Empire of Dust

Williamson returns with another stunning chapter in this trilogy. In the previous book, CITY OF IRON, we were left with The Survivor gone to who knows where. In this book the trio find him and now has to deal with the havoc he doles out. This novel is interesting because of the internal struggle of the three members of the Searchers group. Due to certain circumstances, they are all tested in their own belief systems and now adopt some "otherworldly" explanations for what's occurring. In brief, this novel rocks and is a sure-fire success. Please read the first novel before this one to get the full effect of characters and plots. Highest Recommendation.

Too often, the second part of a trilogy is also the dullest part. Everything is set up in the first book, and everything is resolved in the third, so the second can't do anything but mark time.Empire of Dust manages to escape the curse of the second volume. It answers several questions and resolves some issues from the first novel, while setting up new situations for what promises to be an exciting conclusion. The author manages to remind the reader of relevant information from the first book without screaming, "This is a recap." This book could probably be read independently, though it does say Book Two, right on the cover, so nobody should be upset if they feel like they're coming in on the middle of the story . . .This series continues to out-X-Files the X-Files. My only fear is that once everything is revealed, it'll just seem goofy. I'm willing to take that chance, though. I've got to find out how this story ends!

I waited to post reviews on the first two books in the Searcher series until I saw how the last volume turned out. I needn't have bothered, since Mr. Williamson maintained the taut writing, finely delineated characters, and sure hand at dealing with paranormal (or is it??) material right up to the cataclysmic end. These are superb thrillers, marrying X-Files style paranormal investigation with a sure hand at action and a trip into the most fascinating corners of strange phenomena. The series feels like one large novel that reaches progressive crescendos at the end of each installment, with the last volume (which I just finished) providing a suitably grand finale.I hadn't seen much from Mr. Williamson in recent years, but I remember his Ash Wednesday as one of the more literate and emotionally powerful horror novels of the past couple decades. It's good to see him back in top form. There's no question that these are inspired by the X-Files, but they bring a literacy, craft, and intelligence to paranormal fiction that we see too rarely. Now that the final volume is out, buy them all and read them all together.

I was so engrossed with this sequel to The Searchers that I found myself up at 3:00 in the morning reading with ALL THE LIGHTS ON!

Empire of Dust is a very fun read, just like the previous book in the series, City of Iron. The book is fast paced with many twists and surprises. It also has a great monster! It's like the X-Files at its best. I do recommend that buyers read City of Iron before reading this one.