Book Review: The Anguished Dawn

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Anguished Dawn     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
James P. Hogan
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction
Baen, Jun 2003, $26.00, 420 pp.

Though it was nearly Worlds in Collision, but actually the orb missed a direct hit on the Earth, but still the aftereffect destroyed the land masses and oceans, polarity, and ecosystems leading to the end of civilization though survivors exist. The last remnant of Earth culture resides on the Saturn moon of Kronia. Kronians have two strategic goals that of reaching the stars and rebuilding the Earth.

When the Earth finally stabilizes, former resident Landen Keene joins the first Kronian expeditionary force establishing a planetary base to explore building a Utopian world where contribution to society rules. However, many of those who managed to escape the consequences of planetary destruction did so because they wielded the power and wealth to flee to Kronia. These Pragmatists plan to regain their status of domination. Two groups isolated by the vastness of space from the only human civilization battle while those who remained behind want to obliterate any returnee regardless of their philosophy.

Though loaded with action, readers will be split over James P. Hogan’s latest science fiction thriller that in some ways feels like an Irwin Allen movie. The story line leaps nicely from the events chronicled in CRADLE OF SATURN (though it helps to have read that book first). However, the plot concentrates on the mass destruction at the cost of failing to fully explore an interesting philosophical debate between two divergently thinking groups and in turn never truly develops key cast members except somewhat Landen. Only readers who enjoy a post apocalyptic earth with non-stop action that defies gravity will want to peruse THE ANGUISHED DAWN.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner