Dark Age (novel)

Did You Know?

• The book was originally announced as a sequel trilogy to Red Rising in February 2016.
• The title Dark Age was announced in February 2018 soon after the release of Iron Gold.
• Dark Age debuted at #4 on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Plot

Atalantia au Grimmus, the dictator of the Society Remnant, lays siege to the Solar Republic's Free Legions on Mercury after wiping out their orbital fleet. Darrow of Lykos reaches Mercury three weeks after leaving Venus, bringing his team and freeing Orion from torture by Atlas au Raa. Atalantia accepts Lysander's offer of an alliance with the Rim but insists he and Seraphina join her assault on Mercury. Darrow orders Orion to generate hypercanes from old terraforming gear, which slaughter many Society invaders, including Seraphina.

But Orion, unhinged by Atlas's torture, rebels and tries to wipe the planet clean of both enemy forces and civilians. When she refuses to stop, Darrow kills her, though tens of millions of civilians have already perished. Kalindora au San, Rhone ti Flavinius, and his Praetorians swear loyalty to Lysander, making him a rival to Atalantia. Out of jealousy, Ajax, Lysander's childhood friend, fails to have him murdered.

Seeing the northern cities doomed and Atalantia aiming for resource-rich Heliopolis, Darrow leads his forces through the storm across the Ladon Waste to cut off Ajax. Captured briefly by Atlas, Darrow is rescued by Colloway and Thraxa, and his troops beat back the attack on Heliopolis. Kalindora and Rhone are taken by the Republic, Ajax escapes, and Lysander is left stranded in the desert.

Characters

The Solar Republic includes Darrow of Lykos, also known as the Reaper and the Morning Star, a Red physically remade into a Gold who is now commander of the marooned Free Legions on Mercury. Virginia au Augustus, called Mustang and Lionheart, is the reigning Sovereign of the Solar Republic, daughter of the former ArchGovernor of Mars, Darrow's wife, and mother of their son Pax. Pax is the son of Darrow and Virginia. Kieran of Lykos is Darrow's brother and a Howler.

Rhonna of Lykos is Kieran's daughter, a lancer to Darrow and a Howler. Sevro au Barca, known as Goblin and Ares, is Imperator of the Republic and Darrow's best friend and second-in-command. Victra au Barca is Darrow's former lieutenant, Sevro's wife, and a wealthy shipping magnate. Electra au Barca is the eldest daughter of Sevro and Victra.

Dancer O'Faran is Darrow's former mentor in the Sons of Ares, now a powerful senator and leader of the Vox Populi faction opposing Virginia. Kavax au Telemanus is a longtime ally to Virginia and Darrow, Primus of House Telemanus, father of Daxo, Thraxa, and the deceased Pax au Telemanus. Niobe au Telemanus is Kavax's wife. Daxo au Telemanus is son and heir to Kavax, Tribune of the Gold bloc in the Solar Republic, and an ally of Virginia.

Thraxa au Telemanus is Praetor of the Free Legions, daughter of Kavax and Niobe, and one of Darrow's trusted Howlers. Alexandar au Arcos is the eldest grandson and heir of Lorn, a lancer to Darrow and a Howler. Cadus Harnassus is Imperator of the Republic and second in command of the Free Legions. Orion xe Aquarii is Navarch of the Republic, Imperator of the White Fleet, and a longtime ally of Darrow.

Colloway xe Char is a Blue pilot and reigning kill-leader of the Republic Navy, a Howler. Glirastes the Master Maker is a Mercurian architect and inventor. Holiday ti Nakamura is Dux of Virginia's Lionguard, sister of Trigg, and Centurion of the Pegasus Legion. Regulus ag Sun, called Quicksilver, is the richest man in the Solar System, head of Sun Industries and co-founder of the Sons of Ares.

Publius cu Caraval is Tribune of the Copper bloc in the Senate. Theodora is a Pink leader of the Splinter Operatives, Virginia's spymaster, and a former Rose. Zan is a Blue ArchImperator of the Republic following Darrow's removal, commander of Luna's defense fleet.