Malefactor: Library Edition

War with No Name #3

by Robert Repino

Over a decade has passed since the Queen of the Colony began her apocalyptic war with the humans. In the aftermath, she leaves behind a strange legacy: a race of uplifted animals, the Queen’s conscripts in the war effort, now trying to make their way in the world they destroyed. While the conflict has left deep scars, it has also allowed both sides to demonstrate feats of courage and compassion that were never possible before. And now, after years of bloodshed, the survivors have a fleeting chance to build a lasting peace.

But peace always comes with a price. The holy city of Hosanna—where animals and humans form a joint government—finds itself surrounded by wolves who are determined to retake the land. A powerful matriarch has united the rival wolfpacks, using a terrible power harnessed from the Queen herself.

Soon, the looming violence pulls in those who sought to escape. The war hero Mort(e) suspects a plot to destroy Hosanna from within, and recruits a team of unlikely allies to investigate. Falkirk, captain of the airship Vesuvius, must choose between treason and loyalty to save the city. And D’Arc, sailing aboard the al-Rihla, learns that the wolves may have triggered a new cycle of life for the Colony, bringing a final reckoning to animal and human alike. Once reunited, the three outcasts begin a journey into wolf territory to face the last remnant of the Queen’s empire. But while destiny has drawn them together, it may destroy them as well, for even love, courage, and honor may not be enough against the cruelty of the world.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Action, Animals

Audio CD

First published August 24, 2021

About the author

Robert Repino grew up in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. After serving in the Peace Corps (Grenada 2000–2002), he earned an M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Emerson College. His fiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize among other awards, and has appeared in The Literary Review, Night Train, Hobart, Juked, Word Riot, The Furnace Review, The Coachella Review, JMWW, and the anthology Brevity and Echo (Rose Metal Press). Repino is the pitcher for the Oxford University Press softball team and quarterback for the flag football team, but his business card says that he’s an Editor. His debut novel Mort(e), a science fiction story about a war between animals and humans, was published by Soho Press in 2015. His novella Leap High Yahoo was published as an Amazon Kindle Single later that year.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartbreaking end to the series. During the book, I was biting my nails wondering how it would all end. And I think this was a fitting one.

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a review of this whole series as this was the final book and I read them all (except Culdesac which doesn’t count because it’s a spin-off but which I will eventually read).

Imagine synthesizing into one story, elements of Watership Down, Animal Farm, Planet of the Apes, a little bit of Jack Ryan and Jack Reacher, then throw in some incisive philosophy, dry humor, some completely bizarre sh*t, and a decent overriding message, and you’ll have an idea of The War with No Name trilogy. I won’t say much about the actual storyline because I want you to be as amused and disturbed as I was when, well, if I tell you I’d spoil it so… Actually, best not to read my review of the first book because it might give it away.

I also want you to be as fond of Mort(e) as I was. For whatever reason, I found him very relatable even though he was of another species. But then I relate to cats in general. (I am essentially a cat person. I like dogs but if I have to choose, I’m going with cats.) He’s sarcastic, quick-witted, indifferent, a bit cynical, and basically a badass. But at the same time, even though he wouldn’t want you to know it, in his heart of hearts, he cares about other people and will take it upon himself to help them. My kinda guy.

Regarding this third book specifically, I was totally happy with it. It could have gone really south but didn’t and I appreciate that more and more these days.

If you’ve never read this series, trust me, you have no idea what you’re getting into – in a good way though.

***

Satisfying ending to an unusual and entertaining trilogy.

rtc.

[Rose Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this title through Edelweiss, and I thank the publisher very much that I did not have to wait until publication day to read this!

I loved this series. This book wraps everything up in a satisfying resolution. I'm sorry to think I am done with Sebastian & Sheba, I loved them. There is a beautiful symmetry to this last book in the series.

[Lojicholia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one just didn’t click with me like the rest of the series did; it’s well written, I just personally wasn’t interested in the journey. I loved the wolf clans and how they were described, but I almost would have preferred something shorter like Cul-de-Sac for the Mudfoot. Still, was worth the read, even if it felt like a bit of a slog at times. I’ll have to reread the whole series at some point and see if I still feel the same

[Morgan Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a success. Falters more than the previous two under the “but what about”isms of its scaffolded world building. However, it shines brilliantly in its character work, political tensions, and thundering action. For a series with sentient crab-people, rogue wolf clans, and a cat and dog messiah duo, there’s a clear desire to avoid one-dimensional characterization that’s present throughout. Despite its more animalistic violence, it’s also achingly tender and mournfully kind.

To love wholly is to suffer willingly, for our children, for whoever or whatever is next. There is little more to life than this love. That is a blessing. That is enough.

“The love they created here did not have to remain locked inside the walls, where it would shrivel and die. Instead, it could build and build until it overflowed and washed over the land. And then long after they were gone, what they created and shared would still live”.

—

“There was nothing else to life. There didn’t need to be”.

[Tome Therapist · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the other books in the series more. I am so excited to have a conclusion to the series, I just wish it had clicked more for me. It felt a little flat and slow paced compared to the others. I love this author so much though, and I'll read anything he writes!

[Rpaul Tho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending to this series. The first third of the book was a bit slow going but I think that’s because it’s been so long since I read the other books in the series. By the end I remembered why I loved the series so much.

[Clayton Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting series. I bet animal lovers would love this series. I love ants. And that is why I initially picked it up. But they are not a factor for the entire series. It was alright. I like the covers.

[Bunni Spiegelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what I was in for when I read Mort(e) in 2016. I don't want to spoiler, so I'll just say I enjoyed the entire journey I took with Sebastian and Sheba and all the different characters I met on their journey.

[Matthew Kilpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect the conclusion of this trilogy to wreck me the way it did. I still say these books are criminally underrated.

[Luke Barnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the last two, but at least it wrapped up Sebastian and Sheba’s story.

[Dave White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters in spite of my difficulty with parts of the story.
Love conquers all.

[Lisa Brandl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sad the series is over. A bittersweet ending. I’m going to miss the characters. Great series that I know I will read again.

[Trent Hunsaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most satisfying conclusions to a series I've read. The same satisfaction (or at least close to) that I had after reading the 8 core Dune books.

[Hannah Moral · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best final book of a series I have ever read. Everything was brought together so perfectly. Loved it!

[Jen Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good ending

[Dan Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the ending made me cry, and any book that can make me feel that much real emotion is a winner.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series, the ending was sad but somehow appropriate.

[Jonathan Lee B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malefactor is working on multiple jigsaw puzzles at the same time.

[Robert Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fin.

[Windchime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal Conclusion to the series!!

[Skylar Zuiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole series has been fantastic, but Malefactor is definitely the weakest installment in the series. i loved it regardless. Repino’s prose is as sharp as ever, and the world of uplifted animals and uneasy peace after the Ant Queen’s war feels just as alive and intriguing as it did at the start.

The wolves and D’Arc absolutely carried this book for me. The wolf chapters are gripping, I felt connected to the characters and found myself constantly waiting for the story to jump back to their perspective so i could see more. Then there’s D’Arc, fighting her way through all of it with one goal, to get her son back. Every time the narrative swung back to her, the book came alive again. Her chapters had all the urgency and heart I wanted, and they tied the personal to the political without ever losing that desperate, human edge. Honestly, these sections are what kept me turning pages when other plotlines slowed down.

some of the book did drag. Gaunt and the Beaver matriarch’s storyline didn’t do it for me. it all felt like filler that didn’t contribute much to the overarching story. each time the book snaps back to their perspective, I just wanted to read through it as quickly as possible so i could get back to the actual story.

Mort(e)’s arc, after everything the series has built around him, landed softer than I expected. Not a total letdown, but not the satisfying payoff I was hoping for either.

Even with those issues, Malefactor still works as a finale. It doesn’t quite hit the highs of the earlier books, but when it leans into the wolves and D’Arc’s struggle, it’s well worth the read.

overall, this entire series has been great. i found myself disappointed to find that the author doesn’t have any more books like the War with No Name series, as this whole collection was incredible and deeply appealed to me. i’m looking forward to his next work!

[Severina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series ends with D’Arc infiltrating wolf territory in search of something stolen from her, and Mort(e) dealing with the psychological and physical effects of his communication with the Colony.

There are moments in the book that are so well written. The pacing when D’Arc is in the midst of a calamity and the wolves steal from her is teeth-clenchingly tense. All of the character beats are, IMO, pitch perfect. I think sometimes the plot points can just get a touch convoluted. It’s good world-building but overall I know that I at least am here for D’Arc and Mort(e)’s story, not the wolves or the bats or the beavers.

I’m just not sure what to think of the ending. To be honest, I’m confused. It feels awkward and a little bittersweet.

[Eric Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As it's the last book in the War with No Name trilogy, it was a fitting end to the series. I liked it and it had good action, along with the nuances of a new world. The main reason for the plot took some time developing, but it was a good book. I highly recommend the trilogy as it's nuanced with the politics of a changed world and how the world reacts to that change. Definitely worth the read.

[Tariq Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting new entry to Robert Repino's epic history of the War With No Name and its lasting aftermath for uplifted animals and humans alike.

[Alan Belisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

A stirring end to an unusual and highly imaginative adventure tale. Full of heros and villains, love and hate, war and peace.

[Majken Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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