Dawn Over Doomsday

The Afterblight Chronicles #4

by Jaspre Bark

The world has been devastated by an epidemic. Although there are pockets of an attempted continuation of civilisation, the truth is that the world has gone to hell in a handcart. The reason for this is a disease that has wiped out most of the world's population. It kills almost all those who are not of the blood group 'O neg'. Those people who survive are untouched. Everyone else dies. Infrastructures have collapsed. Mobs run rampant. The only kind of law that exists is that imposed by the people with the biggest guns. In this devastated and chaotic world who can bring hope and order? As America lies bleeding, Native American Chief Hiamovi seeks to unite his people into a single nation capable of reclaiming the US from the white man. His growing army is on a collision course with cult leader Samuel Colt, who intends to put the country back in the iron grip of the once mighty Neo Clergy. The two men are set for a showdown at Little Bighorn, once site of Cluster's legendary last stand, now a twisted nuclear landscape. Fourth book in the action-packed post apocalypse fiction.

Genres: Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 17, 2008

Reviews

[Badseedgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Afterblight Chronicles.
by Jaspre Bark, fourth author in this series.
Next book in the series Arrowhead by Paul Kane

Our Good friends the Neo-Clergy make a comeback in this fourth book in the series. Set in America there is a modern take on the classic White settlers vs. Red indians, made so popular by 1950's and 60's American TV and Movie writers. For me this story has some problematic themes because it leans heavily on Native American stereotypical tropes, the wise Indian, the savage red man etc. This was especially obvious after reading so much Stephen Graham Jones in recent years, But in spite of that, I enjoyed the story.

[Grw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book in the series following different events following a virus that kills everyone who doesn't have the 'O' blood group, and like all those before it, we have a new take on what happens. Or do we?

One thing we do have is a new location, as we are largely out in the wilds of the USA. This means that at least one of the groups we will follow during the book is very different from previous novels in the series, as the Native American Indians, having a large percentage of 'O' group members, are a controlling force. However all is not well, for there is a conflict within their ranks between the traditionalist and those who want to take revenge against the white man.

Meanwhile - and it has to be said, just like in a lot of the other books - there's some ultra religious group who also want to take over the world.

And finally, - and again in a lot of the other books - there's the secret government organisation, or at least some people from it, who have - here's another thing from the other books - some sort of miracle that could save the world.

Now, plot repetition aside, and perhaps a touch too much detail of the Native American in fighting, this is one of the better of the series so far as the characters are good, believable, and even nice in some points. There's a good deal of pace, with some good twists and turns along the way although the ending is a touch over the top.

Still well worth a read, and in my ranking of the series so far, this comes in at a good second behind it's immediate predecessor but a long way in front of the initial book.

[Sara]

And we laugh at the end
like tow child in love drink sealed nectar
over many slave of corn
even there head high to sky
dance under weired cloud
over red fragment of flower
where echo of air sing it
many stile of life hung at foot the virus
even at the end one verse come to life
truth told at the end
and many red fragment went by
in dark tunel that y were ma candle
y lips was my game
even yr beuty come over my night dark mood
and dance in another planet
at the door of one light
many organision
many religion
many many
can all end without think
just drive love pike
and inhale that drug
and pray to one light
without tears
y will be my life
many fild and fight and gun war
y will be my o viruse
my death
throw many star
there one bone
one beuty
one violin music play over my tomp
one truth of verse
belive my choice over dark
that was light at sky

[Brenda L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs editing

Badly in need of an editor. The story was jumbled together making it hard to follow. Would not recommend, even if free.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you know the joke about the difference between "Let's eat, Grandma" and "Let's eat Grandma?" If so, you'll know where I'm going. If not, don't feel bad, neither does Jaspre Bark... There were so many run-on sentences and missing commas in this book, I'm surprised it made it past any kind of editor at Abaddon books. I've read seven other books under the Afterblight Chronicles banner, and this is the only one with these issues. Besides the grammatical errors constantly yanking me out of the story-the worst one was the author using "two" instead of "too," as in "It was two many grammar mistakes for me to handle."-the story and the characters were well written in the Abaddon/Afterblight tradition. I will continue to read the Afterblight series, but will probably not seek out any other of Mr. Bark's work.

[Sean C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was ok.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the last two in the series. Actually had a few likeable characters in this one.