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Burning Stars: Afterdark
"A world without magic, where everyone knows their gods are dead." Virith is the Valkyrie, a champion of dragons. Wherever she goes, her presence inspires those around her. Yet, Virith is only one dragon, and the pressure the persona places upon her shoulders is only growing heavier. After disobeying a direct order, she is sent on leave, where she uses the time to build her fraying relationships. What should have been a time of recuperation serves only a grim reminder for Virith. That no matter where she goes, the shadow of war will always envelop herself and those around her.
- GenresDragons
240 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2020
About the author
Rurik Redwolf
4 books11 followersI like dragons.
Reading order, since I can't change it on Goodreads:
Main Series:
Ashen Dreams
Blackout (Not released yet)
Side stories:
Requiem (Read after Ashen)
Afterdark (Read after Ashen)
Reading order, since I can't change it on Goodreads:
Main Series:
Ashen Dreams
Blackout (Not released yet)
Side stories:
Requiem (Read after Ashen)
Afterdark (Read after Ashen)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 27, 2025
Overall it was a great book for doing it the first time. The plot was interesting and it does have some sort of continuity from Ashen the thing I wish is that Rurik actually specifies better that this book is a sequel to Ashen because a lot of people read this as their first book when it's a sequel. Other than that I loved it. Barasul & the brief explanation of his relationship with Virith and Jet'Ruk is a very fascinating character to look at although his future actions were kinda expected on my side. Still props to Rurik and I recommend reading this book if you have enjoyed the first installment.
September 18, 2022
This book had been tempting me for some time from a crowded to read list.
What I had glimpsed from the synopsis and sample made it stand apart, a world setup original among dragon books, with a mix of technology and waning magic (I was a little confused right after the prologue that left me believing it was disappeared altogether).
It pushed its way to the top of the list, maybe it has to do with its MC talent to bulldoze her way when the need arises :-)
A little remark, the species depicted are often described with anthropomorphic poses and gestures. The strong bindings with Norse culture certainly reinforced the feeling.
This put aside, the main cast is well painted and convincing, especially for a relatively short book.
Virith is an icon of strength to the eyes of others, terse outside, yet very insecure in her apprehension of the future and personal relations.
Apart of the obvious resemblance with Thor, she also made me think of Rita in Edge of tomorrow.
The plot is nice, with a good pace and interesting twists.
There will obviously be a sequel I'll keep an eye out for. The author is on deviantart.
What I had glimpsed from the synopsis and sample made it stand apart, a world setup original among dragon books, with a mix of technology and waning magic (I was a little confused right after the prologue that left me believing it was disappeared altogether).
It pushed its way to the top of the list, maybe it has to do with its MC talent to bulldoze her way when the need arises :-)
A little remark, the species depicted are often described with anthropomorphic poses and gestures. The strong bindings with Norse culture certainly reinforced the feeling.
This put aside, the main cast is well painted and convincing, especially for a relatively short book.
Virith is an icon of strength to the eyes of others, terse outside, yet very insecure in her apprehension of the future and personal relations.
Apart of the obvious resemblance with Thor, she also made me think of Rita in Edge of tomorrow.
The plot is nice, with a good pace and interesting twists.
There will obviously be a sequel I'll keep an eye out for. The author is on deviantart.
January 27, 2024
The combination of dragons, elements, magic, and sci-fi military tech made Afterdark's world unique and charming. Plus, the idea of the story is exciting--I love stories about a hero who struggles to keep up with the pressures placed on them by their society. Plus, dragons! Cool idea, yeah.
But, after reading Afterdark, I feel that it was still lacking in a few things. Firstly, the characters. Virith was interesting. Not exactly round, I feel, but interesting. The griffon guy was also interesting. But, everyone else was mega flat. Barsul was flat. The female medic side character even more so. The only one I cared about was Virith. Plus, some characters--Virith's mom and sister, for example--are introduced only to end up meaning nothing to the story. Virith's mom appears to let us know that she was the dragon in the prologue and survived the battle, and Virith's sister is introduced to give Virith someone to talk about her feelings to. Buuuut after that, they do nothing. And, if Virith gained anything from that visit, it doesn't show. So, basically, what I'm trying to say is that these characters were introduced as if they would be important, but they ended up not meaning anything to the story.
