Darkest Hour (Age of Misrule, Book 2) [Paperback]

Mark Chadbourn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2009

The eternal conflict between the Light and Dark once again blackens the skies and blights the land. On one side stand the Tuatha de Danaan, golden-skinned and beautiful, filled with all the might of angels. On the other are the Fomorii, monstrous devils hell-bent on destroying all human existence. And in the middle are the Brothers and Sisters of Dragons, determined to use the strange power that binds them to the land in a last, desperate attempt to save the human race. Church, Ruth, Ryan, Laura and Shavi have joined forces with Tom, a hero from the mists of time, to wage a guerrilla war against the iron rule of the gods. But they didn't count on things going from bad to worse ...this is the stunning continuation of a powerful fantasy saga by one of Britain's most acclaimed young writers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Chadbourn's sequel to World's End embellishes the richness of Celtic mythology while turning the modern world on its head. Appealing characters and vivid storytelling make this a good choice for readers of Celtic-laced fantasy." -- Library Journal, June 16, 2009 "The stakes are raised, the hope for success smaller. Chadbourn raises the bar with strong story-telling and a vision of apocalypse where the good guys can fail to do the right things, and fail to succeed -for as good as World's End was, Darkest Hour is better." -- Sacramento Book Review, Vol. 1, Issue 12, August 2009

About the Author

Mark Chadbourne has been a reporter for regional and national newspapers, as well as running an independent record company. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 465 pages
• Publisher: Pyr (June 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591027403
• ISBN-13: 978-1591027409
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A two-time winner of the prestigious British Fantasy Award, Mark has published his epic, imaginative novels in many countries around the world. He grew up in the mining community of the English Midlands, and was the first person in his family to go to university. After studying Economic History at Leeds, he became a successful journalist, writing for several of the UK's renowned national newspapers as well as contributing to magazines and TV.

When his first short story won Fear magazine's Best New Author award, he was snapped up by an agent and subsequently published his first novel, Underground, a supernatural thriller set in the coalfields of his youth. Quitting journalism to become a full-time author, he has written stories which have transcended genre boundaries, but is perhaps best known in the fantasy field.

Mark has also forged a parallel career as a screenwriter with many hours of produced work for British television. He is a senior writer for BBC Drama, and is also developing new shows for the UK and US.

An expert on British folklore and mythology, he has held several varied and colourful jobs, including independent record company boss, band manager, production line worker, engineer's 'mate', and media consultant.

Having travelled extensively around the world, he has now settled in a rambling house in the middle of a forest not far from where he was born.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great urban fantasy, June 6, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darkest Hour (Age of Misrule, Book 2) (Paperback)

The Eternal Conflict cold war turns hot when The Brothers and Sisters of Dragons successfully engage the Tuatha De Danann ancient Gods to return to save humanity from the onslaught of the evil Fomorii demons. However, mortals should have known by now that Gods even those golden angelic ones do not think the way humans do. Instead, the Tuatha De Danann plan to rule as they did eons ago with an iron fist.

Stunned by what they perceive as a betrayal and caught between two superpowers battling over whose future will prevail for humanity, the Brothers and Sisters of Dragons struggle to save mankind. Advanced weapon systems have proven futile and feeling like expendable pawns and out maneuvered by the side they thought they could trust, the Brothers and Sisters of Dragons turn in their DARKEST HOUR within as they decide to take the hostility to the Fomorii without the help of the ancient Gods. Although victory is improbable, if somehow they succeed, they know next comes ridding the devastated planet of the ancient Celtic Gods who demand obsequiousness.

The second Age of Misrule urban fantasy (see WORLD'S END) is a great middle book as the action never slows down while also setting up one hell of a finish. The story line focuses on the revelation by the dragon warriors that they succeeded in their endeavor to bring allies on a power par with their enemies; only these allies think differently as they are used to mankind bowing to them in deference. Readers will appreciate Mark Chadbourn's fine thriller as the lights are gone in planet earth with the last glimmer of hope being Dragons like Church, Ruth, Ryan, Laura and Shavi, and the enigmatic time traveler Tom.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful addition to the Age of Misrule, July 8, 2009

By 

Gingergirl (Kalamazoo, MI USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Darkest Hour (Age of Misrule, Book 2) (Paperback)

As the Brothers and Sisters of Dragons make their way through the changed world, they continue to face many trying hardships and few times of peace. But as we have been told a million times throughout our lives, you can't have the sweet without the sour. They continue to grow together through their difficulties with love, loss, and just living day to day.

I am thoroughly enjoying these books. They are not the easy reads that I am accustomed to lately, but I can't seem to put them down. The mix of new and old ideals is intriguing and piques the imagination.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Super Reader, August 6, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darkest Hour (The Age of Misrule, Book 2) (Paperback)

A multi-sided political struggle develops. Humans, the Tuatha De Danaan, and the Fomorii. These are all basically opposed to each other, but the Dragon sibling group seeks an alliance with sympathetic Tuatha to help them do something about the problems that beset them.

The problem they have is that some of the others are quite nihilistic, or don't really want to do anything. God psychology can be tricky.