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Star Trek: Day of Honor #4
Treaty's Law
The Day of Honor is celebrated throughout the Klingon Empire. But every tradition had to being somewhere...
Signi Beta is an M-class planet ideal for farming. The Federation wants Signi Beta, but the Klingon Empire has the stronger claim. Captain Kirk hates to lose the planet, especially to his old adversary, Commander Kor. Their mutual antagonism turns into an uneasy alliance, however, when yet another alien fleet attacks both the Klingons and the "U.S.S. Enterprise." Now Kirk and Kor must rely on each other's honor -- or none of them may survive to wage their war again.
Signi Beta is an M-class planet ideal for farming. The Federation wants Signi Beta, but the Klingon Empire has the stronger claim. Captain Kirk hates to lose the planet, especially to his old adversary, Commander Kor. Their mutual antagonism turns into an uneasy alliance, however, when yet another alien fleet attacks both the Klingons and the "U.S.S. Enterprise." Now Kirk and Kor must rely on each other's honor -- or none of them may survive to wage their war again.
277 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
27 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
1,364 books720 followersKristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 1, 2020
Like a lot of the Star Trek books I've read, it's ok, but not great. It has entertaining moments, but, other times, tends to plod along. For some reason, in general, most Star Trek books I've read struggle -- at least, to me --- in really establishing the chemistry between the characters that was in the original Star Trek TV series.
It has a new character, Vivian Rathbone, but her main plot function seems to function as a noob who ooo's and ahhhhs in admiration of the great Captain Kirk.
Based on the cover and book's description, I would have expected this book to have the Klingons playing a more prominent role in the plot. Instead, they seem relegated largely to playing background characters while Kirk and the Enterprise characters dominate. Given that the plot centers around an alien attack upon a Klingon colony and that Commander Kor, the cunning Klingon leader, is on scene, I would have expected the Klingons to show more of the initiative and tactical brilliance indicative of an Empire dominating such a vast swathe of the galaxy. Instead, they come across as personally courageous, but too uncreative and dense to think ahead of their adversaries unless receiving Federation help. Sorry --- just didn't seem very convincing to me.
While I found it moderately entertaining, I think that hardcore Star Trek fans may like it more than I did.
It has a new character, Vivian Rathbone, but her main plot function seems to function as a noob who ooo's and ahhhhs in admiration of the great Captain Kirk.
Based on the cover and book's description, I would have expected this book to have the Klingons playing a more prominent role in the plot. Instead, they seem relegated largely to playing background characters while Kirk and the Enterprise characters dominate. Given that the plot centers around an alien attack upon a Klingon colony and that Commander Kor, the cunning Klingon leader, is on scene, I would have expected the Klingons to show more of the initiative and tactical brilliance indicative of an Empire dominating such a vast swathe of the galaxy. Instead, they come across as personally courageous, but too uncreative and dense to think ahead of their adversaries unless receiving Federation help. Sorry --- just didn't seem very convincing to me.
While I found it moderately entertaining, I think that hardcore Star Trek fans may like it more than I did.
October 31, 2020
I am Jorn. To listen to my podcast on this book, check out KAG.org/series/bound-by-honor/
January 24, 2018
The Klingon sense of honour is an integral part of their character that defines them in the Star Trek universe. Personally, I see it as a flaw; they are as likely to use their sense of honour to kill someone as save them, it all depends on their mood or the way the wind is blowing. With the idea of Kahless and honour permeating their very being you would think that something like the annual celebration of The Day of Honor would be eons old. Nope, it was dreamt up during Kirk’s day and on the face of it feels more like Human/Klingon propaganda than an actual valid holiday. Thankfully, the original Day of Honor is described in ‘Treaty’s Law’ by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch and is actual a good read. It is some of the books that are set on the anniversary that suck.
