A Dark and Hungry God Arises (or officially The Gap into Power: A Dark and Hungry God Arises) is a science fiction novel by American writer Stephen R. Donaldson, the third book of The Gap Cycle series.
A review in Library Journal described A Dark and Hungry God Arises as a "complex and intriguing" novel that "echoes the same grim undertones as its predecessors", with characters that "seethe with inner torment and the darkest motives".
Other reviews:
Angus Thermopyle, now a newly modified cyborg, arrives at the illegal space station Billingate with his handler Milos Taverner. Also present is Morn HylandâÂÂs force-grown son, Davies, whose accelerated growth and implanted memories have made both mother and child uniquely valuable to the Amnion, an alien species experimenting on humans. Morn survives a normally fatal memory-transfer process, likely due to her zone implant, drawing further Amnion interest.
Captain Nick Succorso, angered by MornâÂÂs betrayal and her diversion of Davies away from the Amnion, surrenders Morn to them but steals an anti-mutagen drug that later prevents her transformation. Davies is seized by BillingateâÂÂs ruler, The Bill, who demands payment Nick cannot provide, leaving Nick stranded. Angus and Milos encounter Nick and form a fragile alliance when AngusâÂÂs hidden programming reveals a directive to rescue Morn.
Angus and Milos infiltrate Billingate and recover Davies, while dissent grows among NickâÂÂs crew, leading them to abandon him. Angus refuses to hand Davies over to Nick, learning that Morn is already in Amnion custody. Milos subsequently reveals himself as an Amnion agent and is forcibly transformed by their emissary, Marc Vestabule.
A joint rescue operation is mounted involving Angus, Nick, and NickâÂÂs former crew. Angus confronts the altered Milos, overcomes his control programming, and rescues Morn. As Billingate descends into chaos, NickâÂÂs ship destroys an Amnion warship, and BillingateâÂÂs reactor is sabotaged. AngusâÂÂs ship, Trumpet, escapes into the gap amid the stationâÂÂs destruction.
On Earth, the United Mining Companies Police (UMCP) leadership faces scrutiny from the Governing Council of Earth and Space over AngusâÂÂs escape and MornâÂÂs fate. Warden Dios manipulates events to weaken corporate control over the UMCP, secretly pushing for its transfer to government authority. Political assassinations disrupt the process, and Dios ultimately orders that Angus and Milos be eliminated if their situation threatens his plan.