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The Children of Darkness (The Seekers Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 321 ratings

A thousand years ago the Darkness came—a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant.

  • GOLD MEDAL: Feathered Quill Book Award - 2016 - Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award - Summer 2015 - Best Science Fiction
  • WINNER: Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence

~~~

But what are we without dreams?”

The vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with “temple magic,” and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything.

Childhood friends, Orah, Nathaniel, and Thomas have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When they're cast into the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people.

Yet they would also incur the Temple’s wrath, as it is written: “If there comes among you a prophet saying, ‘Let us return to the darkness,’ you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light.”

“The plot unfolds easily, swiftly, and never lets the readers' attention wane... After reading this one, it will be a real hardship to have to wait to see what happens next.” ~ Feathered Quill Book Awards

“A tightly executed first fantasy installment that champions the exploratory spirit.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS the multiple award-winning first book in the extraordinary “The Seekers” series of dystopian sci-fi adventures, from the author of such award-winning greats as The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky, Along the Watchtower, and The Time That’s Given.

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From the Publisher

literary, adventure, suitable for young adults, religious philosophy, post apocalyptic, dystopian

literary, adventure, suitable for young adults, religious philosophy, post apocalyptic, dystopian

literary, adventure, suitable for young adults, religious philosophy, post apocalyptic, dystopian

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A tightly executed first fantasy installment that champions the exploratory spirit." -- Kirkus Reviews

"The plot unfolds easily, swiftly, and never lets the readers' attention wane... After reading this one, it will be a real hardship to have to wait to see what happens next." -- Feathered Quill Book Reviews
"... a fantastic tale of a world that seeks a utopian existence, well ordered, safe and fair for everyone... also an adventure, a coming-of-age story of three young people as they become the seekers, travelers in search of a hidden treasure - in this case, a treasure of knowledge and answers... a tale of futuristic probabilities... on a par with Huxley's Brave New World." -- Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
"The quality of its intelligence, imagination, and prose raises The Children of Darkness to the level of literature." -- Awesome Indies

"...a solid fantasy-dystopian offering, one that is not merely written by some author looking for a middling entry to the genre, but excellently crafted by an artist looking to make his mark... A timely novel beautiful in the simplicity of its writing and elegant in its underlying complexity." -- Eduardo Aduna for Readers' Favorite
"I found the world-building surrounding the people of the Ponds so descriptive that I was transported to their homes and way of life, and when the trio embarked on their journey, I could clearly picture them every step of the way. If you're looking for a classic fantasy quest wrapped in a fascinating, dark archaic world, then this novel will not disappoint you." -- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

From the Author

What if all you have been taught as good and right turns out to be the hand of darkness that has been holding you down?


The Children of Darkness is about a society devoid of technology, the result of an overreaction to a distant past where progress had overtaken humanity and led to social collapse. The solution--an enforced return to a simpler time. But it's also a coming of age story, a tale of three friends and their loyalty to each other as they struggle to confront a world gone awry. Each searches for the courage to fight the limits imposed by their leaders, along the way discovering their unique talents and purpose in life.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ZL8TSY0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Evolved Publishing LLC; 2nd edition (June 20, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 20, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2444 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 321 ratings

About the author

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David Litwack
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The urge to write first struck at age sixteen when working on a newsletter at a youth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the wild night when lightning flashed at sunset followed by the northern lights rippling after dark. Or maybe it was the newsletter's editor, a girl with eyes the color of the ocean. But he was inspired to write about the blurry line between reality and the fantastic.

Using two fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day throughout college and well into his twenties. Then life intervened. He paused to raise two sons and pursue a career, in the process -- and without prior plan -- becoming a well-known entrepreneur in the software industry, founding several successful companies. When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned.

David now lives in the Great Northwest. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day and is thankful every keystroke for the invention of the word processor.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
321 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an enjoyable read with an interesting story. It's a straightforward adventure story that appeals to both young and adult readers. However, opinions differ on the character development - some find them relatable and easy to cheer for, while others feel the characters are not complex enough to keep adults engaged.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the plot engaging and well-crafted, making it a worthwhile series to continue. The worlds are convincingly built and conveyed effectively. Readers appreciate the author's skill in conveying messages. While it may read like a fairy tale at times, the book keeps their interest and they are captured by the author's writing style.

"...read slowly so that you can absorb all the messages that it so skillfully conveys." Read more

"...But it kept my interest, and I stayed up reading longer that would have been good for me, and I am just fine with it...." Read more

"...Excellent characters that are easy to relate to and easy to cheer for!" Read more

"...It has this dreamy mood and the characters are so idealistic and simple, probably because in the end, they are just kids...." Read more

18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it interesting, with friendship and courage combined with intrigue and suspense. The book is accessible to everyone, with imagination in every chapter. The narration is linear, the plot is straightforward, and the book captures their interest from the beginning.

"...The Seekers is post-apocalyptic fiction at its best...." Read more

"...Of course the narration is linear, the plot is straightforward, the characters aren't complex, and the story has been done before...." Read more

"...well-intentioned, the main characters seem well placed and the story is believable...." Read more

"If you like a straight forward adventure story with the good guys good and the bad guys bad, this book is for you...." Read more

5 customers mention "Age range"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's age range. They say it's accessible to both young and adult readers, with a fine tale told well. The book is described as fun, positive reading that's suitable for both young and adults.

"I am well aware this book is written for readers at least half my age, but I must be a teenager at heart because I enjoyed it...." Read more

"...Younger readers will like this. It is accessible to everyone and a fine tale told well." Read more

"...( The Seekers #1) is a Dystopian novel that is appropriate for Young Adults and Adults as well. &#..." Read more

"...David Litwack's The Children of Darkness is a perfect story for young adult readers, but its underlying theme and character development will keep..." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"6 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find the characters relatable and easy to cheer for, keeping them engaged. Others feel the plot is straightforward and the characters are not complex, making the story seem done.

