cover image The Shattering Peace

The Shattering Peace

John Scalzi. Tor, $29.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-7653-8919-0

Hugo Award winner Scalzi makes a surprise return to his Old Man’s War series a decade after the publication of The End of All Things with this tightly plotted story of interspecies negotiations. Ten years have passed in-universe as well, and Gretchen Trujillo, former resident of Roanoke Colony, now works as a diplomat for the human Colonial Union in their relations with the extraterrestrial Obin. When the asteroid housing the 50,000-person Unity Colony—a top-secret trial community exploring whether the participants in the peace treaty between the CU, Earth, and the Conclave of alien species can coexist—vanishes from space, Gretchen and her Obin assistant/bodyguard, Ranare, investigate. It becomes clear that the politics and technology of the hyper-intelligent and extremely patronizing Consu aliens are central to solving the mystery and saving the colony. To learn more, Gretchen agrees to become the Consu’s liaison to what they see as lesser species, pulling on her Obin connections to supplement her knowledge. While this installment is light on politics, Scalzi leans into many other series staples—dramatic fight scenes, technical challenges, and bold personalities—and does a good job providing just enough exposition for readers who have forgotten the backstory while keeping the current situation feeling vital. For diehard fans, this will be a treat. (Sept.)