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Darkest and Dawn #2
Dawn's Uncertain Light
In an America devastated by the ultimate war, he sought to rescue his sister from an inhuman doom
Silver Island was a place out of legend, the chosen citadel where the government began building a new and better America from the ashes of a war-ravaged land. And lucky indeed were the specially Chosen children sent to Silver Island to help build a new world.
That was what Howie Ryder had been told when his little sister, Carolee, became one of the Chosen. But that was six years ago, before the soldiers came and slaughtered his parents, leaving Howie to make it on his own in a land where people shot first and asked no questions of the dead. Now Howie knows the horrifying truth about Silver Island and he'll do anything to rescue his sister from its terrifying doom—if she is still alive. Although Silver Island is devastated when he finally reaches it, his search for Carolee and for revenge will go on... even if it leads him to a discovery more terrible and dangerous than the secret of Silver Island!
Silver Island was a place out of legend, the chosen citadel where the government began building a new and better America from the ashes of a war-ravaged land. And lucky indeed were the specially Chosen children sent to Silver Island to help build a new world.
That was what Howie Ryder had been told when his little sister, Carolee, became one of the Chosen. But that was six years ago, before the soldiers came and slaughtered his parents, leaving Howie to make it on his own in a land where people shot first and asked no questions of the dead. Now Howie knows the horrifying truth about Silver Island and he'll do anything to rescue his sister from its terrifying doom—if she is still alive. Although Silver Island is devastated when he finally reaches it, his search for Carolee and for revenge will go on... even if it leads him to a discovery more terrible and dangerous than the secret of Silver Island!
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1989
5 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Neal Barrett Jr.
133 books44 followersNeal Barrett, Jr. was a writer of fantasy, science fiction, mystery/suspense, and historical fiction. His story "Ginny Sweethips' Flying Circus" was nominated for both the 1988 Nebula Award for Best Novelette and the 1989 Hugo Award for Best Novelette.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 8, 2014
WOW !!! Great book ... Its a damn shame that Mr. Barret died just this January ... I would have loved to have seen a third book from the world of Howie Ryder ... READ THIS BOOK !!!! and the first one THROUGH DARKEST AMERICA ... It is great if you love post- apocalyptic stories of even if you just like great story telling ... This is more than just a GOODREAD this is a GREATREAD !!!
October 3, 2014
This is the sequel to the relatively well known (in the genre) book 'Through Darkest America'. I would recommend that you read that story first, although it isn't strictly essential as many of the important plot points are told in flashback, quoting directly from the first book.
The 'hero' Howie is still looking for his sister at Silver Island, which is a supposedly idyllic town ran by the US government. The rest of the country has been reduced to a status similar to that found in the Wild West, with elements of technology surviving from before the great catastrophe that led to the collapse of modern civilisation. There is an ongoing civil war between the East and West, in which Howie fought in the first novel, and this consumes most of the resources that are available to the population.
We find out early in the book exactly what was going on at Silver Island, and the rest of the story is mostly Howie's attempt to find his sister and get even with those responsible. There are some fairly horrific themes running through the book, notably the use of herds of humans as a foodstock, although they aren't recognised as such by the majority of the population, but I would recommend this book if that doesn't put you off.
The 'hero' Howie is still looking for his sister at Silver Island, which is a supposedly idyllic town ran by the US government. The rest of the country has been reduced to a status similar to that found in the Wild West, with elements of technology surviving from before the great catastrophe that led to the collapse of modern civilisation. There is an ongoing civil war between the East and West, in which Howie fought in the first novel, and this consumes most of the resources that are available to the population.
We find out early in the book exactly what was going on at Silver Island, and the rest of the story is mostly Howie's attempt to find his sister and get even with those responsible. There are some fairly horrific themes running through the book, notably the use of herds of humans as a foodstock, although they aren't recognised as such by the majority of the population, but I would recommend this book if that doesn't put you off.
July 11, 2009
The sequel to Through Darkest America. Maybe not quite as good as the first in some ways, but it did complete the story. Also quite a brutal book.
September 10, 2019
awesome sequel to "through darkest america" .
it would have been nearly impossible to top the horrific plot twists and action of the first book. especially the one at the end of that book. but this book comes close. super happy to encounter the main character again. while not a learned or complex man, howie has an endless determination and a brutal sense of justice that matches a brutal new country. one that exists far into the future. that exists due to the unimaginable truth that underpins this new america.. New characters are enjoyable and help keep the plot twists coming. nearly impossible to put down, and I highly recommend reading this AFTER you read "through darkest america - which is one of my favorite post-apocalyptic books ever. I envy anyone who gets to read these 2 books for the first time.
it would have been nearly impossible to top the horrific plot twists and action of the first book. especially the one at the end of that book. but this book comes close. super happy to encounter the main character again. while not a learned or complex man, howie has an endless determination and a brutal sense of justice that matches a brutal new country. one that exists far into the future. that exists due to the unimaginable truth that underpins this new america.. New characters are enjoyable and help keep the plot twists coming. nearly impossible to put down, and I highly recommend reading this AFTER you read "through darkest america - which is one of my favorite post-apocalyptic books ever. I envy anyone who gets to read these 2 books for the first time.
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August 23, 2020Dark and full of violence just like the first installement, Through Darkest America. Story remains wide open for another sequel but it doesn't seem there is one. A must read for any fan of post-apocalyptic fiction.
June 18, 2018
This is one of the darkest, most disturbing books I've read. Also one of the best. The thought of eating meat after reading this seriously turned my stomach.
January 23, 2021
Reading this novel was as stark and unsettling an experience as I remember my first Mad Max movies were to my teenage self.
December 9, 2021
Just as poor as the first book. Howie/Corey meanders from ridiculous situation to ridiculous situation. If it weren't for a few mentions of "the war" that brought humanity down for it's hubris-this couldn't qualify as science fiction.
July 17, 2023
Amazon edition filled with typos from poor scanning.
July 19, 2025
This is a worthy sequel to a fantastic book. I nearly gave this 5 stars too, but this book is not quite as audacious as the first book. This book is a direct sequel to Through Darkest America, and Howie heads to Silver Island looking for his sister. On the way he meets Ritcher Jones, a charismatic priest from High Sequoia. Howie is suspicious of Jones given what he has heard about High Sequoia from Kari. But, circumstances cause Howie to follow Jones to California and High Sequoia. The voyage takes Howie to the port of Alabama, Panama, California and finally High Sequoia. Each of these locations is vividly depicted with interesting characters and plot complications. At the end, Howie learns the awful truth of "Darkest America" at High Sequoia. One thing that detracts from this book are the extended flashbacks which seem to have been lifted verbatim from Through Darkest America. I imagine that these were helpful to some people, but I found that some of them simply went on too long. Regardless, these books are a must read for anyone that likes post apocalypse fiction.
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August 9, 2008The sequel to Through Darkest America completes the saga of Howie Ryder and his search for his lost sister. He is a bitter young man, savagely mutilated by an enemy. In the last novel Howie escaped the chaos of the war in the west between Lathan and the American government. However he discovered the truth about the soulless “stock”, the creatures that look and walk upright like humans, but do not talk and are considered to be meat.
http://fireandsword.blogspot.com/2007...
http://fireandsword.blogspot.com/2007...
March 31, 2008
this is the only book I ever thought worth burning. I felt that let down by the story. its that kind of feeling when everything seems to work but yet its a furtain being drawn slowly back up to reveal that the stage was but an illusion for that moment....a sham.
November 24, 2012
Well written, imaginative premise...I did not read the prequel, and not sure that is a bad thing. I wish there were a sequel, would like to see what would be next
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews