Out of the Dark (Weber novel)
OCLC 567188387 | | |
Followed by | Into the Light |
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Out of the Dark is an alien invasion science fiction novel by David Weber released by Tor Books on September 28, 2010.[1] It is an extended version of the short story of the same name published in the 2010 anthology Warriors edited by Gardner Dozois and George R. R. Martin. A sequel, titled Into the Light, was published more than a decade later in January 2021. The third book in the series, To Challenge Heaven is expected to be released in January of 2024.
Plot
The 2010s: Alien scientists from an alliance of races known as the Galactic Hegemony review footage of the Battle of Agincourt, taken by a survey ship during the Hundred Years' War. They liken humans to the carnivorous, vulpine Shongairi, a species recently admitted to the Hegemony. Ultimately, a Shongairi fleet is sent to establish control of Earth in the name of the Hegemony. Upon arrival in the Solar System, the Shongairi are amazed to discover that in six centuries since the Agincourt survey, the technology base of Earth has advanced considerably, to the Hegemony's classification of "Level II."
The Hegemony constitution prohibits conquest of any Level II or higher society. Fleet Commander Thikair, head of the Shongairi expedition, resolves to ignore this law in service of Shongairi plans to advance beyond their Hegemony rivals and ultimately conquer the galaxy; a human client state could provide scientists and soldiers to this end. Furthermore, the Hegemony's leaders have quietly authorized the Shongairi to attack the "bloodthirsty" humans. Hegemony leaders, mostly
The Shongairi kill more than half of Earth's population with
In Romania, U.S. Marine Stephen Buchevsky, whose family died in the initial strikes, joins a band of fighters led by one Mircea Basarab, who are more than meets the eye. In space, Fleet Commander Thikair ruefully concludes that human nature compels survivors of Shongairi atrocities to avenge their loved ones at all costs. Unlike other known species, humans have no natural "submission" instinct to superior powers; altruism and sacrifice of self to safeguard the innocent are, to the aliens, marks of "insanity."
Thikair plots to develop a
Basarab arises at last under his true name: Vlad the Impaler, aka Count Dracula. After centuries of isolation in the mountains of Wallachia, where he had sought redemption for his murderous past, Dracula resolves to sire a new army of vampires, among whom is Buchevsky, who otherwise would have died in battle. The Shongairi are no match for the immortal vampires, and flee to space as Thikair plots to destroy Earth itself. The vampires board and seize control of the Shongairi fleet. Dracula reveals to the despondent Thikair that he has learned everything about the Shongairi and the Hegemony, and the vampires will take Thikair's ships back to Shongairi space to exact vengeance. Invoking the name of his murdered children, vampire Buchevsky kills Thikair.
On Earth, salvaged Shongairi technology sets humanity up to recover and advance beyond the tragedy, united under the banner of the Terran Empire.
Main characters
Humans and vampires
- Master Sergeant Stephen Buchevsky: A U.S. Marine initially stationed in Afghanistan.
- Dave Dvorak: The owner of an indoor shooting range
- Rob Wilson: A former U.S. Marine sergeant, Dvorak's brother in law
- Major Dan "Longbow" Torino: A U.S. Air Force pilot flying the F-22 Raptor
- President Harriet Palmer: The President of the United States
- Mircea Basarab: A Romanian community leader with a mysterious past.
Shongairi
- Fleet Commander Thikair: The supreme commander of the invasion force
- Ground Force Commander Thairys: The expedition's senior ground commander
- Ground Base Commander Shairez: A junior ground commander, and lead scientist
Trivia
This section contains a list of miscellaneous information. (February 2023) |
Out of the Dark contains multiple references and adapted concepts from Weber's literature, particularly the 2002 book The Excalibur Alternative.
The former focuses on characters originating from Henriad England; the latter's prologue is set in the same era.
Both books feature an interstellar polity of alien races, who ultimately resolve to exterminate the human race, before a previously unknown power saves the day.
Weber novels usually feature complex narratives of pitched naval battles, either at sea or in space, but both Excalibur and Dark feature other themes of war. There are a number of scenes in which two German Shepherd dogs called Merlin and Nimue appear, in reference to the Safehold series.
The book contains an appearance of the 1957 children's novel David and the Phoenix by Edward Ormondroyd, a book of which Weber is a fan.
Reception
A review by
References
- Macmillan. Archived from the originalon October 5, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ "Out of the Dark". Publishers Weekly. 2010-08-02.
- ^ Booklist Review of Out of the Dark
External links
- Out of the Dark title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Podcast interview with DW at D6G Ep 66: David Weber Interview & Game Strategies (Begin listening at approximately 1:06, esp. at 1:46+, end at 1:56.)