Peacemakers. The Galactic Union’s most capable enforcers and resolute negotiators, their name alone elicits fear and awe among the Union’s citizenry.
Following their successful mission on Parmick, young Peacemakers Jyrall and Larth remain teamed up with the newly formed Blue Ridge Kin and its unique cast of characters. As the events of the Guild Wars spiral out of control, the Peacemakers prepare for a mission they believe will provide early intelligence to Guild Master Rsach, only to be called off their mission and sent on one with a much high priority.
Separated from the Peacemakers, Cora McCoy and the Blue Ridge Kin report to the jungle planet Weqq to defend against an attack the Peacemaker Guild has determined will come. They arrive and are immediately met by the Crusaders—mostly Human units formed under the auspices of the Peacemaker Guild—who flaunt the laws of the Galactic Union ruthlessly. All is not well within the Peacemakers.
Meanwhile, Jyrall and Larth find themselves drawn into a much larger mission at the request of Jessica Francis, Earth’s first Peacemaker. All they have to do is steal a stargate—a hyperspace-capable portal—from a group of mercenaries that vastly outnumbers them. Will they be able to recruit the assistance they need, or will they be the latest casualties of the Guild Wars?
Kevin’s head has been in the clouds since he was old enough to read. Ask him and he’ll tell you that he still wants to be an astronaut. Kevin has a diverse background in space and space science education. As an adult, he's managed the world-renowned U.S. Space Camp program and operated two Challenger Learning Centers. A retired Army officer, Kevin continues to work with space every day.
Kevin is the author of the science fiction novel SLEEPER PROTOCOL (2016) which Publisher's Weekly called "an emotionally powerful debut." His military science fiction novel RUNS IN THE FAMILY (2016) has gained a growing legion of fans. He continues to work on sequels for both novels as well as short fiction and an alternate history novel.
This one isn't a mainline 4 Horsemen Universe novel, it is part of the Rise of the Peacemakers series of books. It runs parallel to the mainline "Guild Wars" cycle as far as the timeline goes but it has different protagonists (albeit, I suspect, not so different antagonists).
We follow The Blue Ridge Kin, a motley (as far motley for multi-species merc units apply) crew cunder the command of Cora McCoy (yes, she is the REAL McCoy, even though her two nearest kin are Ricky and Keaton, two pushtal orphans adopted by her great-uncle, with a touch of genius as far as mechanical and cybernetical tinkering go). on duty with the peacemakers sent to protect the Tri-Rusk on Weqq...Where they are supposed to fall under the command of the Crusaders... a special unit of the Peacemakers, newly created... At the same time, Captain Drell is on his way to capture (or kill) Kr'et S'ocae the renegade enforcer...
The book is a roller-coaster, full of action, full of revelations as well (albeit indirect, but if you had paid attention to the oh 61 4HU books before this one, nothing should be TOO surprising) and, alas! with its fair share of tragedy as the good guys don't come out of it without having endured some heavy losses... Nonetheless, the search for Snowman moves forward and pieces gather on the board... Can't wait for the next one!
I have joked, that after the M&M's (Matt Nowotny and Mark Stallings, Prodigal son) we now have to deal with the K&K (the 2 Kevins). I shall also point out that K&K also means Kaiserlich und Königlich (Imperial and Royal), this doesn't fall far from the mark, as far as the quality of this book goes.
The mystery grows even more ominous in this series as an even more sinister plot emerges than that posed by the former Peacemaker turned rebel. The Peacemakers have been compromised and seemingly no one can be trusted. Good people we have followed throughout the series are, for me at least, surprisingly killed which I suppose I really should have expected given the history of this series. Not my favorite 4HU series, but a good read nonetheless.
Well another great chapter completed in this series, full of great characters and a great plot. This series is a real page turner and as soon as one book ends you want the next!