Book Review: Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Valerie Valdes has really come a long way since her debut Chilling Effect, surprising me with her newest space fantasy adventure Where Peace Is Lost. While her first novel was more of a fun-filled space opera that didn’t take itself too seriously, this one clearly sought to make stronger connections and tell a deeper story, and I believe it succeeded.

In Where Peace Is Lost, we follow Kelana Gardavros, a lone sojourner on the swampy planet of Loth where she’s keeping a low profile as just another refugee of the war against the Pale empire. That was five years ago, when she gave up everything in the name of peace, but apparently the war isn’t done with her yet. Deep in the wilderness of Loth lies an abandoned machine known as a demolisher, and now it has come back to life with no way to stop it. Destruction on a massive scale would soon follow, but unfortunately, the rogue machine’s former owners, the Pale, prove to be no help at all. Loth itself has no defenses against such a devastating force and is desperate to find a way to save its people, and as luck would have it, along comes two off-worlders who claim they can deactivate the machine.

Kel, however, is skeptical of their timing and can’t help but wonder at their motives. Her suspicion only grows when a friend of hers offers to be a guide for the newcomers, and seeing an opportunity, Kel tags along to keep an eye on things. All these years, she has kept her past life as a knight of the First Sword to herself, especially now that her order has been disbanded, but it is soon discovered that the Pale have not been following the conditions of the peace treaty. This development forces Kel to make a hard decision. As ever, her instincts are to fight back, but what if revealing her identity also means putting those she cares about in danger?

Once again, Valdes has written an incredibly entertaining novel that’s fast paced and action-packed. From start to finish, the plot never really loses its momentum, featuring all manner of thrilling escapades which include everything from up close encounters with monstrous swamp creatures to bandit attacks. And yet, the author also manages to weave a number of thought-provoking themes into the narrative without allowing everything else to overshadow its underlying emotions. After all, we must remember that Where Peace Is Lost is also a post-war story, and Kel’s characterization is that of a survivor.

What really stood out for me were the protagonist’s internal struggles and subsequent growth. Between the breathtaking action sequences, we get breaks to really appreciate the character development as Kel wrestles with her inner demons and personal dilemmas. As I recall, I described Chilling Effect as a fun romp that was nevertheless a shallow and fluffy read, but with this one, I sense a genuine effort to provide more depth, which definitely paid off. I have a feeling that, whether it is sacrifice or the consequences of living with one’s choices, the themes explored in this book will stick around for far longer than readers expect.

Speaking of which, I was also pleasantly surprised by the side characters and their interactions which provided the life behind this book. The relationships felt genuine, and the dialogue was well-written. I just couldn’t help but root for the group as I watched them navigate the challenges of Loth. That said, although it was relatively minor, the romance arc that unfolded was perhaps the biggest treat of all, made even more delicious due to its unexpectedness, which added a layer of warmth and depth.

All told, I had a blast with Where Peace Is Lost, with its snappy pace and endearing characters, plus a romance that sneaks up on you. The story is a lively mix of adventure and action, one that is also grounded in emotions. Valerie Valdes proves herself to be a fantastic storyteller whose future projects are worth keeping an eye on.