War and Peace

War and Peace are competing themes in the novel Reign of Steel by Morgan Rice. Both themes demonstrate their symbiotic nature and the necessity of war sometimes, despite the best intentions and best efforts for peace. War and peace, as themes, revolve primarily around the character of Gwendolyn, as she is the Queen of the MacGil lands and the Ring.

Gwendolyn, as a Queen, is resolved to oversee a reign of peace and prosperity. She makes tremendous efforts to secure peace with Tirus and the McClouds, believing that diplomacy and goodwill will ultimately win the day and avoid a costly and unnecessary war. But her striving for peace is seen as inefficacy and weakness on the part of enemies, opponents, and even allies. Despite her best efforts to secure peace, war is on the minds of others, and this illustrates the sad reality that...