as are his other works, which are, if anything, even more intellectually engrossing (without that in any way minimizing the quality of this series).
January 21, 2018
Left me wanting more
Zachary Rawlings has an inventive imagination. The world building is intricate and evolving, even though it feels somewhat incomplete. The characters are interesting and have evolved during the series, but none of them are very likable. Still, I enjoy reading this series. This book seemed to close one story arc and left enough questions unanswered that I want the next one.
Zachary Rawlings has an inventive imagination. The world building is intricate and evolving, even though it feels somewhat incomplete. The characters are interesting and have evolved during the series, but none of them are very likable. Still, I enjoy reading this series. This book seemed to close one story arc and left enough questions unanswered that I want the next one.
August 22, 2018
Not good this time around
I think sometimes simple is best when it comes to storys. Ive also read the other three books so i know theres alot of moving parts that go with this series. That being said i feel this book lost alot of flow previous books had. And at times i felt confused as to what exactly was going on. I also had a hard time getting invested in the book because it felt like it was just dragging on and on.
I think sometimes simple is best when it comes to storys. Ive also read the other three books so i know theres alot of moving parts that go with this series. That being said i feel this book lost alot of flow previous books had. And at times i felt confused as to what exactly was going on. I also had a hard time getting invested in the book because it felt like it was just dragging on and on.
May 11, 2019
Book is trash, all i want is watch every single character die cause all of them are scum, all but the protagonist who is not a bad guy but is still useless, a pushover, with a negative iq and his most used word is "sorry", i get all the shitty things that happend to Alex made him this way, but this is the fourth book and he is still shit, im dropping this series.
March 27, 2017
Little progress
Feels like barely anything happened to move the story along even though it's a long book. Not really sure how that happens.
Feels like barely anything happened to move the story along even though it's a long book. Not really sure how that happens.
April 24, 2017
Excellent blend of urban fantasy and sci-fi
Highly recommend this series to people who are fans of those genres and looking for intelligently written books oriented for a more adult audience.
Highly recommend this series to people who are fans of those genres and looking for intelligently written books oriented for a more adult audience.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews