"Salute the Dark" is the 4th book in the 'Shadows of the Apt' series by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The paper back edition in 325 pages in length...the Kindle version 480 pages.
The characters of the Apt world in this series, although human, have special abilities related to the insect class, e.g. wasps, dragonfly, moths, beetles etc. Each 'species' has its own strength and weaknesses, i.e. good at some things...poor at other. The human Wasp kindred for example, are aggressive, have a lethal 'sting' but are poor socially and depend on other to supply their needs. Similarly, others species have their own 'traits'.
*SPOILER*
After 3 books of persistent aggression towards the 'Lowlands' and 'Commonweal' territories, the Wasp Empire seems poised to push ahead with the final attack and conquer the last remaining bastions of freedom in the cities of Collegium, Sarn and Solarno. However, clandestine plotting has become rampant throughout the Wasp Empire...not only are there ripplings of strife within the Wasp hierarchy, but also a subtle groundswell of resistance is growing in some previously conquered lands. A climate, ripe for changes is apparent.
*END SPOILER*
I described Adrian Tchaikovsky's second book "Dragonfly Falling" as one of the best second books of a series I've ever read. And this book is no different...an intriguing story with a host of interesting people. And although the book is not all fighting and explicit action, there always seemed to be lots going on to captivate the readers interest...I found nothing boring or unduly dragged out in this novel. This book follows in a sequential fashion the gradual development of circumstances in the major cities of Collegium, Sarn, Solarno, Myna and Capitas (the Wasp capital) and a few smaller, yet important areas, as well.
But more than just a tale and its characters, the thing that impresses me most about this author's work is his sense of pace and timing that he uses to develop his story and important people. I found I tended to bond with some of the main characters and looked forward to returning to their part of the story.
The are two maps (although the Kindle edition map is 'fuzzy' and a little difficult to make out in parts) of the area that are more than adequate to let the reader know the geographic locales of the story. They also give the reader a sense of distances between important sites. I really appreciate good mapping in these type of fantasy/adventures.
Conclusion:
Anyone liking the previous books in this series will, I'm certain, like this latest effort. The story in well written, reads easily and has a sense of the dramatic about to happen, that makes it hard to put down. Superb pacing! 5 Stars.
Ray Nicholson
