Dusk Before the Dawn [Paperback]

Larry Ketchersid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 21, 2006

An American educated Mayan sits atop a Temple in Tikal National Park, waiting. A father helplessly watches his family fall into some kind of sleep, or trance. Then he too succumbs, begging a stranger to save them. A PhD scientist awakens, remembering only hours ago she was in her nanotechnology lab, trying to work a solution to make incredibly small robots replicate. But she finds that she is now ill, or a prisoner, or both. The world has change irrevocably, in one swift movement, by the actions of a meglo-maniacal genius. Can they undo what he has done? Should they?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dusk Before the Dawn, is definitely a novel that embraces the concept of global change. A layered tale set near the largest of the ancient ruined cities of the Maya civilization in El Petén, Guatamala, it takes the best kind of James Bond "world ends at the hands of mad scientist" plot, and then weaves through it elements of enlightenment and environmentalism. As a result it is an action driven story, mellowed with intent and contemplation as the more enlightened protagonists work to make the best of a bad situation. -- The Bleeping Herald, April 2007

I thoroughly enjoyed his debut effort. This is a novel with a big idea - if our planet is truly threatened by human population growth and technology, what is the ultimate solution - and what is the morality of that solution? At what point does the idealism of a genius become insanity? And is there a need for a change in human consciousness, and can this truly be achieved? This is a lot to bite off, and the author has constructed a very fast-paced story that covers a lot of ground within an apocalyptic scenario. -- William Dietrich, author of Napolean's Pyramids, Hadrian's Wall, and other novels

One of the best novels I've come across this year - I liked it so much, I added it to my best first science fiction novels list here on Amazon. A really fine mix of ancient culture, modern-future nanotech, written by a sure hand -- Paul Levinson, author of The Plot to Save Socrates

From the Back Cover

An American educated Mayan sits atop a Temple in Tikal National Park, waiting. A father helplessly watches his family fall into some kind of sleep, or trance. Then he too succumbs, begging a stranger to save them. A PhD scientist awakens, remembering only hours ago she was in her nanotechnology lab, trying to work a solution to make incredibly small robots replicate. But she finds that she is now ill, or a prisoner, or both. The world has change irrevocably, in one swift movement, by the actions of a meglo-maniacal genius. Can they undo what he has done? Should they?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing (April 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0741430169
• ISBN-13: 978-0741430168
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,467,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write about what I enjoy, combined with what I am researching. My first novel, Dusk Before the Dawn, included Mayan history, nanotechnology and martial arts. My latest novel, Software by the Kilo, combines World War II with a modern technology security company looking for funding.

Human decision sets us apart; I attempt to show this in my stories, that we become who we are by what we decide, and we make decisions based on many influences.

I also have plans and outlines for additional novels involving martial arts, and human conflict.

Writing is a hobby; I run technology companies for a living, and for fun study martial arts, travel, and try to keep up with my wife, kids and friends all over the world.

Thanks for reading!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beginning of a Cycle, July 23, 2006

By 

Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dusk Before the Dawn (Paperback)

Dusk Before the Dawn (2006) is the first novel in the Enlightenment Cycle. According to Mayan predictions, the current 3,000 year cycle will end with a cataclysmic incident. Julius, a Mayan villager who has been educated in the United States, has gathered a group of fellow villagers to meditate on the top of El Templo del Gran Jaguar while awaiting the coming event.

In this novel, Professor Gerald Tooney has come to believe that the world is facing mass extinctions under the current polities; too many people and not enough sense. He releases a breed of nanomedical devices that cause sleepiness and then coma in the victims. These devices infect people around the world, causing countless deaths to persons in cars, planes and other vehicles. If untreated, the survivors will eventually die.

Joseph Davis is the father of two girls. On a trip to the beach, the youngest falls asleep in the water, but Joseph pulls her to safety. As they speed toward the hospital where Joseph works, the other girl falls asleep and then his wife. Joseph becomes very sleepy, but still rushes into the emergency room and cries out for help.

Janet Grayson, PhD, is a topline researcher in nanomedical devices. She awakes in a strange hospital and later learns from Gerald Tooney that she has been unconscious for months. Tooney needs her help to solve a problem with the nutritive nanos, which have recently been losing effectiveness.

Master Yang is an instructor in Taijiquan. As part his instruction, Master Yang also teaches meditation and the use of Qi, a spiritual force within the body that is often thought of as energy by Westerners. Unlike his latest students, Joseph and Janet, Master Yang is capable of detecting and flushing the nanomeds in his system before they can cause sleepiness.

Julius and his student Carlos have come to the city where Tooney is operating to guide the effects of this manmade disaster. Julius has achieved enlightenment -- i.e., the capability of imposing his will on the world -- and one of the effects of the nanomeds is the lowering of barriers between such enlightened persons. They are able to perceive each other from a distance. A major part of his agenda is to reestablish contact with other such enlightened persons throughout the world.

This novel is about the coming of a millennium, albeit from a different perspective. In several respects, it is similar to The Second Coming by John Dalmas; e.g., it draws on Buddhist and other religious principles. Yet this work more closely resembles the spiritual aspects of Asian martial arts than these religious dogmas per se. Qi (also known as ki or chi) is integral to most such disciplines, although often misinterpreted by Westerners.

This novel also resembles the backstory of The Shadow radio play and movie; the ancient powers may return to the enlightened. This work is only the first novel in the Enlightenment Cycle. There is more to come!

This is the author's first novel and an excellent work. However, it occasionally shows; some passages are a bit awkward, probably because the writer knew what he meant even if the reader doesn't quite get it on the first reading. Yet such passages are infrequent and should disappear with more practice. Overall, this novel was very hard to put aside when other duties arose (like sleeping).

Highly recommended for The Second Coming fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of martial arts, ancient powers and exotic cultures.

-Arthur W. Jordin

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars intelligent, scenic, fast-paced, October 28, 2006

By 

Paul Levinson (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dusk Before the Dawn (Paperback)

One of the best novels I've come across this year - I liked it so much, I added it to my best first science fiction novels list here on Amazon. A really fine mix of ancient culture, modern-future nanotech, written by a sure hand. Ketchersid offers just the right mix of science and myth, packed into a fast-paced story with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Highly recommended, especially for fans of what I think of as anthropological science fiction.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating blend of science fiction and spirituality, October 16, 2006

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dusk Before the Dawn (Paperback)

Dusk Before the Dawn combines the ancient with the ultra-modern in describing an apocalyptic-like event that is far outside the norm of doom and gloom prophecy. Put aside any ideas involving a whimper or a bang, for in this story men, women, and children all over the world simply begin to fall asleep - not according to any kind of divine will, but rather via the free will of a brilliant scientist. Convinced that mankind is on the verge of irrevocably destroying the natural habitat of the earth, Dr. Gerard Tooney, an expert in nano-medicine, decided to act before it was too late. Having discovered a way to achieve self-replication in nanobots, he unleashed his microscopic minions on an unsuspecting world, thereby freeing nature to reestablish its natural balance in the absence of human destruction.

Of course, millions died in the aftermath (such as those driving or flying at the time of the Big Sleep), but Tooney believes he had no choice but to act as he did. There's no question that the Earth has been revitalized from the temporary elimination of humanity's dangerous influence, yet Tooney now has reason for concern. The feeder bots he developed are failing, which puts in jeopardy the lives of all individuals currently in stasis. Tooney has gone so far as to "resume" select individuals to help him, including Dr. Janet Grayson, a former colleague (and expert on nanobot replication) he basically kidnapped after usurping some of her own private research - not the kind of thing that encourages cooperation and trust.

Meanwhile, scattered individuals and pockets of people watch and wait, unaffected by Tooney's nanobots - some of whom had prior knowledge of the current crisis. What has happened to the world is simply the fulfillment of ancient prophecies of such enlightened cultures as the ancient Mayans. One such group, led by the enigmatic, cigar-smoking Julius, has prepared for this moment in time, monitoring Tooney's work and even manufacturing their own version of the anti-bots used to "resume" select individuals. With their links to other enlightened groups around the world (both technologically and - increasingly - spiritually), they are prepared to reshape the brave new world to come. Getting to that point is the hard part, especially with the wild card of a megalomaniacal associate determined to use Tooney's anti-bots for his own immense gain.

Larry Ketchersid has written a very impressive first novel, one with a distinct vision and a creative approach to apocalyptical theorizing. The way of enlightenment plays just as important a role as the cutting-edge science that invigorates the story. Various sub-plots among a cast of personable characters are incorporated seamlessly into the overall narrative. The book pays tribute to the remarkable accomplishments of past cultures while introducing esoteric ideas of spiritual enlightenment and martial arts philosophy in a wonderfully engaging manner. You won't find many novels that so effectively compare and contrast quantum mechanics with the concept of Qi. With Dusk Before the Dawn being the first book in Ketchersid's Enlightenment Cycle, much more along these religious/spiritual lines are doubtless to come, and this reader certainly looks forward to the second installment in the series.