Customer Reviews

Rules of Conflict

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Almost two decades ago, Jani Killian served on a diplomatic mission to the Idomeni. Her superior officer broke regulations and interfered in the local civil war. In the subsequent dispute, Jani kills him, but almost dies too from an explosion. The doctors on board, Shroud and Parini saved Jani's life when they introduce Idomeni DNA into her body. Jani went underground so she would not face charges of mutiny and murder.

Eighteen years later, her body seems to be rejecting the foreign DNA. Desperate for help, Jani checks into an obscure off-world medical facility where her past still catches up with her. However, instead of a trial and conviction, Jani, accompanied by an intel officer and an archivist, begins to investigate what really happened on Idomeni and why everyone who was involved wants it kept buried at all costs.

RULES OF CONFLICT is an exciting science fiction tale that proves Kristin Smith's debut novel (see CODE OF CONDUCT) is no fluke. The story line is complex due to the interstellar conspiracy to hide the past. Surprisingly, and this further demonstrates the author's talent, the intricacy of the plot actually augments the non-stop, fast-paced action. Ms. Smith's talent resides with her characters who appear real whether they are Idomeni, earthlings, or the reengineered hybrid heroine. Ms. Smith takes the X-Files into outer space.

Harriet Klausner

This is the second of Kristine Smith's "Jani Kilian" novels, and it's a great read. Smith's first offering, "Code of Conduct," showed promise: it was brilliantly written although confusing and overly flashbacky. This one is even better written, if that's possible, and not at all flashbacky.

At the end of the first book Jani, the cat-eyed "augmented" hybridized (against her will) military document examiner who once apparently killed her commanding officer during a civil war among the alien Idomeni (some of whose DNA she now carries) seemed to have got clean away after solving a murder mystery. But in this tale she quickly gets pulled back in, and the next thing she knows she's up to her neck in diplomatic negotiations, while her body enhancements are failing (fix the chick's knee and get her a new liver--STAT).

Smith's plotting is delightfully over the top although confusing, and maybe she's done that on purpose. She obviously wants to focus attention on Jani and her mob (a few chapters are told from viewpoints other than Jani's) while the diplomatic events, having to do with delicate human-Idomeni negotiations, are kept murkily in the background. And so what I took, in the first book, to be "first novel" faults may in fact be deliberate. No doubt more shall be revealed in the author's next volume (the third of four), "Law of Survival." I look forward to it.

I have to admit, I normally don't like reading a trilogy or series of books. Waiting for the next book to come out just is a pain... especially if you're really hooked into a good triolgy like this one.

The wait was WELL worth it. The follow-up to Code of Conduct is amazing. Enough intrigue, mystery and conspiracies to make an X-files fan VERY happy with a dash of action thrown in for good measure. All in all a recipe for an excellend sci-fi book. Jani Killian is one of the most kick-butt heroines I've read about. Very human, but someone well worth cheering for. The secondary characters are very well defined as well. The Idomeni culture is superbly described, alien yet familiar in some ways.

Before reading this, you definitely should pick up Code of Conduct and read it. It's well worth your time.

This second book in the Jani Killian series outperforms the first, which was also excellent. It's military science fiction, but intelligently plotted and well-written. Smith keeps tension high despite the relative lack of violent action -- Killian is physically falling apart, diplomatic relations between humans and between humans and aliens are tense, and old crimes are on the verge of being discovered. Characterization is excellent here, with a number of very appealing, well-drawn characters. The SF setting is believable and strong, and the plot is clearer than in the first installment. Smith's grasp of personalities and institutions is deft, sometimes tragic, sometimes humorous. I enjoyed this very much and highly recommend it.

Kristine Smith has done it again! In CODE OF CONDUCT she gave us a wonderfully complex future filled with believable characters, realistic aliens and timeless conflicts. I dived into RULES OF CONFLICT wondering if she'd be able to do it again, and she *did*! It's a terrific read that will pull you in from the start and hold you through the last page. I can't wait for the third one! Kristine? Write faster!

I found myself sad that the book was ending. That's not unusual for me. Writing a review of the book is.

I think this is one of those books that is better if you read the other first, but it would probably stand alone well. I didn't feel that I was being strung along by a series with either book.

There are no glaring medical or science mistakes. And none of those annoying dropped dilemmas. Even though the story is dependent on events in the past, and I think there could be a "prequel" to even Code of Conflict, there is no redundant backtracking or unexplained motivation and no flashbacks.

I'm glad I bought the book(s) and will buy the next one Ms. Smith writes.

I bought this book on a whim... At first, it appeared to be a formula novel, but the weak start gradually gives way to a good story. The opening is too disjointed for me to be highly impressed by the book but Smith settles down into a style that does manage to grip you - and, in my case, this was despite skepticism over the start of the novel.

As the story progresses, she demonstrates skill with characterization, cultural sensitivity and story telling. It is not a hard science book, however, there are no real serious scientific blunders to detract from the story. As I mentioned above, I bought the book on a whim - prepared to write off the six bucks - but enjoyed it enough to order another of her books. I guess some people who like hard SF will possibly find it lacking but I think that, over time, Smith will turn up on their bookshelves. If you are between two minds on whether to buy the book or not - take the plunge...its always fun to read stuff by a new author with talent.

Intellectually it seems like I should be able to resist the almost-common plot of pure-hearted hero/oine in a dirty world. I couldn't. It was a pleasure to read and this book integrated well with the previous book in the series.

I have thoroughly enjoyed both books that Kristine Smith has produced and am waiting with some anticipation for the third which is due later this year. For a new writer she has produced a heroine that you want to know more about in a universe that appears more interesting the more you read. She has managed to evade the trap of many new authors of feeling that everything has to be completely explained all in one hit and one is left wanting more. Jane Kilian our heroine has finally been returned to face trial but things are not going to happen the way everyone expects. Get the books. Read them both. I guarantee you will enjoy them.

Kristine Smith's follow up to Code of Conduct doesn't satisfy. She is a good writer, creates interesting characters, and sets them in a believable future world. But then she wanders around, like her heroine, incapacitated by strange afflictions that confuse memories, reality, and hallucinations. Badly needed a rigorous editor who wouldn't have let her get away with it.