Killing Blow: Errand of Vengeance Book Two (Star Trek The Original Series) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Kevin Ryan (Author) "LESLIE PARRISH TRACED the scar on Kell's shoulder..." (more)
Key Phrases: Captain Kirk, Chief Brantley, Ensign Sobel (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

There are more than four hundred sagas aboard the Starship Enterprise™, one for each of the unique men and women serving under the command of Capt. James T. Kirk. For years their personal adventures, their individual struggles and successes, have gone largely untold...until now.

The U.S.S. Enterprise™ is patrolling the Klingon border when sensors detect a massive power source on a planet supposedly populated only by a race of primitive humanoids. Suspecting some sort of Klingon plot, Captain Kirk decides to investigate the matter personally, beaming down to the planet with Dr. McCoy and a team of security officers.

But Kirk is in more danger than he knows. Among the landing party is Lt. Jon Anderson, a Klingon infiltrator on an undercover mission aboard the Enterprise. Anderson does not know if the Empire is at work on the unnamed planet, but if it is, then his duty demands that Kirk be stopped -- by all means necessary.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074344602X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743446020
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #599,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A ripping second installment in the series, August 14, 2008

By	Roger J. Buffington (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is the second in the series (a trilogy) dealing with Lt. Jon Anderson, a security officer aboard the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain James T. Kirk. Lt. Anderson is a Klingon spy, surgically altered to pass as a human (or, in Klingon parlance, an "Earther"). His mission: to assassinate Captain Kirk.

This story, like the first novel in the series, is told largely from the perspective of Lt. Anderson. Anderson shows the reader the Klingons from the Klingons' own perspective. Even more interesting, he shows us the Federation from the Klingon's perspective. And even more interesting, this novel succeeds in showing the reader the Klingons as Lt. Anderson comes to perceive them. For Anderson is undergoing a cathartic transformation in this story well beyond the intention of his Klingon masters. While he was indoctrinated to believe that humans and other Federation races are honorless scum, he comes to understand human beings from the perspective of a human being. While somewhat predictable, author Ryan handles this transformation very well.

I bought this series via my Kindle. It was great being able to finish one novel, and instantaneously download the next installment thereby continuing through the series uninterrupted.

This is a pretty well-written novel, and an engaging, quick, and enjoyable read. Perfect for a beer and chips afternoon, which is precisely what I intended it for. For those of us who love the "Star Trek" universe, it does not get any better than this.

Recommended for all Star Trek fans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars and again..., January 15, 2003

By	Jumbo (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

Mr. Ryan has continued his fine saga in this book. A very good read, and if you're a hardcore Trek fan (and I can't stress this enough) the entire series is a MUST READ. Mr. Ryan masterfully ties in many stories from many original series episodes and characters. Trek fans always love a familiar reference, and Mr. Ryan passes out plenty. But more importanly, they're neatly giftwrapped in an extremely well-written book and finely crafted story lines.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ST-TOS: Killing Blow: Errand of Vengeance, September 16, 2002

By	Joe Zika "Khemprof" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Star Trek-The Original Series, Killing Blow: Errand of Vengeance written by Kevin Ryan is the second installment of a trilogy called the "Errand of Vengeance." This is a Klingon story, but what a "Klingon Story" indeed, one filled with a plot to kill Captain Jasmes T. Kirk.

This book is filled with action and below decks workings of the crew of the Enterprise as they prepare to set things right in the STAR TREK UNIVERSE. As from the first book in the trilogy, "The Edge of the Sword," we found out about the plot to kill Captain Kirk and the inflitration of security on the Enterprise by cosmetically changed Klingons. If this wasn't enough we also learned of a Klingon plan to start a war with the Federation. To accomplish this, the Klingons needed starship grade dilithium crystals to power the ships for the invasion, thus a mining operation commenced on the thrid planet in System 7348, even though in has a pre-warp civilization of humanoids, which is close to the Klingon-Federation boarder.

Of course, Kirk and company is now sent to investigate and as suspected the Orions are doing the Klingon Empires bidding here and mining the dilithium crystals and shaking the planet in doing so. But remember, Kell (the Klingon) posing as Jon Anderson, sent to kill Kirk and who worked in Klingon intelligence, still has a mission to accomplish.

With all of the twists, turns, convolutions and surprises found in this book... well you get the picture... you are engrossed in the story to find out what happens next. Keven Ryan writes a compelling and artful story that keeps your interest.

I found that most, not all, but most second books are not as good as the first and third of the trilogy... well... I was pleasently, bolt out of the blue, surprised, as this book, not only carried the story well, but brought us along to want to read the third book.

If you like Klingon stories... this is your cup of "Bloodwine." Filled with intrigue, treachery, debauchery, deception, mystery along with Kahless's honor and truth as a well written story telling the tale well.

In the meantime... live long and prosper... see you in book three of the trilogy "River of Blood."