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First Peacemaker #2
Afterfall
After a fateful expedition to Antarctica, Alexander Hawkes finds himself catapulted across the stars into a galaxy in chaos.
The Emperor is assassinated.
And the Eternum Empire, already fading, has collapsed.
But he has a starship now. And friends.
Alongside a crew of unlikely allies—Ban Tarro, an honorable Barundi soldier; Diliseth, a genetically-engineered Nacendo handmaiden; and Four, a sentient AI—Alexander witnesses the brutal aftermath of imperial collapse on the planet Twilight. Driven by an innate sense of justice, Alexander proposes a radical the Galactic Knights, an independent peacekeeping force dedicated to protecting the vulnerable.
But as Alexander builds a coalition—from the industrious Kynuvar to the wise Vinicul—powerful forces take notice. Chess pieces are moved. Military assets are up for grabs. But the hardest lessons are learned when the need is greatest.
Those with the power to help, refuse. And those driven by greed aren't easily repelled. With everything at stake, Alexander leads a desperate defense that proves their mettle—and transforms the Knights from concept to reality.
In a galaxy plunged into the darkness of Afterfall, Alexander's vision ignites a beacon of hope for a just and unified future.
The Emperor is assassinated.
And the Eternum Empire, already fading, has collapsed.
But he has a starship now. And friends.
Alongside a crew of unlikely allies—Ban Tarro, an honorable Barundi soldier; Diliseth, a genetically-engineered Nacendo handmaiden; and Four, a sentient AI—Alexander witnesses the brutal aftermath of imperial collapse on the planet Twilight. Driven by an innate sense of justice, Alexander proposes a radical the Galactic Knights, an independent peacekeeping force dedicated to protecting the vulnerable.
But as Alexander builds a coalition—from the industrious Kynuvar to the wise Vinicul—powerful forces take notice. Chess pieces are moved. Military assets are up for grabs. But the hardest lessons are learned when the need is greatest.
Those with the power to help, refuse. And those driven by greed aren't easily repelled. With everything at stake, Alexander leads a desperate defense that proves their mettle—and transforms the Knights from concept to reality.
In a galaxy plunged into the darkness of Afterfall, Alexander's vision ignites a beacon of hope for a just and unified future.
606 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2025
891 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 26, 2025
The beginning of a long journey
This book shows the many fits and starts Alexander and his fellow travelers are forced to take to further their vision of creating something new and unique in the galaxy amidst the endless violence.
Along the way they manage to begin to help several different societies suffering from their own struggles with different forms of adversity. They make some key alliances as they earn respect for their refusal to accept the status quo of the bullies taking what they want without any limits. The line is drawn, keeping them at bay with words when possible but using force when necessary.
This book shows the many fits and starts Alexander and his fellow travelers are forced to take to further their vision of creating something new and unique in the galaxy amidst the endless violence.
Along the way they manage to begin to help several different societies suffering from their own struggles with different forms of adversity. They make some key alliances as they earn respect for their refusal to accept the status quo of the bullies taking what they want without any limits. The line is drawn, keeping them at bay with words when possible but using force when necessary.
June 20, 2025
The seeds of the Peacemakers are sown
Following the death of the Emperor and the Empire, there is considerable unrest as different races jockey for position. Meanwhile, Alexander and his merry band attempt to gather the races together and get them to agree on a treaty that their idea for the Peacemakers will be allowed to be a force for justice unencumbered by any specific race.
After what he did on Twilight, Alexander has deep ties to the people and planet as their first successful dispensation of justice. In addition to signatories, they will also need recruits leading them to seek out other Barundi who Ban may be able to persuade to join. Help will be needed on writing the treaty which leads to them travelling to a planet shrouded in mystery and reverence...
Word of their endeavours spreads and calls for help (and eventually to provide help) are received. The rise of the Peacemakers has begun!
There is the usual heady mix of intrigue, suspense, fighting, revelations, friends and foes, double crosses and new (and familiar) races in this tale leading to an entertaining and fulfilling story. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Following the death of the Emperor and the Empire, there is considerable unrest as different races jockey for position. Meanwhile, Alexander and his merry band attempt to gather the races together and get them to agree on a treaty that their idea for the Peacemakers will be allowed to be a force for justice unencumbered by any specific race.
After what he did on Twilight, Alexander has deep ties to the people and planet as their first successful dispensation of justice. In addition to signatories, they will also need recruits leading them to seek out other Barundi who Ban may be able to persuade to join. Help will be needed on writing the treaty which leads to them travelling to a planet shrouded in mystery and reverence...
Word of their endeavours spreads and calls for help (and eventually to provide help) are received. The rise of the Peacemakers has begun!
There is the usual heady mix of intrigue, suspense, fighting, revelations, friends and foes, double crosses and new (and familiar) races in this tale leading to an entertaining and fulfilling story. I can't wait to see what happens next!
June 29, 2025
Great Prequel to Backyard Starship
Have to say, Book 1 was a little slow and I almost didn't read this one but I so liked the Backyard Starship series I took a chance. This did not disappoint. The thing that stands out so much in both series, along with great characters and a plot line that keeps moving, is the development of the organization. The authors take the time to logically move forward on all fronts, individuals, new aliens, politics that have to be understood, philosophy, leadership, but do it with in the story line. You didn't disappoint, authors. Ready for the next one.
Have to say, Book 1 was a little slow and I almost didn't read this one but I so liked the Backyard Starship series I took a chance. This did not disappoint. The thing that stands out so much in both series, along with great characters and a plot line that keeps moving, is the development of the organization. The authors take the time to logically move forward on all fronts, individuals, new aliens, politics that have to be understood, philosophy, leadership, but do it with in the story line. You didn't disappoint, authors. Ready for the next one.
October 27, 2025
Great read...
I love how the main characters have brought the whole galaxy together. To become something better than what it was. I've enjoyed being able to read about how The Peacemakers began. I've read the other series and enjoyed them as well. And I'm still reading them as a matter of fact as they come out.
I love how the main characters have brought the whole galaxy together. To become something better than what it was. I've enjoyed being able to read about how The Peacemakers began. I've read the other series and enjoyed them as well. And I'm still reading them as a matter of fact as they come out.
June 8, 2025
Superb
Fascinating story and introducing more alien races that we will meet in further Peacemaker books. I think the Barundi are my favourite, but I love cats so that is hardly a surprise.
Fascinating story and introducing more alien races that we will meet in further Peacemaker books. I think the Barundi are my favourite, but I love cats so that is hardly a surprise.
June 15, 2025
I like the story
Unfortunately you have a talent for finding words that almost make some sense in places like using fuel and reaction mass as different things ,reaction mass is the fuel that is used to make the ship move its in the name
Unfortunately you have a talent for finding words that almost make some sense in places like using fuel and reaction mass as different things ,reaction mass is the fuel that is used to make the ship move its in the name
September 18, 2025
Peacemaker rocks
I'm enthralled by the story... I cannot decide if I were Bam or Four.
I'm always looking for a space-sci-fi series... And this is an excellent one.
Bonus: not much typo either. I think I've only marked / reported two so far 😜
I'm enthralled by the story... I cannot decide if I were Bam or Four.
I'm always looking for a space-sci-fi series... And this is an excellent one.
Bonus: not much typo either. I think I've only marked / reported two so far 😜
June 16, 2025
Great read, very slow in places making parts hard to follow. Great ending
June 27, 2025
Great Storytelling
Excellent series on the start of the Peacemakers! It really sucks you into the story. Interesting new characters and familiar species in a different light.
Excellent series on the start of the Peacemakers! It really sucks you into the story. Interesting new characters and familiar species in a different light.
June 30, 2025
It is just ok. First book was slow, this one was a little better.
August 3, 2025
Ready for the next in the series. I enjoy the back stories.
August 16, 2025
enjoyable
Nice read
I recommend it. I look forward to the evolution of the story or universe it is in.
Good job.
Nice read
I recommend it. I look forward to the evolution of the story or universe it is in.
Good job.
December 31, 2025
This book is well written. Exciting from beginning to end. A perfect follow-up from book one.
Which also catches your interest immediately. The dialog is amazing, sharp and witty.
Which also catches your interest immediately. The dialog is amazing, sharp and witty.
January 15, 2026
Such a great read
I couldn’t put this novel down. Pretty amazing Prequel for the Backyard Starship series. I hope there is a wiki for the First Peacemaker series.
I couldn’t put this novel down. Pretty amazing Prequel for the Backyard Starship series. I hope there is a wiki for the First Peacemaker series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews