Dark Kingdom (Dark Law 1.5) x Wick Welker (DRC)
186 pages.
First published March 30, 2024 (Demodocus Publishing)
SFF.
Wick Welker's delightful pocket of the universe is further explored in Dark Kingdom, which is book 1.5 of the Dark Law series. This book is the story of Ria and Haldane, who are both enslaved by an artificial intelligence, and who must seek dark matter for her. They travel to the hidden Fifth Kingdom where they find oppression and tyranny, and must obey their directive but also answer to their own desire for justice and freedom for the people of the Fifth Kingdom.
Welker's books have both wonderful characters and amazing concepts, and he's a wonderful world-builder. SFF is prone to imbalance in these things, but Welker is not: everything in the story serves the story, and nothing is wasted. This is also just a really fun read. If you haven't read the first book, Dark Theory (Dark Law 1) x Wick Welker (ARC), I would start there: although Dark Kingdom starts with a catch-up, it's worth reading the first book first, as it lays out the rules of this world. I'm completely sold, and can't wait to read the next one.
Thanks to Demodocus Publishing and NetGalley for early access.
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