John Scalzi can write: journey tales (The Kaiju Preservation Society), tales with humour (Redshirts, Agent to the Stars) and non-fiction (Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded); usually with that trademark snark that provides his books a sure really feel.
Nevertheless, it was his Previous Man’s Battle collection, the primary of which was revealed approach again in 2005 that first introduced him to my (and plenty of others!) consideration. He did win a Hugo Award for Redshirts in 2013.
Ten years after the final Previous Man’s Battle novel, The Finish of All Issues, we now have a brand new one. And this one blows the doorways off its hinges, so to talk.
From the writer: “For a decade, peace has reigned in interstellar area on account of agreements between the Colonial Union, Earth and the alien Conclave. However now probably the most superior, clever species people have ever met is on the cusp of a species-defining warfare. Nothing the Consu does, nevertheless, is nearly them. The Colonial Union, Earth and the Conclave have been unwillingly dragged into their battle, and in probably the most stunning of the way.
Gretchen Trujillo is a mid-level bureaucrat in an earthly job inside the Colonial Union’s State Division. Till, that’s, she’s known as to participate in a secret mission that may contain representatives from each highly effective faction in area. What she discovers may redefine the destinies of people and aliens alike . . . or destroy each one in all them.”
By way of reference and context, the occasions of earlier books are talked about right here – our foremost character Gretchen Trujillo is a good friend of Zoe Boutin Perry, (see Zoe’s Story) and together with her Dad can be one of many survivors of the Roanoake disaster (see The Final Colony.)
This appears like you could have to have learn the earlier books, however no, there’s sufficient element within the first few chapters to get the gist of what has gone earlier than. For the reason that occasions of the sooner books, Earth, The Colonial Union (that’s the group of planetary colonies created by people, of which there are a lot of) and the Conclave (the opposite non-human (ie: alien) species) have held an uneasy truce. There was no warfare, however as a substitute plenty of points have been simmering under the diplomatic floor. Tensions are excessive as we start this ebook, fuelled by disagreements between the events and an increase in xenophobia.
When Gretchen, as Head of Evaluation for the State Division for Obin, and her Obin affiliate Ran are despatched to analyze the disappearance of a colony on an asteroid, a lot of whom have been additionally Roanoake survivors, she has a clearly invested curiosity. She discovers that her ex, Magdy, was additionally there.
Within the background to this we even have elevated tensions between Earth and the opposite teams. Round all of that is the truth that the god-like aliens, the Consu are additionally taking an curiosity. That is one thing not usually anticipated, because the Consu usually really feel that each one different lifeforms are beneath them, and for them to be involved signifies that there could also be extra to this thriller than at first suspected.
As ever, the characterisation is what elevates this one: the connection between Gretchen and her alien counterpart Ran (who has a synthetic conscience and so doesn’t all the time get human nuances to comedic impact) is simply fantastic. Their banter is heat and interesting – simply likeable, from the beginning.
When wanting on the larger image, although, Scalzi manages to juggle these interpersonal relationships with interplanetary points. The discoveries made by our characters imply that this seemingly minor challenge is definitely one thing really very huge. It’s also a reminder that aliens assume in alien methods, though Scalzi explains this very effectively.
Scalzi’s answer is just a little bit handy and timey-wimey, however it’s fairly efficient. As I used to be studying this, I stored pondering “This is the reason I really like Scalzi!” When the twists and turns occur, I discovered I couldn’t put the ebook down – and sure, there have been heart-stopping moments. Most of all, you realise that like in actual life, behind all of those BIG occasions there are folks (and aliens) who love and hate like us and are ready to defend fundamental ethical and moral values.
The ebook reads effectively sufficient as a stand-alone. Nevertheless, with out giving the ending away, the revelations on this ebook provide quite a lot of additional alternatives ought to the writer want to pursue them. Primarily based on this, I can say that regardless of my preliminary considerations – how usually has a return to a much-loved setting been a disappointment? – I believe he ought to.
I’ve been just a little dismissive of Scalzi’s most up-to-date books; in my view, they’re good however haven’t been excellent. In contrast, this one steps up the sport and is a really welcome return to what I believe Scalzi first grew to become famous for. An actual crowd-pleaser, maybe – however one achieved with ability, aplomb and coronary heart.
The Shattering Peace is a superb learn; and one which celebrates how good well-written and logically-thought-out SF could be.
© 2025 Mark Yon
Hardback | Tor Books
THE SHATTERING PEACE by John Scalzi
September 2025 | 288 pages
ISBN: 978 152 9082 937
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