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Shatterworld Trilogy #3
Pacifists' War
Redemptive Fiction Award of Excellence winner
Thirty-one-year old Rejoice has followed her missionary husband to an island of vicious aliens. Conflict ensues when a new group of settlers land on New Earth and violate every established rule of the pacifist colony. Can Rejoice maintain peace between the aliens she loves, the aliens she hates, the factions of the fractured utopia, and the newcomers?
Who will shoot first?
Thirty-one-year old Rejoice has followed her missionary husband to an island of vicious aliens. Conflict ensues when a new group of settlers land on New Earth and violate every established rule of the pacifist colony. Can Rejoice maintain peace between the aliens she loves, the aliens she hates, the factions of the fractured utopia, and the newcomers?
Who will shoot first?
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2016
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10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 21, 2016
A while back I reviewed Shatterworld (Shatterworld Trilogy, Book 1). It was a wonderful “Pilgrim” space story with excellent world-building, amazing aliens, and a smart heroine named Rejoice.
Pacifists’ War picks up years later. Rejoice is married, has children, still looks to the stars, and still loves the hexacrabs. But life is about to change when a new group of colonist arrive with opposing views on all of life. Let the conflict begin!
The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the realism mixed so firmly and beautifully in with the science fiction. Hexacrabs are just the beginning of all the strange and dangerous life surrounding the colonists. But it’s the real life marriage problems, health issues, damaged relationships, broken trust, sin, and very real humanity that sucks you into this story and keeps you reading, reading to find out if all that is broken can be redeemed. There were many times when I felt emotionally drained by the book because the relationship issues were so realistically portrayed. And, trying not to spoil, the ending was the refreshing hope you longed for through the whole book, even if great darkness had to be traversed to reach it. Foreman doesn’t use epic battles or huge mountains to create valleys of shadow, she uses interpersonal conflict on a faraway planet. Well done.
The other thing I loved about this series was the way it’s written. Rejoice was a child in Book 1, and Book 1 was written in that voice for that audience. As Rejoice grows, so does the depth and maturity of the story culminating in a very adult book in Pacifists’ War. This gives the reader a real sense of time and development of the characters. Parents may tell young children who loved Shatterworld that they have to wait to finish the trilogy, but if you’re a more mature reader, it can provide a safe setting to discuss many different topics ranging from marriage issues, parenting, rationalism, faith, Scripture’s authority, pacifism, death, homosexuality, and so much more. All of this is touched on in Pacifists’ War, providing excellent opportunities for some lively discussions if you feel your older kids are up for it. This also makes this the kind of story that can be read again as the reader grows themselves. You will see it with fresh eyes as you experience more of life.
This is a great book and a great trilogy!
Pacifists’ War picks up years later. Rejoice is married, has children, still looks to the stars, and still loves the hexacrabs. But life is about to change when a new group of colonist arrive with opposing views on all of life. Let the conflict begin!
The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the realism mixed so firmly and beautifully in with the science fiction. Hexacrabs are just the beginning of all the strange and dangerous life surrounding the colonists. But it’s the real life marriage problems, health issues, damaged relationships, broken trust, sin, and very real humanity that sucks you into this story and keeps you reading, reading to find out if all that is broken can be redeemed. There were many times when I felt emotionally drained by the book because the relationship issues were so realistically portrayed. And, trying not to spoil, the ending was the refreshing hope you longed for through the whole book, even if great darkness had to be traversed to reach it. Foreman doesn’t use epic battles or huge mountains to create valleys of shadow, she uses interpersonal conflict on a faraway planet. Well done.
The other thing I loved about this series was the way it’s written. Rejoice was a child in Book 1, and Book 1 was written in that voice for that audience. As Rejoice grows, so does the depth and maturity of the story culminating in a very adult book in Pacifists’ War. This gives the reader a real sense of time and development of the characters. Parents may tell young children who loved Shatterworld that they have to wait to finish the trilogy, but if you’re a more mature reader, it can provide a safe setting to discuss many different topics ranging from marriage issues, parenting, rationalism, faith, Scripture’s authority, pacifism, death, homosexuality, and so much more. All of this is touched on in Pacifists’ War, providing excellent opportunities for some lively discussions if you feel your older kids are up for it. This also makes this the kind of story that can be read again as the reader grows themselves. You will see it with fresh eyes as you experience more of life.
This is a great book and a great trilogy!
July 5, 2016
Pacifist's War, #3 in the Shatterworld trilogy, is my favorite of them all, and definitely kept me up way, way too late at night.
