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First Peacemaker #5
The Dark Age
The Afterfall was just the beginning.
The Sorcerers struck their killing blow. The galaxy has collapsed.
With communications and logistics crippled, trillions of souls are left adrift in the dark—isolated, abandoned, and desperate. This isn't just a blackout, it's a catastrophic reset, intended to tear everything down to its corrupt foundations.
Or is it simply another excuse for blood-soaked war amongst the stars?
Alexander Hawkes, once the idealistic founder of the Galactic Knights Uniformed, now grapples with the unavoidable truth. The galaxy has spun out of control. And the organization built to protect it has been hijacked by the very forces he swore to oppose.
The colonized worlds bleed. And Alexander faces a choice that will define everything.
Fall in line with the system that betrayed him. Or break his own mold and become the leader his people truly need.
The Sorcerers struck their killing blow. The galaxy has collapsed.
With communications and logistics crippled, trillions of souls are left adrift in the dark—isolated, abandoned, and desperate. This isn't just a blackout, it's a catastrophic reset, intended to tear everything down to its corrupt foundations.
Or is it simply another excuse for blood-soaked war amongst the stars?
Alexander Hawkes, once the idealistic founder of the Galactic Knights Uniformed, now grapples with the unavoidable truth. The galaxy has spun out of control. And the organization built to protect it has been hijacked by the very forces he swore to oppose.
The colonized worlds bleed. And Alexander faces a choice that will define everything.
Fall in line with the system that betrayed him. Or break his own mold and become the leader his people truly need.
- GenresScience Fiction
510 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2025
386 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 21, 2026
Dark indeed
Alexander is beset with issues hurling at him from multiple directions simultaneously. The question isn’t whether something has to be done, but rather HOW to prioritize the right order of beginning to locate the fires most critically requiring extinguishing. The fact that no matter what order is placed, countless beings are suffering. Some starve, others suffocate. Piracy is rampant in every sector, with increasing boldness and ruthlessness the new status quo in more widespread forms as Alex mentally races to quantify the areas where he feels the most inadequate.
Thankfully serendipity has provided new allies who choose to take on a share of the burden due to their gratitude for being given some autonomy over their own lives for the very first time. To Alexander it wasn’t just the easy choice to treat them as potential equals, rather he’s unable to conceive of treating them in a dishonorable manner once they demonstrate their lack of antipathy towards the Galactic Knights at all. To Alex it’s simply the right thing to do. But to a galaxy that has known nothing besides cruel tyrants, malevolent monarchies and other examples of power being derived by greed and might instead of attempting to improve the lives of any beings not “special” enough to the various powers bent on building their power base upon the backs of the less fortunate.
Alexander is beset with issues hurling at him from multiple directions simultaneously. The question isn’t whether something has to be done, but rather HOW to prioritize the right order of beginning to locate the fires most critically requiring extinguishing. The fact that no matter what order is placed, countless beings are suffering. Some starve, others suffocate. Piracy is rampant in every sector, with increasing boldness and ruthlessness the new status quo in more widespread forms as Alex mentally races to quantify the areas where he feels the most inadequate.
Thankfully serendipity has provided new allies who choose to take on a share of the burden due to their gratitude for being given some autonomy over their own lives for the very first time. To Alexander it wasn’t just the easy choice to treat them as potential equals, rather he’s unable to conceive of treating them in a dishonorable manner once they demonstrate their lack of antipathy towards the Galactic Knights at all. To Alex it’s simply the right thing to do. But to a galaxy that has known nothing besides cruel tyrants, malevolent monarchies and other examples of power being derived by greed and might instead of attempting to improve the lives of any beings not “special” enough to the various powers bent on building their power base upon the backs of the less fortunate.
November 25, 2025
The aftermath of technological destruction
The virus unleashed by Sara and the Sorcerers switches off all technology, though fortunately Four managed to firewall itself and much of Alex's crew and equipment from the devastation. This leads them to help others regain a foothold as they learn more about the virus (perhaps Calamity?).
Edge appears to have been nearly destroyed, but there is hope that he may be reclaimed and the mark of a Conoku is found on the casing. This leads them on a search whereby they meet up with Linulla at Starsmith...
More is uncovered over the plans of the Sorcerers as Alex seeks to restore the GKU to what they were originally envisioned to be.
This novel is peppered with nods to the future set Backyard Starship series and is full of suspense, intrigue, battles, injuries, romance, and revelations as they attempt to restore order. An entertaining read.
The virus unleashed by Sara and the Sorcerers switches off all technology, though fortunately Four managed to firewall itself and much of Alex's crew and equipment from the devastation. This leads them to help others regain a foothold as they learn more about the virus (perhaps Calamity?).
Edge appears to have been nearly destroyed, but there is hope that he may be reclaimed and the mark of a Conoku is found on the casing. This leads them on a search whereby they meet up with Linulla at Starsmith...
More is uncovered over the plans of the Sorcerers as Alex seeks to restore the GKU to what they were originally envisioned to be.
This novel is peppered with nods to the future set Backyard Starship series and is full of suspense, intrigue, battles, injuries, romance, and revelations as they attempt to restore order. An entertaining read.
November 25, 2025
Yet again
How do these guys manage to weave a tail so perfect that it leaves you wanting more. More details, more action, more of the outwardly things spinning through their minds.
How do these guys manage to weave a tail so perfect that it leaves you wanting more. More details, more action, more of the outwardly things spinning through their minds.
February 11, 2026
Excellent Chatacter Development
The characters not only have depth, they learn and change as new challenges come their way. Relationships grow and change as the "family" masters each new situation.
The characters not only have depth, they learn and change as new challenges come their way. Relationships grow and change as the "family" masters each new situation.
February 14, 2026
Fine volume
As usual, I find it hard to believe that the authors have kept this series going as long as it has. But, I find it even harder to believe that they have kept it good all this while. It is a fine series and I look forward to more.
As usual, I find it hard to believe that the authors have kept this series going as long as it has. But, I find it even harder to believe that they have kept it good all this while. It is a fine series and I look forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews