This is the third volume of Fein’s The Collected Histories of Neoevolution Earth series. Check out my reviews of Mendel's Ladder and Winter's Remains.
Hunter’s Dirge Book Blurb
Seek. Struggle. Surpass. In a world reborn, memories shape the future.
Aliana and Aurelia find themselves in the Walled City of Downver. As they navigate the city's labyrinthine politics and deadly gangs, they must also grapple with their burgeoning powers and the desperate need to be reunited with Rooli. All around them, unseen forces vie for control, seeking to manipulate the girls for their own ends.
Meanwhile, Samuel once again plummets to the Earth, this time landing in Waru, the radically altered continent of Australia. Here, Samuel encounters the once formidable Titan, Fana Tsehay. As Samuel learns more about the transformed world and his own fate, he embarks on a journey across the globe, discovering unexpected alliances.
Thompson returns, fundamentally changed. Guided by Tether, a woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anna, Thompson is thrust into the memories of a specter from the past. As Thompson navigates these memories, he must confront new truths about Anna, the God Mendel, and his own role in the unfolding neoevolution of the Earth.
In addition to these characters’ stories, the plot explores Thompson’s first days with Anna, along with their uncertain future, hinting at a more complex and intricate tangle of manipulation and personal motives.
As these characters traverse the transformed Earth, they are drawn into a web of intrigue spun by god-like powers lurking in the shadows. Will they succumb to their fates, or can they carve their own paths in this strange and unforgiving new world?
Hunter's Dirge is a thrilling blend of action, philosophy, and world-building, filled with intricate lore, breathtaking environments, and a diverse cast of characters. Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled journey through a dystopian future Earth, where survival is the ultimate test, and evolution is the ultimate weapon.
Overall Analysis of Hunter’s Dirge
Hunter’s Dirge is the third volume of E. S. Fein’s The Collected Histories of Neoevolution Earth series. As with the second, the Hunter’s Dirge takes place immediately following the events of the previous book. Where Winter’s Remains cleared up a lot of the vocabulary of Mendel’s Ladder, Hunter’s Dirge almost entirely explains the setting. While there is certainly a healthy amount of mystery still left to uncover, the horse blinders have more or less been removed. Awarded with better comprehension of Neoevolution Earth, it’s easy to interpret this series as a post-apocalyptic Greek mythology (outfitted with its own version of gods and “titans”).
I am truly impressed by (jealous of) how Fein masterfully crafted a world for himself where anything goes, like a hybrid turning into a turbo-charged Marge Dursley. We’re also introduced to Downver, a city so full of oddities that it makes Venusville look like Branson, Missouri. Anything you can think of can be explained by some means in this story. Despite these outlandish concepts and technologies bordering magic, it all makes sense within the concept of the world Fein built.
As always, though, I am in amazement of how seamlessly Fein can transition from complex philosophical concepts to gnarly, hardcore sci-fi elements to epic, bloody battles. Fein continues to do an incredible job at introducing new and unique characters with distinct personalities. In a world devoid of virtue, he is capable of creating characters with well-constructed and sensible motivations and morality. For me, the most interesting transformation in the third book is Thompson’s perspective. It is through his eyes (not through some ham-fisted, dialogue-driven exposition dump) that we witness the conception of Armageddon. I thought that was a really neat approach.
Fein’s prose also continues to grow. Granted, at this point, I don’t believe there is much he can improve on. In my opinion, his writing already surpasses many well-respected authors in the genre. He can intricately weave together a vibrant and immersive scene without detracting from the action within it.
Yet again, Fein will not be receiving any pointers from me. He knows what he is doing, and he is doing it well. I keep thinking there has to be a moment he trips up or writes himself into a corner given the absurd complexity of his world, but he has shown that he is skillful at navigating the entanglement of Neoevolution Earth.
Final Thoughts
He’s done it again. Fein has created another engaging, fast-paced installment with Hunter’s Dirge. Beyond being a deeply philosophical read beneath all the absurdity, this series is just plain fun. Every chapter brings something unexpected and new. Every character’s motives are relatable, and Fein doesn’t rely on poor decision making to land them in precarious situations. The fights are epic, and the story is a journey of discovery for both the characters and readers. I’m waiting for my “See, I told you” moment when Fein becomes a household name in the dark science fiction community.
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