A Good Day to Die & Honor Bound (Spoiler)

S P O I L E R

*

*

*

*

*

*

Especially nowadays with the trend to drop book numberings I was
surprised that these two books are titled as book one and two. It is
misleading but keeping in mind that these books are a two part story
within an ongoing series, it makes some sense nevertheless. But should
the next book be titled as book three, then I think that is more
questionable. It is just a little nitpick I want to mention before I
have a look at the contents of these books. I also want to mention that
I like the Gorkon logo very much and love the covers. Especially the
second one is one of my top favourites this year.

I already enjoyed the first two Gorkon stories very much. Also this time
KRAD showed me how well he understands and how well he can write about
Klingons. These books show a very complex picture of Klingons, as a
species and as individuals. But what makes these books even more special
is that this series is written from the Klingon point of view and that
KRAD was again able to handle a difficult task well: Klingons are
aliens. Their values are often different from our human point of view. A
lot of what is going on in these book goes against my human feelings of
what is right or wrong. Nevertheless, not counting obvious exceptions
(as a rule, there is good and evil in every species), also this time I
had no trouble to feel with and care about a lot of the characters in
this series and it was interesting to me to study these people. Even if
something went against my human feelings, I understood why these
Klingons reacted the way they did. On the other hand, without knowing
more, a story about a ship with warriors who are moving out into new
territory in order to find new civilizations they can conquer and force
to join their Empire doesn`t sound appealing at all. But when you look
more closely at it, I had to admire KRAD`s skill to find the right
balance, to show us with honesty the ugly side but also the Klingon
sense of honor, something I can respect, something I find interesting to
study. In many ways, the Gorkon series is about exploring new worlds.
Looking at the world through the eyes of an alien species that is in so
many ways different from humanity is a twist that hasn`t been used very
often.

It certainly says a lot that the Children of San-Tarah decided at the
end that joining the Klingon Empire is in their best interest. In that
case, I am optimistic this will indeed be true. They gained the respect
of the Klingons. They will not only protect them from other warp capable
species who might have an interest in their world but also enable them
to advance. Of course they have to be careful not to overstep certain
boundaries, the relationship between master and servant. But I am
certain, the Children of San-Tarah could have been conquered by far
worse masters. I like this story but I never lost sight of it that if
the Children of San-Tarah would not have been the skillfull warriors
they are, they would have been dead or being treated much worse.

Both books deal with a lot of characters, who sometimes have surprising
relationships with each other. Especially the second book surprised me
more than once. I found that very interesting but especially with the
start of the complex battle sometimes my eyes glazed over and I lost
track of who is on what ship and what relationships these people have
towards each other. It simply became too much. I am sure, a second read
will help but that has to wait for a while. My to-read pile is already
quite big.

I understand that part of a Klingon series means that people die. That
is the nature of the thing. I was a bit surprised myself that I
sometimes was quite happy when a Klingon character I liked but who
doesn`t belong to my top favourites died well. I especially mean Kornan,
who died a hero. I regretted Krevor`s death more because I liked her
from "Diplomatic Implausibility". But, please, don`t get the idea to
kill Leskit off! He is my favourite character of the series. Not only is
he good at his job, the character provides a lot of fun the series
needs. Especially his relationship with Kurak is fun. I want to read
more in future books!

Another great character is Leader Wol. I like her a lot and enjoyed
reading her adventures and that of her gang very much. Hm, for a moment
I had hopes her son would survive but then I thought, no, I don`t think
KRAD will do that. That might be a bit too soap-operaish for his taste.
I was right but nevertheless, it would have been nice if I wouldn`t have
been. I must admit it, Trant also fooled me completely. I am glad that
KRAD revealed the truth, although only we readers know it so far. I just
don`t like the idea much to be kept in the dark for too long. I am very
curious what will happen next. Also, I am hoping that Goran will stay
around, too. Also he provides a nice element of fun and I like him.

I am sure, what happened to Rodek is the beginning of a very interesting
story, too. I think it would be a mistake to let him remember who he
really was but it would make a lot of sense that he will start to wonder
what is going on with him. I assume, it is just a matter of time and
Rodek will find out the truth. The reaction should be very interesting
indeed. I can imagine that he won`t feel gratitude for Worf`s action but
maybe he will also not understand why he ever asked his older brother to
kill him in the first place.

I regret it that there won`t be any Gorkon book next year but I am sure,
it will be worth the wait.

Baerbel Haddrell

I just finished reading the 2'nd book today. I don't have the time or the
inclination to write an in-depth review, I can say I really enjoyed both
books and I look forward to the continuing adventures of the Gorkon.
The battle sense where intense, I found my self reading way past the end of
my coffee and lunch breaks ( much to my boss's chagrin ).
I only have one nit pick and that is there where way too many Klingons
saying "thank you". I presume this was done for the sensitivities of the
human readers

Great work Keith you just may give old P.D. a run for his money

DMC


"." <"."@trekdata.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:U6YTOBAxUH6$Ewl6@trekdata.demon.co.uk...
 > S P O I L E R
 >
 > *
 >
 > *
 >
 > *
 >
 > *
 >
 > *
 >
 > *
 >
 > Especially nowadays with the trend to drop book numberings I was
 > surprised that these two books are titled as book one and two. It is
 > misleading but keeping in mind that these books are a two part story
 > within an ongoing series, it makes some sense nevertheless. But should
 > the next book be titled as book three, then I think that is more
 > questionable. It is just a little nitpick I want to mention before I
 > have a look at the contents of these books. I also want to mention that
 > I like the Gorkon logo very much and love the covers. Especially the
 > second one is one of my top favourites this year.
 >
 > I already enjoyed the first two Gorkon stories very much. Also this time
 > KRAD showed me how well he understands and how well he can write about
 > Klingons. These books show a very complex picture of Klingons, as a
 > species and as individuals. But what makes these books even more special
 > is that this series is written from the Klingon point of view and that
 > KRAD was again able to handle a difficult task well: Klingons are
 > aliens. Their values are often different from our human point of view. A
 > lot of what is going on in these book goes against my human feelings of
 > what is right or wrong. Nevertheless, not counting obvious exceptions
 > (as a rule, there is good and evil in every species), also this time I
 > had no trouble to feel with and care about a lot of the characters in
 > this series and it was interesting to me to study these people. Even if
 > something went against my human feelings, I understood why these
 > Klingons reacted the way they did. On the other hand, without knowing
 > more, a story about a ship with warriors who are moving out into new
 > territory in order to find new civilizations they can conquer and force
 > to join their Empire doesn`t sound appealing at all. But when you look
 > more closely at it, I had to admire KRAD`s skill to find the right
 > balance, to show us with honesty the ugly side but also the Klingon
 > sense of honor, something I can respect, something I find interesting to
 > study. In many ways, the Gorkon series is about exploring new worlds.
 > Looking at the world through the eyes of an alien species that is in so
 > many ways different from humanity is a twist that hasn`t been used very
 > often.
 >
 > It certainly says a lot that the Children of San-Tarah decided at the
 > end that joining the Klingon Empire is in their best interest. In that
 > case, I am optimistic this will indeed be true. They gained the respect
 > of the Klingons. They will not only protect them from other warp capable
 > species who might have an interest in their world but also enable them
 > to advance. Of course they have to be careful not to overstep certain
 > boundaries, the relationship between master and servant. But I am
 > certain, the Children of San-Tarah could have been conquered by far
 > worse masters. I like this story but I never lost sight of it that if
 > the Children of San-Tarah would not have been the skillfull warriors
 > they are, they would have been dead or being treated much worse.
 >
 > Both books deal with a lot of characters, who sometimes have surprising
 > relationships with each other. Especially the second book surprised me
 > more than once. I found that very interesting but especially with the
 > start of the complex battle sometimes my eyes glazed over and I lost
 > track of who is on what ship and what relationships these people have
 > towards each other. It simply became too much. I am sure, a second read
 > will help but that has to wait for a while. My to-read pile is already
 > quite big.
 >
 > I understand that part of a Klingon series means that people die. That
 > is the nature of the thing. I was a bit surprised myself that I
 > sometimes was quite happy when a Klingon character I liked but who
 > doesn`t belong to my top favourites died well. I especially mean Kornan,
 > who died a hero. I regretted Krevor`s death more because I liked her
 > from "Diplomatic Implausibility". But, please, don`t get the idea to
 > kill Leskit off! He is my favourite character of the series. Not only is
 > he good at his job, the character provides a lot of fun the series
 > needs. Especially his relationship with Kurak is fun. I want to read
 > more in future books!
 >
 > Another great character is Leader Wol. I like her a lot and enjoyed
 > reading her adventures and that of her gang very much. Hm, for a moment
 > I had hopes her son would survive but then I thought, no, I don`t think
 > KRAD will do that. That might be a bit too soap-operaish for his taste.
 > I was right but nevertheless, it would have been nice if I wouldn`t have
 > been. I must admit it, Trant also fooled me completely. I am glad that
 > KRAD revealed the truth, although only we readers know it so far. I just
 > don`t like the idea much to be kept in the dark for too long. I am very
 > curious what will happen next. Also, I am hoping that Goran will stay
 > around, too. Also he provides a nice element of fun and I like him.
 >
 > I am sure, what happened to Rodek is the beginning of a very interesting
 > story, too. I think it would be a mistake to let him remember who he
 > really was but it would make a lot of sense that he will start to wonder
 > what is going on with him. I assume, it is just a matter of time and
 > Rodek will find out the truth. The reaction should be very interesting
 > indeed. I can imagine that he won`t feel gratitude for Worf`s action but
 > maybe he will also not understand why he ever asked his older brother to
 > kill him in the first place.
 >
 > I regret it that there won`t be any Gorkon book next year but I am sure,
 > it will be worth the wait.
 >
 > Baerbel Haddrell<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->