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Evergence #3
The Dark Imbalance
In a universe where Earth no longer exists, the remnants of humanity survive in space stations and starships. Now, an army of genetically enhanced warriors is sent to destroy mankind-once and for all.
Only one woman can stop them: renegade intelligence agent Morgan Roche.
Only one woman can stop them: renegade intelligence agent Morgan Roche.
- GenresScience Fiction
380 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
6 people are currently reading
144 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
June 13, 2012
"The Dark Imbalance" is a very satisfying conclusion to the" Evergence" Series. The type of satisfaction one feels after a meal that "hits the spot" or sensation of grandeur and well- being after a gym workout. This final book in the series answers many of the important questions, and leaves just enough pinch of mystery and wonder for the audience to ponder and savour.
Morgan Roche's hunt for the Genetically Modified warrior lead her back to the ruins of the Sol System, where a vast array of starships and space stations are now gathered. Amongst the constant destructive struggle for power between rival space stations, the infinite treads of politics and lies, and countless snares set by her past enemies, Morgan and her small rag-tag team must outsmart and outwit the enemy and find the truth hidden in the void. The answers she find are beyond anything she imagined and has far reaching consequences than she dreamed.
Much like the two previous books, Sean Williams does not shy away from hard science and very alien technology and abilities. One concept that really intrigued me is the idea of "epsense" an ability where one visualise and communicate via thought on a different "plain/environment".
In addition to the fast paced, action packed scenes, this book delves deeper into the forgotten Galactic history and explores more of Morgan's past and develops her character even further. One feature of the series I admire is the author's ability to display depth and meaning behind the main characters making the readers really connect with the book without ever interfering with the flow and tempo of the book. While new characters are introduced in this book, I was very happy to see some of the old ones that you have come to know and love take centre stage again.
What really shines about "The Dark Imbalance" is the way it adequately concludes the hype and mystery built up by the previous books. All too often, the authors are unable to "finish" a trilogy after much promise. The Dark Imbalance certainly does not disappoint.
Much of the questions are answered at the climax and the resolution. However, like all well written action, thrillers, there is always a twist you did not see coming. At the end, like a chef garnishing a well- made stew with all the ingredients in balance and harmony, the writer throws in a touch of ethics, elevating the book to another level all together.
Late into the night, hours after I finished reading the final words, I was still left recollecting the events in the series and pondering its implications.
I truly enjoyed reading "The Dark imbalance" and the "Evergence" Series as a whole and highly recommend it to anyone with a interest in a Sci-Fi story with interesting concepts and a really entertaining story that will keep you guessing until the very end. I will certainly seek out other books by Sean Williams with great enthusiasm.
Morgan Roche's hunt for the Genetically Modified warrior lead her back to the ruins of the Sol System, where a vast array of starships and space stations are now gathered. Amongst the constant destructive struggle for power between rival space stations, the infinite treads of politics and lies, and countless snares set by her past enemies, Morgan and her small rag-tag team must outsmart and outwit the enemy and find the truth hidden in the void. The answers she find are beyond anything she imagined and has far reaching consequences than she dreamed.
Much like the two previous books, Sean Williams does not shy away from hard science and very alien technology and abilities. One concept that really intrigued me is the idea of "epsense" an ability where one visualise and communicate via thought on a different "plain/environment".
In addition to the fast paced, action packed scenes, this book delves deeper into the forgotten Galactic history and explores more of Morgan's past and develops her character even further. One feature of the series I admire is the author's ability to display depth and meaning behind the main characters making the readers really connect with the book without ever interfering with the flow and tempo of the book. While new characters are introduced in this book, I was very happy to see some of the old ones that you have come to know and love take centre stage again.
What really shines about "The Dark Imbalance" is the way it adequately concludes the hype and mystery built up by the previous books. All too often, the authors are unable to "finish" a trilogy after much promise. The Dark Imbalance certainly does not disappoint.
Much of the questions are answered at the climax and the resolution. However, like all well written action, thrillers, there is always a twist you did not see coming. At the end, like a chef garnishing a well- made stew with all the ingredients in balance and harmony, the writer throws in a touch of ethics, elevating the book to another level all together.
Late into the night, hours after I finished reading the final words, I was still left recollecting the events in the series and pondering its implications.
I truly enjoyed reading "The Dark imbalance" and the "Evergence" Series as a whole and highly recommend it to anyone with a interest in a Sci-Fi story with interesting concepts and a really entertaining story that will keep you guessing until the very end. I will certainly seek out other books by Sean Williams with great enthusiasm.
April 12, 2020
The first book in the series was pretty good. The second was kind of repetitious. Midway thru this third book I was wishing for it to end soon, because I had a dark foreboding that I couldn't quite pin down. By the end I got it - this series more and more reminded me of the awful British TV series "Blake's 7" (yet somehow revered as a cult classic).
