After escaping, Dusk finds a new home for his fellow Chiropters, but it is on the other side of a savannah, which is home to many predators. Carnassial comes to realize that, in order for the Felids to rule, it will have to be through cunning, rather than through power.Īlong the way, Dusk and his colony seek refuge with a seemingly peaceful colony of 'Tree Runners', only to find out that they plan on sacrificing them to a giant, meat-eating bird, the Diatryma. Carnassial strikes an alliance with the powerful (but unintelligent) Hyaenodons, who claim that the Saurians do still exist, and enlist the Felids to find and destroy their eggs. With their island invaded by the deadly new predators, it is up to Dusk and his unique powers of flight and echolocation to find the Chiropters a new home. The rogue pack of Felids find their way to Dusk's island and devour many of his colony, among them Dusk's mother. He leads a pack consisting of other flesh-craving Felids to form a new world order.

Born with shearing teeth and an insatiable appetite for flesh, he seemingly fulfills the pact when he destroys the last known batch of Saurian eggs. Dusk learns to fly, but keeps his secret to himself out of fear of being shunned.Ĭarnassial, the Felid (a type of proto-cat), also has a hidden desire. He is regarded as a freak by the other Chiropters, though he finds acceptance with his parents and his sister, Sylph. Dusk is different from the other Chiropters, however whereas his brethren have simple sails, Dusk has wings, and an urge to fly that he has difficulty suppressing. The mammals, who were once at the Saurians' mercy, decide to form The Pact: unable to wage battle against them on their own terms, they decide to band together to exterminate the remaining Saurians by destroying their eggs.ĭusk, a young Chiropter, is being taught by his father to glide. A few managed to survive in the aftermath, albeit weakened by climate change, a shortage of food, and a flesh-rotting virus.

Set 65 million years ago, at the very beginning of the Paleocene epoch, a huge natural disaster has wiped out most of the dinosaurs (referred to as 'Saurians' within the context of the story). It describes the origins of the war between the birds and the beasts. It is the prequel and fourth book of the Silverwing series, and takes place 65 million years before the events of the first book. Darkwing (known as Dusk in the United Kingdom) is a 2007 young adult fantasy novel by Canadian author Kenneth Oppel.

Darkwing by kenneth oppel