The Left Hand of Destiny Books I & II
Star Trek DS9
By J. G. Hertzler & Jeffrey Lang 

     Stories involving Klingons are invariably impressive, for they are the best loved and most complete of all the Star Trek alien races. There is so much information for a writer to get their teeth into and when one of the authors is the actor responsible for playing General Martok, I knew I was in for a compelling tale. I wasn't disappointed; the time is directly after the Dominion War and Chancellor Martok is returning home to take up his new role. Something feels wrong about it all, and he is wishing instead he was going to meet some worthy foe in battle. Soon he gets his wish, for terrorist blows up the Great Hall when it is full of High Council members ready to welcome their new chancellor. The perpetrator soon reveals himself as Morjod, who has come to give the Klingon people back their identity and usher in a new age. Trouble is, it seems to involve some presumed-extinct monsters and many things that Klingons aren't supposed to approve of. How can Martok and his friends (aided and abetted by an extraordinary Ferengi) get everything back to the way it ought to be?

     Take lots of battle scenes, plenty of Klingon culture and mythology, then add some DS9 characters and a Bilbo Baggins-like Ferengi, and you have a good duet of novels. This tale would make a great film, sweeping from the deck of the IKS Rotarran to the capital city of Qo'noS and the icy wastes of Boreth. This is a humdinger of a Trek story that ought to please most fans. The characters are well delineated and there is a healthy balance of action and introspection, grimness laced with humor, and a well-rounded plot. Tuck in and enjoy - this is quite a feast.