Earth is conquered. The Shongairi have arrived in force, and humanity's cities lie in radioactive ruins. In mere minutes, over half the human race has died. Now Master Sergeant Stephen Buchevsky, who thought he was being rotated home from his latest tour in Afghanistan, finds himself instead prowling the back country of the Balkans, dodging alien patrols and trying to organize the scattered survivors without getting killed. His chances look bleak. The aliens have definitely underestimated human tenacity - but no amount of heroism can endlessly hold off overwhelming force. Then, emerging from the mountains and forests of Eastern Europe, new allies present themselves to the ragtag human resistance. Predators, creatures of the night, human in form but inhumanly strong. Long Enemies of humanity...until now. Because now is the time to defend Earth. The Shongairi now have a real fight on their hands...as Earth's vampires strike at them, out of the dark.
Out of the Dark
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"Gripping.... Shifting effortlessly between battles among warpspeed starships and among oarpowered galleys, Weber brings the political maneuvering, past and future technologies, and vigorous protagonists together for a cohesive, engrossing whole."
--"Publishers Weekly", starred review on "Off Armageddon Reef"
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
Earth is conquered. The Shongairi have arrived in force, and humanity’s cities lie in radioactive ruins. In mere minutes, over half the human race has died. Now Master Sergeant Stephen Buchevsky, who thought he was being rotated home from his latest tour in Afghanistan, finds himself instead prowling the back country of the Balkans, dodging alien patrols and trying to organize the scattered survivors without getting killed. His chances look bleak. The aliens have definitely underestimated human tenacity - but no amount of heroism can endlessly hold off overwhelming force. Then, emerging from the mountains and forests of Eastern Europe, new allies present themselves to the ragtag human resistance. Predators, creatures of the night, human in form but inhumanly strong. Long Enemies of humanity . . . until now. Because now is the time to defend Earth.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Blue Hermit
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
* Spoiler alert *
Weber's not on top form with this one.
As a reader of David Weber since I picked up "On Basilisk Station" at the bookstall in York Railway Station a long, long time ago, I have to say I was disappointed with this one.
Somehow, the outwardly interesting idea of combining alien invasion with rescue of the human race by supernatural forces on our world just doesn't work for me. Canon rules regarding vampirism clearly establish the convention that humanity is preyed upon by vampires, for whom we are a readily available food source just as cattle and poultry are to most of us. I can't be happy with the cosy idea that really, they're our friends, just don't stare at their teeth. I prefer a much older view of the vampire, i.e. one in which an accommodation can be reached with the more intelligent among them, but they will always be a source of risk to the human race. Kim Newman's novel "Anno Dracula" (Simon and Schuster 1992) takes this view.
The book would work better as a straightforward "freedom fighters sort out the invaders" sci-fi novel and for most of its 381 pages, that's how it reads. Unfortunately, as a long-standing sci-fi reader, much of it seemed unoriginal and simply not imaginative enough to give that pleasant feeling of "I enjoyed that" when I'd finished the last page. Purely a personal reaction of course, but I'm raising my spirits with the thought that there's a new Safehold novel on its way.
Despite how I feel about "Out of the Dark", it is the first I've felt lukewarm about, so I hope it's a one-off.
Weber's not on top form with this one.
As a reader of David Weber since I picked up "On Basilisk Station" at the bookstall in York Railway Station a long, long time ago, I have to say I was disappointed with this one.
Somehow, the outwardly interesting idea of combining alien invasion with rescue of the human race by supernatural forces on our world just doesn't work for me. Canon rules regarding vampirism clearly establish the convention that humanity is preyed upon by vampires, for whom we are a readily available food source just as cattle and poultry are to most of us. I can't be happy with the cosy idea that really, they're our friends, just don't stare at their teeth. I prefer a much older view of the vampire, i.e. one in which an accommodation can be reached with the more intelligent among them, but they will always be a source of risk to the human race. Kim Newman's novel "Anno Dracula" (Simon and Schuster 1992) takes this view.
