The Edge of the Sword: Errand of Vengeance Book One

...because these books are more than they appear at first glance. This is the story of a Klingon agent named Kell. Superficially altered to look like a human, Kell is inserted aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise as a security officer under Captain James T. Kirk. It's also the story of a thoroughly brainwashed individual who must come to terms with the fact that his superiors have been wrong in their operative assumptions about humans for years. By showing us the human side of the ubiquitous red uniformed Starfleet security officers through Kell's eyes, Ryan develops a compelling conflict between old beliefs and the evidence of reality. Kell has only his honor. He can make only one choice.

Excellent author. Nice balance of a fresh plot (which lends an interesting perspective) and good solid interaction between the characters. This puts me in mind of another TOS book I enjoyed a great deal...though I can't remember the title--about an angry and unreflective Klingon or Romulan boy who grows to be a wiser soldier and man. That character was almost completely isolated the main characters from the 'regular cast', but I liked the idea of viewing the situation from immersion in the 'enemy' perspective.I liked this story even more -- because it blends that other perspective more into the series. And this is accomplished by an author who (as someone else remarked) nicely blends in facts and ideas from known events in the TV series. I wondered, as I read, whether this book was completed before or after 9/11? The book lies on the fine edge of the question: "Why do they hate us so much". We are led to an examination of whether we really understand that hate. This query has risen (in the real world) to a level which we haven't seen since the mid-cold war period that was the context of the original series. The problem is back, and now the inquiry is back.If that original series was a metaphor for examining causes and perspectives in the cold war, this book certainly seems to mirror the same fundamental question in the more individual context of a individual (or small group) threatening great harm out of great anger. This is NOT launching vast arrays of missles from a great distance....What does Kell believe he 'knows' about the Federation? Who told it to him? Why? And what does he really believe about himself and his culture in relation to his enemies? Is he right about all of his beliefs...or theirs? Can his beliefs and ours co-exist (as eventually happened with both the Russians and the Klingons?) Or is there a fundamental difference that cannot be surmounted presently and therefore must, at least for the time being, be isolated or simply resisted--as was the case with the Soviet Union and M.A.D.? The author makes a great first step necessary to any epic trilogy...we've met the main character, and found some insight into why he has started his metaphorical 'journey'. Now we have to see him through both understanding of himself and others, and then the confrontation (alone or together with his enemies) of the (yet to be named) ultimate challenge. In the end I hope that fuller understanding brings at least a tense peace as it usually does in Star Trek, but even if it doesn't -- I'd like to know more about why they hate us so much and how that eventually resolves. Not all is always perfectly resolved. In the Star Trek universe we have sometimes been left with an adversary that is too different or primative or just plain nasty to allow sweetness and light...but like any good metaphor, I always come away with interesting questions and insights.

Star Trek: The Original Series, Errand of Vengeance: The Edge of the Sword by Kevin Ryan is the opening salvo to a great new trilogy. Filled with mystique and intrigue this new series is told from the perspective of the crew, the ones that either live or sometimes die in the service of the mission under the command of Captain James T. Kirk.These are the best and the brightess the Federation has to offer as their skills are being tested. Yet, this is a story that is more than a typical Star Trek save the galaxy story. The story, so far, is two-fold bringing out a intricately woven plot and sub-plot. First, we have a surgically altered Klingon,(Kell), who is one of the newest security recruits with a misson to kill Captain Kirk, and secondly we have a story about a young Lieutenant West fresh out of the accadamy working in Starfleet command to uncover a way to deal with the Klingon threat of war, or is there something else at Starfleet command that hasn't been told yet... hmmm.What is so compelling about this series is that the author has tied into the storyline some of the epsodic televison series as we read on in the book. This gives the reader a more robust look into those minor characters of the televison series. Not that they just gave their lives with little or no character development. This book gives insight into some of these people.The Klingon Empire is working on a build up of forces to go to war with the Federation, but why. This book is a Klingon lovers delight, as we get into the mind-set of how Klingons think. With the infiltration of Starfleet security aboard the Enterprise, Lieutenant Anderson, (Kell), is on away missions, but he has an adgenda to keep. This book is an exceptional book of courage and skill with intrigue. As the book unfolds, you will be captivated and glued to this fascinating story and won't want to put this book down.Mounting tension is happening all troughout this book, as those who boldly go where no man has gone before, work through adventure and crisis. Keeping the mission at hand and their hidden adgenda balanced till the time is right.Amazing skill by the author works through this book, keeping the reader captivated. I must say, this is a book that I read cover to cover in one night... too bad I have to wait for the next two installments... but the set-up in this volume has and will keep your interest till they do arrive.The Errand of Vengeance series is fascinating, so far, with "Killing Blow and River of Blood" coming out soon. I'll see you around for those as well... in the meantime, live long and prosper.

Book 1 was an awesome read. I had to read it in one sitting. The character development was excellent, the story was engrossing, seeing things from the Klingon spy Kell's point of view and contrasting it to Starfleet Ensign West's was great, there was just the right mix of lower decks characters and regulars. It has everything it needed to make it a great success. I highly recommend this book

Set during the first five year mission of TOS this tale, for the most part, is told through the eyes of a Klingon infiltrator who has come onboard the USS Enterprise to kill Kirk which makes this book very different from the usual Star Trek novel. The incredible detail and fantastic characterizations make for a book you don't want to end. Luckily there is plenty more story to tell and I for one can't wait for books two and three. Additionally fans of the Klingons will really love this book for the glimpses it provides into Klingon society during that time.