Sweep in Peace

NOTE: This is a review of the full cast edition of the book produced by Graphic Audio. There are going to be elements lost in the adaptation process, so this review should be taken as such when it comes to the original story and writing style.

This book is one of those where the 2nd book is better than the first. In the first book, we learned about the Innkeepers (basically people who make interplanetary rest stops for aliens) and how Urban Fantasy staples like Werewolves and Vampires are aliens who have been coming to Earth for thousands of years. This was a new take on the idea that I found intriguing and had lots of potential.

The first book was a lot of fun, as we saw unique situations for our characters, and we got some ideas for how this universe works. The second book is just as awesome, as we see Innkeeper Dina now have to hold a peace summit between three warring alien factions, all without the help of anyone else, nor her Werewolf friend, Sean, who we saw in the last book go off on his own self-discovery space adventure.

Naturally, this peace summit is as difficult as it sounds. The parties have been fighting for over 20 years, and Dina soon learns that just because they want to come to the peace table does not make her job any easier. There are plots upon plots and many different obstacles in her way, including a civilian Police officer who, despite all evidence to the contrary, knows that something is up with Dina's little bed and breakfast, even though he has no proof. Inside the inn, someone tries to not only steal from her guests but also poisons Dina to the point where she almost dies. Now she has to find some way to have people sign a peace treaty, not die in the process, all while keeping her guests safe and leaving the world ignorant of the aliens taking a room at her inn.

All of this is told in such a way that it never got boring or too complex to follow. There are many different factions and people that Dina comes into contact with, some that we know, and others we have not seen before. I liked how the action was described in the book, with it being clearly written. The full cast and sound effects were also very well done, making this fun to listen to.

I must admit that the only problem I had with the book was that the ending felt a little bit rushed. It is told in the style of a classic murder mystery where everyone is in the main parlor (so to speak) and the investigator goes through the list of possible suspects one by one until they reach the real culprit. The only problem is the way Diana talks in this scene. She questions some people like she has talked with them before, but we didn't see it, leading me to wonder if I accidentally skipped a scene or something, only to find it was loose writing.

Still, I would say that this book was an excellent read, and I cannot wait to read the next installment. I give this book a five out of five.