The book would work better as a straightforward "freedom fighters sort out the invaders" sci-fi novel and for most of its 381 pages, that's how it reads. Unfortunately, as a long-standing sci-fi reader, much of it seemed unoriginal and simply not imaginative enough to give that pleasant feeling of "I enjoyed that" when I'd finished the last page. Purely a personal reaction of course, but I'm raising my spirits with the thought that there's a new Safehold novel on its way.
Despite how I feel about "Out of the Dark", it is the first I've felt lukewarm about, so I hope it's a one-off.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Tend to agree with previous reviews that state it is a little disjointed - starts with a good premise, gets a bit geeky and militaristic and then a very obvious short ending in the last few chapters. Not one of his best and like another reviewer 'The Madness Season' by C.S.Friedman is far superior and I did read them both one after the other.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By R. Nicklin
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read the synopsis and frankly that ruined it for me - so you've been warned.
After that the stories ok - invasion shooting up aliens ad getting shot back at etc.
The main problems I have its only the good old USA that can defend the earth every one plays second fiddle in fact most don't get a mention unless there's an American to hold their hand - crap they are only really good at shooting at each other or their allies never mind aliens.
Secondly is Mr Webber a gun nut as this book provides far far too much information about powder grains and bullet weights / velocities so to get a bit boring.
That's me typed out -other reviewers please note stop after a page as no one ever bothers to read it!
After that the stories ok - invasion shooting up aliens ad getting shot back at etc.
The main problems I have its only the good old USA that can defend the earth every one plays second fiddle in fact most don't get a mention unless there's an American to hold their hand - crap they are only really good at shooting at each other or their allies never mind aliens.
Secondly is Mr Webber a gun nut as this book provides far far too much information about powder grains and bullet weights / velocities so to get a bit boring.
That's me typed out -other reviewers please note stop after a page as no one ever bothers to read it!
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Marshall Lord
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Out of the Dark" is a standalone science fiction novel by Daid Weber.
MARMITE BOOK ALERT - I loved this but I suspect some readers are going to hate it.
The great majority of the book is military hard SF describing an alien invasion in the near future. However, in the last four chapters the story shifts genre and something very strange happens. With humanity facing extinction, an ancient and sinister foe which most modern people would have dismissed as a myth comes out of the dark to confront the invaders ...
The prologue of the book takes place on the date humans would call 25th October 1415 as an alien survey team from a very pacifist race has arrived in earth orbit to study what they regard as earth's primitive cultures.
Shocked by the butchery they witness at the battle of Agincourt, they prepare a report designed to impress apon the council of all the starfaring races in the galaxy how savage these "humans" are. (It was a pretty horrible battle, and I can recommend 1415: Henry V's Year of Glory for a good account of Agincourt in its historical context.)
Little did the pacifist survey team know that, in one of the many ironies in the book, their report would directly cause the deaths of billions of sentient beings ...
The story continues "about 600" earth years later: e.g. in the near future. The galactic "Hegemony Council" does not often give permission for member races to settle colonies on worlds which have an intelligent species.... Read more ›
MARMITE BOOK ALERT - I loved this but I suspect some readers are going to hate it.
The great majority of the book is military hard SF describing an alien invasion in the near future. However, in the last four chapters the story shifts genre and something very strange happens. With humanity facing extinction, an ancient and sinister foe which most modern people would have dismissed as a myth comes out of the dark to confront the invaders ...
The prologue of the book takes place on the date humans would call 25th October 1415 as an alien survey team from a very pacifist race has arrived in earth orbit to study what they regard as earth's primitive cultures.
Shocked by the butchery they witness at the battle of Agincourt, they prepare a report designed to impress apon the council of all the starfaring races in the galaxy how savage these "humans" are. (It was a pretty horrible battle, and I can recommend 1415: Henry V's Year of Glory for a good account of Agincourt in its historical context.)
Little did the pacifist survey team know that, in one of the many ironies in the book, their report would directly cause the deaths of billions of sentient beings ...
The story continues "about 600" earth years later: e.g. in the near future. The galactic "Hegemony Council" does not often give permission for member races to settle colonies on worlds which have an intelligent species.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I love David Webber's books.
I love the Honour Harrington series, and the Empire of Man, and the Ring of Fire (as long as it was without Virginia DeMarco)and Dahak, Starfire (The Shiva Option etc.) and Safehold. The Multiverse wasn't so hot, but maybe it will finish on a high note.
But this sucks.
Great descriptions of alien/Human conflict, huge feeling of pride that no matter what, the humans wouldn't give up.
The plot was tight, characters were involved and involving, Humanity was in a really tight spot. Biowar and Planet-crackers were about to be deployed by the alien enemy. Mankind needed a bit extra.
And the the vampires arrived to save us all.
W.T.F.
I get the idea that David wrote/plotted himself into a corner and maybe he saw Twilight as an extra market and a way out.
How the hell can you have a mixture of hard science (fiction)and Vampires that dissolve into a pseudo-mist, are invulnerable to any sort of projectile/energy weapon, quite happy in hard vacuum etc. etc. etc.
Sell out David. I thought better of you.
I love the Honour Harrington series, and the Empire of Man, and the Ring of Fire (as long as it was without Virginia DeMarco)and Dahak, Starfire (The Shiva Option etc.) and Safehold. The Multiverse wasn't so hot, but maybe it will finish on a high note.
But this sucks.
Great descriptions of alien/Human conflict, huge feeling of pride that no matter what, the humans wouldn't give up.
The plot was tight, characters were involved and involving, Humanity was in a really tight spot. Biowar and Planet-crackers were about to be deployed by the alien enemy. Mankind needed a bit extra.
And the the vampires arrived to save us all.
W.T.F.
I get the idea that David wrote/plotted himself into a corner and maybe he saw Twilight as an extra market and a way out.
How the hell can you have a mixture of hard science (fiction)and Vampires that dissolve into a pseudo-mist, are invulnerable to any sort of projectile/energy weapon, quite happy in hard vacuum etc. etc. etc.
Sell out David. I thought better of you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
superb
a fantastic book, well written with excellent characters both hero and villain. You just can't put this down and resist escaping to David weber's world
Published 4 months ago by wayneg
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of his best books, even though it is controversial amongst some of...
It reads fluidly, has excellent description of modern human and alien weaponry, the characterization varies from the functional to the strong and is a great portrayal of humanity... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Tam
2.0 out of 5 stars
Alien Invasion meet Gothic Horror or Not
I am a great Weber fan having read the whole of the Honor Harrington Series and the Safehold Series so tend to order any Weber book the moment it is listed. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nigel
5.0 out of 5 stars
My kettle of fish.
Contrary to some opinions, I thought this book was great.
This book reads smoothly, and, I think, presents an interesting view on how aliens might view humanity. Read more
This book reads smoothly, and, I think, presents an interesting view on how aliens might view humanity. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Michael
1.0 out of 5 stars
Really disappointed
It's a shame but I really didn't enjoy this book. I'm usually a fan of Weber's work but this book just left me cold. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ellis Covington
3.0 out of 5 stars
Meh/shrug
To be honest I'm still in two minds as to whether I enjoyed it or not. I was a nice fast read with some good ideas in it. The action sequences were good as well. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Dr. James OCallaghan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different, but I loved it.
Why does everyone expect a writer to never change or go in a different direction? Yes, it's different to his usual fare - which I also love, by the way, but that is not a bad... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Elisabeth
3.0 out of 5 stars
Another Weber Novel
Weber is usually quite good, this time his novel is a bit disappointing with the first half very derivative and the end rushed - the charcters are mostly cyphers which is not... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Unsettled
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yeah it got me
It was a good sci Fi invasion book. About 2/3 of the way through it slaps you and tells you that this books is going to be something different. Read more
Published 19 months ago by zombietown
1.0 out of 5 stars
A sad disappointment for David Weber fans
If you have not read many David Weber books, so are not yet a fan, don't buy this one. For the first 80% it is all good stuff, but David how could you resort to such a lame plot... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Keithrob
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