Sally Strange reviewed Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie Valdes
"In the storm, a calm eye. Above the storm, clear sky."
5 stars
A wonderful sci-fi tale about a woman who compromised with evil to try to save her people and culture, only to find herself confronted with that same evil years later. The greatest conflict in this book is internal, as Kel has trouble deciding how and when to use her power. That story is excellent, and it gives us the phrase I quoted in the title of this review. She has several calming mantras that she uses to help clear her mind, and that is one of my favorites.
The backdrop of the story and the secondary characters are excellent too. I especially enjoyed the depiction of Kel's adopted planet, which appears to be an anarchist society where nature and the planet itself are given legal rights.
Thoroughly recommend. Kel's indecisiveness drags on for a bit, but the ultimate payoff when she finally makes her choice is worth it.