Rating: 
Summary: Stinko!
Review: Boy, I thought this book stunk. I couldn't finish it. I know people who rave about Diane Duane's Romulan books, but they read like bad fan fiction to me. Her depiction of Romulan customs and mores is convoluted and silly. Even the names are silly. Stay away from this one. Plus, it's obvious that this book and #4 in the series are one book split into two to grab more money from the reader. Don't let them get away with it!
Rating: 
Summary: Will the real story please stand up?
Review: Diane Duane is by far my most favoraite Star Trek author and I would have bet long odds that any book that she wrote is a "must have". However, 'Swordhunt' and 'Honor Blade' proved this assumption to be totally wrong. There just seems to have a 'whole lot of nothing' going on in both stories. Correction: You have one somewhat hectic Star Trek shot-em-up style space battle in each book . . . and the rest of the story (??) so far seems to be in a continuation that has not yet been printed. I have read and re-read both books a number of times and I have yet to have any clue as to what is actually going on. No doubt, if and when we actually get to the *real* story . . . in the next volume . . . all this seemingly wasted effort telling a back story will make sense . . . but as it is now, be prepared to be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Will the real story please stand up?
Review: Diane Duane is by far my most favoraite Star Trek author and I would have bet long odds that any book that she wrote is a "must have". However, 'Swordhunt' and 'Honor Blade' proved this assumption to be totally wrong. There just seems to have a 'whole lot of nothing' going on in both stories. Correction: You have one somewhat hectic Star Trek shot-em-up style space battle in each book . . . and the rest of the story (??) so far seems to be in a continuation that has not yet been printed. I have read and re-read both books a number of times and I have yet to have any clue as to what is actually going on. No doubt, if and when we actually get to the *real* story . . . in the next volume . . . all this seemingly wasted effort telling a back story will make sense . . . but as it is now, be prepared to be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing Sequal
Review: Diane Duane's _My Enemy, My Ally_ is one of my all time favorite Star Trek books, so I was eagerly anticipating Book 3 & Book 4 of the Rihannsu series. Unfortunately, this book is not in the league as _My Enemy, My Ally_. _Swordhunt_ continues the story of the Enterprise, Ael and the sword stolen in the previous book. _Swordhunt_ goes off on tangents, but ultimately goes nowhere. It should never have been a book on its own, it should have been one book with the fourth installment of this series. The books main strength is in its characters (and frankly, its the only reason to read it). The characterization of the original Enterprise crew is quite good. The Duane characters of Ael and her crew remain quite compelling. Other good Duane-created characters, such as Naraht and K's't'lk return, and are much appreciated. The plot (what there is of it) drags on. Fortunately, the story improves greatly in the 4th installment. This book is only weakly recommended as a prelude to the 4th book. They should have been one book.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Sequal
Review: Diane Duane's _My Enemy, My Ally_ is one of my all time favorite Star Trek books, so I was eagerly anticipating Book 3 & Book 4 of the Rihannsu series. Unfortunately, this book is not in the league as _My Enemy, My Ally_. _Swordhunt_ continues the story of the Enterprise, Ael and the sword stolen in the previous book. _Swordhunt_ goes off on tangents, but ultimately goes nowhere. It should never have been a book on its own, it should have been one book with the fourth installment of this series. The books main strength is in its characters (and frankly, its the only reason to read it). The characterization of the original Enterprise crew is quite good. The Duane characters of Ael and her crew remain quite compelling. Other good Duane-created characters, such as Naraht and K's't'lk return, and are much appreciated. The plot (what there is of it) drags on. Fortunately, the story improves greatly in the 4th installment. This book is only weakly recommended as a prelude to the 4th book. They should have been one book.
Rating: 
Summary: ah, star trek -- where have ye been?