Secondly, there's the substance of the story. In the beginning I was interested. And then it went on...and the story lost steam. By the time of the catalyst (the griffons and the sub) I was kinda...disinterested. I sorta wish Project Afterdark was hinted at in earlier chapters. This complaint isn't super valid, as it is a short book, but I just think it would have been a good idea to increase the focus of the story by making it more clear as to what the plot really was from the beginning. Project Afterdark should have at least been hinted at in the beginning (I mean the beginning, before the catalyst), giving the reader a chance to predict and anticipate the story.
And then third is something minor. There were maybe, like, four or five spelling errors, paragraphs that lacked variance (used the same adjective two or three sentences in a row), and misuse of tone. That's minor stuff, though. This book is self-published.
I think that this book really would have benefited from an editor to fix up some stuff, but really, all the editor could have done was embellish. Really, the story comes from the author. And, ya know what, the author has really good ideas. Even if the quality isn't optimal, I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes dragons and sci-fi or wants to self-publish their own books some day.
I liked it so much that I read it on Kindle Unlimited, then purchased it on Barnes & Noble for good measure. Keep writing great books, Redwolf!
But, after reading Afterdark, I feel that it was still lacking in a few things. Firstly, the characters. Virith was interesting. Not exactly round, I feel, but interesting. The griffon guy was also interesting. But, everyone else was mega flat. Barsul was flat. The female medic side character even more so. The only one I cared about was Virith. Plus, some characters--Virith's mom and sister, for example--are introduced only to end up meaning nothing to the story. Virith's mom appears to let us know that she was the dragon in the prologue and survived the battle, and Virith's sister is introduced to give Virith someone to talk about her feelings to. Buuuut after that, they do nothing. And, if Virith gained anything from that visit, it doesn't show. So, basically, what I'm trying to say is that these characters were introduced as if they would be important, but they ended up not meaning anything to the story.
Secondly, there's the substance of the story. In the beginning I was interested. And then it went on...and the story lost steam. By the time of the catalyst (the griffons and the sub) I was kinda...disinterested. I sorta wish Project Afterdark was hinted at in earlier chapters. This complaint isn't super valid, as it is a short book, but I just think it would have been a good idea to increase the focus of the story by making it more clear as to what the plot really was from the beginning. Project Afterdark should have at least been hinted at in the beginning (I mean the beginning, before the catalyst), giving the reader a chance to predict and anticipate the story.
And then third is something minor. There were maybe, like, four or five spelling errors, paragraphs that lacked variance (used the same adjective two or three sentences in a row), and misuse of tone. That's minor stuff, though. This book is self-published.
I think that this book really would have benefited from an editor to fix up some stuff, but really, all the editor could have done was embellish. Really, the story comes from the author. And, ya know what, the author has really good ideas. Even if the quality isn't optimal, I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes dragons and sci-fi or wants to self-publish their own books some day.
I liked it so much that I read it on Kindle Unlimited, then purchased it on Barnes & Noble for good measure. Keep writing great books, Redwolf!
July 25, 2024
I've never read a book like this before.
Alright, well, this is a point to be made about many things I read. I crave uniqueness, new expiriences, and Afterdark - a militaristic sci-fi/fantasy xenofiction - fits that criteria in many ways. It feels odd to call this story refreshing with the hard realities of war it paints, but I enjoyed this new take among other dragon POV books I've read.
The characters - Virith especially - are what carries this story for me. While the action was not handled poorly, it is the personal struggles and relationships of the main character that I had the most interest in. Virith is damaged: by the ongoing war, by being put on a pedestal, and by demons of the past that keep haunting her. All of that, combined with how it influences her relationships, makes for a journey I was keen to follow.
