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Howling Dark

Book Two
By Christopher Ruocchio
Series: Sun Eater
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio is a Sci-Fi and Fantasy novel that follows the epic journey of Hadrian Marlowe as he seeks to end an ancient cosmic war. Marlowe's mission leads him through the farthest reaches of space, encountering alien cultures and existential threats. Balancing deep philosophical questions and thrilling action, the book explores themes of civilisation, conflict, and the search for identity in a vast universe.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy epic space operas infused with deep philosophical musings and intense action. Set in a richly detailed universe, it combines elements of high fantasy and hard science fiction, featuring a protagonist on a quest across the stars facing existential threats. Fans of intricate world-building and character-driven narratives will find this an enthralling read.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Hadrian Marlowe may be revered as a hero and despised as a murderer, but there's only one way to hear his true story: relayed in his own words, in this incredible fusion of space opera and epic fantasy.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The second novel of the galaxy-spanning SUN EATER series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire.

Howling Dark

Hadrian Marlowe is lost.

For half a century, he has searched the farther suns for the lost planet of Vorgossos, hoping to find a way to contact the elusive alien Cielcin. He has not succeeded, and for years has wandered among the barbarian Normans as captain of a band of mercenaries.

Determined to make peace and bring an end to nearly four hundred years of war, Hadrian must venture beyond the security of the Sollan Empire and among the Extrasolarians who dwell between the stars. There, he will face not only the aliens he has come to offer peace but contend with creatures that once were human, with traitors in his midst, and with a meeting that will bring him face to face with no less than the oldest enemy of mankind.

If he succeeds, he will usher in a peace unlike any in recorded history. If he fails... the galaxy will burn.

Series: Sun Eater

View all
  • Empire of Silence
    Hadrian Marlowe, a man revered as a hero and despised as a murderer, chronicles his tale in the galaxy-spanning debut of the Sun Eater series, merging the best of space opera and epic fantasy. It was not his war. On the wrong planet, at the right time, for the best reasons, Hadrian Marlowe started down a path that could only...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Howling Dark
    The second novel of the galaxy-spanning SUN EATER series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire. Howling Dark Hadrian Marlowe is lost. For half a century, he has searched the farther suns for the lost planet of Vorgossos, hoping to find a way to contact...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Ashes of Man
    The galaxy is burning. With the Cielcin united under one banner, the Sollan Empire stands alone after the betrayal of the Commonwealth. The Prophet-King of the Cielcin has sent its armies to burn the worlds of men, and worse, there are rumours... whispers that Hadrian Marlowe is dead, killed in the fighting. But it is not so. Hadrian survived with...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2499
    Backorder
    Ships early September
  • Demon in White
    The third novel of the galaxy-spanning Sun Eater series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire. Hadrian and his Red Company have been serving the Empire in military engagements against the Cielcin, the vicious alien civilisation bent on humanity's destruction. And they've been successful: a...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Kingdoms of Death
    The fourth novel of the galaxy-spanning Sun Eater series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire. Kingdoms of Death sees Hadrian Marlowe trapped. For nearly a century, he has been a guest of the Emperor, forced into the role of advisor, a prisoner of his...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Disquiet Gods
    The end is nigh. It has been nearly two hundred years since Hadrian Marlowe assaulted the person of the Emperor and walked away from war. From his Empire. His duty. From the will and service of the eldritch being known only as the Quiet. The galaxy lies in the grip of a terrible plague, and worse, the Cielcin have overrun...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Shadows Upon Time
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Hardback
    $8200
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Shadows Upon Time
    The seventh and final novel of the galaxy-spanning series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe at last lights the greatest fire humanity has ever seen.The trumpet sounds. The end has come at last. After his victory at Vorgossos, Hadrian Marlowe finds himself a fugitive, on the run not only from the Extrasolarians, but from...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Hardback
    $4400
    Usually:
    $5499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pre-order
    Shadows Upon Time
    The seventh and final novel of the galaxy-spanning series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe at last lights the greatest fire humanity has ever seen. The trumpet sounds. The end has come at last. After his victory at Vorgossos, Hadrian Marlowe finds himself a fugitive, on the run not only from the Extrasolarians, but...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    Pre-order
    Out 1 Dec 2026

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781473218307

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 January 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Gollancz

Audience: General / adult, Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 40.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 500g

Pages: 688

Collections

2025 Best Sellers Best Sellers at Book Hero Best Selling Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Christopher Ruocchio Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books New Release Fiction Popular Science-Fiction Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction Series: Sun Eater Space Operas Young Adult

About the Author

Christopher Ruocchio is a novelist writing in the tradition of Dune and The Book of the New Sun. He is an editorial assistant working for a US publishing house, and lives in North Carolina, USA.

You can learn more at cruoochio.wordpress.com or by following @CPRuocchio on twitter.

Also by Christopher Ruocchio

View all
  • Empire of Silence
    Hadrian Marlowe, a man revered as a hero and despised as a murderer, chronicles his tale in the galaxy-spanning debut of the Sun Eater series, merging the best of space opera and epic fantasy. It was not his war. On the wrong planet, at the right time, for the best reasons, Hadrian Marlowe started down a path that could only...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Ashes of Man
    The galaxy is burning. With the Cielcin united under one banner, the Sollan Empire stands alone after the betrayal of the Commonwealth. The Prophet-King of the Cielcin has sent its armies to burn the worlds of men, and worse, there are rumours... whispers that Hadrian Marlowe is dead, killed in the fighting. But it is not so. Hadrian survived with...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2499
    Backorder
    Ships early September
  • Demon in White
    The third novel of the galaxy-spanning Sun Eater series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire. Hadrian and his Red Company have been serving the Empire in military engagements against the Cielcin, the vicious alien civilisation bent on humanity's destruction. And they've been successful: a...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Kingdoms of Death
    The fourth novel of the galaxy-spanning Sun Eater series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire. Kingdoms of Death sees Hadrian Marlowe trapped. For nearly a century, he has been a guest of the Emperor, forced into the role of advisor, a prisoner of his...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Disquiet Gods
    The end is nigh. It has been nearly two hundred years since Hadrian Marlowe assaulted the person of the Emperor and walked away from war. From his Empire. His duty. From the will and service of the eldritch being known only as the Quiet. The galaxy lies in the grip of a terrible plague, and worse, the Cielcin have overrun...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $2499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Shadows Upon Time
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Hardback
    $8200
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Shadows Upon Time
    The seventh and final novel of the galaxy-spanning series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe at last lights the greatest fire humanity has ever seen.The trumpet sounds. The end has come at last. After his victory at Vorgossos, Hadrian Marlowe finds himself a fugitive, on the run not only from the Extrasolarians, but from...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Hardback
    $4400
    Usually:
    $5499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pre-order
    Shadows Upon Time
    The seventh and final novel of the galaxy-spanning series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe at last lights the greatest fire humanity has ever seen. The trumpet sounds. The end has come at last. After his victory at Vorgossos, Hadrian Marlowe finds himself a fugitive, on the run not only from the Extrasolarians, but...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    Pre-order
    Out 1 Dec 2026
  • Songs of the Sun Eater
    Thirteen tales from the universe of the bestselling Sun Eater series, compiled for the first time. Plus a never-before-seen novelette set after the series’ conclusion! Ambitious universe-building combines with intimate character portraits for storytelling on a truly epic scale: for fans of Orson Scott Card, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Patrick Rothfuss, and Jack Campbell. A green soldier faces an inhuman enemy. A...
    By Christopher Ruocchio
    Hardback
    Sold Out

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