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Evergence #2
The Dying Light
Renegade intelligence officer Morgan Roche risks her career and her life when she sets out to find Adoni Cane, the last of a group of genetically enchanced warriors, whose very existence threatens the future of humankind. Original.
420 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
9 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Sean Williams
277 books468 followers#1 New York Times bestselling Sean Williams lives with his family in Adelaide, South Australia. He’s written some books--forty-two at last count--including the Philip K. Dick-nominated Saturn Returns, several Star Wars novels and the Troubletwister series with Garth Nix. Twinmaker is a YA SF series that takes his love affair with the matter transmitter to a whole new level. You can find some related short stories over at Lightspeed Magazine and elsewhere. Thanks for reading.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 21, 2023
'This is the first thing I have ever tried to do on my own. And I guess I’m just a little... scared. Not of the Sol Wunderkind escaping or anything, but of—' 'Failing.'
Competent second installation to this series. Mostly going sideways: tossing up several hypotheticals but not dealing with them. Readers are assumed to have read the first volume, The Prodigal Sun.
The Box sounded as if it was enjoying itself. At times like these, she had learned to be worried.
Morgan Roche grows into her leadership role. Other characters are more two-dimensional. The Box is … Box. Except when … (No, I can’t tell you that. Spoiler.) Interludes create some mystery, but it falls flat when resolved.
'Trust your instincts. Follow them always, and they will lead you where you most wish to go.' “What the hell does that mean?” 'It means that I have nothing constructive to say.'
Competent second installation to this series. Mostly going sideways: tossing up several hypotheticals but not dealing with them. Readers are assumed to have read the first volume, The Prodigal Sun.
The Box sounded as if it was enjoying itself. At times like these, she had learned to be worried.
Morgan Roche grows into her leadership role. Other characters are more two-dimensional. The Box is … Box. Except when … (No, I can’t tell you that. Spoiler.) Interludes create some mystery, but it falls flat when resolved.
'Trust your instincts. Follow them always, and they will lead you where you most wish to go.' “What the hell does that mean?” 'It means that I have nothing constructive to say.'
August 20, 2023
Morgan Roche and her crew are looking for a second clone warrior. The first, Cane, turned out to be friendly and has aligned himself with Morgan. Their search takes them to a star system that seems to have disappeared. They fear this new clone warrior is responsible or involved in some way.
This second instalment in the Evergence trilogy maintains the standard set in the first book. The first book was planet bound whereas this one is set in space. There is little development of Cane in this outing, in fact, he rarely gets a mention, as is the case for Maii, the telepath/empath who assisted Morgan in the first book. The focus is on Morgan and her attempts to handle her situation. Once again the story is filled with action and mystery and while some questions seem to have been answered, the third book promises much. I’ve recently read a few less than inspiring books, but this effort reignites my passion for reading. Winner of the 2001 Ditmar Award for best novel.
This second instalment in the Evergence trilogy maintains the standard set in the first book. The first book was planet bound whereas this one is set in space. There is little development of Cane in this outing, in fact, he rarely gets a mention, as is the case for Maii, the telepath/empath who assisted Morgan in the first book. The focus is on Morgan and her attempts to handle her situation. Once again the story is filled with action and mystery and while some questions seem to have been answered, the third book promises much. I’ve recently read a few less than inspiring books, but this effort reignites my passion for reading. Winner of the 2001 Ditmar Award for best novel.
May 5, 2024
The main character Morgan Roche still annoys me for being so ... unlike an intelligence officer, even a junior one. Her questions and are just frustratingly and irritatingly, illogical. The only relief was the "Box". The name of which also annoys me. What a lazy and uninspired name for a Artificial Super Intelligence. It is far more like an intelligence operative than Roche.
Despite these annoyances, there are some good ideas in the series. The plot is complex and multilayered which is of genuine interest. There are also many human castes that provide a rich background. Some of these could easily be spun off into novella's or other books.
Despite these annoyances, there are some good ideas in the series. The plot is complex and multilayered which is of genuine interest. There are also many human castes that provide a rich background. Some of these could easily be spun off into novella's or other books.
April 5, 2022
Space opera with a slight military-espionage bent. I missed part one of this trilogy, although was able to glean the basics. Williams & Dix are not the greatest prose stylists in the world, but they're very good at breaking down complex problems and narrative situations in a clear manner. Worth checking out for fans of the genre.
September 24, 2022
3.5* Solid sci-fi adventure, with galactic implications.
July 20, 2011
"The Dying Light" picked up right where "The Prodigal Sun" left off with the same gusto and the air of mystery and suspense. The 2nd book in the "Evergence" Trilogy by Sean Williams and Shane Dix continues to expand the futuristic universe as the consequences continue to grow larger and the mystery deeper.
Following the trail of the generically enhanced warrior the plot flows smoothly onwards getting straight into the action. While the first book feel like a action thriller movie, the 2nd book feels like an investigative, mystery and action movie as the party try and uncover the events that took place in the Palasian system - a solar system mush like our own. The team led by Morgan Roach - the protagonist - encounters experimental technology as they explore new worlds, meet different species and castes and ultimately stumble onto a plot with implications that is truly of a galactic scale.
Much like the 1st book, The Dying Light does not shy away from hard theoretical science and space themes. In fact it is this point that drew me into the book. One idea in particular is the concept of "open ended" hyperspace where one does not exist in "normal" space but is very much still physically present.
The Dying Light is action packed, featuring many exciting scenes ranging from melee fighting sequences to large space battles. Coupled with the plot creating an aura that is similar to a crime-scene investigation, the book continues to throw the reader off centre with twists and surprises when least expected. In addition to the amazing theories and intriguing history, I was impressed with the descriptions of the planets and environments in the book - just enough to spark an image in your mind and provoke wonder without getting in the way of the action and the fast paced story.
Again, similar to the first book, it is written in the perspective of two different characters - changing at key points of the story, where eventually they both collide at the climax. Only this time, the story appears slightly more abstract and took a lot more thought to grasp.
The readers are introduced to several new characters while all the favourite central characters from the first book return. Unfortunately, not all of them take the front stage and some are left in the background. One of the new central characters include a person from Morgan's past. While this turn of event certainly brings about an extra layer of complexity and emotion to the book, the character himself does not radiate or incite enough interest. Indeed, I was mostly disappointed with the new characters and yearned for some of the old ones to come back and take centre stage.
Overall this is a exciting sequel that continues to excite readers with mystery, a few very much unexpected twists and plenty of action. If you enjoyed "The Prodigal Sun", you'll certainly love this book. Again, I cannot wait to get stuck into the 3rd book in the series - "A Dark Imbalance".
Following the trail of the generically enhanced warrior the plot flows smoothly onwards getting straight into the action. While the first book feel like a action thriller movie, the 2nd book feels like an investigative, mystery and action movie as the party try and uncover the events that took place in the Palasian system - a solar system mush like our own. The team led by Morgan Roach - the protagonist - encounters experimental technology as they explore new worlds, meet different species and castes and ultimately stumble onto a plot with implications that is truly of a galactic scale.
Much like the 1st book, The Dying Light does not shy away from hard theoretical science and space themes. In fact it is this point that drew me into the book. One idea in particular is the concept of "open ended" hyperspace where one does not exist in "normal" space but is very much still physically present.
The Dying Light is action packed, featuring many exciting scenes ranging from melee fighting sequences to large space battles. Coupled with the plot creating an aura that is similar to a crime-scene investigation, the book continues to throw the reader off centre with twists and surprises when least expected. In addition to the amazing theories and intriguing history, I was impressed with the descriptions of the planets and environments in the book - just enough to spark an image in your mind and provoke wonder without getting in the way of the action and the fast paced story.
Again, similar to the first book, it is written in the perspective of two different characters - changing at key points of the story, where eventually they both collide at the climax. Only this time, the story appears slightly more abstract and took a lot more thought to grasp.
The readers are introduced to several new characters while all the favourite central characters from the first book return. Unfortunately, not all of them take the front stage and some are left in the background. One of the new central characters include a person from Morgan's past. While this turn of event certainly brings about an extra layer of complexity and emotion to the book, the character himself does not radiate or incite enough interest. Indeed, I was mostly disappointed with the new characters and yearned for some of the old ones to come back and take centre stage.
Overall this is a exciting sequel that continues to excite readers with mystery, a few very much unexpected twists and plenty of action. If you enjoyed "The Prodigal Sun", you'll certainly love this book. Again, I cannot wait to get stuck into the 3rd book in the series - "A Dark Imbalance".
January 7, 2017
Galactic mystery plot
The story continues from where the first book left off. While in the previous one the action was mostly limited to one planet, now the setting is a whole system, which is strangely trapped in a hyperspace bubble. The worldbuilding is fun in a sort of vintage style with a vast canvas in both space and time.
This is a milieu without aliens, only different "castes" derived from common human stock. I had the thought that this might have been a choice to facilitate a possible screen adaptation,as one of the castes reminded me of a warrior race in a popular TV franchise.
Anyway, I plan to find out more of the mystery in the next volume.
The story continues from where the first book left off. While in the previous one the action was mostly limited to one planet, now the setting is a whole system, which is strangely trapped in a hyperspace bubble. The worldbuilding is fun in a sort of vintage style with a vast canvas in both space and time.
This is a milieu without aliens, only different "castes" derived from common human stock. I had the thought that this might have been a choice to facilitate a possible screen adaptation,as one of the castes reminded me of a warrior race in a popular TV franchise.
Anyway, I plan to find out more of the mystery in the next volume.
October 1, 2014
This series is well written with great characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and this second one continued the story quite nicely. There wasn't quite as much action in this one but more of the story unfolds and more questions are answered. There are a couple of hints at Morgan's background and I really hope more is uncovered in the third book. I am thankful for the glossary at the end of the book as there is a lot to keep track of. I can't wait to get into the third book now.
July 31, 2011
This brilliant series continues and the complex and so highly detailed universe starts to be painted.
August 23, 2012
A great story in itself, but also a good follow-on from The Prodigal Sun.
Sean knows how to tell a good story.
Sean knows how to tell a good story.
September 17, 2014
A solid continuation in the Evergence Trilogy (The Prodigal Sun being #1 and A Dark Imbalance #3). Less technical and more space opera.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews