Book One:
A WINTER FOR DOVES
About the Book
Everything is Connected.
In the year 2057, the world's population has been reduced to a single city: Salutem. For over a decade, the city–nation has known nothing but peace, or so the populace has been led to believe. Unbeknownst to the general public, for the last seven years the Saint Organization has been humanity's only line of defense against the Devil's Deviants, mutated terrorists with inhuman supernatural abilities, and an extreme prejudice against humankind.
After their trusted leader is slain and mutilated, however, the Saints find themselves in disarray. An uneasy alliance between them and Salutem’s government, the United World Federation, grows ever more hostile, and the Devil’s Deviants are preparing for something big—something that could finish off the Saints and possibly all of Salutem for good.
As winter begins to fall, a train accident thrusts college student Aylen Monro into the ranks of the Saints and into the life of Jared Griffin, an ex-DD with a tragic and terrifying past of his own. She is looking for revenge against the ones that wronged her and he is making amends for his past sins. Little do they know, however, that they both have a larger role to play in what is coming. But as the Devil's Deviants gain momentum, the question becomes clear: Will the Saints survive the winter and the oncoming bloodshed?
More importantly, will they survive themselves?
A Winter for Doves:
Part I
A Winter for Doves:
Part II
A Note to Readers
Project Suncloud is a grimdark science fiction series heavily focused on an ensemble of morally ambiguous characters. It is dark and gritty, yet lighthearted and fun at times. It has been my port through many of life's storms and it's the one story of mine I truly call home.
Be forewarned: the Project Suncloud Series is GRIMDARK and has many of the trope elements that are associated with that genre. There will be trigger warnings and this series is not for the squeamish. It also tackles some sensitive topics which may be unpleasant for some. Just about anything goes, and while I am vehemently against depicting strong sexual violence on the page, it is still a topic that comes up in the series. You have been advised.
Reviews
A Winter for Doves: Part I
“An absolutely amazing story. Very well paced. Very fast pace and done well. A must read.”
—Codin Messer, Amazon Review
“A Winter for Doves by Nicholas Ripley is an intriguing mix of grimdark horror and soft sci-fi with undercurrents of a potential fated-mates romance meets the chosen-one trope.
While the disclaimer provided is a paragraph long, the items listed are used purposefully. The light and dark of humanity is explored, every single one of the large cast of characters revealing themselves to be flawed to varying degrees. Just as one group or person appears to be the so-called hero or villain, the script is flipped, and the reader is left with even more questions to the puzzle of the truth.
Anyone who enjoys grimdark reads is sure to devour this one and jump straight into book 2. I know I did.”
—Cassondra Aufenthie, Amazon Review
“This book has some light moments, but Ripley promised grimdark, horror, and sci-fi and he DELIVERS. A Winter For Doves (Part 1) is a wild ride full of gore, suspense, and intrigue - one that you don’t want to get off once you’re in.
Ripley showcases a diverse cast of different genders, sexualities, and races, all of whom are very well-written and also very morally grey. As he has said in promoting the books, neither the Saints or the Devil’s Deviants are unjustified in their actions - Ripley beautifully blurs the line between good and evil, and you’re not even sure who to root for in all of this.
For people who love the darkness of Berserk and Attack on Titan, this will be a HIT!”
—The Shadow of the First Little Flower on the Brightest Patch of Snow, Amazon Review
A Winter for Doves: Part II
“The story is gripping and exciting. The pacing is a little slower in this part yet it make perfect sense as of why. This story is gritty and has plenty of bloodshed and gore. Yet it also full with realistic and amazing written characters. As well as quite a bit of humor. Making it an amazing read.”
—Codin Messer, Amazon Review
“The intensity author Nicholas Ripley established in Part 1 of A Winter for Doves increases in Part 2. While Part 1 touched on many dark themes, Part 2 hurls the reader into the middle of them, and it truly strengthens both the narrative and character development to make Part 2 even more unput-downable than its predecessor.
Characters undergo trauma of varying forms, either rising above and coming out stronger or falling apart under it. The insight into war and the brutal decisions that must be made as well as the consequences for the characters is poignant, and some scenes are sure to hit you where it hurts in the best way.
If you enjoy books where the lines between good and bad blur, where nothing is as it seems, and characters are richly layered in a world full of darkness and despair, you can’t pass up on Part 2 of A Winter for Doves. This author only gets better with each book, and I can’t wait for the next one in the series.”
—Cassondra Aufenthie, Amazon Review
“The wild ride doesn’t slow down in Part 2 of A Winter For Doves. While Part 1 was more mystery with a crumb of a romantic subplot, Part 2 dives more into tactical warfare and survival. Needless to say, the story gets darker, the characters get messier, and the body count gets bigger. There are plenty of scenes that will make you want to yeet this book at the wall; not because Ripley does a bad job, but because he does a very good job of hitting the reader where it hurts.
If you thought things were going to get better for everyone in Part 2? Abandon all hope, because the trauma and adventure continue.”
—The Shadow of the First Little Flower on the Brightest Patch of Snow, Amazon Review