No Song, But Silence

Can the secrets of a lost philosophy break the cycle of vengeance?

The tide of justice ebbs. A mysterious and reclusive superpower threatens to extend its reach, colonizing new star systems for Wind energy and spreading a corrupt political empire. The People’s Army, once the hope for a new federation of allies in the Arm, has dwindled to a mere spectator in the fight for political control. Ailo’s role in its revolutionary fervor is over. The esoteric philosophy of the legendary Cin Quinti is her only concern now. But when an unimaginable threat sends a political shock wave through the Arm she must weigh the cost of self-preservation, hiding in the shadows as civilization falls to despotism and tyranny.

Light years away on Kol 2, a young librarian grows inspired by a mentor’s clandestine teachings. What he discovers with the newfound knowledge reveals a moral avalanche. The dubious and cruel political power corrupting his society must be exposed, but it will take a leap of faith to challenge an empire.

No Song, But Silence: a space opera inspired by The Eumenides, Aeschylus.

Title: No Song, But Silence

Series: Wind Tide (Book III)

Author: Jonathan Nevair

Genre: Sci-Fi

Paperback: 340 pages

Publication Date: 03/18/2022

Publisher:  Cantinool Books

Language:  English

ASIN ‏: ‎B09VDNB4YL

My Review

No Song, But Silence renders full circle in this last installment of the Wind Tide trilogy. As with the previous novels, a focus on family vs state prevails in the character-driven space opera set 13 years after the events from the last book with only marginally different changes from the existing domination of systems. All three novels have been inspired by Ancient Greek stories and this one is loosely based on The Eumenides, but the inspired musings don’t have to be known to enjoy the story.

First of, I need to mention the setting of this book with all the intricacies of powers and politics has been just fantastic. There is a stark contrast between the places and ecosystems in which this novel takes place. From the technology to harness wind and create power and the sand dunes, to the construction of cities and extreme landscapes, it is an experience that is visually stunning as it plays out in the mind while reading. There is an overall flair that stands apart from other sci-fi novels I have read thus far. It is filled with philosophy, food for thought, and extremely sharp writing. As a whole, it is a story of expanse, justice, and peace that deals with a scope of challenges beyond our current state problems. An acceptance of gender-fluid language has long been established in this world, but the corrupt management of resources by empires is a prevailing problem. When the story of No Song, But Silence begins, it starts at the threshold of make or break peace for different societies through revolt before it finally reaches that point of hope to rebuild.

There is a generational continuation of the story with The Wind Tide series, but some of the characters we find again here. Ailo and Nisi spent their time in exile on Nisi’s home planet Berevia after their failed mission in Garassia. To their surprise, their time is cut short when they are picked up for an important mission that hails in parts of the action in this novel. As Ailo is now promoted into leadership, the reader revisits Jati through flashbacks and their relationship in Ailo's mind. References appear to the book of Cin Quinti that belonged to Ailo’s mother and is highly sought after - still.

There are two game-changing factors in this novel. One, there is the imminent threat of poison to the general population, and two, the book of Cin Quinti has been found and kept secret. Lazlo’s character emerges from the background and is knivingly exposed for secrets and sent to exile. His journey parallels the storyline with that of Ailo and was my favorite person to root for in the novel.

The road to success will be a bumpy one and new alliances have to be made. The transformation and action that lead to the desired peace of nations is the goal in this story and everyone will have to put it on the line to make changes in the right direction. Though there aren’t many battle scenes in this story, the big one is cleverly brainstormed and heart-poundingly executed.

The entire trilogy has been very intriguing in its concept and foothold. The framework in which Nevair sets his story is outside of the living parameters and social norms as we know them on Earth today. It flows freely in this created idea of systems with given respect and thought to ethics and the consequences of greed, power, and the misuse of resources. There is still plenty of humanity and emotion found in the characters. Every book offers a chance to experience struggle and a choice to stand up for justice as it navigates the trenches of spacial and interpersonal obstacles. 

What makes all the books stand out for me is Nevair’s excellent writing, so here are a few passages I loved:

From my favorite character:

“To Lazro, ascetic attitudes such as this, imposed onto the natural world, spoke of arrogance. An orderly library, its walls of books organized and neat, functioned as a natural extension of human intelligence into architecture and social design ‘Nature,’ if you could call this that, did not need, nor should not need to be, so disciplined by human hands.”

Mindblowing!

“Aging kept pace with the outside flow of time like some indifferent, even sadistic, clock set to the rhythmic ticking of morality. As if a spirit of the immaterial realm set to tapping a fingertip on the glass of a sand clock in a performed memento more,”

From a battle scene:

“The Hamut’s head exploded. Her body stood there as if nothing had happened. A moment later, when the neural destinations waiting for signals from her brain found the line empty, the remaining figure collapsed in a heap.”

Just to show a few...I think they speak for themselves. My mind is just blown away by some of Nevair’s writing. It isn’t always about the loudest or most obvious, but the sting lies stealthy dormant until you REALLY read it.

It’s bittersweet to see the trilogy end. I enjoyed all three books and they were all a little different. This last one was very good in terms of intrigue and imminent threat to humanity, and I was swept away by the story of Laslo’s exile, which was simply a page-turning arc for me. 

I think everything came well together from the beginnings of The Wind Tide series to where it ended up. I enjoyed the ride and loved the diversity of each tale told.

Whatever Nevair writes next, I will read. For now, I’ll happily recommend this space opera to my sci-fi reader friends.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Jonatha Nevair for sending me his entire trilogy twice. One with the older cover and now with the newly finished ones. Thank you so much. Your generosity and our interactions have been a joy.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

All opinions are my own.

Thank you!