The planet of Signi Beta is a farming planet that was farmed by both Klingons and Humans, but after an experiment to see who had the best yields, the Klingons won and took control of the planet. Now these farmers have to fight a larger threat when an alien culture starts to fire upon them without mercy. Will the Klingons work with the crew of the Enterprise to fight off this alien threat that could kill them all?
The best Star Trek books are pacy affairs that have a fun and contained story. This is exactly what ‘Treaty’s Law’ provides. Although part of the ‘Day of Honor’ series of books, it is not saddled with the concept of the day itself, as this is the adventure that inspired the holiday. Other books in the series really got bogged down in the concept of honour, ‘Treaty’ just gets on with the act of being honourable.
What works in this book is that the Klingons are actually reasonable. Too often they would cut off their Bat’leth just to spite their face. The farmers here are not just farmers, but Klingon farmers. This means that they attack the job like they would the enemy. They see the mutual self interest in working with Starfleet. It is amazing in the books how often this does not happen. Even when a Bird of Prey enters the situation, everyone works for the common cause. In this the Klingons learn that there is honour in their enemies and to remember that always. By not beating the reader about the head with the idea of ‘The Day of Honor’, you get to witness it.
As well as learning a little more about the history of Trek, this book also has some good action scenes. The book is mainly about a siege and the location is limited. The Trek books often try to go big as there is no budget, but Smith and Rusch show that by keeping things contained you can make a more suspenseful story and develop the characters better. This is one of the better Star Trek books available and a clear highlight in the ‘Day of Honor’ series of books, it is just a shame that the rest don’t live up to original day.
The planet of Signi Beta is a farming planet that was farmed by both Klingons and Humans, but after an experiment to see who had the best yields, the Klingons won and took control of the planet. Now these farmers have to fight a larger threat when an alien culture starts to fire upon them without mercy. Will the Klingons work with the crew of the Enterprise to fight off this alien threat that could kill them all?
The best Star Trek books are pacy affairs that have a fun and contained story. This is exactly what ‘Treaty’s Law’ provides. Although part of the ‘Day of Honor’ series of books, it is not saddled with the concept of the day itself, as this is the adventure that inspired the holiday. Other books in the series really got bogged down in the concept of honour, ‘Treaty’ just gets on with the act of being honourable.
What works in this book is that the Klingons are actually reasonable. Too often they would cut off their Bat’leth just to spite their face. The farmers here are not just farmers, but Klingon farmers. This means that they attack the job like they would the enemy. They see the mutual self interest in working with Starfleet. It is amazing in the books how often this does not happen. Even when a Bird of Prey enters the situation, everyone works for the common cause. In this the Klingons learn that there is honour in their enemies and to remember that always. By not beating the reader about the head with the idea of ‘The Day of Honor’, you get to witness it.
As well as learning a little more about the history of Trek, this book also has some good action scenes. The book is mainly about a siege and the location is limited. The Trek books often try to go big as there is no budget, but Smith and Rusch show that by keeping things contained you can make a more suspenseful story and develop the characters better. This is one of the better Star Trek books available and a clear highlight in the ‘Day of Honor’ series of books, it is just a shame that the rest don’t live up to original day.
July 1, 2016
“Treaty’s Law” by Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch is the fourth book in the “Day of Honor” series, a collection of Klingon focussed cross-over Star Trek novels. Whilst it is the fourth book in the series, it is actually the first book chronologically and involves a standalone plot so there was no issue in regards to reading it out of series order.
The story is set during The Original series period on the planet Signi Beta, a planet ideal for farming which both the Klingons and Federation wish to claim. The Klingon’s have a stronger claim but Kirk really doesn’t want to lose it, especially when his old adversary, Commander Kor is involved. However, when the Klingon Colony is attacked by powerful, unknown aliens, it is up to the crew of the Enterprise to work alongside the Klingons in order to survive.
The story was well written and fast paced with a fair amount of action. It reminded me a bit of the usual Kirk centric action plots you would see on the TV series. This feeling I had was enhanced by the characters who are well captured and easily match what we know of them from the TV series. However, the authors also added in a few new characters such as the Klingon Kerdoch. He was a well-rounded character who was used well to add different views into the story without eclipsing the regular characters. In a way he reminded me of the usual “Guest Stars” you would have seen during the TV series, who have prominent roles but are used alongside the regular cast rather than instead of.
One disappointing aspect of the novel is in regards to Kor. He basically spends most of the novel injured and doesn’t really say that much. Therefore there is very little of the enjoyable verbal sparring that you would normally get to see between him and Kirk. It wasn’t a huge issue, but I would have enjoyed seeing a little bit more of him, especially considering he is quite prominent on the cover.
Overall this is an enjoyable original series novel although I don’t think it adds that much to my knowledge of Klingons. Still, if you are interested in Klingons you may as well still pick it up for a read as there are the odd interesting elements present. Like in regards to the non-warrior aspects of Klingon culture.
The story is set during The Original series period on the planet Signi Beta, a planet ideal for farming which both the Klingons and Federation wish to claim. The Klingon’s have a stronger claim but Kirk really doesn’t want to lose it, especially when his old adversary, Commander Kor is involved. However, when the Klingon Colony is attacked by powerful, unknown aliens, it is up to the crew of the Enterprise to work alongside the Klingons in order to survive.
The story was well written and fast paced with a fair amount of action. It reminded me a bit of the usual Kirk centric action plots you would see on the TV series. This feeling I had was enhanced by the characters who are well captured and easily match what we know of them from the TV series. However, the authors also added in a few new characters such as the Klingon Kerdoch. He was a well-rounded character who was used well to add different views into the story without eclipsing the regular characters. In a way he reminded me of the usual “Guest Stars” you would have seen during the TV series, who have prominent roles but are used alongside the regular cast rather than instead of.
One disappointing aspect of the novel is in regards to Kor. He basically spends most of the novel injured and doesn’t really say that much. Therefore there is very little of the enjoyable verbal sparring that you would normally get to see between him and Kirk. It wasn’t a huge issue, but I would have enjoyed seeing a little bit more of him, especially considering he is quite prominent on the cover.
Overall this is an enjoyable original series novel although I don’t think it adds that much to my knowledge of Klingons. Still, if you are interested in Klingons you may as well still pick it up for a read as there are the odd interesting elements present. Like in regards to the non-warrior aspects of Klingon culture.
February 13, 2017
A glorious, tension filled action/adventure. The central mystery behind the attackers is milked for maximum effectiveness, and it's combined with classic "Star Trek" themes of co-operation and reaching out in peace to both ones enemies and the great unknown. The climax is pure Roddenberry-ism at its best. A well-crafted dose of adrenaline-powered classic Trek.
August 17, 2024
Solid adventure of Kirk and co. having to help Klingons defend a from an aerial invasion. The main blunder is that the fan favorite Kor is in this but is injured and out of the picture for most of the novel. On the plus side we get to see some lower ranked crew take the spotlight. It’s a lot less cerebral than most Trek but still scratches the original series itch.
April 24, 2024
Of the six novels in the Day of Honor series, I read this one last. Which may be completely backwards, as it's the first chronologically, being the story of when humans and Klingons worked together to defend the same planet, even though they're enemies. It was a Klingon farming planet, which was quite nice - I always enjoy stories where the Klingon characters do something other than war. The Empire's got to eat, after all. No great surprise that the farmers turn out to be decent soldiers when that's called for, and I liked that they interpreted their vocation as a war against weeds and disease and hunger, essentially. (It makes me wonder if there are any tie-in novels out there that focus on Klingon doctors or singers or some such. I'm sure that I remember Worf being a fan of Klingon opera.)
For a story that's basically one long battle - never my favourite type of story - it was still entertaining. The fast pace and character work helped; I especially liked the main farmer Kerdoch. I did the the end was rather too abrupt, though, with the conflict too easily solved. Not the best book in the series, but not the worst either.
For a story that's basically one long battle - never my favourite type of story - it was still entertaining. The fast pace and character work helped; I especially liked the main farmer Kerdoch. I did the the end was rather too abrupt, though, with the conflict too easily solved. Not the best book in the series, but not the worst either.
January 19, 2019
Treaty's Law, written by Dean Wesley Smith, tells of the beginnings of the Klingon Day of Honor. After receiving a distress call from the planet Signi Beta (called Qui'Tu by the Klingons), the Enterprise and the U.S.S. Farragut race off to assist the Klingon farmers living there.
The Good: While it doesn't put you on the edge of your seat as you're reading, the story is good. Our heroes are in character, for the most part, and Kor is always fun to see on screen or read about in these books. The character of Kerdoch helps to shed light on Klingons who aren't warriors, just farmers trying live their lives.
The Bad: While the story is good, the writing - in general - is not. It has its moments, but overall it fees like a book written for 5th graders. I feel that the story would have been better served had it been written by DeCandido or Susan Wright. Still, if you're a Star Trek fan, I think you can find some enjoyment in it.
The Good: While it doesn't put you on the edge of your seat as you're reading, the story is good. Our heroes are in character, for the most part, and Kor is always fun to see on screen or read about in these books. The character of Kerdoch helps to shed light on Klingons who aren't warriors, just farmers trying live their lives.
The Bad: While the story is good, the writing - in general - is not. It has its moments, but overall it fees like a book written for 5th graders. I feel that the story would have been better served had it been written by DeCandido or Susan Wright. Still, if you're a Star Trek fan, I think you can find some enjoyment in it.
December 29, 2021
This was a pretty good TOS-era book, where the Klingons aren't the outright enemies for a change. The new characters aren't overpowering, we still get to see our main TOS favorites. But it's a "base under siege" story which is what I usually see from Doctor Who, not Star Trek. I think the authors really like battle tactics because that's what most of this story is. That said, it was enjoyable. Though I think (no spoilers) given the events of this book, Kor and Kirk would have had different attitudes about Klingons/humans afterwards compared to what we see in the movies and TV shows. But all in all, not a bad TOS book, but I'm sure there are better ones.
June 7, 2025
Oh my goodness. This book is so good. Couldn’t put it down !! Klingons and Starfleet working together. It’s almost nonstop action. Fighting strategy. Spock orbiting the planet the Klingons were farming. Kirk and he old for Commander Kor on the ground working against enemies with much more power and numbers. Also they were fighting extreme heat and lack of water. Klingon Birds of Prey. The Farragut and its Captain fighting from orbit with Spock. Darn. And an agrominist fighting as she’s not used to. Sulu fighting with Kirk. McCoy saving colonists. This is an excellent ST novel
September 25, 2019
Early startrek
Good story line ,set in the early episodes of the t.v. Series! It is told from a Klingon farmers point of view,with his vision of predetermined ideas of humans actions and how they were not as he believed! Our good"friend " Kor from Klingon empire fleet is there and we get some insight on the difference between people in the Klingon culture! This is a fast paced high action story you can't put down!
Good story line ,set in the early episodes of the t.v. Series! It is told from a Klingon farmers point of view,with his vision of predetermined ideas of humans actions and how they were not as he believed! Our good"friend " Kor from Klingon empire fleet is there and we get some insight on the difference between people in the Klingon culture! This is a fast paced high action story you can't put down!
December 10, 2019
Outstanding
Wonderful story behind the day of honor. It moved very quickly. I read this in one night because I couldn’t put it down. Loved the depth of Kor and the colonists. It helps you understand the Klingons a lot better for the story. Loved loved it.
Wonderful story behind the day of honor. It moved very quickly. I read this in one night because I couldn’t put it down. Loved the depth of Kor and the colonists. It helps you understand the Klingons a lot better for the story. Loved loved it.
April 21, 2021
This one is the best of this quadrilogy. Definitely worth a read. I like the concept of 4 stories connected only by a day celebrating the events of the forth novel. Too bad the other stories were so mediocre.
November 10, 2021
I really liked this story. It dragged a little at points, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I enjoyed how over the course of the story the Klingons' opinions of humans were changed by the crew of the Enterprise.
January 24, 2025
I don’t normally like Klingon stories but this was hugely enjoyable. I didn’t even mind that it was part of a series that I hadn’t read. It read like an episode of the show, even down to the crap joke before the end credits, which is when I like these books best.
March 4, 2019
Easily the best of the Day of Honor books!
April 24, 2021
3.75 stars! :)
December 11, 2023
Checked out with this one. Maybe this is why this wasn’t the first in the series.
February 20, 2024
Treaty's Law is doing a crossword puzzle while sprinting.
November 5, 2024
Just a few cuts, and this could have been an honest to God episode of TOS.
November 26, 2025
Signi Beta is designated a Klingon farming planet. When they are attacked enemy commander Kor and Captain Kirk and their crew arrive to help.
An entertaining re-read
An entertaining re-read
March 1, 2023
Wow! Excellent read! Very exciting throughout and got a nice, up-close view of the crew from TOS.
April 21, 2013
This is the last book in a series of four exploring the Klingon idea of honour - and this was probably my favourite. It goes back to the first day of honour, when Captain Kirk and the enterprise protect a Klingon colony from invading aliens. Although the unknown aliens seem to possess the greater technology and power, Klingon and human working together soon overcome.
Fast paced, a real shoot-em-up space opera that you don't get often enough in modern SF programmes. The story was great, the characters as real as the TV ones and I could just imagine it happening on the screen. I could imagine Kirk all too well in that situation.
Fast paced, a real shoot-em-up space opera that you don't get often enough in modern SF programmes. The story was great, the characters as real as the TV ones and I could just imagine it happening on the screen. I could imagine Kirk all too well in that situation.
October 17, 2014
I haven't read the other three books, but each book in DAY OF HONOR were all stand alone so no biggie. Plus, I think this is the first in continuity anyway. So, it's all good.
I liked Kor and Kirk and this seemed a good representation of them both. The Farrugat crew felt a bunch of Mary Sues, but you get the "Guest Starring" thing a lot in a series like this.
Spock behaved in character but didn't have a great big role. Limiting use of such a popular character properly is a tough skill, and it was done well here.
I liked Kor and Kirk and this seemed a good representation of them both. The Farrugat crew felt a bunch of Mary Sues, but you get the "Guest Starring" thing a lot in a series like this.
Spock behaved in character but didn't have a great big role. Limiting use of such a popular character properly is a tough skill, and it was done well here.
August 21, 2015
The origin story of the Day of Honor. Kirk answers a distress signal from a Klingon farming colony. So does a Klingon ship. They have to work together against the real attackers. This is a fun story with lots of klingon point of views. It could so have been an episode of the TV series if made like DS9. All the characters are well depicted and its nice seeing Sulu doing something for a change. A good read.
April 23, 2023
I used to read all the Star Trek novels as they came out, when I was a kid. I lost interest when the plots started diverting from the original canon. But I’ve come back recently and found several new (to me) books that did a very good job capturing the original spirit and characters. This one does well showing Klingon/human interaction and the battle story is well told. A nice dip back into these waters.
September 21, 2009
The best of the Day of Honor books, which isn't saying much. This one concerns how the Day of Honor started and why Kirk is responsible for it. It answers some of the hints eluded too in the earlier books. If you like the first Day of Honor book then you'll like this one.
July 29, 2012
Again, I liked the story here. Nothing too deep, the interpersonal relations were very flat and untouched. On the other hand, it's an interesting way to look at the Klingons, focusing on the farming, and I quite liked that aspect.
June 22, 2017
Kirk v. Klingons in a classic confrontation.
November 27, 2020
So, Kor & Kirk team up in this one, to fight a mutual enemy, who threaten a Klingon farming planet. A pretty good one to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews