Howling Dark Book Review
Book Review:
Howling Dark
by Christopher Ruocchio
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My goodness, where to even start with this review? I have been pondering that since finishing yesterday. Mostly I worry that I will not convey the main point or theme of this one as well because this is a very character-heavy book, more so than even the first, and I am not the most character-focused reader. You have been warned so let's go.
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Our understanding of the Sun Eater universe is definitely expanded in this novel. At different points, we are shown two to three different cultures. Early on Hadrian encounters the Extrasolarians that we had only heard about in the first novel. These people frighten many of his crew. Hadrian, even not believing himself to be a very pious person, starts praying at the sight of these augmented humans. The Extrasolarian ports they visit are described as what many futuristic cyberpunk stories dive into. In this world, these are only seen as evil because of the fear the Chantry peddles of the Mericanii.
The other culture we get to see more is the Cielcins. There was some given in the first book and this expands upon that making the reader question what we know of them. This will be spoilers but once they are brought together it is quite plain. I think we only get to see this vast difference so much though because it is through Hadrian's perspective. He can understand their language and also he is telling it to us after having already lived through the events. For the difference in culture and language, there are several concepts that are not comparable and neither side seems to notice that a common ground is evading them.
Possibly the biggest spoiler thing we learn is in regards to Vorgossos. At this point, I do question myself how much to say. What we find on this planet though is extraordinary. It gave us a glimpse into the Foundation Wars and what the Mericanii were, while also still being confusing. Thanks to the Undying King we get to meet one such ancient being. Brethren had been kept there in its ancient sea and was waiting for Hadrian. Unfortunately, we aren't given too many clear details as it tends to speak in riddles annoyingly to Hadrian and the reader alike. However what we are shown next and in later parts of the book is interactions with the Quiet. The implications laid out are huge but I should stop here.
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As I said this book is very character-focused. We follow Hadrian as his mercenary expedition seems to fail in its mission to find the Cielcin. Unable to accept the military outlook of things Hadrian begins to double down on his own decisions. Hadrian has been proven to be a very smart character and this is where most of his issues arise from. He is so very smart but completely lacking wisdom or even strategic foresight. This is something that I believe we readers could have picked out even without his older perspective dosing us with foreshadowing. We are meant though to be uncomfortable and slightly disagreeing with Hadrian's actions. This is something laid out in the comparisons and mentions of old conquers of Earth such as Alexander, for the greater good many evils have been done. Whether there was another way besides Hadrian's foolishness is the questionable part.
In the second book of Hadrian's tale, his mercenary company has been exploring the stars making a name for themselves. They have been hoping to come across Extrasolarians that will point them on the path to fabled Vorgossos. While the war has been raging on with colonies burning Hadrian holds firm to his idea of peace talks if only they can find the Cielcin tribe. From far stations in the Veil of the Empire to dark planets not found on maps Hadrian's resolve will be tested.
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This one was a doozy. As it wanted to focus on Hadrian's hard decisions and stubborn determination of his rightness. The final conflict of the book truly wasn't his fault though. The reward, if that is even really the right word, Hadrian receives at the end doesn't feel right. I do feel that he is now of a different mindset than the beginning of the book but did he fully experience the fault of his decisions?
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