The writing itself is rough in places, and sometimes it distracted enough to break immersion, however with this being, as far as I'm aware, the auhor's debut, they are more forgivable, even if I think Afterdark would've benefited from one more editing round. I've seen bits of Ashen Dreams, and it seems to have improved considerably between releases.
Afterdark leaves questions unanswered, and with the promising start to this saga, those are enough to whet my apetite to continue. I'll definitely go on to sink my fangs into Ashen Dreams, and then Blackout once that is done. Burning Stars holds a lot of promise, and I am keen to see it brought to page.
Alright, well, this is a point to be made about many things I read. I crave uniqueness, new expiriences, and Afterdark - a militaristic sci-fi/fantasy xenofiction - fits that criteria in many ways. It feels odd to call this story refreshing with the hard realities of war it paints, but I enjoyed this new take among other dragon POV books I've read.
The characters - Virith especially - are what carries this story for me. While the action was not handled poorly, it is the personal struggles and relationships of the main character that I had the most interest in. Virith is damaged: by the ongoing war, by being put on a pedestal, and by demons of the past that keep haunting her. All of that, combined with how it influences her relationships, makes for a journey I was keen to follow.
The writing itself is rough in places, and sometimes it distracted enough to break immersion, however with this being, as far as I'm aware, the auhor's debut, they are more forgivable, even if I think Afterdark would've benefited from one more editing round. I've seen bits of Ashen Dreams, and it seems to have improved considerably between releases.
Afterdark leaves questions unanswered, and with the promising start to this saga, those are enough to whet my apetite to continue. I'll definitely go on to sink my fangs into Ashen Dreams, and then Blackout once that is done. Burning Stars holds a lot of promise, and I am keen to see it brought to page.
June 2, 2023
I actually read this book after Ashen Dreams. This book takes place chronologically after Ashen Dreams does, and though technically I read the books in reverse order from what's recommended, I enjoyed reading them in this order.
This book's writing feels a lot like Ashen Dreams with the same main character and several of the same additional characters as well.
I very much enjoyed reading it as well, as I really wanted to read more about Fatea and the Burning Stars universe.
This book's writing feels a lot like Ashen Dreams with the same main character and several of the same additional characters as well.
I very much enjoyed reading it as well, as I really wanted to read more about Fatea and the Burning Stars universe.
January 26, 2025
While the setting is generally intriguing, especially to anyone into war stories and military politics, the writing style required some growing accustomed to, resulting in a good amount of confusion about the protagonists and the world around them, against all efforts to describe the futuristic technologies in elaborate detail. It simply felt as if I had missed some part of exposition while adjusting to the storytelling and found myself wishing for a sort of character overview to help jog my memory until far into the plot.
Overall, it felt like the author's very first publication, and for that, I do applaud the effort. The book has been very highly rated, thus do not be fooled by my outlying rating. Personally, I view this edition of Afterdark to be a rough gem and am confident that the second, much thicker instalment takes allows to forgive a lapse of focus much easier than the first.
Update: After reading "Ashen Dreams", I am fairly sure that was the book supposed to be read first, as it not only introduces the reader to the world in much lengthier and more detailed fashion, but also accompanies young Virith growing up and laying a solid foundation to her character. Most importantly, however, the events of "Ashen Dreams" play out many years before Afterdark, hence I suggest that order of reading, even if they were released vice versa.
Overall, it felt like the author's very first publication, and for that, I do applaud the effort. The book has been very highly rated, thus do not be fooled by my outlying rating. Personally, I view this edition of Afterdark to be a rough gem and am confident that the second, much thicker instalment takes allows to forgive a lapse of focus much easier than the first.
Update: After reading "Ashen Dreams", I am fairly sure that was the book supposed to be read first, as it not only introduces the reader to the world in much lengthier and more detailed fashion, but also accompanies young Virith growing up and laying a solid foundation to her character. Most importantly, however, the events of "Ashen Dreams" play out many years before Afterdark, hence I suggest that order of reading, even if they were released vice versa.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews