The Dark Age (Survivors of the Pulse) [Kindle Edition]

Jeff W. Horton (Author)

Book Description

Suppose you learned that an ancient prophecy about an artifact, said to be powerful enough to dramatically change the world, was true. Would you risk everything to find it?


It has been five-hundred years since the Pulse caused the Great Collapse, ending the Golden Age, and civilization on planet Earth. Humanity has waited ever since for a long-anticipated sign from God, which has finally appeared in the night sky. The time has come for Ferrell Young, the Warrior Clan, and the Church to risk everything in an effort to restore civilization, and bring hope to a world full of despair.


Alex Montgomery is an archaeologist who has spent many years looking for a mysterious book on behalf of the Holy Christian Church. The book is said to contain the location of the Great Oracle which, according to legend, can endow the one who finds it with great power and wealth. Of much greater importance to the Clan and the Church however, is the fact that it may also enable the world to emerge from five centuries of darkness and suffering.


When a powerful, intelligent, but sadistic barbarian leader named Kraken learns of the Oracle, he plans to destroy the Warrior Clan and the Church, take the Oracle for himself, and enslave the rest of humanity.


Join Ferrell and his companions as they set out on a desperate journey to find the Great Oracle, and rescue humanity from The Dark Age.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As the world falls to pieces, evil will flourish and only the bold will dare stand in its way. "The Dark Age: Survivors of the Pulse" is set on a post apocalyptic Earth... "The Dark Age" is a riveting blend of science fiction and fantasy, recommended reading."  Midwest Book Review
 
"...I am a fan of good post-apocalypse novels. This book is no exception. The author has shown great skill in weaving a story of "what if." What if everything changed in the blink of an eye? I did find A Dark Age to be a somewhat complicated novel but consisting of basic good versus evil. The author takes the concept and inserts enough detail to quickly define the environment, atmosphere, and characters. This enables the reader to promptly label the players. The main characters are likable, particularly the protagonist Ferrell, Alex and his daughter Hannah, and Brother Sebastian. Then there is the evil antagonist, Kraken, with whom the reader will quickly grow to hate. The plot, while based on a well-used concept, is well thought out and constructed in a manner to keep the reader's attention and interest. I did find the ending to be a touch simplistic but still satisfactory. Overall, it's very well done."  
Reviewed by Paul J. for Readers Favorite

From the Author

In the year 2025, the greatest civilizations to ever exist on Planet Earth were wiped out in a moment by the unlikely combination of a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and massive solar flare, which permanently renders advanced technology across the planet useless.
 
Now fast forward five-hundred years and you'll find yourself in The Dark Age, which is set in a world where humanity survives by the sword, the bow, and the arrow, while secretly hoping that a legend about the Great Oracle is true, and that civilization will one day return to the Earth. The Dark Age is a story about good versus evil, about self-discovery, perseverance, and self-sacrifice, all in an effort to save the world from a fate worse than death.
 
"As the world falls to pieces, evil will flourish and only the bold will dare stand in its way. "The Dark Age: Survivors of the Pulse" is set on a post apocalyptic Earth... "The Dark Age" is a riveting blend of science fiction and fantasy, recommended reading."  

Midwest Book Review


In the five-hundred years since the Pulse caused the Great Collapse ending the Golden Age, civilization has digressed to the point of basic existence. The survivors have been told of an ancient prophecy about an artifact, said to be powerful enough to dramatically change the world. They have waited ever since for a long-anticipated sign from God. Finally, the sign appears in the night sky. Has the time come for Ferrell Young, the Warrior Clan, and the Church to risk everything in an effort to restore civilization? Yes, if they are to bring hope to a world full of despair. 

I am a fan of good post-apocalypse novels. This book is no exception. The author has shown great skill in weaving a story of "what if." What if everything changed in the blink of an eye? I did find A Dark Age to be a somewhat complicated novel but consisting of basic good versus evil. The author takes the concept and inserts enough detail to quickly define the environment, atmosphere, and characters. This enables the reader to promptly label the players. The main characters are likable, particularly the protagonist Ferrell, Alex and his daughter Hannah, and Brother Sebastian. Then there is the evil antagonist, Kraken, with whom the reader will quickly grow to hate. The plot, while based on a well-used concept, is well thought out and constructed in a manner to keep the reader's attention and interest. I did find the ending to be a touch simplistic but still satisfactory. Overall, it's very well done.
Reviewed by Paul J. for Readers Favorite

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 521 KB
• Print Length: 335 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 193708504X
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: World Castle Publishing (June 25, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005890R2O
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #614,029 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Intrigue and excitement January 29, 2012

By Elizabeth Horton

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Dark Age is a realistic senario for what could really happen to our world if the catastrophy of a collapse of all technology were to occur. People would be helpless and would group themselves into packs for survivals sake. In Mr. Horton's world, the battle isn't just to survive, but to reestablish a society of all world powers with a foundation on Christian principles much like our own nation was begun. You must read this action packed novel and imagine for yourself; what would you do to survive?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT- UNIQUE TALE- A MUST READ July 8, 2011

By Richard S. Friedman

Format:Kindle Edition

"Suppose you learned that an ancient prophecy about an artifact, said to be powerful enough to dramatically change the world, was true. Would you risk everything to find it?

It has been five-hundred years since the Pulse caused the Great Collapse, ending the Golden Age, and civilization on planet Earth. Humanity has waited ever since for a long-anticipated sign from God, which has finally appeared in the night sky. The time has come for Ferrell Young, the Warrior Clan, and the Church to risk everything in an effort to restore civilization, and bring hope to a world full of despair."

A facinating premise handled by expert writer Jeff Horton in what is one of the most unique and gripping novels I have read in many a moon. In Ferrell Young, Mr. Horton has created a truly complex character, one who evokes much though from the reader- and the world envisioned by Mr Horton, so meticulously drawn by a master writer, is nothing short of outstanding. A book that is truly a delight for the imagination.

AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK GROUP MUST READ

Rick Friedman
Founder
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK GROUP

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars In-Depth Interesting Novel August 11, 2011

By Chels TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

The first quality the reader will notice about this novel is the detail the author cleverly inserts. The reader will be able to picture the environment, atmosphere, and characters; he/she will understand what is going on, even though this is definitely a complicated novel. This novel is almost a typical good versus evil novel, but the author takes the concept and makes it his own. The characters are easy to get to know and the main characters are likable. There is the evil antagonist, Kraken, who the reader will grow to hate-the author's intention. The reader will be rooting for the main characters to succeed throughout the novel.

One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is the history and culture behind the plot. The plot is complex, not so much as to confuse the reader, but enough to draw him or her in. The novel doesn't lag much at all, the reader won't have to worry about being bored. This novel is recommended for readers who enjoy adventure and mystery.

*Complimentary copy received for this review, does not affect my opinion in any way*

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Never read a book quite like this one March 30, 2012

By Kindle Reading Musician

Format:Kindle Edition

I enjoyed this book so much that I bought the first book in the series. Some of the paragraph formatting is a bit whacky, but the story kept my interest to the end.

In a world where not one of us could fabricate all of the machines we use in our homes, where very few of us grow our own food, where computers control not only our communications, our entertainment, and our travel, but also all of our medical facilities, and the water that we drink, the ramifications of losing the ability to use any of our computers and machines is truly chilling.

And then Horton asks the question, "Where is the Creator of the universe in this scenario?"

I think the book deserves a 4.75.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique, Great Read! October 14, 2011

By Lisa

Format:Kindle Edition

After "The Pulse," an EMP disaster has destroyed all technology on the planet, mankind has sunk into a new Dark Age. Without technology people struggled to survive, and the great cities of old were largely abandoned except by roaming packs of "urbas," wild people who will kill anything in their path. There is one united Christian church and a mysterious warrior clan. There is also an evil tyrant named Kraken, who is bent on taking over the world by any means necessary. The church and the warriors have united to find an ancient artifact called the Oracle, that it is said will bring the world into another Golden Age. It will take a combination of brains and cunning for a group of brave men to find the Oracle and bring great hope to humanity.

I found this book fascinating. It really draws you in from the beginning. The world is scarily believable. I know people have discussed what an massive EMP could do to the world, and this book takes that to an extreme. The world is in a Dark Age, and people are just struggling to survive. They wish for a better world though. Through hints and riddles, a group of people are able to go out and find a vital relic of sorts that survived The Pulse. With this, they are hoping to not have to fight for survival but instead thrive. This book covers the search for this artifact and deals with the battle with Kraken. Kraken is a despot who is determined to have everyone and everything under his rule. His cruel methods make him a formidable enemy for sure. Our heroes face much peril, and you can't help but cheer for them as they journey.

The characters were interesting. I particularly liked Alex, an archaeologist of sorts and Farrell, a great warrior with an interesting past. This book also had a really good pace.... Things moved along at a fairly fast clip, but it was never too fast. Another interesting aspect to this book was the talk of religion. It seemed to have a fairly Christian viewpoint, and characters were often discussing the role of religion in their world. There is some action and some romance. I really enjoyed this book. It seemed like a frightening yet believable possibly reality. It was a really great read.

Book provided for review. Read more ›

More About the Author

Jeff Horton was born in North Dakota, the youngest son of a career Air Force master sergeant, where he spent the first four years of his life before moving to North Carolina. A voracious reader growing up, he read the Bible, and stories by many popular authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Jeff Horton's novels:

-THE GREAT COLLAPSE-SURVIVORS OF THE PULSE(2010):A story about the coming of
the pulse and the end of civilization.

-THE DARK AGE-SURVIVORS OF THE PULSE(2011): The sequel to The Great
Collapse, set 500 years in the future.

-THE LAST PROPHET(2011): A fictitious story about the life of John March,
one of the witnesses sent by God to warn humanity about the Antichrist, and
the end of days.

-THE WAY OF NACOR: TALES OF EDEN (2012): A YA fantasy/Sci-Fi novel and a
Christian allegory.

-CYBERSP@CE(2012):A Sci-Fi techno-thriller about a world on the brink of
nuclear war following a cyber attack that kills 100,000 people in the
United States.

When he's not penning his next novel, he enjoys reading, going to church, and spending time with his family. Jeff Horton is a member of the North Carolina Writers Network.

For more information visit www.hortonlibrary.com or his blog at anovelsperspective.blogspot.com