Battle for Peace

The Silent Champions #2

by Andy Peloquin

A vast barbaric army is on the march. One hardened captain and his elite commandos are the kingdom’s last hope…
Captain Aravon fights to honor and avenge those who died under his command. Groomed for battle by his famous father, he’s proud to stand alongside his six special-ops officers against impossible odds. But as enemy forces surround his starving countrymen, a spy within his own ranks could turn Aravon’s mission into his final downfall.

Still scrambling to root out the traitor, he must recruit a rival warrior clan to join forces against the barbarian invaders. But when the infiltrator sabotages his plan of attack, the beleaguered captain fears his war-weary legionnaires will fall in another bloody massacre.

Outnumbered and under full assault, will Aravon taste vengeance or suffer crushing defeat?

Genres: Fantasy, Military Fiction, Medieval, Adventure

650 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

I am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist--words are my palette. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and I love to explore the darker side of human nature through the filter of fantasy heroes, villains, and everything in between. I'm also a freelance writer, a book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the pages of fantasy novels.

Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!

Reviews

[kartik narayanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is like a dirty dozen/ guns of navarone type military themed fantasy. I liked Shields in Shadow so much that I ended up binge reading the entire quadrilogy. There are shades of Richard Sharp in the main character when it comes to the relentless fighting and moving from one dire situation to the another. The series has a satisfying ending too which is rare in this kind of fiction. The one criticism I have is its immense length - I feel that half of the books could have been cut away to keep the series nice and tight.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

For starters be warned Andy Paloquin has written for us not a book, but a tome and it is one of the best and most thrilling dark epic fantasy books I have ever read, in fact I ended up reading day and night unable to put this very exciting and touching book down. Aravon and his special hand picked team are battling to bring about peace to Fehl which is being attacked by the barbarians known as Eirdkilrs, who are brutal and savage and out to kill all who they come across. However it seems that there is a traitor amongst the Princelanders who is making their job more difficult than it already is. Aravon teams up with a group who were previously the enemy, in order to rid the Fehl of the Tauld’s, whose atrocities knew no bounds. This is a book about courage, loyalty and team spirit, where the main characters of our special ops team, also referred to as the Grim Reavers, are awesome and the more we get to know about their past the more we start to see their human side rather than just their military side. They all have something they are running from in their past, but it is these factors which have made them who they are, strong and resilient and there for one another. Their respect and loyalty towards their Commander Aravon is boundless, as is his towards them. The battle scenes are very detailed, and though gory and explicit they are some of the best battles scenes I have ever read, and the fact that the team fights for peace removes a bit of the senselessness of war. I love Snarl, the beautiful Enfield who brings a bit of tenderness into the story when it gets too tough to handle, even though I found myself with my heart in my mouth every time he was sent out with a message fearing he would not return. The build up of tension prior to each battle is awesome and keeps the readers thoroughly immersed in the book and routing for the heroes every time. Cannot recommend this book highly enough to all those who love dark epic fantasy full of sword and a bit of sorcery thrown in, the story is intricate but so detailed it makes for an easy read.

[Jon Adams]

DNF at roughly halfway. No rating.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battle for Peace is a titan of a book! Yes, partly because it’s long, but most because it’s awesome! Every single page of this book is worth it, and I was sad when the book ended. I just want more! This story is wonderfully written so you can see the scenes play out as if it were a movie. The blood and gore of battle, the fear of losing friends and comrades, the quiet when the battle is done. The world is intricate, as is the lore. And the characters are shining stars! Even though they are actually probably bloody and grimy from battle and long treks in the wilderness. But seriously, I love the characters, and I feel like they are my friends. They all have their own personalities which have been shaped by their experiences, and I loved getting more of all the backstories in this book! Andy Peloquin has created a masterpiece and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves epic fantasy! Even if military fantasy isn’t usually your thing, read this book because otherwise you are missing out!

