Book Review: An Ancient Peace

By Tanya Huff

I must start this review by stating that Tanya Huff is one of my favorite authors. I've devoured the other books in her Torin Kerr series. This is Book 2 in the Peacekeeper series, but I can't recommend more highly to read her Confederation series in its entirely before this. Not only is it fantastic, but you really would be lost if you started with this book. Moving on, this novel is about space navy marine Torin Kerr's mission to track down mercenaries who are pillaging a weapons-filled necropolis. It sounds basic, but there is a lot more going on in this story, but I would have to provide you with 7 books worth of background.

This book was a lot of fun! It wasn’t my favorite in the series, but it was a nice transition from military Kerr to her new profession. Kerr's relationships with Craig Ryder is realistic and equal. While he clearly holds her in awe, it's clear their relationship is based on mutual respect (he holds his own in other areas). I enjoyed the little romance between Werst and Ressk, and Alamber began to grow on me (I found him a little annoying in the previous novel). I love Mashona for her chill attitude and willingness to go along with anything. If you're looking for a novel that wholly embraces gender equality and queerness, this is it; no one's sexuality is treated an aberrant here, and Torin (and other women) do not have to prove themselves as capable because of their gender. This is part of why I love the series.

The antagonists were likeable with believable motives (especially the Major), and I really got into the chapters that focused on them. I liked the sequences where they were trying to figure out the traps in the necropolis – a good tomb raiding expedition is always something I’m into. As usual, the action scenes are well-described and entertaining, with suspense and humour as well.

Overall, this novel starts off a little slow and isn’t the best in the series, but a joy to read nonetheless.