Seeds of War

Seeds of War (Eden's Root Trilogy, #2)
by Rachel Fisher

This book was provided to us by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reconnection has begun. The mission of Eden must be fulfilled and Eden’s best Seekers are needed. Forming a new group they dub the Seeders, Fi, Asher, and Sean are joined by a new addition as they set out to bring hope and support to the Topsiders in the form of radios and heirloom seeds. Their experiences Topside prepare them for the threat from marauding gangs they call Lobos, but it is a different, less obvious sort of threat that takes them by surprise. As radio broadcasts begin to reconnect Eden and the Topsiders, the Seeders stumble upon mysterious broadcasts from unknown stations. When two of their own new radio stations go silent within days of each other, Fi and her companions realize that something is terribly wrong. Eden finds itself pitted against a growing and unknown force as their very mission lights the flames of war.

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First off, I feel I need to clarify something: Ms. Fisher is a fellow independent author, and my friend. That said, I didn't actually get to know her until recently (read: after I'd already fallen in love with her first book, "Eden's Root"). She let me have a copy of Seeds of War before the publication date and asked me for some honest feedback. That's what this is.


"Seeds of War" continues the story of Fi Kelly (and Asher, Sean, et al---but to me, it's Fi's story). In "Eden's Root" Fi fought for the survival of her Family (a group who has chosen to be a family). She finally got them to Eden, a safe haven, and convinced the leaders to allow them to stay. This book made such an impression on me that I immediately went through my family's survival kits and updated them, adding in things I hadn't thought of until reading Ms. Fisher's very impressive debut. This book has continued to hover in my mind for months.


Now for more specifics on "Seeds of War." I was enthralled by this book, so my comments will be longer than usual!


If you know me at all, you know that I hate to give people spoilers. I have no desire to ruin a book for someone else. However, there are some things that are given away in the blurb, so I have no problem discussing those.  :)


Fi's group of Seekers--people who go out into the world searching for things the colony needs--are given a new assignment. They become the Seeders. Their job is to take heirloom seeds, that don't have any of the genetic modifications that caused all the problems in the first place, to groups who live in the open. These groups are then able to plant and harvest their own food. The Seeders also take radios to each group, so they can stay in touch. Their third job? To seed areas around rivers and lakes with heirloom strains of grasses and plants to grow wild.


The first time the group leaves Eden in book 2, they come across a group of wild, murderous people they call Lobos. While these groups are dangerous, they aren't the biggest danger, in my opinion. There always have been people with such tendencies, and there always will be.


What scares me are the Truthers. They are a religious sect that has decided the Famine is God's punishment for seeking knowledge. I hear what you're saying, and you're right. The Truthers aren't necessarily scary. However, these people who say they won't hurt people, do things that a peaceful religious sect should not be doing. Now, I'm afraid of saying too much and giving things away, so I'd better change the topic.


In "Eden's Root" there were the starts of some relationships, which continue in "Seeds of War." I'm not going to go into them, but I will say there's a wedding...  :)


The ending is perfect! Bring. It. On. Fi is more than a match for anything the Truthers can throw at her.


I am miserably awaiting the final installment of this trilogy. Ms. Fisher, I'm begging you to keep us waiting as short a time as possible!


4.5/5 stars