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Star Trek: Errand of Vengeance #3
River Of Blood
Every person has a story, and those who are lucky enough to share the voyages of Capt. James T. Kirk aboard the "Starship Enterprise" (TM) have stories unlike anyone else's. Some live, some die, but even those who serve below deck sometimes make all the difference in the universe!The news from Starfleet Command is grim: a full-scale war against the Klingon Empire is coming, a war that the Federation may not be able to win. In anticipation of a monumental conflict, the "U.S.S. Enterprise" (TM) is assigned to guard a vital starbase located perilously close to Klingon space.
But even as Kirk's mission brings him into a tense confrontation with an invading Klingon battle cruiser, an equally deadly menace lurks within the ranks of his own crew: Klingon infiltrator agents, posing as Starfleet officers and sworn to destroy the enemies of the Empire -- even at the cost oftheir own honor!
But even as Kirk's mission brings him into a tense confrontation with an invading Klingon battle cruiser, an equally deadly menace lurks within the ranks of his own crew: Klingon infiltrator agents, posing as Starfleet officers and sworn to destroy the enemies of the Empire -- even at the cost oftheir own honor!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 30, 2002
19 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Ryan
125 books21 followersKevin Ryan is an American writer of many Star Trek books and one episode. He has also written comic books and the novelization of the movie Van Helsing. He lives in New York with his wife and children.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 19, 2020
The final novel in this book is a terrific end to a trilogy, though I think it will have greater impact on the reader if the previous two books have been read.
Following the events of the previous installment, the Enterprise is battered and in need of repairs. Unfortunately war with the Klingon Empire is eminent and a Starbase that is supposed to be handed over to civilians orbits a planet that has been discovered as a source of dilithium crystals, which the Klingons need after their loss during the second book. Killing Blow.
Klingon disguised as a human Kell still serves aboard the Enterprise, placed there to kill Kirk, but his heart is no longer in it. He has seen the humans proven themselves to be honorable and what has been taught to him about their weaknesses are actually strengths. What will Kell do when he is forced to defend Starbase 42 from Klingons, of which, unknown to him, is his brother? That's one of the major plot points.
There's pretty much nonstop action in this book, with the deaths of the characters incredibly powerful. The final page has a masterstroke of a surprise that ends this series beautifully and leads into one of the films.
Highest possible recommendation for fans of Star Trek.
Following the events of the previous installment, the Enterprise is battered and in need of repairs. Unfortunately war with the Klingon Empire is eminent and a Starbase that is supposed to be handed over to civilians orbits a planet that has been discovered as a source of dilithium crystals, which the Klingons need after their loss during the second book. Killing Blow.
Klingon disguised as a human Kell still serves aboard the Enterprise, placed there to kill Kirk, but his heart is no longer in it. He has seen the humans proven themselves to be honorable and what has been taught to him about their weaknesses are actually strengths. What will Kell do when he is forced to defend Starbase 42 from Klingons, of which, unknown to him, is his brother? That's one of the major plot points.
There's pretty much nonstop action in this book, with the deaths of the characters incredibly powerful. The final page has a masterstroke of a surprise that ends this series beautifully and leads into one of the films.
Highest possible recommendation for fans of Star Trek.
July 10, 2019
The last paragraph of the last book was worth reading all three in the series just to get to that. A great addition to Trek lore.
A great back story to the Federation/Klingon history. Including the Battle of Axanar was a great way to introduce extra-canon history to people who may of never heard of Axanar.
A great back story to the Federation/Klingon history. Including the Battle of Axanar was a great way to introduce extra-canon history to people who may of never heard of Axanar.
November 23, 2025
Star Trek: TOS: Errand of Vengeance 03 River Of Blood by Kevin Ryan
4.5 Stars
challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
The author truly stuck the landing for the book and the trilogy. He did NOT pull any punches. It was a real...as a Star Trek novel can be. Wow!
I am so glad that I picked up this trilogy. Sadly, I had read Errand of Fury 01 Seeds of Rage by Kevin Ryan, but it wasn't enough for me to follow through and complete THAT trilogy. Now, I am going to reread that first book, so that I will be able to push through...with all the knowledge that I've learned from this trilogy. That's why it is important to start at the beginning, instead of "disorder". Yep.
The main character of this trilogy is Kell, a human looking Klingon spy. This "smooth forehead" type of Klingon was used to infiltrate Starfleet to gain tactical advantage...with his assignment...to KILL Captain James T. Kirk.
We were in his head, hearing why he should, and why he shouldn't. It was an interesting predicament to be in. It was almost like the Japanese Kamikazis...they were going to die, no matter if they succeeded/failed. At times there was a hope within him, but the reality was...he knew this was all temporary.
Our hero crew was represented beautifully. Loved the tension that happened in the story, but was also impressed with the more realistic aspects of "what would actually happen" in this scenario.
BUT, it was also abundantly clear, that anyone near these hero characters were probably expendable (sadly), and so when "things happened", I wasn't too surprised, but there were a few that I thought would've made it, but also...some had to die...to make it more believable. Killing his darlings, but it made for more tension...that's for sure.
Next up is: Errand of Fury 01 Seeds of Rage by Kevin Ryan (which will be a reread)...but I'm excited to read it...with all the knowlege I have accrued in this trilogy.
4.5 Stars
challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
The author truly stuck the landing for the book and the trilogy. He did NOT pull any punches. It was a real...as a Star Trek novel can be. Wow!
I am so glad that I picked up this trilogy. Sadly, I had read Errand of Fury 01 Seeds of Rage by Kevin Ryan, but it wasn't enough for me to follow through and complete THAT trilogy. Now, I am going to reread that first book, so that I will be able to push through...with all the knowledge that I've learned from this trilogy. That's why it is important to start at the beginning, instead of "disorder". Yep.
The main character of this trilogy is Kell, a human looking Klingon spy. This "smooth forehead" type of Klingon was used to infiltrate Starfleet to gain tactical advantage...with his assignment...to KILL Captain James T. Kirk.
We were in his head, hearing why he should, and why he shouldn't. It was an interesting predicament to be in. It was almost like the Japanese Kamikazis...they were going to die, no matter if they succeeded/failed. At times there was a hope within him, but the reality was...he knew this was all temporary.
Our hero crew was represented beautifully. Loved the tension that happened in the story, but was also impressed with the more realistic aspects of "what would actually happen" in this scenario.
BUT, it was also abundantly clear, that anyone near these hero characters were probably expendable (sadly), and so when "things happened", I wasn't too surprised, but there were a few that I thought would've made it, but also...some had to die...to make it more believable. Killing his darlings, but it made for more tension...that's for sure.
Next up is: Errand of Fury 01 Seeds of Rage by Kevin Ryan (which will be a reread)...but I'm excited to read it...with all the knowlege I have accrued in this trilogy.
November 20, 2025
Well I have to say that I had low expectations for this series probably due to their boring staged-photo covers but I was pleasantly surprised.
This being the last of the trilogy I was worried that they wouldn't stick the landing as far as Karel and Kell's story was concerned especially with where the last book ended but Ryan ended it in a way that only it could.
West ends his story as expected as I figured he is who he thought I was and the end had a tie-in to Star Trek VI I did not expect.
However, the first two books have a battle on the ground and in space and this one combines it into one battle on an old space station. Ryan again does a great job with the battle and does not hold back in casualties as the title may have suggested. Ironically (or perhaps intentionally) the battles are almost Tom Clancy-esque which is fitting with having a character named Clancy in the battle.
For having a series that does not stray from focusing on Kirk these books have done a great job of giving the perspective of events from the Redshirt level. I enjoyed this trilogy and had a great book to end it.
This being the last of the trilogy I was worried that they wouldn't stick the landing as far as Karel and Kell's story was concerned especially with where the last book ended but Ryan ended it in a way that only it could.
West ends his story as expected as I figured he is who he thought I was and the end had a tie-in to Star Trek VI I did not expect.
However, the first two books have a battle on the ground and in space and this one combines it into one battle on an old space station. Ryan again does a great job with the battle and does not hold back in casualties as the title may have suggested. Ironically (or perhaps intentionally) the battles are almost Tom Clancy-esque which is fitting with having a character named Clancy in the battle.
For having a series that does not stray from focusing on Kirk these books have done a great job of giving the perspective of events from the Redshirt level. I enjoyed this trilogy and had a great book to end it.
August 7, 2025
I have to admit, I'm in two minds about the death of the main Klingon infiltrator here. On the one hand, it was really the only possible ending for him. On the other, I would have liked there to be another possibility for him, because despite everything he was a good person - or could have been a good person - and there's something depressingly familiar about dead good people being object lessons for the living, particularly in genre fiction. I understand there's a follow-up trilogy; the library doesn't have it but maybe I'll come across it anyway sometime.
It's been a fun series - fast-paced and well-written. A little too heavy on the battles for my personal taste, but I was genuinely interested in the beginnings of change in the Klingon culture. The library does have the Kahless novel, which is probably the beginning of that story, so next time I go in I'll have to pick it up.
It's been a fun series - fast-paced and well-written. A little too heavy on the battles for my personal taste, but I was genuinely interested in the beginnings of change in the Klingon culture. The library does have the Kahless novel, which is probably the beginning of that story, so next time I go in I'll have to pick it up.
February 7, 2017
Dramatic ending with tons of action, blood and heroïsm. But a not really unexpected conclusion of this 3-part episode of the franchise. It reads nicely but also fills a few gaps in the historical line of the series.
February 5, 2024
A Temporary Reprieve
Without giving any of the plot away, I can say this book is full of action! And that's putting it mildly. The crew of the Enterprise are all that stands between getting Starfleet the time it needs to prepare... that's all I'm going to tell you. Read it.
Without giving any of the plot away, I can say this book is full of action! And that's putting it mildly. The crew of the Enterprise are all that stands between getting Starfleet the time it needs to prepare... that's all I'm going to tell you. Read it.
May 14, 2021
A good end to a good trilogy. I liked the trilogy much better than I thought I would, seeing as how I'm not crazy about Klingons.
November 8, 2021
A fun read.
It kept me turning the pages.
It was enjoyable even with all the typos. 😅
On to the next trilogy.
It kept me turning the pages.
It was enjoyable even with all the typos. 😅
On to the next trilogy.
July 6, 2025
Very enjoyable book and series 👌
September 25, 2014
“River of Blood” is the final novel in Kevin Ryan’s “Errand of Vengeance” trilogy. The novel continues to follow the exploits of Kell aka Jon Anderson, a Klingon spy currently serving on the USS Enterprise. In particular the story is focussed on the defence of Starbase 42 against a Klingon attempt to obtain a large quantity of starship-grade dilithium crystals which are held on the planet below.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of novels, with particular interest deriving from the development of the various “lower deck” characters. Therefore it was a little bit disappointing to see that Ryan has changed tack with this book and has pushed the character elements of the story aside in order to create one big action packed finale. This different focus does result in a fast paced and thoroughly entertaining novel but it felt like it was missing something.
Another issue related to this different focus is that Kell himself is reduced to a very minor role. It feels to me like Ryan had maybe developed the character too quickly and was left with an entire novel in which he just had to give the character some sort of ending; an ending which I have to say was pretty predictable. I did note that this does allow Kirk and the main crew to take more of an active role in the story which will I am sure appeal to some people but I was a little bit disappointed as I had really enjoyed the freshness of concentrating on Kell and the other “minor” characters.
Whilst this review does appear a bit negative I do want to clarify that I did enjoy the book, it is a fun read and the characters acted and behaved in a manner I have come to expect. In addition, it was nice to see that whilst the character elements in the novel were diminished Ryan has tried to give all them at least one important moment with Admiral Justman in particular getting an exceptional finale.
Overall, this book is a decent finale to the series with entertaining action scenes aplenty but it was probably my least favourite due to the reduction in character elements and the loss of focus on Kell’s story. The series as a whole has been a wonderful adventure for me and I have really enjoyed its focus on the secondary characters which has given it a very fresh feeling. It is a bit of a shame that this experiment was abandoned and most books have gone back to following the main three crew members but either way I am now looking forward to reading Ryan’s follow up series “Errand of Fury” which continues the story of Klingon-Federation tensions right up until the events of the TV episode “Errand of Mercy”.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of novels, with particular interest deriving from the development of the various “lower deck” characters. Therefore it was a little bit disappointing to see that Ryan has changed tack with this book and has pushed the character elements of the story aside in order to create one big action packed finale. This different focus does result in a fast paced and thoroughly entertaining novel but it felt like it was missing something.
Another issue related to this different focus is that Kell himself is reduced to a very minor role. It feels to me like Ryan had maybe developed the character too quickly and was left with an entire novel in which he just had to give the character some sort of ending; an ending which I have to say was pretty predictable. I did note that this does allow Kirk and the main crew to take more of an active role in the story which will I am sure appeal to some people but I was a little bit disappointed as I had really enjoyed the freshness of concentrating on Kell and the other “minor” characters.
Whilst this review does appear a bit negative I do want to clarify that I did enjoy the book, it is a fun read and the characters acted and behaved in a manner I have come to expect. In addition, it was nice to see that whilst the character elements in the novel were diminished Ryan has tried to give all them at least one important moment with Admiral Justman in particular getting an exceptional finale.
Overall, this book is a decent finale to the series with entertaining action scenes aplenty but it was probably my least favourite due to the reduction in character elements and the loss of focus on Kell’s story. The series as a whole has been a wonderful adventure for me and I have really enjoyed its focus on the secondary characters which has given it a very fresh feeling. It is a bit of a shame that this experiment was abandoned and most books have gone back to following the main three crew members but either way I am now looking forward to reading Ryan’s follow up series “Errand of Fury” which continues the story of Klingon-Federation tensions right up until the events of the TV episode “Errand of Mercy”.
December 24, 2012
A solid ending to a wonderful series. If you are a fan of action and fast-paced storytelling, you will love this book. Some of the wonderful character moments from the first two books in the series are done away with here to make room for the compelling action sequences, but if you're like me, you'll enjoy the ride as a thrilling climax to this compelling story arc. Editing problems abound, as in the first two volumes, which unfortunately lower the book's rating somewhat. The story continues in Errand of Fury!
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2012/12/r...
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2012/12/r...
March 21, 2010
'River of Blood' is an action filled conclusion of the 'Errand of Vengeance' trilogy. It was pretty good; tied up all the plot lines nicely.
March 6, 2014
The series of three finishes with this novel - enjoyed each one more than the previous one. Great action ending and lots of nobility!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews