So, lately, I’ve been chugging right along with Christopher Ruocchio’s Sun Eater series. I was thrilled with book two, Howling Dark, and so I eagerly dove right into book three, Demon in White, not long after I finished listening through Conclave (see my previous review for that book here). Hell, at this point, I’m actually almost done with book four, but that’s a review for next month. For now, I’m glad to report that this series just keeps getting better and better the further in I get.
Hadrian Marlowe’s journey across the stars continues in ever-dramatic fashion in Demon in White, as he battles foes both at home and elsewhere in the galaxy. Following the finale of Howling Dark, Hadrian now serves as a royal knight to the emperor of the Sollan Empire, but his own legend as the halfmortal—the man who cannot be killed—is growing. Certain members of the Imperium’s royalty and religious hierarchy see him as a threat that needs to be eliminated. What’s worse, as the war against the Cielcin rages on, humanity’s alien adversaries aren’t much kinder to him. Hadrian must navigate enemies new and old, all the while still seeking answers to the Quiet—those ancient and mysterious gods of the universe.
First and foremost, the pacing in Demon in White is surprisingly consistent, allowing the story to remain enthralling throughout as it effortlessly bounces back and forth between the exciting intergalactic war and the tonally softer political drama. In many ways, this novel is a strong blend of both its predecessors. While Empire of Silence had more of an inward focus on the human politics and worlds of the Sun Eater universe, Howling Dark worked wonders building out the other outside elements by visiting new places and introducing new characters and factions. Demon in White then succeeds by adding on both fronts, expanding the human world while also digging into more of the history of the Cielcin and the Quiet, amongst other things.
I also give Ruocchio top marks for still knowing exactly how to keep things grounded and character-centric in this sci-fi epic. He provides many core characters with crucial developmental moments that allow them each to shine and grow in their own ways. My favorite part of this series is still the continued romance between Hadrian and Valka. Their interactions always feel compelling, as they wonderfully complement each other while also always forcing each other to ask new questions about themselves and the universe around them. Even when they butt heads and tensions run hot between them—usually amid other tense situations, thus elevating any already-present drama—they remain true to each other.
But the focus isn’t all on Hadrian and Valka. Ruocchio still offers plenty of time to focus on other characters, like Pallino and Captain Corvo. One particularly fond interaction arrives in the latter half of the novel, when Hadrian and his comrades are finally allowed to visit the Imperial Library on the planet Colchis. Here, Hadrian has a surprise reunion with his old mentor, the scholiast Tor Gibson. Though the book foreshadows this reveal to the point that it is easy to see coming, it’s still very welcome, especially given how heavy the story was becoming at that point.
Ruocchio then does well to continue building out his fictional universe by utilizing some great reveals to the larger factors in play, such as giving us an answer as to who or what the Quiet are. I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around that, honestly, but it’s a good thing to be confused about. I won’t go into all the details, but trust me when I say it’s really wild piece of the story. Meanwhile, what further tidbits we see and hear from the Cielcin help drive home just how threatening the “xenobites” really are.
Furthermore, Demon in White continues to explore the series’ recurring themes in fine fashion. The concept of cages remains prevalent here, as Hadrian continues to battle against outside forces that seek to rob him of his truth and freedom. It’s also easy to argue how this story touches on the “horrors of war,” as Ruocchio employs his creativity to dictate gripping battles and their colossal scale. The Cielcin have literal world ships the size of moons at their disposal. Accurately capturing the gravity of something like that no doubt presents some fun creative challenges—how do they appear to the naked eye, what impossible forces lurk within, and how do you begin to combat such power—but the author has no issue tackling these amusing problems.
And while this might be a bit on the nose—the adversaries Hadrian deals with are literal aliens from the deepest reaches of space—I wonder if Ruocchio is playing with the concept of combating xenophobia here. In truth, this is something that has sort of been present throughout the series, but this idea has gotten stronger as things have progressed, particularly following book two.
I say this because even with as terrifying as the Cielcin prove themselves to be, there are still things about them that Hadrian and Valka yearn to understand. This isn’t to say they’re actively trying to make peace (they tried and failed in Howling Dark, and at this point, both sides are actively trying to destroy each other), but there is still those elements of fearlessness and open-mindedness in the face of something strange and foreign that the protagonists embody. I wouldn’t call Demon in White a deep analysis of this concept, but I do believe it’s an idea worth thinking about while reading/listening.
Beyond all of this, though, Demon in White continues what has been a phenomenal sci-fi story in the Sun Eater series. In terms of quality, it picks up right where Ruocchio left off with Howling Dark. At this point, the series has my high recommendation, especially because even besides the fact that it tells a good story, the series remains fairly accessible. It offers fun takes on previously explored sci-fi tropes that still feel original and don’t expound too much that casual readers might become alienated. It’s very well balanced, put simply. So, if you’re thinking about checking this series out, again, I certainly say go for it!
And that’s all I’ve really got to say about Demon in White. I’m keeping this one short, sweet, and to the point. That said, you can all expect my review of Sun Eater book four, Kingdoms of Death, sometime in November. Stay tuned!