These books are not badly written, hence two stars instead of one, but I think you'll wish you had read something else.
These books are not badly written, hence two stars instead of one, but I think you'll wish you had read something else.
September 27, 2022
I did not expect such a poignant ending.
June 28, 2012
Ex Commonwealth of Empires officer Morgan Roche returns in this last installment of the Evergence trilogy. Morgan is still on the run with only her hodgepodge crew to count on, one of which is a clone warrior. To the rest of the universe, Morgan’s name is so often heard within the same breath as that of the murderous clone warriors, that everyone assumes she must know more than she is telling. It seems everyone is out to get her whether to destroy her or question her knowledge on the clones.
The clones are responsible for destroying an entire star system. Morgan really had no idea what they are all about, but she has a theory that is spans back to prejudices from the ancient sol system. Every lead she follows results in mayhem and more questions. She is racing to keep from being caught or killed herself all so she can determine the clones’ purpose and prevent them from murdering more people.
The catch is that the AI she has been traveling with is somehow connected and has its own purpose. Can she manage to save herself and her crew while defeating the enemy?
This is a reprint (prior to edits) of my original review in the Feb/Mar 2001 issue of Explorations.
The clones are responsible for destroying an entire star system. Morgan really had no idea what they are all about, but she has a theory that is spans back to prejudices from the ancient sol system. Every lead she follows results in mayhem and more questions. She is racing to keep from being caught or killed herself all so she can determine the clones’ purpose and prevent them from murdering more people.
The catch is that the AI she has been traveling with is somehow connected and has its own purpose. Can she manage to save herself and her crew while defeating the enemy?
This is a reprint (prior to edits) of my original review in the Feb/Mar 2001 issue of Explorations.
January 15, 2017
Clever ending... But does it satisfy?
So the story came to an end at the birthplace of humanity, and the mysteries were given logical answers. I have just finished reading, and I have mixed feelings about the ending. For sure, Morgan's special role in the events and her mysterious origin were explained, as well as the origin, nature and motivation of the clone warriors. Also, the ending showed the relative insignificance of the fleeting lives of the protagonists and their conflicts against the background of deep time, even if those conflicts are immense by today's standards.
The inclusion of what in old science fiction would have been called psionics gives this work a vintage feel. Also I am not keen on how this "epsense" operates faster than light. (ESP was a standard trope of the Golden Age, and feels sort of dated.) On the other hand, the concept of "high humans" reminds me of Vernor Vinge's work, where the singularity is not evenly distributed. I guess there is also something Asimovian in the grand view of history.
So the story came to an end at the birthplace of humanity, and the mysteries were given logical answers. I have just finished reading, and I have mixed feelings about the ending. For sure, Morgan's special role in the events and her mysterious origin were explained, as well as the origin, nature and motivation of the clone warriors. Also, the ending showed the relative insignificance of the fleeting lives of the protagonists and their conflicts against the background of deep time, even if those conflicts are immense by today's standards.
The inclusion of what in old science fiction would have been called psionics gives this work a vintage feel. Also I am not keen on how this "epsense" operates faster than light. (ESP was a standard trope of the Golden Age, and feels sort of dated.) On the other hand, the concept of "high humans" reminds me of Vernor Vinge's work, where the singularity is not evenly distributed. I guess there is also something Asimovian in the grand view of history.
October 14, 2014
I enjoyed all three books in this series. I liked the characters, the underlying mystery and the action. I particularly liked the whole revenge part of the story line in this third book. We also get to find out more about Morgan Roche which answers quite a few questions. In fact, by the end, numerous questions are answered but the reader is left with quite a few things to ponder. I just don't know if I liked the ending. Don't get me wrong, it was well written and successfully concluded the series. I just can't say I was happy with how it ended. I can't say more than that without giving it away. All in all though, a great series! I wish there was more of Morgan Roche to come but I will definitely be seeing what else this author has written.
September 17, 2014
#3 in the Evergence Trilogy (Aprodigal Sun #1 and The DYing Light #2). I'm still mulling the ending but my first reaction was some what of a let down. Considering the trajectory of the first two in the series and the way they were plotted I almost feel like the authors went off in another direction in the conclusion. Not what I expected and maybe that was the point.
September 1, 2012
Really loved this trilogy. Enjoyed the science and the conjecture. There are a few logic bumps you have to get over, but all in all it is a pleasant jaunt. I'll read them again! And read more from the authors.
January 26, 2013
The first novel was fine. The second one in the trilogy was OK. This last book was a struggle to get through. It was quite uninteresting. I skipped a few chapters in order to read the last two to finish it and I can say with confidence that I am glad I did. I didn't miss anything.
July 31, 2011
I just needed a bit more at the end of this series, but it was still great!
March 8, 2013
Pretty good. Some nice action sequences, and a great overall arc. A little disjointed in places but well worth a read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews