Today is release day for John Scalzi’s The Shattering Peace. Although I enjoy Scalzi’s books, I’ve never read one in his military science fiction series, Old Man’s War. This is the seventh in the series, and I liked this one so much I’m waiting for the first one, Old Man’s War, to arrive at the library for me. That book was Scalzi’s debut novel, nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Scalzi won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer.It’s been ten years since Scalzi had a book in the Old Man’s War series. I can’t say it was worth waiting for since I haven’t read the earlier books, but I’m going to read them.
Gretchen Trujillo is a mid-level diplomat, really an unimportant part of the Colonial Union bureaucracy. She does have an assistant, Ran, who is part of the Obin race. She and her father were part of the original group of colonists who settled Roanoke Colony. She’s been trained for combat by a pair of Obin military commanders, and she’s head of the analyst desk for the Obin.
For ten years, there’s been a treaty between the Colonial Union, the Earth, and the alien Conclave. They had agreed not to colonize. But, they kept it a secret from most citizens, including Gretchen, that they were colonizing again, a test colony called Unity. Two days ago, it disappeared, along with all 50,000 people on it. The high-level representatives of the Colonial Unoin, the Conclave, and Earth can only assume that the Consu are responsible. The Consu is the most advanced species humans have ever met, with technologies that humans can’t even comprehend. Can they make an entire colony disappear?
Gretchen and Ran are sent on a secret mission. She’s been “volunteered” by her father because her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Magdy Metwalli, is a medical doctor on Unity. Now, she’s heading on an Obin ship to find out what happened to the colony, and why the Consu might be interested in it.
The Shattering Peace is suspenseful, filled with drama, humor, and various species. While Gretchen hopes to find a colony and stop a war, there are many in opposition, including some of the forces she works for. Gretchen is strong-willed, skilled in combat, intelligent, and snarky at times. She’s a wonderful lead character, and it’s fascinating to see her close relationship with Ran, another species. Those who read The Kaiju Preservation Society are aware of Scalzi’s skill in creating alien species. Yes, it might be considered military science fiction, but it’s a story of peace and war and various species and groups forced to work together. I’m looking forward to reading the entire series.
John Scalzi’s website is https://whatever.scalzi.com/
The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi. TOR Publishing Group, 2025. ISBN 9780765389190. 280p.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publicist sent me a copy of the book, with no expectation of a review.
Oh, so glad you liked it. I read Scalzi’s OLD MAN’S WAR in August 2009 (on a visit to Arizona), after reading a comparison between it and Joe Haldeman’s THE FOREVER WAR, a book I hadn’t read but was interested in reading. (I did, a month later. Liked it too.) After that, I read all of them as they came out, as well as most of Scalzi’s other books. I follow his blog regularly. I have this on my list, of course. I keep telling Jackie that she will like it and she is waiting for the first from the library now. She has read a few of his books, at my instigation.
Hi from London, Lesa. I haven’t been writing lately because we’ve been traveling so much, but I wanted to say how pleased I am that you enjoyed this book and that you reminded me about. I thought I was caught up with the Old Man’s War series, but clearly I’ve lost track. I’m really looking forward to reading this latest one.
Well, it has been ten years since the last in the series, Kim, so it’s not surprising you lost track. Enjoy your travels while you can! The books and the blog will still be here when you come back.
It was terrific, Jeff. And, you’ll like it even more than I did because you’re familiar with the series. Old Man’s War is on its way to me from the library. I’ve enjoyed all of his books, and I’ve seen him in person once. Although Redshirts won awards, I was a little disappointed in the ending of that one. But, I’ve enjoyed the others, including this one.
Having never read this, I just requested the eBook version of Old Man’s War. They have it in paperback with no waiting, but with the small print on paperbacks, I am going eBook and will be waiting awhile as I am number 9 on the hold list.
Curious that there are that many people waiting for the eBook, Kevin. Has Scott read Old Man’s War? I’m guessing he has because I know he reads science fiction.