It is also the thickest of them all, and therefore had the privilege of keeping me up way, way too late on many nights in a ROW!!!
Thanks, Lelia Rose Foreman. Now I'm a grump and can't think straight, and all I can do is replay the final scene of the hexacrab master stroke! (Loved, loved, loved the way that wrapped up, and the hexacrabs definitely have my vote as the coolest aliens in literature... {of course that's discounting Time Lords, because they're rooted in film, right? ;-) Time Lords are of course uber-cool.}
Edge of your seat dramatic surprises, bone crushing despair... I actually loved reading about poor Rejoice being depressed this time, it made me feel less so! :-) Well, there's always someone who has it worse, right?
The hexacrabs again are major stars of the show, yet this time our previous protagonists are joined by newcomers who as hard to read and shouldn't be trusted... but when you're a pacifist, what can you do about them, anyway?
Precious little, as unfolds throughout the book, and at last the colonists' faith and trust brings them through to the other side.
A poignant, stirring book, it definitely challenges the reader to assess where exactly one's perspective is coming from.
Five Stars to Pacifist's War!!!
[I received a complimentary review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.]
It is also the thickest of them all, and therefore had the privilege of keeping me up way, way too late on many nights in a ROW!!!
Thanks, Lelia Rose Foreman. Now I'm a grump and can't think straight, and all I can do is replay the final scene of the hexacrab master stroke! (Loved, loved, loved the way that wrapped up, and the hexacrabs definitely have my vote as the coolest aliens in literature... {of course that's discounting Time Lords, because they're rooted in film, right? ;-) Time Lords are of course uber-cool.}
Edge of your seat dramatic surprises, bone crushing despair... I actually loved reading about poor Rejoice being depressed this time, it made me feel less so! :-) Well, there's always someone who has it worse, right?
The hexacrabs again are major stars of the show, yet this time our previous protagonists are joined by newcomers who as hard to read and shouldn't be trusted... but when you're a pacifist, what can you do about them, anyway?
Precious little, as unfolds throughout the book, and at last the colonists' faith and trust brings them through to the other side.
A poignant, stirring book, it definitely challenges the reader to assess where exactly one's perspective is coming from.
Five Stars to Pacifist's War!!!
[I received a complimentary review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.]
August 30, 2016
Note: This review is for the entire trilogy.
When a group of pacifists fleeing Earth's wars find their new home, they realize it's a desolate wasteland. Though life is hard, they believe this is where they belong, until they find out they are not alone on Shatterworld.
By the events of Pacifists' War, not only does Rejoice have to deal with two alien species, one of which is violent and cannibalistic, but a new human colony has shown up on their planet, and these new colonists might prove even more dangerous than the flesh eating aliens.
Note on ratings:
* Horrible.
** Below average
*** Average. Not good or bad.
**** Above average
***** Above and beyond
Content: **** (Content based off my personal level of squeamishness.)
The trilogy gets more mature with each book. The first one is very clean, the second one has a fair amount of violence near the end, and the third adds some hints of sexual things. These are not portrayed in a positive light and are things most people old enough to surf the web would already know about.
Originality and world building: *****
The worldbuilding is very good, and the idea of a pacifist colony coming to a new planet to escape persecution is a pretty interesting idea. The hexcrabs and chutree were both interesting species and felt quite alien.
One minor quibble is that after my trip to New Zealand and seeing what kinds of damage an invasive species can do, I thought the colonists were a bit too quick to start releasing animals and other Earth organisms on Shatterworld. I would have liked to have seen a bit more science where they figured out if they were releasing a potentially invasive species that could harm the local alien creatures.
Characters and their Arcs: ***
The characters were all unique, but I had some trouble relating to most of them. It may have been that Rejoice was young in the first book, and she's also a very different personality. I think Ur-Veena was my favorite character.
Writing style and Pacing: ***
The writing matures as the trilogy progresses. I felt like the pacing was a bit slow, and often, the personal problems had trouble tying in well with the main problem. (The first book's main problem did relate to Rejoice's issue, but it felt almost tacked on since the main problem didn't show up until near the end of the book.) The third book did much better at keeping the family issues tied into the bigger problem.
What I liked:
The worldbuilding and originality. I really enjoyed the hexcrabs.
What I didn’t like:
In the first book, some of the interaction with characters felt a bit off.
Is it worth reading?
Yes. It's a refreshing change from the mainstream plots.
