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My first published work, this series has been compared to the works of Orson Scott Card, Frank Herbert, David Weber, and J.R.R. Tolkien. While it does not completely encompass the universe in which it is set, the series is complete in four books. Reviews 
The Dark Wing. Published 2001 (hardcover), 2002 (mass-market paperback); Tor Books.
"This entertaining first novel plays some welcome variations on formulaic military SF . . . Hunt delivers a bravura performance, especially for a new writer." Publisher's Weekly. (Copyright ©2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.)
"Hunt's first novel, set in the far future, deals with the problematic issues of xenophobia and genocide while presenting a fast-paced story that should appeal to fans of space opera and military sf. Reminiscent of Orson Scott Card's military classic Ender's Game, this work belongs in most sf collections. Library Journal. (Copyright ©2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.)
"A thoughtful debut, reassuringly familiar in shape with glints of originality . . . Satisfyingly complete in itself, though expertly set up for sequels." Kirkus Reviews.
"The Dark Wing is still well worth your attention. It’s perfectly readable, and its resonance with current events makes it quite thought-provoking." Analog. (© 2001 Dell Magazines; "The Reference Library" ©2001, Tom Easton.)
"For a first foray . . . Hunt's work shows promise. With an open ending, it is likely that a sequel is forthcoming and will be welcomed by fans of hard science fiction." VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P J S A/YA (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). VOYA.
My initial impression of The Dark Wing was that it was a just another flashy space opera. Later I thought it was just another dark novel about the genocide of aliens. Still later I decided it was a splendid depiction of the two sides of the Tao told in a Sci-Fi venue. Finally, I realized that this brilliant first novel was in fact all three and more . . . I heartily congratulate first time author Walter H. Hunt and wish him all the success he deserves.SFRevu. (© 2002 Ernest Lilley / SFRevu)
The Dark Wing is a promising first novel and a welcome addition to the ranks of military SF. Hunt has a slight tendency to jump back and forth through the timeline of events, but manages to stick to his basic story without falling into the trap of extensive pseudo-historical or political analysis. Starlog.
 The Dark Path. Published 2002 (hardcover), 2003 (mass-market paperback); Tor Books.
"In this gripping sequel to The Dark Wing (2001), Hunt does a better job of depicting character and handling zor mythology and interspecies relations . . . it offers plenty of surprises." Publisher's Weekly. (©2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"What with the psychic-warrior complications,
more Star Wars than Honor Harrington: some fans will relish the exploration
of the zor culture." Kirkus Reviews.
"This fine sequel to Hunt's Dark Wing (2001) reads somewhat like a collaboration of David Weber and Orson Scott Card. . . It includes the implacable vuhl, a shape-changing, mind-controlling, insectoid enemy race that recalls the original foes of Card's Ender Wiggin. . . Imaginative twists include the facts that the human and zor quest team employs the telepathic assistance of Ch'ke'te's dead mate, Th'an'ya, and that some human POWs are finding out how to penetrate vuhl disguises. Gripping stuff that." Booklist. (©2003 American Library Association.)
"The sequel to The Dark Wing combines military sf and space opera to produce a large-scale sf adventure that takes place in the depths of outer space, as well as within the minds of the combatants. A good choice for sf collections." Library Journal. (©2003 Reed Business Information.)
"The novel [The Dark Wing] succeeded, did well, and now proves to be the first installment in a quest that may well prove science fiction’s version of The Lord of the Rings. . . If you enjoyed Wing, you’ll love Path." Analog. (© 2003 Dell Magazines; "The Reference Library" ©2003, Tom Easton.)
The Dark Ascent. Published 2003 (hardcover), 2004 (mass-market paperback); Tor Books.
"Keeping track of the players — the heroes and the villains, alive and dead — is a delightful challenge. So is distinguishing the manipulated from the manipulators. The many borrowings from Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophy, not to mention the resemblance of the zor language to the old style of transliterated Chinese, add depth and interest." Publisher's Weekly. (©2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Series fans - clearly a patient, dedicated bunch - will relish
Hunt's slow-motion intrigues and detailed exploration of alien societies." Library Journal. (©2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Fans of Walter H. Hunt's The Dark Wing and The Dark Path space opera epic will be delighted to see The Dark Ascent." Analog. (© 2004 Dell Magazines; "The Reference Library" ©2004, Tom Easton.)
"This surprisingly thoughtful space opera, lacking neither adventure nor battles, considers issues of genocide and enmity in surprising depth." Booklist. (©2004, American Library Association.)
The Dark Crusade. Published 2004 (hardcover), 2005 (mass-market paperback); Tor Books.
"Like its predecessors, this latest entry in the Dark Wing series expands the bounds of military SF to touch on the philosophy and morality of war. . . Hunt continues numerous plot lines from earlier volumes, but he never tangles them. His prose stays transparent, even as it shifts to metaphysical planes where the war against the true enemy is being waged. The work shows a strong affection for the military profession, while still being aware of its tendency to slip from honorable combat to heedless slaughter." Publisher's Weekly. (Copyright ©2004 Reed Business Information.)
"Hunt has lost none of his knack for fast action, and his skill in characterization is growing as he highlights the ethical dilemmas that large-scale conflict generates. The saga now seems to be influenced by Weber, Herbert, and even Tolkien, which is to say by three of the most proven crowd-pleasers in speculative fiction of the last half century. Librarians, stock up." Library Journal. (Copyright © 2005, American Library Association.)
"Considering that these novels are Hunt's first published fiction, he shows surprising skill in keeping the complex structure, classic themes and inventive nomenclature of the novel from getting out of control. . . The series has demonstrated that Hunt is well founded in the genre's tropes and themes, with his more obvious influences ranging from the spac-opera 1930s and 1940s to the more recent military science fiction of writers such as David Weber to the Ender series by Orson Scott Card (and his obsession with the morality of xenocide) to TV shows like Babylon 5 to Tolkienesque fantasy quests . . . This novel could easily have become impenetrable, especially in the complex
political maneuverings interestingly enhanced by having one of the players
be an AI version of Niccolo Machiavelli himself. But Hunt keeps the narrative
under control surprisingly well, and fans of military space opera will
find this series of novels well worth reading." SciFi.Com. (©2005, Science Fiction Weekly.)
And Next . . .? Since the fourth book in the series was published, I've been receiving e-mails from readers asking about the future of the series. The answer to this is twofold, and internally contradictory. Yes, there's more to the universe; and no, my publisher – Tor – is not presently interested in seeing it appear. This is a business decision: I hold the highest regard for Tor Books and for the people who helped foster my career, and I don't think they have any regrets at publishing the four books that appear above. But these are some of the comments I've received over the last four years (email addresses removed for privacy):
11/27/05
....and I think it [The Dark Crusade] is the best of the series, a great conclusion, although I hope there is more to come from this wonderful series. What can we look forward to next?
01/17/06
Congratulations on completing the first Dark Wing universe series. The Dark Crusade grabbed my attention and held it like the previous three had and was a very good read. I especially enjoyed how pieces of the Qu'u legend appeared in the flight of Ch'en'ya, even though it was not directly commented on as Laperriere's was. You handled interstellar war and battles in space extremely well, even keeping a good timescale for maneuvering in battles that span a solar system. As an aspiring writer, I have run into problems with naval battles before and am amazed (and not a small bit jealous) that you captured it so well in your first series. I look forward to any continuation of the Dark Wing series and finding out what happens to the Solar Empire in the wake of The Dark Crusade. Can I expect a second series in the Dark Wing universe to also be through TOR?
11/05/06
I would just like to pass along my appreciation of your series and to urge you to complete your latest book as soon as possible. Good luck and I'm sure that it will be well received
11/19/06
Mr. Hunt,
I loved all four of your Dark books.
11/20/06
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading the Dark Wing series and I look forward to your next book.
01/29/07
I enjoyed the series.
Darn - was hoping to see how the saga wraps up (more on the colored bands, the vuhl, what Garrett does, who Stone really is [personification of the purple band? employee of one of the bands?], ...).
03/07/07
I met you at a book fair somewhere west of Asheville, NC, where I bought your first book. I subsequently bought the series and read it.
You left a lot of loose strings hanging at the end of the 4th book, which makes me think there may be a 5th. Is that correct? And if so, do you have a target date?
05/03/07
I recently completed reading your Dark Wing series. It was captivating. As a sci-fi reader since the age of 13? which means
the past 30 years!!!! I very much enjoyed your works.
05/09/07
So far I have read your four books form this area, Dark Wing, Dark Path, Dark Ascent and Dark Crusade. At the end of Dark Crusade some loose ends were left so I thought to ask when your next book in this series is going to be available.
05/15/07
Any word on when you might follow up on Dark Crusade.
05/16/07
where is the next Dark Wing book? I seem to be left hanging.
08/17/07; 01/31/08
I am currently reading the third book in the series and I just wanted to write to you saying how much I have enjoyed the series up to this point.
I came across your books when I killing time in Borders one day. To be honest I saw the cover of you book and it made me think of a tv show that I used to watch and liked quite a bit, the show is Babylon 5.
Well thank you for writing a good series that is a joy to read.
. . .
I just finished the Dark Crusade and I absolutely loved it. I found my[self] really hating blazing star by the end, I think that is a great job in that invoked such a feeling.
I can not wait for the next book in this series. The day it comes out I will buy it.
12/04/07
I was wondering if a fifth Dark Wing novel was planned/ being written. No offense, but it's kinda an open-ended stop. Perhaps that was the plan, I don't know. Still, myself and some others would really like to see the conclusions. Who are the mysterious bands of light? They don't seem to be II, because their doings were a mystery to them, too. Who are Stone's employers? (Aside from the colored lights) I guess that's a redundant question, then. And also, what will they do to the Empire?
12/08/07
I have just completed The Dark Crusade and I am compelled to write to you two accounts:
1. I thoroughly enjoyed all four novels. I seldom agree with the reviews and comments used to promote books, but in this instance, I have to concur that your series ranks up there with my favourite authors of space operas.
2. There just HAS to be at least one more title in the series! JAckie has to return from neyond the Rim to prevent the second Empire-Zin war.
. . .
Thank you for your reply. (ZOR of course!) I would be delighted to have my name added to your mailing list. I will do all that I can to promote your books (The Dark series in particular) in hopes that TOR will reconsider their option to publish a fifth (or possibly more) volume in the face of incresed demand. Would it help for me (and others) to email them with such a request? If so, I am happy to do so.
03/23/08
I just finished Dark Crusade. I gotta say the ending is somehow unsatisfactory. What caused the Rip to close? What happend to those on the wrong side of the Rip? Who/what were the color bands of light? It almost begs for another volume to answer these questions. Who is Stone?
08/26/08
I HAVE READ ALL FOUR OF THE CURRENT DARK SERIES BOOKS AND AT THE END OF DARK CRUSADE IT LEFT QUESTIONS UNANSWERED. WILL THERE BE MORE BOOKS TO THIS SERIES?
09/01/08
at first sorry for my bad english, but i´m from germany and i´m not very practiced in using it. i only wanted to say how much i´ve enjoyed reading your books. i´ve bought The Dark Crusade a few days ago and i must say that i´m as fascinates as the first time i´ve read The Dark Wing. i sincerely hope that you´ll write a lot more books in the "dark wing universe". it´s one of the beste science fiction novel´s i´ve ever read and i love the combination of mystic and science fiction in the hole storyline. i love fascinating charakters like "mr. stone" and "jackie" and i like to know more about "the or" and this "rainbow-color-band-linke thing". ;-)
thanks for hours of following a fascinating story and i hope to read a lot more in the future.
Each of the queries I've received has been answered with a personal reply. Some of these folks have sent e-mails or letters to Tor asking for more in the series. If you'd like to see more in this series, please send them a note – but the best way for me to get their attention is by better sales of the existing books. To everyone who has taken the time to write me a note or come up to me at a convention and tell me what they thought, you have my sincere and heartfelt thanks.
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