A Good Day to Die

I bought this book purely on the basis of the outstanding diplomatic implausibilty. I was so happy with my decision. From time to time, an author is able to work with the tried and tested universe of Star Trek and produce something that is really waaaaaay above the rest of the literature that the star trek machinery churns out. This series is one of these. When extraordinary adventure, extraordinary locations and species, extraordinary story are bundled into one book, is there anything else you can do except give the book 5 stars? Even the minor characters are much more interesting and have much more of a presence that some of the main characters in other star trek books. This is not just another book. This is an achievement. This book and the next two have a lot of repeat value.

This is the first book in a series about the Klingons, almost no characters from the original series make appearances, this is wholly new and original. It takes place right after the Dominion war, and the Klingons need more resources and need to expand. Of course they are not explorers like the Federation, they will go and conquer what they need. But this is where this particular story line breaks from what you would think. The crew of the Gorkon find a race that is as warlike and honorable as they are. The captian decides to give his word that if they can best this new race in a series of trials, they will surrender to the Klingon Empire and become their slaves, if the Klingons lose, they will leave and not destroy them. This whole series has been free of many of the stereotypes of what you may think you know about the Klingons and their way of life. A very fun read.

Having been inducted into the honorable and prestigious Order of the Bat'leth, Captain Klag commands one of a number of ships sent into the Kavrot Sector to find new planets to conquer for the Klingon Empire. However, what he finds is a planet populated by the Children of San-Tarah, a species perhaps more dedicated to the warrior ethos than the Klingons themselves. Having proved themselves worthy opponents, the San-Tarah make Klag an offer he can't refuse. The Klingons and the San-Tarah will compete in five contests - if the Klingons win then the world and its people belong to the Empire, but if the San-Tarah win then the Klingons will leave and never return. With such an honorable and glorious tournament it is indeed a good day to die! But, before it's over, Klag will find his ability and his honor tasked to the breaking point.I must admit that I have not read many Star Trek books lately, but this book was definitely one worth returning for! The author really brings the Klingons alive in this story, giving the reader a real feel for them. I enjoyed the story, the action, the characters and (definitely) the glossary of Klingon terms at the end. This is a great book, one that I highly recommend to all fans of science-fiction!

Keith R. A. DeCandido is a writer of excellent pro-novels and wonderful fan-fiction. His new Star Trek series "IKS Gorkon" should be a huge hit with the klinfandom. Here is epic Klingon adventure written in the fanfic tradition. I say this with the sincerest praise for his work. DeCandido "gets it". He knows the Klingon heart. His writing perfectly captures the archetypal appeal of this alien race for the legions of Trek fans who identify with it. You know this author has true Klingon spirit when you read his dedication to Gene L. Coon, John Colicos, and John M. Ford. Qapla' KRAD! Populating the warcruiser IKS Gorkon are Klingons we met in episodes of TNG and DS9, developed far beyond their one-shot supporting roles. We catch up with Kornan, Leskit, Kurak, and Toq, who have somehow all ended up on Klag's crew. And as good as these characters are, DeCandido's own creations, such as Dr. B'Oraq and Leader Wol, are even better! KRAD realizes that there are male and female Klingons, just as there are fans of both genders. And he writes characters interchangeably, without stereotypes. There's plenty of action and violence and even a little sex for a klinfan's passion. In "A Good Day to Die", the first novel of the series, the Empire is searching for new inhabited worlds to conquer. The crew discovers a lupine species, the Children of San-Tarah, whose pure warrior culture earns its respect and admiration. A battle to the death seems inevitable, as these fierce canids will never surrender to the Empire. So Klag and his San-Tarah counterpart conceive of an honorable alternative: a sequence of contests will determine the planet's fate. The story continues in Book Two of the series, "Honor Bound". Order both together, and hope for more books to come in this exciting series!

The pursuit of honor and glory is the heart of Klingon culture and once again Keith R. A. DeCandido proves with this splendid new novel "A Good Day to Die" that he understands what it means to be Klingon. Book one of the new I.K.S. Gorkon series; "A Good Day to Die" reintroduces the crew of the Chancellor-class I.K.S. Gorkon that fans first met in DeCandido's 2001 novel "Diplomatic Implausibility".While exploring the previously uncharted Kavrot Sector in the Beta Quadrant the Gorkon discovers an M-Class world rich in resources the Empire desperately needs. However, instead of the populace of easily subdued primitives they expect to encounter, the crew of the Gorkon finds themselves facing the Children of San-Tarah, a race of warriors whose skill any Klingon can admire. In fact both groups find much to respect in the other. Klag and the leader of the San-Tarah, Me-Larr, come to an unusual decision; the fate of the San-Tarah will be decided by five martial contests. If the Klingons win the majority, the San-Tarah will willingly become subjects of the Empire. But if the San-Tarah are victorious the Klingons will depart and leave them in peace.This is indeed a tale worthy of song as DeCandido brings the characters and culture of both the Klingons and the San-Tarah to life in a glorious tale that will leave you salivating for book two that will conclude the story.