Review Summaries

• Its rich worldbuilding and social backdrop are strong, though some readers feel the character movement can be a little rushed.

Reviews

• A clever, well-conceived mystery thriller...wrapped in an alternate time line

  As an avid reader of both alternate time lime novels, THE PEACEKEEPER synopsis hooked me immediately. From the first page, I knew this was a "good sandwich" read...I would not be able to put it down. Why you ask? Three main prongs: First, The author has built a new world, This is no different than what a sci-fi novelist must undertake. This new world, though, is the US as a First People's Nation, I extrapolated the Iriquois Confederacy grown organically without the pesky interference of odd bits of history like...oh...the Revolution, the French/British pillow fights. Along the way, technology...including mobile phones, personal computers, and high-speed rail...evolved along the paths as they did in our contemporary world. Second, the author built a very viable First People Society--that operates within the parameters of the tribal mores and economic realities. Finally, the author had to use a portmanteau language construction of English and the First People language the author selected for this novel. On all three of these, she did a completely awesome job. Relative to the mystery/thriller core story. Dear Reader...prepare for a roller coaster. This sucker's got more twists, turns, loops and switchbacks than anything you have EVER ridden at Six Flags. I got caught at two points where I was SURE I knew the answer...at the end I was wrong. Second reading point....while there is a glossary, don't keep referring to it during your first read. Read the novel straight through, and use context to figure out what the word might mean. This is what we do when we read (and write) science fiction. You will get the gist of the meaning close enough and the flow of the story will not be interrupted. Get the book. Read it. Love the characters, there is much to love them for. I bid thee good reading...Bill in District X

• The Peace Keeper

  I loved the whole idea of the justice framework and the victim healing. If only. A great read and would highly recommend it for everyone. Great insight by author anf very well written.

• The premise elevates this murder mystery

  The novel starts a little slow, especially as I struggled with some unfamiliar words and names, but once the mystery is underway I was swept away, and quickly got the hang of the changes in language. The murder mystery is well done. I figured it out before the protagonist, but I was constantly wondering leading up to that, and reading on obsessively, anxious for every new piece of evidence to fit the puzzle together. The protagonist, Chibenashi, is so interesting and well written. He frustrated me a lot, but he felt real and I understood him, even when I disagreed with his actions or wanted to shake him. The world building, of course, is what sets the novel apart. I didn’t know that I was a fan of alternative histories but I definitely loved this one! The world imagined is similar to our world in so many ways but also very different. Importantly, it’s not a utopia. People are still people. There’s still crime, men still kill their lovers, people still hurt their friends, there is still war and inequality and hurts that don’t heal. Some aspects seem better like the living city of Shikaakwa, the reimagined Chicago. And the restorative justice system was of particular interest to me. I was just fascinated by this world, wanted to learn more about it, and look forward to more novels that will let me do so.

• I read it on Kindle and liked it so much I bought a paperback for my daughter

  This is an intriguing piece of alternative world building in which America was never invaded by Europe. The complex civilisation that has developed from the First Nations is imagined in detail: language, architecture, social structures, governance and a criminal justice system based on restorative, rather than punitive and deterrence principles. It is not a Utopia - poverty, social inequality and a caste system based on occupation exist alongside idyllic villages that are visited by European tourists. The story of the murders that drives the narrative structure of the novel winds through wigwams, communal celebrations and Chicago. I daresay it could be improved by tighter editing, but it is certainly well worth a read.

• Excellent story, fascinating view of life

  I wasn’t sure about this when I chose it. But the alternative history factor pulled me in. The mystery was a good one, although I had suspected the ending. A flawed hero, a good supporting cast of characters, a beautiful setting, and a wonderful philosophy of living - It kept me reading along well after I should have been asleep! Well worth reading. I only wish the 2nd story was available now, not next year.

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