Rating: 
Summary: Unique Perspective
Review: Set during the first five year mission of TOS this tale, for the most part, is told through the eyes of a Klingon infiltrator who has come onboard the USS Enterprise to kill Kirk which makes this book very different from the usual Star Trek novel. The incredible detail and fantastic characterizations make for a book you don't want to end. Luckily there is plenty more story to tell and I for one can't wait for books two and three. Additionally fans of the Klingons will really love this book for the glimpses it provides into Klingon society during that time.
Rating:
Summary: ST: TOS Errand of Vengeance: The Edge of the Sword
Review: Star Trek: The Original Series, Errand of Vengeance: The Edge of the Sword by Kevin Ryan is the opening salvo to a great new trilogy. Filled with mystique and intrigue this new series is told from the perspective of the crew, the ones that either live or sometimes die in the service of the mission under the command of Captain James T. Kirk.These are the best and the brightess the Federation has to offer as their skills are being tested. Yet, this is a story that is more than a typical Star Trek save the galaxy story. The story, so far, is two-fold bringing out a intricately woven plot and sub-plot. First, we have a surgically altered Klingon,(Kell), who is one of the newest security recruits with a misson to kill Captain Kirk, and secondly we have a story about a young Lieutenant West fresh out of the accadamy working in Starfleet command to uncover a way to deal with the Klingon threat of war, or is there something else at Starfleet command that hasn't been told yet... hmmm. What is so compelling about this series is that the author has tied into the storyline some of the epsodic televison series as we read on in the book. This gives the reader a more robust look into those minor characters of the televison series. Not that they just gave their lives with little or no character development. This book gives insight into some of these people. The Klingon Empire is working on a build up of forces to go to war with the Federation, but why. This book is a Klingon lovers delight, as we get into the mind-set of how Klingons think. With the infiltration of Starfleet security aboard the Enterprise, Lieutenant Anderson, (Kell), is on away missions, but he has an adgenda to keep. This book is an exceptional book of courage and skill with intrigue. As the book unfolds, you will be captivated and glued to this fascinating story and won't want to put this book down. Mounting tension is happening all troughout this book, as those who boldly go where no man has gone before, work through adventure and crisis. Keeping the mission at hand and their hidden adgenda balanced till the time is right. Amazing skill by the author works through this book, keeping the reader captivated. I must say, this is a book that I read cover to cover in one night... too bad I have to wait for the next two installments... but the set-up in this volume has and will keep your interest till they do arrive. The Errand of Vengeance series is fascinating, so far, with "Killing Blow and River of Blood" coming out soon. I'll see you around for those as well... in the meantime, live long and prosper.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, Jon Anderson, you *are* Going for the One
Review: The One is James Tiberius Kirk, and along the way you'll learn that your job isn't going to be as easy as you think, because after all, these humans that you are forced to endure really do have their own unique code of honor, and suddenly you find yourself feeling less and less sure about your mission. By the end of the book, you will realize a thing or two about duty and honor, and how they sometimes conflict.
I liked this book, but be advised, it is *not* as good as some of the other Trek literature. There are places where it drags, and some of the scenes are a little difficult to swallow. Still, its Trek, and anything Trek is worth a spin around the block.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book.
Review: This book started out with two strikes against it; it was part of a trilogy, and it focused on a Klingon. Given that I'm NOT one of the multitudes of Klingon fans among current Star Trek afficionados, and I HATE I HATE I HATE stories that end "to be continued" without finishing what they started, I had low expectations here. So imagine my pleasant surprise when we actually had a story that finished one full plotline, and ended at a perfectly acceptable point, even if there was an overarching continuing subplot in the background, and one that dealt with the Klingon element in a way that could almost make me, a diehard Original-series, Klingons-are-stereotypical-bad-guys kind of guy, appreciate them. There are several very large holes in the basic concept, that require a bit more suspension of disbelief than I can manage: the central character, Kell, aka Jon Anderson, is a Klingon infiltrator disguised as a human, much like the character in the episode "Trouble With Tribbles". He is surgically altered to "appear" human, even to the point of having his blood's color changed from lavender to red. But he won't be able to pass any examination from a doctor, as his internal anatomy is essentially unchanged and so he has to go to great lengths to avoid sickbay. Now, how many ways is this silly? Can a person really expect to be assigned to a starship and NOT get a routine physical exam within 48 hours? Given that the answer to this question is "no", would the Klingons really be dumb enough to try this scam? And if this happened BEFORE "Trouble With Tribbles", and if Kell is eventually discovered (granted, he isn't by the end of this book) wouldn't that have caused the Federation to be more diligent in finding disguised Klingons, thus making it even less likely that THAT infiltrator could have succeeded as far as he did? On the other hand, if it happens AFTER that episode, wouldn't they be even more on guard here? All of this makes the main concept EXTREMELY dubious, but it's such a fun story that I'm at least mostly willing to give it a free ride on the issue. It would have been better, though, if it had been explained that the disguise was good enough to fool a routine physical, but a THOROUGH exam would reveal the deception. That would have been plausible, and have made the suspension of disbelief a LITTLE easier.
