The Ex-Pacifist

The Ex-Pacifist

Matsumoto Trilogy Book 1

About the Book:

Title: The Ex-Pacifist (Book 1 in the Matsumoto Trilogy) | Author: Sarah K.L. Wilson | Pages: 337 | Genre: A Young Adult Science Fiction Thriller | Recommended Age: Young Adult

Book Description:

Vera and her bodyguard, Roman, are connected by the computers in their heads. They can silently co-ordinate and comment on the world around them. The downside? They’re on an impossible mission set by a vengeful emperor who would prefer to see them both dead. Not many sixteen-year-olds have to fight an entire empire for survival – and not many would be so good at it.

A young adult science fiction thriller with epic themes of family, duty, and conscience, a diverse cast, non-stop action and romantic subplots that echo the work of S. J. Kincaid’s “The Diabolic” or Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games.”

Only $0.99 on
Amazon Kindle!

Or get it for FREE when you
join Sarah's mailing list!


My Review:

The Ex-Pacifist is a fast paced science fiction novel. It's an exciting coming of age story where the teenage heroine's life is constantly being threatened. With all the action, I could easily picture it on the big screen. There is also a lot of violence, so be warned.

I loved the heroine, Vera. She is such an interesting character who is strong, but not too strong. She is caught in a dilemma and trying her best to survive. I just didn't like her name. It's the first time in a long time that I wished the main character had a different name, but that's easily overlooked.

Roman, her new bodyguard, is the right guy for the story. He helps her to see things from a different point of view. He is everything you would hope for in a love story. Of course, Vera doesn't see the connection right away. I could read all day long about the two of them together. They are a dynamite team.

This action-packed thriller is also partly philosophical. There are plenty of interesting things to consider when it comes to the politics, laws, and government of the planets like the Blackwatch Empire and the pleasure planet of Capricornia. How far is Vera willing to follow the Matsumoto Treaty Laws? She is a Matsumoto after all. It's in her blood. The Emperor is her cousin, no less, and he rules the Blackwatch Empire.

I really enjoyed the bits of sarcasm in the book. For example, the easy-to-remember list of Matsumoto Treaty Laws has an even easier list of punishments to remember. I don't want to give anything away, so you will have to find out for yourself.

I also appreciated how race was handled in the story. Is there really such a thing as a perfect race? Personally, I like rooting for the underdog.

I have to warn you that this book does not have a satisfactory ending. It leaves you in suspense. The second and third books are reasonably priced at $2.99 each on Amazon Kindle, so budget for that before purchasing the first book at only $0.99.

About the Author:
Sarah K.L. Wilson

I believe that fiction can help us find our true roots. I write cross-over SFF YA fiction that draws out philosophy and deeper themes. I'm a Canadian self-published author with a great network of other writers and readers backing me. Come join my tribe and share your thoughts with me!

Website | Twitter

Disclosure: I purchased this eBook when it was on sale on Amazon. This is my honest review.

Please Note: All prices were correct at the time of posting. Please check as these prices may change.