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Shivani McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steller! This is the second book in The Silent Champions series and like the first book it had me up reading most the night and the next few days, it's a long one. Captain Aravon is trying to win a battle for his prince and kingdom that seems to be against impossible odds. There's not enough men to help so he enlist a rival clan and the terrane is so impossible to overcome, the enemy is everywhere. A plan too impossible to execute? The depth and personality of each character is powerful, the battles scenes intense and the story line intriguing and action packed. Did I say action packed? Wow. The author also expresses a sensitivity in his words and characters as we see Aravon and his team experience the pain they have to endure, what we now call PTSD, from their mission, their past, the ravages of war. As a Captain, Aravon knows the heart of his men and woman and is in touch with each of them on a level that only a good Captain can be. Mr Peloquins' writing excels again in book 2 and at the finally leaves me wrung out but wanting more. Whether you are familiar with Mr. Peloquins' works or not this epic military fantasy is a must read. I highly recommend this sequel to his new series.
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tabitha Ormiston-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a great reader of military fantasy, so can't really comment on the authenticity of the battle scenes and tactical matters, but to this unschooled reader it all had the ring of truth. Certainly one could hear the screams, taste the blood, feel the dragging mud... as well as some truly awesome battles, we see the further development of the little band of brothers and get a little subtle schooling about parenting. The best fiction always has some normative or moral aspect, and Peloquin gets this right every time, one never feels one is being preached at in the slightest, but the work has one foot firmly in the moral domain. A thundering good read, the interplay between Noll and Skathi and Belthar, and the touchingly close relationship between Aravon and his Enfield softening the edge of all the fighting enough to humanise it.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way bette than the first in some aspects. Especially the characters felt more real and fleshed out and less like tropes to me.

In the other hand some parts felt a bit rushed and others a bit long winded, so the overall pace wasn't as good.

Overall it was definitely entertaining enough, and I cared for the characters enough to happily keep reading.

[ShannaBanana✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride. The battles are epic and the characters are brilliant.

[Oscar Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

SAVAGE!!!!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall rating: 5

Book two of this epic series left me weak and exhausted! The emotions that dripped from these pages were relentless with extreme highs and the lowest of lows. The brilliant attention to detail this author takes during heavy battles immerses you completely. The camaraderie exhibited by these characters depict the spirit of true warriors. The blood queen is the epitome of evil. Battle books have never been my go to read...until this author opened my eyes. A hearty recommend. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.

[Shaun Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was another page turner. We're introduced to new villains and the main characters are further built up. Specifically Belthar, who was involved in some sort of underworld… The main villain was well developed but not who you think she would be. This one pulled on all of my emotions. Well written and fun to read.

[Lisa Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my Wow! What an excellent book. It's so tense. Had to make myself slow down as this is an ARC and needed to focus but I wanted to rush through it. The story, the emotion, the characters are so easy to relate to and are fascinating as we learn more about them. The battles, the tactics, the history so interesting.

[Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is even bigger and better than the last one. the fighting more frantic and at the same time a hint to the enemies start clearing out. The war claims another gut wrenching victim more and more of the secrets crack the heroes. After all being dead while alive is not so easy.

[Silver Surfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good god, this certainly knows how to write a good epic fantasy that’s for sure. Intrigue, suspense and action all the way through. You just cannot put it down. I hope this series goes on and on and on, it’s that good. Roll on book three. Highly recommended.

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, whilst I had some minor issues with the first novel in this series, Battle For Peace absolutely blew me out of the water. Our ragtag group band of heroes are still all that seems to stand between their kingdom and the ravaging, huge Eirdkilr barbarian forces that are threatening to burn, kill and utterly destroy everything they come across. Death to the Half-Men is their call and as Aravon can testify personally, they are very, very good at dealing out death. With a traitor somewhere high in the nobility however, Aravon is finding that the Eirdkilr's are more terrifying still with the knowledge of plans and the foresight to use it to their advantage.

From a thrown together group of excellence in their own specific field, the characterisations of Aravon and his troupe were one of the strongest aspects of the first novel. Peloquin brings them to life, with all their hopes and dreams, strengths and weaknesses. He goes from strength to strength in this novel. The group have drawn together in the way that standing fast against eight foot tall lunatics with axes has the knack of doing, and the relationships have grown stronger. Many characters still have secrets lingering, but I'm sure they'll be teased out in the following novels.

With this comes the opportunity for some additional world building, which I felt was slightly lacking in the first novel as so much time was spent in one nail bitingly close battle after another with a lot of hacking, slashing and smashing. That's not to say there aren't battles here; there are and they won't disappoint. But there's also an active effort to slow the pace down periodically and in those downtimes you start to get a real sense of character backgrounds, personal struggles and the world that has made them what they are. There were also some absolutely fantastic scenes that shot a glance in at the politics of the world, not just the Legion and the nobility, but also rival clans that we only heard of in passing previously.

But if you're mainly here for the battle scenes, then do not fear as there are more than enough deadly encounters to keep you engaged. Our band of heroes are forced into nigh on impossible situations and have to use brain, brawn and sheer dumb luck on occasion to figure their way out of them. I did find that there was more of a balance here though; the high octave, bloody battles are interspersed between an excellently plotted narrative that serves to build the characters and the world in far more depth.

All in all, this was a fantastic novel and I was pleased to see more of the world building that I've seen in the author's other series showcased within it. It had all the depth and passion that I was looking for and then some.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flesh, wood, and steel met in a thunderous clash. Not a single clash, but dozens. Hundreds. Thousands, all at once. Booming, shrieking, thundering as warrior slammed into warrior. Spears thrust through gaps in shields. Axes bit deep into flesh and clubs crushed helmets. Bright steel swords filled the air with blood and death.

Battle for Peace is one of those few occasions where a sequel is superior to its proceeding work. Battle for Peace is where the series hits its high gear, and as much as Shields in Shadow was very good, this one eclipses it.

What can you expect then?

1)More time is spent on the main characters, with nearly all of them having significant backstory developments.
2) We start to see the bigger picture when it comes to plot, and it's impressive in scope. The stakes are high, from start to finish
3) Battle for Peace, although a fitting title thematically, doesn't really give away how much death and bloodshed the book contains. It's brutal, and well written.
4) The antagonist. The Blood Queen genuinely makes you hate her with her actions, be it from her savage nature, to her lust for torture.

An excellent entry in the series, and Andy Peloquin really has hit his stride with this one. I think it's clear where the series is going from this point forward, but I wouldn't be surprised if it keeps me guessing

5/5

[Lara R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed a moment to get over the end of this book... this crushed me more than I thought.

Captain Aravon and his team are on a new mission and also have a healer in their little group again. In this book they accompany the Duke to gather more forces to fight the Eirdkilrs. Lots of small fights, new questions that arise, lots of twists and turns and an epic battle at the end.

The battle scenes were, once again, brilliantly written. Well thought out and gripping - I need more fantasy like this.

Some questions from book 1 are answered, but for every answer there's another question that makes you want to read on just to find out who/why/what.

The side characters who are introduced are interesting and detailed, the main characters grew even more on me than I thought.

I have to immediately start reading book 3 because I want revenge as much as Aravon and his company for what happened in the last chapter of this book.
Grab the book and let's go on a revenge tour together!

[Geri Winney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was war, war, and more war; all deliciously gory. If your battle description doesn't include the smell of fear and excrement, are you even trying? I think not.

I have much love in my heart for the classic Chosen One trope. It never gets old for me. However, there is something to be said about grown people with grown people problems, stepping all the way up, leaning on the knowledge and experience of decades, letting loose on the world. Not knocking the kid who goes from No One with Nothing, to Someone with Unlikely Yet Entertaining Awesome, but jaded vets with nothing to lose fight harder. They just do. Not saying it's more exciting when a grown man guts an enemy, but it certainly is more relatable.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, intense action, blood splattering body count war zone novel with a mystery subplot that is slowly unfolding. I gasped a little for Belthar, got a little verklempt with Aravorn, had a 5 second reprieve of wanting to punch Noll in the face, wanted to hug Zaharis, fist bump Skathi (because girl, I know the feeling), relieved for my man Colborn, and glad for Rangvaldr presence. But that ending…now what are we going to do?

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific blend.

If you like the mix of Tolkien and Iggulden, then I believe you'll like this series a lot. A good blend of bloodthirsty battles, with good character development.
A band of imperfect heroes try their damndest to assist the forces of good. However there is a fine line between the good and bad.
Exciting and just what's needed on dark evenings. A very good read.

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous book, full of action. The characters grow in each book as they really come together. A great read

[Thomas Iles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whine, whine, whine, snivel, snort!

Snivel, snort, gulp. Yeah follow me ya turds. No soldier follows a loser. Period.
It was bad enough he whined n whined before. But now all he does is whine.

Please someone just shoot the loser! Find a real, competent leader!
N then! 22% of the book gone and still nada! Oh even worse the author thinks that not even telling you how but building the silence makes this book! Trust me after 22%+ we flat care less! Do anything!

Worst is our whimpy, whiny captain supposed to be super secret number 9 has his name bellowed out in every major city! Then the constant OH, me DADDY didn't luv me! WAH!! Someone gonna spank me.

But yes worse than even that puppy growls slot is always so skilled a warrior or perhaps daydreaming he always ends up in his back receiving deadly blow #99! FAKE!

[Mick Dubois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn't read the first book in this series, and that was OK. I could easily follow the thread of the story, but there is also lots of background and underlying meaning that I would have grasped better if I had read part 1 first. It certainly helps with identifying the good, the bad and the truly evil tribes and factions that populate the book. And since this is a military fantasy with a lot of fighting, it is most interesting to know the difference between friend and for. I'm happy to say that there is more than just fighting in this book. Between the acts of war, there is a story developing and also background facts and tidbits that make it pleasant to read. It's always interesting to find out where some of the characteristics and behaviours of the heroes stem from. War is a messy business and people do die. The body count adds up very quickly in this story. But e even though war and fight scenes are vivid, it's not gore and blood fest. The world in this series is not all that different from our own medieval earth. The only magic is healing with magic stones, all other amazing tricks are alchemical experiments by the Secrets Keeper.
The basic story is about this secret company of 7 faceless men (they wear masks and their families think they're dead) men, sort of special forces elite soldiers, and a flying fox, answering only to prince Torah and duke Dryund. All members of this teams have extraordinary equalities as fighting skills, healing power or alchemical wonders, but of course also quirks and shortcomings. Their existence is super secret as they know that there's a traitor high up in the commanding . In this book, for their first task, they have to break the siege of an important river town, whose people are starving. Next they accompany the duke on important peace negotiation's with a major Fehl tribe. But unexpectedly they have to deal with the "blodvarri" (the blood queen) from the Eirdkilrs and her warriors who' re every bit as savage and bloodthirsty as Hrolf Hrungir, but far more cunning.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a riveting story, with action galore.

This book was engrossing. From the very start I found myself truly hooked!
The main character Captain Avaron, raised under a harsh father who is also a military man, tries his best to live up to his fathers difficult expecations. After loosing all the men under his command, Aravon is asked to play dead so he can work under cover against the enemy. He has to allow his family; his wife and sons, and his father, believe he's dead. He agrees to do it.
He is given a new team of soldiers to command, all of whom are really awesome characters, but all seem like they won't be happy working together.

So, this should be easy, right?

His new team don't know or trust him, or each other for that matter.

He's going into seriously dangerous territory with this bunch of unhappy misfits under his command. One of whom doesn't talk!

There is no margin for error for them; the mission is critical.

And, to top all that off, there's a time constraint!

Sounds like a fun time to me!

I loved this book. It had all the usual stuff in it, lots of action, emotion, tactics, drama, secrecy, and trust. Plus some bad assed writing skills by the author, Andy Peloquin.

I would love to see this made into a film. I think I would enjoy that.
I know one thing for sure, and that is, I am really looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! This book has made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time...
The story of Aravon and his companions does not leave the reader indifferent, but awakens a whirlwind of mixed emotions: hope, fury, disappointment, hopelessness, joy, sadness and all this makes Battle for Peace a book that is impossible to stop reading and the same time, a book that made me want to not reach the last page.
There are few authors who, like Andy Peloquin, manage to get this type of reaction in me: read a book in small daily doses, not to reach the end, despite knowing that the adventure will continue in the next book in the series, Steel and Value.
Thanks to Mr. Peloquin for another fantastic book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fabulous! This one kept me up way to late! Non-stop action, mystery, politics, and genuine characters that you really care about. Somehow, no matter how impossible the task, Aravon’s squad finds a way to accomplish their mission. I can’t wait to see the Grim Reavers continue to pursue the Duke’s dream. Bring on book 3!

[juliette dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling adventure

I enjoyed reading this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to the end.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure.
Treachery and betrayal on all sides. Who is the traitor selling out the Prince lands and how much misery is still to come.
I look forward to more from this series 😁

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soldiers live and wonder why.

Andy Peloquin has outdone him self with this second book in the series, my God, my nerves are shot with the intensity of all the battles, and damn does he give you bone crunching battles, edge of the seat reading for anyone who loves military fantasy, highly recommend, now on to book three of the series...😀

[Nigel P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody awesome!

And I mean “Bloody” in a very literal sense, I can’t say it’s a nice story - lots of blood and gore and death and very unpleasant things in between do not a nice story make. Not to say it’s a bad story, anything but - I’m fact it’s brilliant, just not very nice.
Let’s see what book #3 has to offer and, if it’s kittens and candy I’m going to be upset :-)

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facing their first active battle as a fully functional unit,
the Grim Reavers must deal with treachery, over-whelming
odds and terrifying opponents.
Using every bit of his own ingenuity and the amazing skills
of his team, Aravon takes on the enemy.
What a story !!
Enjoy !!

Phyllis S.