Review: Diane's Trek is definitive. No one, with the possible exception of Nick Meyer, understands Trek better. And, clearly, no one crafts Trek of higher quality, intelligence and integrity than Diane. This is not to mention her commitment to Trek as hard SF, and the ability to deliver on same. I agree with other reviewers that it would be unwise to attempt the new novel (split into two so Pocket Books can make more money on it--after all, there is no precedent for a 600 page Trek novel) without having read those that come before: MY ENEMY, MY ALLY is the first. Then, THE ROMULAN WAY (quite simply a masterpiece--but if you're looking for Kirk and Spock, don't: they never appear). Pocket Books seems to have omitted Diane's finest Trek to date from its "Rihannsu" series, although I can't fathom why, since the story of SPOCK'S WORLD is inextricably intertwined with the story of the Romulans. Best option for those tackling Diane's Trek for the first time, in my opinion, is to omit MY ENEMY and start with SPOCK'S WORLD. You'll miss the "adventure" that brought Kirk, et al, together with Commander t'Rallilieu in the first place -- but, to be honest, it's lackluster by comparison with SPOCK'S WORLD. And, with the notable exception Ael t'Rallilieu, you'll meet *all* Diane's extended cast, including the gonzo physicist/crystal spider K's't'lk, in SW. You'll also get the necessary primer for Diane's version of the Romulans, their history and culture, which--of course--blows away anything TNG ever attempted in that regard. As for the new novel, it's an exceptional first part of an epic new story that has the effect of pulling various threads Diane's been exploring in her novels taut. The increase in scope is very welcome -- there are strategy sessions at the highest levels of all the superpowers -- while Duane's refusal to lose the working-class point of view that marked ROMULAN WAY (or its exceptional heroine, Arrhae, who is well-represented here), or the unique character *her* crew of the Enterprise (Naraht, Burke, Tanzer, et al) has taken on over the past fifteen or twenty years, is refreshing. This is Star Trek without the billion-dollar-franchise burden. You're not likely to see another example of same from anyone *other* than Diane (the only good writer left in the Trekbook stable). Better grab it while it's available--The Romulan Way was so good that Gene Roddenberry once tried to pull it off the shelves!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but a just little disappointing
Review: Hard to believe it's been sixteen years since Duane started this series! The first two books were so good, and the wait for the sequels has been so long, that I guess a little letdown is inevitable. Anyway, we're back with Ael the Romulan commander, and many of Duane's other unique ST characters (Arrhae, Naraht the horta, Harb Tanzer and K's't'lk the spider physicist). I won't spoil the plot, although there aren't many surprises to speak of. The best news is that there'll be more, and based on the ending of HONOR BLADE I can only hope fore a bit more excitement as things pick up. Duane fans won't be sorry they bought these. Just make sure you read MY ENEMY, MY ALLY and ROMULAN WAY first (also THE WOUNDED SKY if you can find a copy).
Rating:
Summary: Good book, too short!
Review: I agree with the other reviewer that said you need to have read the first two books of this series. Also recommended is to read Ms. Duane's super novel "The Wounded Sky." The usual Diane Duane trademarks are all here--good characterization, excellent supporting cast and an interesting situation for the original series crew. Duane has one of the richest supporting cast of Trek characters out there and she uses them all. My biggest complaint is that Pocket has become far too greedy. This book and the one that follow are obviously intended to be one novel (the first chapter of the next book is Chapter Six and this one ends with Chapter 5) but instead it's split up so we can double the price. Here's a novel idea, Pocket--if you want to have me ante up a large sum for one book, publish the next segement in hardcover and give me the whole story at once! OK, rant aside. This is an entertaining series and worthy of reading. Duane does a lot of interesting things with the Romulans. She makes them far more interesting than TNG did. It's also interesting that she ties in some elements of John M. Ford's views on Klingons from "The Wounded Sky."
Rating:
Summary: Good book, too short!
Review: I agree with the other reviewer that said you need to have read the first two books of this series. Also recommended is to read Ms. Duane's super novel "The Wounded Sky." The usual Diane Duane trademarks are all here--good characterization, excellent supporting cast and an interesting situation for the original series crew. Duane has one of the richest supporting cast of Trek characters out there and she uses them all. My biggest complaint is that Pocket has become far too greedy. This book and the one that follow are obviously intended to be one novel (the first chapter of the next book is Chapter Six and this one ends with Chapter 5) but instead it's split up so we can double the price. Here's a novel idea, Pocket--if you want to have me ante up a large sum for one book, publish the next segement in hardcover and give me the whole story at once! OK, rant aside. This is an entertaining series and worthy of reading. Duane does a lot of interesting things with the Romulans. She makes them far more interesting than TNG did. It's also interesting that she ties in some elements of John M. Ford's views on Klingons from "The Wounded Sky."
Rating:
Summary: Good book, too short!
Review: I agree with the other reviewer that said you need to have read the first two books of this series. Also recommended is to read Ms. Duane's super novel "The Wounded Sky." The usual Diane Duane trademarks are all here--good characterization, excellent supporting cast and an interesting situation for the original series crew. Duane has one of the richest supporting cast of Trek characters out there and she uses them all. My biggest complaint is that Pocket has become far too greedy. This book and the one that follow are obviously intended to be one novel (the first chapter of the next book is Chapter Six and this one ends with Chapter 5) but instead it's split up so we can double the price. Here's a novel idea, Pocket--if you want to have me ante up a large sum for one book, publish the next segement in hardcover and give me the whole story at once! OK, rant aside. This is an entertaining series and worthy of reading. Duane does a lot of interesting things with the Romulans. She makes them far more interesting than TNG did. It's also interesting that she ties in some elements of John M. Ford's views on Klingons from "The Wounded Sky."
| 