Rating:
Summary: Fine story
Review: This is the first in a trilogy of excellent books that focus on a Klingon infiltrator aboard the USS Enterprise. Not being a fan of Klingon-heavy Star Trek stories, I began reading the work expecting it to be the usual, run-of-the-mill stuff. I am pleased to say that this was not the case at all. The book (and its two siblings) are simply excellent. The Klingon infiltrator finds himself in a security position, facing harsh dangers alongside human security personnel. Fans of "space battle Star Trek" and "developed character Star Trek" will both be more than satisfied with the story. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Fine story
Review: This is the first in a trilogy of excellent books that focus on a Klingon infiltrator aboard the USS Enterprise. Not being a fan of Klingon-heavy Star Trek stories, I began reading the work expecting it to be the usual, run-of-the-mill stuff. I am pleased to say that this was not the case at all. The book (and its two siblings) are simply excellent. The Klingon infiltrator finds himself in a security position, facing harsh dangers alongside human security personnel. Fans of "space battle Star Trek" and "developed character Star Trek" will both be more than satisfied with the story. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Cutting Edge Novel
Review: This is the second trilogy this year conceived to look at the lives of some of the other crew members on the starship Enterprise, and in many ways is even truer to the concept than L.A. Graf's excellent "The Janus Gate" series. While it is obvious that Kevin Ryan's experience as a writer isn't up there with the best, his sentence structure leaves a lot to be desired, what he lacks in technical skill he more than makes up for in good storytelling. This is without doubt one of the most action packed Star Trek novels to come along in years, and delivers a level of excitement that represents all that is best in the Star Trek universe. This story actually takes place early in the show's first season, and while I am not entirely convinced by the way the author chose to tie events into this book at least he made an effort. There is some good character development - even some romance - but it is never allowed to slide into pointless soap opera drivel like so much of modern Star Trek writing. The central character is of course the Klingon agent "Kell", and while his musings about "pathetic, weak, cowardly Earthers" does get a little annoying at times, in the context of the story it works okay. Overall this is a great start to this trilogy and I'll be interested to see if the author can maintain this high level of quality across the series.
Rating:
Summary: Good book - but book 1 of 3 series
Review: This is the start of another series about the "crew" although Kirk, Spock, McCoy, etc. have their fair share of the book. This story centers around a newly graduated group of Security personell assigned to the Enterprise but one of them has been killed and replaced by an Klingon named Kell. Kell's mission is to kill Kirk and disable the Enterprise because the Klingons are gearing up to resume their war against the Federation. There are also things happening at Star fleet command and on a Klingon ship where Kell's brother is stationed. How Kell doesn't gets detected when he is transported or when a tricorder is used by his landing party trying to find human settlers and Orion pirates is beyond me (although he does avoid exams by Dr McCoy) but I quess he can not be detected early for the story to happen. I would recommend the book to any Star Trek fan as it was a good book with a somewhat stand alone story although the main thread will be continued into the other 2 books. My main objection was the somewhat excessive overthinking on Kell's part - granted some is needed but not that much. I also think it would be much better to have a bigger book with less filler than dragging it out as a trilogy, particularly since I am ready to read the rest of the story and have no ideal when I will be able to - plus I know it will then be the middle and I will still have to wait longer for the conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This one of the best TOS books I have ever read. It kept me going all the way through. I can't wait for the others to come out. I started reading on a Friday and was finished by Sunday afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: Very Cool!
Review: This trilogy was a thrilling look inside the lives of those long unsung heros of TOS. It makes you think twice before you make another joke about the "Red Shirts". These guys (and girls) are total... kickers. Watch out Klingons! These earthers are made of tougher stuff than you think. In this series, the depth of the Klingon infiltration into the Federation speaks highly of the deadly cunning nature of the enemy but as we've seen in the past, the federation employs only the finest people who can be quite deadly themselves when the situation calls for it. This intimate view of the average crewman's day to day life aboard the Enterprise is a delight to read with plenty of triumphs and tragedies to satisfy even the most action hungry reader. Mr. Ryan's ability to weave a complex story neatly into the stories we all know from watching late night reruns of TOS again and again gives the reader a strong incentive to keep turning pages. I totally enjoyed this book and the other two in this series. I anxiously look forward to seeing more from this talented author.
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