When a group of pacifists fleeing Earth's wars find their new home, they realize it's a desolate wasteland. Though life is hard, they believe this is where they belong, until they find out they are not alone on Shatterworld.
By the events of Pacifists' War, not only does Rejoice have to deal with two alien species, one of which is violent and cannibalistic, but a new human colony has shown up on their planet, and these new colonists might prove even more dangerous than the flesh eating aliens.
Note on ratings:
* Horrible.
** Below average
*** Average. Not good or bad.
**** Above average
***** Above and beyond
Content: **** (Content based off my personal level of squeamishness.)
The trilogy gets more mature with each book. The first one is very clean, the second one has a fair amount of violence near the end, and the third adds some hints of sexual things. These are not portrayed in a positive light and are things most people old enough to surf the web would already know about.
Originality and world building: *****
The worldbuilding is very good, and the idea of a pacifist colony coming to a new planet to escape persecution is a pretty interesting idea. The hexcrabs and chutree were both interesting species and felt quite alien.
One minor quibble is that after my trip to New Zealand and seeing what kinds of damage an invasive species can do, I thought the colonists were a bit too quick to start releasing animals and other Earth organisms on Shatterworld. I would have liked to have seen a bit more science where they figured out if they were releasing a potentially invasive species that could harm the local alien creatures.
Characters and their Arcs: ***
The characters were all unique, but I had some trouble relating to most of them. It may have been that Rejoice was young in the first book, and she's also a very different personality. I think Ur-Veena was my favorite character.
Writing style and Pacing: ***
The writing matures as the trilogy progresses. I felt like the pacing was a bit slow, and often, the personal problems had trouble tying in well with the main problem. (The first book's main problem did relate to Rejoice's issue, but it felt almost tacked on since the main problem didn't show up until near the end of the book.) The third book did much better at keeping the family issues tied into the bigger problem.
What I liked:
The worldbuilding and originality. I really enjoyed the hexcrabs.
What I didn’t like:
In the first book, some of the interaction with characters felt a bit off.
Is it worth reading?
Yes. It's a refreshing change from the mainstream plots.
December 20, 2019
I started this book, the third book in the Shatterworld series, with a little trepidation. The first book was a fast, intriguing read, aimed at middle grade or young adult readers (certainly also enjoyable for adults). The second book was longer than the first, moved right into the YA category, and - as I mentioned in a review of that book - kept me up way past my bedtime because of the intensity of the conflicts and discouragement the heroine, Rejoice, was facing. Now here I was, starting the third book, and it was LONGER than the others (over twice the length of the first book), MORE INTENSE (judging from the reviews), and MORE ADULT (Rejoice is married with children, facing adult issues that include postpartum depression, intimacy issues, and a host of other concepts beyond the experience of most teens, but certainly not beyond their comprehension). What really made me tentative, however, was the fact that I started reading it in the afternoon, and the author's other books in this trilogy have been very difficult to put down.
I was right to worry. I didn't get to sleep until almost 4 AM.
But I was very glad I stayed up. The middle of this book gets so intense, things genuinely seem hopeless. And then, in the midst of the hopelessness, things get WORSE. And then later, WORSE again. There are gentle reprieves mixed among the challenges, but for the most part, I was gritting my teeth and uttering with her "God of peace, God of light" help her through this! In the end, it is a mixture of God working; human faithfulness, patience, and ingenuity; and above all, LOVE, that conquers in a very believable, wonderful way.
I love these characters and am amazed at their strength of character and their absolutely realistic portrayal by the author. I love this world, despite its grimness and challenges, and am amazed at the depth of world-building, culture-building, and language-building that the author has lovingly infused it with. (When another group of humans comes on the scene, the two cultures are clearly defined by their manners of speaking, developed over many years of holding very different world views.)
I just can't get over how much thought the author put into the details of these books. Highly recommended (but this last book may not be suitable middle grade readers).
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I was right to worry. I didn't get to sleep until almost 4 AM.
But I was very glad I stayed up. The middle of this book gets so intense, things genuinely seem hopeless. And then, in the midst of the hopelessness, things get WORSE. And then later, WORSE again. There are gentle reprieves mixed among the challenges, but for the most part, I was gritting my teeth and uttering with her "God of peace, God of light" help her through this! In the end, it is a mixture of God working; human faithfulness, patience, and ingenuity; and above all, LOVE, that conquers in a very believable, wonderful way.
