Dark is the Sun follows Deyv, a young man on an Earth of several billion years from now, as he proceeds through three quests. At first, he sets out to find a mate but instead discovers the fate of his world and everything he knows. The novel presents a post-apocalyptic odyssey where Deyv embarks on a journey to hunt down a thief who steals his soul egg, a person's most precious material possession, and eventually seeks to flee to another planet or universe to save the human race from the impending doom. The plot is rich in exotic creatures, artifacts from technologically advanced generations of humans, and a setting that becomes one of the most interesting elements of the novel.

Characters:

The characters are generally viewed as one-dimensional, with the protagonist being particularly criticized for lack of depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style varies from powerful descriptions to clunky and simplistic prose, affecting the overall depth of the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a young man's series of quests in a distant future, touching on themes of love, survival, and the consequences of the universe's decay.

Setting:

The setting is a richly imagined post-apocalyptic Earth filled with advanced remnants of past civilizations, contributing significantly to the interest of the story.

Pacing:

Pacing is fast, which some readers appreciated for its intensity, while others found it detracted from character and plot development.

Notes:

The story takes place on Earth billions of years in the future.

The main character, Deyv, embarks on three quests throughout the novel.

Deyv's initial quest is to find a mate, which quickly shifts to hunting a thief who steals his soul egg.

The novel features genetically engineered creatures called Archkerri, who help Deyv understand his world's impending doom.

It was written during a time when the Big Crunch hypothesis was more popular in science discussions.

The settings are filled with advanced technology remnants from a more advanced human civilization, such as indestructible buildings and working traffic lights.

Characterization in the story is often criticized as two-dimensional, especially Deyv's character.

Some readers find the pace of the story rushed, affecting its overall depth.

Many fans appreciate the imaginative and bizarre life forms created by Philip José Farmer.

The writing style has received mixed reviews, with some calling it dispassionate and clunky, while others enjoy its creativity.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes associated with existential crises, loss, and some violent encounters indicative of a post-apocalyptic narrative.

Has Romance?

While romance is present as a theme, it is interwoven with other significant elements of the plot.

From The Publisher:

An epic adventure by the author of the award-winning Riverworld series. Fifteen billion years from now, Earth is a dying planet, its skies darkened by the ashes of burned-out galaxies, its molten core long cooled. The sunless planet is nearing the day of final gravitational collapse in the surrounding galaxy. Mutations and evolution have led to a great disparity of life-forms, while civilization has resorted to the primitive. Young Deyv of the Turtle Tribe knew nothing of his world's history or its fate. He lived only to track down the wretched Yawtl who had stolen his precious Soul Egg. Joined by other victims of the same thief-the feisty Vana and the plant-man Sloosh-the group sets off across a nightmare landscape of monster-haunted jungle and wetland. Their search leads them ultimately to the jeweled wasteland of the Shemibob, an ageless being from another star who knows Earth's end is near and holds the only key to escape.

What can you read after
Dark is the Sun?

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Dark is the Sun

Philip José Farmer