"...Excellent characters that are easy to relate to and easy to cheer for!" Read more

"...the narration is linear, the plot is straightforward, the characters aren't complex, and the story has been done before...." Read more

"...It has this dreamy mood and the characters are so idealistic and simple, probably because in the end, they are just kids...." Read more

"...provides strong characters with underlying themes of friendship, perseverance, courage, and the will to challenge an authority that has more power..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2015
    In Stuff of the Stars, award-winning author David Litwack told the story of childhood friends Orah and Nathaniel, and their voyage to find the descendants of the Keepers in the hopes they would be able to help them understand the secrets kept within the Keep, a storehouse of knowledge of the time before the Darkness. I read this book before book one, The Seekers: The Children of Darkness, and became curious about the events that led up to the fateful voyage, events that were alluded to in the second book. After finishing The Seekers, I am even more impressed with Litwack’s ability to create a believable post-apocalyptic world.
    Orah, Nathaniel, and Thomas have been friends since childhood. Living in their tiny village of Little Pond, they want more out of life than is offered by the teachings of the vicars of the Temple of Light, but are afraid to challenge the status quo. When Thomas is taken away for ‘teaching,’ and returns with his spirit broken, they become even more determined to break away from the oppressive order. The defining moment comes when Orah is taken for teaching, and Nathaniel defies his father and follows after her to rescue her. Held prisoner in the Temple City, Nathaniel encounters a fellow prisoner, Samuel, who has been imprisoned for decades. He learns that Samuel is a Seeker, who, as he approaches the end of his life, is looking for someone to take over for him, and he believes that Nathaniel is that someone.
    Armed with secret instructions from Samuel, he travels with Orah and Thomas in search of the Keep. When they find it, all that they thought they knew is challenged—moreover, they are determined to challenge the iron hold the Temple of Light has over the people.
    The Seekers is post-apocalyptic fiction at its best. Without going into great detail, it addresses issues that are relevant today—and nails down the truth; power corrupts, and the desire for power leads to unimaginable evil. It also shows that for evil to prevail, it is only necessary for good people to stand by and do nothing.
    If you’re a fast reader, you can probably finish this book in about three hours, but give yourself more time. This is one you need to read slowly so that you can absorb all the messages that it so skillfully conveys.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016
    I am well aware this book is written for readers at least half my age, but I must be a teenager at heart because I enjoyed it. Of course the narration is linear, the plot is straightforward, the characters aren't complex, and the story has been done before. But it kept my interest, and I stayed up reading longer that would have been good for me, and I am just fine with it. It's clean, fun, positive reading that both young and adult can enjoy. I enjoyed it enough to download the second book in the series, and I am already well past half way. From the look of it, I'll be downloading the 3rd book very soon.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
    Ruled by The Temple Of Light for as long as anyone can remember, nobody openly questions their authority. The Temple claims to protect them from The Darkness. Those in power use fear to keep the people inline. But what if the Darkness isn't as bad as they claim? Is finding out worth losing everything? Maybe it takes someone that has nothing more to lose to go against The Temple.
    Excellent characters that are easy to relate to and easy to cheer for!
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2016
    This book reads a bit like a fairy tail. It has this dreamy mood and the characters are so idealistic and simple, probably because in the end, they are just kids. The funny thing is that since the whole world has gone into this childish dystopian state, in which even the villains are well-intentioned, the main characters seem well placed and the story is believable.
    I enjoyed the book but I think it should be more clearly marked as YA, maybe even as children's book. Because it looks a bit too clean and idyllic for teens.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2016
    If you like a straight forward adventure story with the good guys good and the bad guys bad, this book is for you. Litwack's style is that of a fireside story teller and he is pretty good at it. This is not Clan of the Cave Bear with flowery descriptions of place and mood. This is "lets get on with it" plot boiling and it is well done. Younger readers will like this. It is accessible to everyone and a fine tale told well.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2015
    What I liked about "The Children of Darkness" was the mixture of a great story of friendship and courage combined with intrigue and suspense, while presenting an interesting twist on a future society.
    It's a story of 3 friends that find out that their simplistic world is not what they thought it was. Politics and religion have merged into a way of governing and living that leave little room for individual creativity and fulfillment. It's kind of a `what if religious leaders controlled the technology' and they took us back to an agrarian society `for our own good'.
    The three main characters, Orah, Nathaniel, and Thomas learn of a secret place from a dying prisoner, strike out together on a quest to solve the clues, find the hidden location called the Keep, and return with a secret about the past that will shake the foundation of their civilization. The three friends must elude the ruling vicars who are in pursuit, make some very difficult choices, and stay one step ahead of the vicars' secret technologies.
    I read the original version, titled: There Comes a Prophet and enjoyed it very much. When I learned of it being turned into a trilogy, I felt a read of the new edition was in order before the rest of the series comes out. Told from Orah’s perspective, the new version seems paints a more vivid picture of the dystopian society. I’m very glad to have read it again in the new version.
    Like other books I have enjoyed, this book provides strong characters with underlying themes of friendship, perseverance, courage, and the will to challenge an authority that has more power than it should. The strengthening of Orah’s character in the new version was an excellent revision strategy.
    My strongest recommendation is to simply say, "I'm a very busy professional who read this book in two days and let everything else lapse while reading it"!

Top reviews from other countries

  • Alison Atherton
    5.0 out of 5 stars brillisnt
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2019
    very good fast paced read enjoyed it throughout liked the way it's was written looking forward to the next book

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