I love these characters and am amazed at their strength of character and their absolutely realistic portrayal by the author. I love this world, despite its grimness and challenges, and am amazed at the depth of world-building, culture-building, and language-building that the author has lovingly infused it with. (When another group of humans comes on the scene, the two cultures are clearly defined by their manners of speaking, developed over many years of holding very different world views.)
I just can't get over how much thought the author put into the details of these books. Highly recommended (but this last book may not be suitable middle grade readers).
I received a free copy for an honest review.
May 29, 2016
Before I started this book in the SHATTERWORLD trilogy, I knew it jumped 15 years into the future. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I'm still not sure. Is this series for children? The first two books definitely are, but PACIFISTS' WAR delves into subjects like postpartum depression and marital discord and intimacy issues. While these subjects are addressed in a careful, inoffensive way, I doubt a teen, or certainly, someone younger, would find these topics compelling. Conversely, I remember being a young mother, and feeling the things Rejoice did, and it was very meaningful for me.
I guess my difficulty is our modern system where we try to file books into neat categories of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction. In my mind, this series is all three, which, by today's standards, makes it none of the above. I would, instead, compare the SHATTERWORLD trilogy to classics like Jane Eyre, novels that unashamedly followed a protagonist from youth and childish concerns into the responsibilities of adulthood. Which means I would probably not hand this series to someone too young to deal the issues presented in the final book, or, at least, hold off on the last book.
Regarding PACIFISTS' WAR itself, it really felt like a stand-alone novel. While I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first books again, I wouldn't have needed to read the first two to understand and appreciate the story. There is a great reveal about my favorites, the hexacrabs, and new characters introduced provide lots of thought-provoking conflict. Definitely recommended for older YA and adult readers.
I guess my difficulty is our modern system where we try to file books into neat categories of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction. In my mind, this series is all three, which, by today's standards, makes it none of the above. I would, instead, compare the SHATTERWORLD trilogy to classics like Jane Eyre, novels that unashamedly followed a protagonist from youth and childish concerns into the responsibilities of adulthood. Which means I would probably not hand this series to someone too young to deal the issues presented in the final book, or, at least, hold off on the last book.
Regarding PACIFISTS' WAR itself, it really felt like a stand-alone novel. While I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first books again, I wouldn't have needed to read the first two to understand and appreciate the story. There is a great reveal about my favorites, the hexacrabs, and new characters introduced provide lots of thought-provoking conflict. Definitely recommended for older YA and adult readers.
March 27, 2017
Pacifists' War by: Lelia Rose Foreman, is the third in a Trilogy, but I can attest that it stands alone well. I have not read the first two books but found myself easily drawn into this book. The Worldbuilding is solid and the story line itself is conductive to summerizing the previous novels without overloading on back story.
Peaceful colonists on a distant planet are visited by new, unexpected, colonists from Earth.
As a story the plot moved along with tension and drama. The characters were relatable and emotionally engaging. I immediately connected with the protagonist, Rejoice. She has many of the same flaws I struggle with. As the POV character Rejoice is the real reason I kept reading. She is intelligent and logical but is also faithful with doubts. So many Christian stories depict characters that seem perfect. It is freeing to read about one who feels so true to life.
The Dialogue was interesting with the Christian’s speaking like Amish and the newcomers like Vulcans. It fit the characters but took some getting used to.
The strongest part of the story though was the Aliens that inhabit the world. Hexacrabs, sentient creatures that inhabit the oceans of the world. They were beyond interesting, I would read a book devoted solely to these guys.
All told, any book that can make me care that much is a good one. I look forward to grabbing the first two books to read more about this interesting story world.
Peaceful colonists on a distant planet are visited by new, unexpected, colonists from Earth.
As a story the plot moved along with tension and drama. The characters were relatable and emotionally engaging. I immediately connected with the protagonist, Rejoice. She has many of the same flaws I struggle with. As the POV character Rejoice is the real reason I kept reading. She is intelligent and logical but is also faithful with doubts. So many Christian stories depict characters that seem perfect. It is freeing to read about one who feels so true to life.
The Dialogue was interesting with the Christian’s speaking like Amish and the newcomers like Vulcans. It fit the characters but took some getting used to.
The strongest part of the story though was the Aliens that inhabit the world. Hexacrabs, sentient creatures that inhabit the oceans of the world. They were beyond interesting, I would read a book devoted solely to these guys.
All told, any book that can make me care that much is a good one. I look forward to grabbing the first two books to read more about this interesting story world.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews