Howling Dark – Chapter Summaries
A chapter-by-chapter summary of Howling Dark, the second novel in Christopher Ruocchio's Sun Eater series. Covers all 80 chapters, key locations, characters, and plot events as Hadrian Marlowe and the Red Company pursue the lost planet Vorgossos across the Norma Arm.
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This page contains a chapter-by-chapter summary of Howling Dark, the second novel in Christopher Ruocchio's Sun Eater series. For the book's publication details, cover art, and lore, see the main Howling Dark page. For chapter summaries of other books, see Demon in White or return to the Welcome Page for the full series index.
Full Howling Dark spoilers below, proceed with caution.
Full Book Recap
Placeholder text for high level full book summary of the plot.
Chapter 1: The Red Company
Locations
Characters
- Hadrian Marlowe
- Doctor Okoyo
- Bassander Lin
- Switch
Plot Summary
Hadrian wakes from fugue on the Pharaoh, a ship acquired following their betrayal by the Norman captain, Emil Bordelon. It is ISD 16219, forty-eight years after Emesh. Hadrian has been awake for only twelve of those years, and it has been twelve years since Bordelon’s soldiers killed their captain after taking an offer from Hadrian they could not refuse. Captain Bassander Lin has taken over the late captain Bordelon’s quarters on the Pharoah, he tells Hadrian, their pilot Octavia Corvo, with the help of Crim, has found their target, The Painted Man through its employee Samir. Hadrian and Switch embark on a shuttle from the Pharoah to the Balmung, an imperial destroyer left in command of the Jaddian emissary, Jinan Azhar.
Darkness.
Green eyes watched from the darkness like statues in a fog. I felt them like fishhooks in me, dragging me upward. I felt wrong. Cold. The image of Bordelon’s face on the holograph—moments before I wiped it from existence—seemed to float on the air. His was not alone. Gilliam’s was there, lips twisted as he was, a sneer made flesh. And Uvanari. A confusion of sound filled my universe: the screams of dying men, the cheering of the Colosso crowd, my own blood pounding in my ear.
I knew then, knew that I had been dead, and that all this sensory weight was the cost and burden of consciousness returning. Of being alive. I was alive. Again.
— Hadrian Marlowe
Chapter 2: Suspended and Undead
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Orbit > On Board the ISV Balmung
Characters
- Hadrian Marlowe
- Valka Onderra
- Bassander Lin
- Ghen
- Pallino
- Jinan Azhar
Plot Summary
Hadrian begins in the cubiculum of the Balmung where Valka shares doubting sentiment about the search for Vorgossos as Lin had moments prior. He informs her of the mission to make planetfall to search for The Painted Man through the lead of his man Samir. On the Balmung, Hadrian is reunited with Pallino and Ghen, as he heads to the ventral observator and to his paramour Jinan Azhar, who reluctantly shares that she is also in doubt about their potential misadventure.
Chapter 3: The Sunken City
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Unknown (Norman Equivalent Prefecture) > Arslan > Jubala Den in the Grounded Murakami Starship
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 4: The Painted Man
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Unknown (Norman Equivalent Prefecture) > Arslan > Tea House Near the Grounded Murakami Starship
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 5: Eyes Like Stars
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Unknown (Norman Equivalent Prefecture) > Arslan > Tea House Near the Grounded Murakami Starship
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 6: The Road to Vorgossos
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Unknown (Norman Equivalent Prefecture) > Arslan > Railcar above the City
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 7: Things Unseen, Things Remembered
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Unknown (Norman Equivalent Prefecture) > Arslan > City Streets
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 8: The Council of Captains
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 9: Absent Friends
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Orbit > On Board the ISV Balmung
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 10: Jinan
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Orbit > On Board the ISV Balmung
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 11: Your Radiance
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Orbit > On Board the ISV Balmung
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 12: A Journey's End
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 13: Obedience
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 14: Conspiracy
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 15: The First Treason
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Orbit > On Board the ISV Balmung
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 16: The Tomb
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Orbit > On Board the ISV Balmung
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 17: The Breaking of the Company
Locations
- Norma Arm > Rustam > Orbit > On Board the ISV Balmung
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 18: The Outer Edge
Locations
- Norma Arm > March Station > Orbit > On Board the Mistral
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 19: The Gates of Babylon
Locations
- Norma Arm > March Station > Station City > City Streets
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 20: The Bonecutter
Locations
- Norma Arm > March Station > Station City > Cento Biotechnic Clinic
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 21: A Matter of Price
Locations
- Norma Arm > March Station > Station City > Brevon Imports Office at Freight Lift 013
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 22: Blood and Water
Locations
- Norma Arm > March Station > Orbit > On Board the Mistral
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 23: The Pilot
Locations
- Norma Arm > Unknown > On Board the Mistral
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 24: The Enigma of Hours
Locations
- Norma Arm > Unknown > On Board the Enigma of Hours > On Board the Mistral
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 25: Becalmed in Motion
Locations
- Norma Arm > Unknown > On Board the Enigma of Hours > On Board the Mistral
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 26: The Oracle
Locations
- Norma Arm > Unknown > On Board the Enigma of Hours > Concourse Marketplace
- Norma Arm > Unknown > On Board the Enigma of Hours > The Oracle's Chamber
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 27: Valka
Locations
- Norma Arm > Unknown > On Board the Enigma of Hours > On Board the Mistral
- Norma Arm > Unknown > On Board the Enigma of Hours > Concourse Marketplace
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 28: The Dark World
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > Docking Station
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 29: The Profane City
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The City > City Streets
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 30: The Suppliants
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > The Waiting Room
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 31: Tartarus
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > The Waiting Room
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 32: Saturn or Dis
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Throne Room
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 33: Divide and Conquer
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > Guest Suites
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 34: In the House of Kharn Sagara
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > Guest Suites
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Orchid Stair
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 35: The Gorgon
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > Guest Suites
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 36: The Devil and the Golem
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > Guest Suites
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 37: Tanaran
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > Guest Suites
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Throne Room
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 38: The Face of Failure
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Installation > Guest Suites
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 39: The Last Story
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Orchid Stair
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 40: The Garden of Everything
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Garden of Everything
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 41: The Tree of Life
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Garden of Everything
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 42: The Children of Saturn
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Garden of Everything
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 43: Brethren
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Underground Sea
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 44: Understanding
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > Old Geothermal Facility below the Seawall
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 45: The Apostate
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > Old Geothermal Facility below the Seawall
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 46: The Long Cold
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > Old Geothermal Facility below the Seawall
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 47: One Villain and Another
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Throne Room
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 48: A Red Reunion
Locations
- Unknown > Vorgossos > The Palace of the Undying > The Throne Room
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 49: Two Treasons
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 50: The Devil and the Honest Man
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 51: Lost Time
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 52: Bora
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 53: The Third Treason
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 54: Bringing Storm
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Ship Hold
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Hall of Blue Candles
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 55: The Verge of History
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 56: Like Castles of Ice
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Ancillary Bridge
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 57: The Prince of Hell
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Hangar Bay
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 58: The Chalcenterite
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 59: No Man an Island
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 60: The Pavilion
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 61: Valka Again
Locations
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 62: The Limits of Reason
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 63: The Apostol
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 64: A Devil's Bargain
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 65: Of Gods and Engines
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 66: A Bloody Star
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 67: Traitor and Patriot
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 68: The Narrow Way
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > Winding Halls
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Hall of Blue Candles
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Hangar Bay
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 69: Divide and Conquer
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 70: Play the Orator
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 71: Hope is a Cloud
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 72: The Pit
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Hangar Bay
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 73: Broken
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 74: Howling Dark
Locations
- Unknown
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 75: The Eleventh Hour
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > The Garden Pavilion
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 76: The Three Immortals
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > Medica
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 77: Theseus Himself
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the Demiurge > Medica
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the ISV Schiavona
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 78: The First Strategos
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the ISV Sieglinde > The Office of the First Strategos
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 79: Departure
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the ISV Sieglinde > Boarding Umbilical to Repair Bay
Characters
Plot Summary
Chapter 80: Halfmortal
Locations
- Unknown > Unknown Location in Space > On Board the ISV Sieglinde > Repair Bay
Characters
Plot Summary
There are endings, Reader, and this is one. Some endings are beginnings. Such is this. As the Phoenix is reborn from its ashes, as new gods are ever born from the bodies of the old, so too was I reborn by that lakeside beneath that glassed-in sky. I left much of what I was by those waters: my scars from Emesh, my dreams of peace. Most of life consists of such transformations. If what I have done disturbs you, Reader, I do not blame you. If you would read no further, I understand. You have the luxury of foresight. You know where this ends.
I shall go on alone.
— Hadrian Marlowe
Dramatis Personae
The Meidua Red Company
The 437th Centaurine Legion
The Kingdom of Vorgossos
The Cielcin and Clan Otiolo
The Wider World
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