Customer Reviews

The Left Hand of Destiny, Book 1 (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine: The Left Hand of Destiny: Book One written by J.G. Hertzler and Jeffrey Lang is a book about Klingons and their vengence. This book is a very well-written novel giving the reader a good look into one character known as General Martok. The character development is excellent starting out with a dream sequence and working its way to the set-up for book two.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read with plenty of action-adventure, mystery and intrigue... only Klingon style to keep the readers interest engrossed to the ending. If you like books about Klingons, and their ways of life, this is the book for you. You will love this book if for nothing else. As Martok returns to the Klingon homeworld things aren't as they should be and this is where the adventure kicks into full throttle and doesn't disappoint the reader.

There is great character development with General Martok and his life as a Klingon soldier, also, we get a glimpse into Martok's family both present and past. This is where the revenge takes off and doesn't end as Martok seeks to rectify the situation the only way he can... by himself. But, Martok has an ally on the planet in Lieutenant Commander Worf and together they take on Martok's bastard son who is in temporary control of the government and wants to see his father fail.

This is solid 5 star TREK adventure albeit Klingon style but nevertheless, this is a great look into one of the greatest war heros of the Klingon Empire... General Martok. Action-adventure is high, mystery and intrigue is high, readability excellent... this is an adventure that is told well, a must enjoyable read.

The Left Hand of Destiny: Book 1 is the first book of a two-part story about the new Klingon Chancellor, Martok. If you have seen Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, you have seen Martok as a general. At the end of the series, Martok was raised to Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. This is the story of his journey home from Deep Space Nine, and what awaits him when he gets there. It is very well-written for a first-time author and the book packs quite a punch for any Trek fan.

J.G. Hertzler played Martok on the television show, so you can tell that this story is near to his heart. Usually when an actor decides to write a book, it doesn't turn out to be very good. The success rate is a little better when the book is about the character they've played. Trek has a good track record in this, though. Andy Robinson wrote the wonderful Stitch in Time and Armin Shimmerman co-wrote The 34th Rule about his Ferengi character. Both of those books were wonderful.

Hertzler adds another one to the pile. If you're a Trek fan and an admirer of Martok, this is definitely the book for you. It is well-written (with a couple of missteps detailed below) and very interesting. It brings back many familiar characters from the television show, but none of them feel forced. They all serve a purpose and are appropriate for this story. Not only that, but Hertzler captures their characterization really well. I don't know if that's Lang's influence or if Hertzler picked it all up while being on the show, but there are no out of character moments in this book. Worf and his son Alexander are the most recognizable of the bunch, but characters from Martok's family also show up and are perfectly captured from the one episode that featured them. Emperor Kahless is almost a brand new character, since he didn't really get a lot of characterization in the one episode that featured him. In addition to that, he has changed a great deal since that time. He adds a bit of colour to everything.

The original characters are also interesting, though the villains are a bit one-note and moustache-twirling to suit my taste. There are very few scenes from their viewpoint, but it still felt a little off. The other main original character, Pharh the Ferengi, is priceless though. He provides a lot of the comic relief in the novel, but he's also an intelligent character. He's not like most Ferengi. While commerce and money are still everything to him, he's not as mercenary as most of the members of his race. Instead, he's a three dimensional character who is a joy to read about. The interaction between Martok and him not only adds to Martok's character but also makes the story more entertaining as a whole.

Of course, the tour de force is Martok himself. Hertzler shows that he truly understood the character he played on the show. Martok is deep, brooding, and hesitant to assume this role that has been thrust upon him. He loves his people and the Empire, but he does not see himself as the savior that they need. He feels he is simply a man, not a symbol. He would dearly love to put down the mantle of responsibility that he has been given when the usurper shows up, but he knows he can't. I could hear Hertzler's characteristic growl whenever Martok spoke in the book, and that's a tribute to the authors. The good thing about these Deep Space Nine books is that the characters can grow and change. We learn a lot about Martok in this book, even as he learns a lot about himself and his limits. We get a history for him that he never had on the show. I think it produced an even more well-rounded character (though he was wonderful in the show as well). Kudos to Hertzler for this one.

There are a couple of missteps that bring the level of the book down a little bit. These missteps are something any first-time author could do, though you would hope the editors would catch it. First, in a couple of scenes, characters appear (or at least they're thoughts do) even when they aren't actually in the scene. For example, a scene is told from Alexander's point of view, and there is one instance in that scene where we also get Martok's impressions of what's going on. He is watching the same thing from elsewhere, so we really shouldn't be getting his thoughts at this time. The fact that his name only appears once in the scene makes me think that the authors just lost track for a moment. Secondly, some of the action is just impossible as it's described. In one scene, one of the characters does a back-flip through somebody's legs. I had to do a double-take for a moment. These and other small problems plague the book and bring it down from a 5-star effort. All of them could have been fixed with a quick re-reading, and I would have thought Lang would know better.

Still, this is a wonderful book from a new writer. Book 2 sounds like a roller-coaster ride as well. I hope we get some more Martok stories from Hertzler in the future. If you're a DS9 fan, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

David Roy

Wouldn't it be great if the next Star Trek incarnation was a Klingon series, and the premier episode this story! This is great Klingon action. One of the best things I liked about it, the Klingon women get a lot more respect than on the past TV series. Besides the evil Gothmara, Martok's wife is much better written here than the TV script. On DS9, she was such a, LOL, how do you say "female targ" in klingonase? IThe novel is a two part, and the second one is great too. I deduct a point, because parts of it seem a copy of John Ford's "The Final Reflection", and others seem word for word out of Kat Ramo's "Citizen Of The Empire". Not that that would be a disappointment to true fans of the Klingons! I recommend this highly!

It was with great anticipation but subdued expectations that I opened this book. From "Kahless" to the "Day of Honor" series, Pocket's occasional Klingon-themed novels have been largely disappointing. But "The Left Hand of Destiny" pleasantly surprised me! Not since "The Final Reflection" has there been such an impressive, truly KLINGON story, in which the reader actually feels immersed in that alien world. The authors were apparently permitted freer rein to develop the established Trek Klingon culture and characters for this dual-book series, even to the point of killing off one of them! Supporting characters from the TV series, such as Martok, the Kahless clone, and Alexander Rozhenko, get a chance to grow and shine. Federation favorites Worf and Ezri Dax get supporting roles, but also develop beyond their characterizations in canon. In my opinion the most favorably changed character is that of Martok's Mistress, Sirella. In her single DS9 appearance, Sirella was a petulant shrew who amused herself by inflicting passive-aggressive torment on her mate, whether by denying him her bed or "accidentally" allowing his favorite targh to escape. With little authority in Martok's House except over subordinate female members, she nagged her husband like a fishwife and bullied Jadzia Dax like a petty tinplated tyrant. She was seemingly lacking in Klingon honor (in attempting to impress Dax with her falsified "royal" pedigree), fighting-skill (in assaulting Dax with a knife and quickly finding herself disarmed and decked by the staggering-drunk Trill), or respect (in whining that Dax had attacked *her*)! But here, in "The Left Hand of Destiny", Sirella is transformed into a strong, even admirable character. In fact, the authors have taken extra care to imbue her with worthy traits. At first I found this departure from canonic continuity jarring, but I soon found myself appreciating this improved Sirella! Abducted from her guilded cage within the Chancellor's House, the Mistress emerges as a warrior in her own right. My gratitude to the authors for elevating the abysmal position of the Klingon Housewife! As Martok and his allies strike forth to rescue Sirella and avenge their fallen House, they swiftly realize they are embroiled in a heinous plot to conquer the entire Empire. And an epic saga unfolds which will take the heroes and the reader from the Imperial City to the Borath Monastery to the Cold of Space. Martok's challenge is as much an internal struggle with his own leadership capability as with his formidable foe. To prevail, he will need to trust in his sword arm, the power of Legend, and the aid of an ancient undefeated Goddess. I recommend purchasing this novel, together with its sequel, "The Left Hand of Destiny" Book Two. You won't want to wait overlong for the riveting conclusion.

I found the opening chapter of this book (a dream sequence) to be kind of slow. I put it down several times before I finally got through it. Once I did, I was glad I did, because the rest of the book was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. We've seen so much of the mythology of Bajor, it was kind of nice to see a more historical perspective on the Klingons. I enjoyed the Ferengi character, whose name escapes me at the moment, as well as a nice portrayal of Alexander. I had a hard time getting through the dream sequence at the opening of the book, but now that I've finished it, I can see that there was really no other way of setting up Martok's backstory. All in all, I thought it was in the top tier of relaunch books. One more thing, I like how this book played on themes that go back to Kahless and the Klingon civil war. It makes it seem like TNG and then DS9 have been building to this storyline. It would have made a great 2part episode.

It is not often that a book or movie lives up to its hype, but the two-part epic, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine-The Left Hand of Destiny certainly does. J.G. Hertzler and Jeffrey Lang have produced a magnificent and mesmerizing heroic sage that immerses the reader in a timeless tale of revenge and obsession Klingon style. Mystic visions, destruction, mayhem, sacrifice, loyalty, honor and, of course, battles. Valiant but bloody battles filled with daring deeds and heart pounding action. Star Trek novels don't get much more satisfying or true to type than The Left Hand of Destiny--these are most definitely Klingons.

Just days after the events of Deep Space Nine's final episode "What You Leave Behind", General Martok, now Chancellor, has returned to the Klingon homeworld to assume the leadership of the Klingon council, with Worf, newly appointed Federation ambassador, at his side. Uncomfortable with his new role, Martok is unsure of his welcome among the old established families that have long ruled the Empire. But no stretch of the imagination could prepare Martok, or the reader, for the events that unfold upon his arrival.

Book one sets events in motion in spectacular fashion when, with one stroke, the mighty Klingon Empire is brought to its knees by Morjod, Martok's bastard son. But Morjod and his army of Hur'q (yep the Hur'q) are simply pawns in a dangerous game being played by Martok's former lover, the deranged and deadly Gothmara. The saying `hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' is a bit of an understatement when applied to a Klingon.

Pursued by Morjod and his followers, Martok and all those loyal to him are mercilessly hunted as the desperately seek answers to their numerous unanswered questions. Attempting to use Martok's own loyalties against him, Morjod's forces imprison Sirella, using her as bait to lure Martok to his own doom. The climactic rescue of Martok and Sirella from their own execution is, in itself, a deed worth of song.

One of the best attributes of The Left Hand of Destiny is the large and diverse cast of characters. Both the heroes and villains are skillfully and superbly portrayed. Surprisingly one of the most interesting characters isn't even Klingon, but rather a Ferengi named Pharh, a refuse excavator who is drawn, at first reluctantly, into the fray. You can't help but admire this plucky little guy.

Drawing on the Klingon mythos established in the various series and novels J.G. Hertzler and Jeffrey Lang masterfully manage to combine humor and action as they submerge the reader in Klingon culture. The tension filled plot builds continuously, the raw power and emotion of the prose literally leaps off the page. From the First City, to the Ketha lowlands, to the frozen wastes of Boreth, the attention to the small details that can make or break a story are obvious. Some of the images employed are clearly drawn from classic sources but they are used so perfectly in the story that it is easy to overlook and forgive.

There are many moments in this tale that will linger in your mind long after you finish reading it. Even those who are not particularly Klingon fans should be able to appreciate the vividness of the writing style. Those that are strong Klingon fans will think they have died and gone to Sto-Vo-Kor. Qapla'!

Besides being part of the DS9 relaunch / 10th anniversary series, this book is also a must-read for anyone interested in Klingons. In fact, it's probably the most important Klingon story written to date. It had me singing songs of victory at the end (see TNG: Birthright or maybe DS9: Way of the Warrior)! I am truly sad to see it end, but hopefully there will be some more good books involving these characters on the way!

J.G. Hertzler and Jeffrey Lang have crafted a true Star Trek epic in every sense of the word. Rich in detail, it is the story of Martok's quest to learn what it really means to be a Klingon. Think "Star Trek meets King Arthur by way of John Eldredge (Wild at Heart)", and you have the essence of "The Left Hand of Destiny". If it's possible to give this 2-part story a sixth star, I would do it in a heartbeat, it is that excellent! :)

This book is an excellent insight into Klingon culture. It takes Martok and Worf right after the final television episode and chronicles their "adventure" upon their return to the Klingon homeworld. The story is fast-paced, interesting, and extremely well-written! Pick this one up, you won't be disappointed.

I'm not much of a fan of Klingons, being old enough to have cut my teeth on the ORIGINAL Star Trek, in which Klingons were the straightforward, stereotypical bad guys. The fact that they've been rehabilitated into honorable mighty warriors has always seemed a bit dubious to me, but hey, that's the official line and it's not my place to dispute it. But frankly, I find their culture and everything about them pretty repulsive, so the fact that I'm willing to give a book about a conflict BETWEEN Klingons (that doesn't even have the decency to be a complete story, but has to continue on into later books) three stars says something about the quality of the writing; it has to be pretty good for me to not pan the story, and it is. But I'd only recommend it if you have much stomach for a story about a conflict between two factions of a people who glorify war and confuse hostility with social interaction, and consider any form of intellectual prowess beyond cunning and tactics to be a sign of weakness.