Endgame

Jani Kilian Chronicles #5

by Kristine Smith

Ever since contact was first made between humans and the alien idomeni , tensions between the two races have been frequent and bloody. As the first genetically altered human- idomeni hybrid, former Captain Jani Kilian serves as a lightning rod for the anger, outrage, and hatreds of both sides. And now the ex-soldier finds herself in the unwanted role of diplomat—serving the interests of her hybrid enclave, Thalassa, the only place in the universe that welcomes renegade humans, hybrids, and aliens alike. But the all-powerful Commonwealth intends to bring Thalassa to its knees, and the time for diplomacy is at an end. With death surrounding her, Jani Kilian must return to where her nightmare began and once again take on her most powerful warrior . For as the game approaches its inevitable conclusion, she knows only two options victory . . . or extermination.

Genres: Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published October 30, 2007

About the author

Kristine Smith is the author of the Jani Kilian series and other science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories under her own name. Her fiction has been nominated for the Locus Award for First Novel, Philip K. Dick Memorial Award and the IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award, and she was the 2001 winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she spent 26 years working in pharmaceutical product R&D. She was born in the Northeast, grew up in the South, and currently lives in the Midwest.

Kristine Smith has also written the supernatural thrillers GIDEON and JERICHO under the name Alex Gordon.


Photo by Joel Danto/Danto Photography

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I really liked the book and the series. I like Jani and found her journey to be interesting and enjoyable. I thought that the author did a great job of depicting an epic change in society through the experiences of a few key characters. And there were a few scenes in this book in particular that were very emotional and moving.

In the end, it did get wrapped up a bit too simply. There were a few assumptions that were made and a culmination that was basically believable but pretty darn convenient. It would be nice to think that things could work out so easily in real life, but I didn't really think that some of the characters would give up or give in that easily (in reference to the big political picture). But the smaller personal journey was handled very well and I really liked the not-pat or pandering ending.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rarely get to book 5 of a series (billed as 5 of 5, but there’s a sixth) and decide I don’t want to read any more.
I didn’t enjoy book 4 that much either. Here is a pattern of a heroine I used to like falling in love with people I dislike intensely, and the only person of real interest in the first book turning to dubious philosophy after rebelling against the mores of his society. Somehow the plot doesn’t end.
Kristine Smith writes an excellent adventure, with beautiful scenery, and more twists than you could possibly want (added hitman and legal shenanigans). I’ve fallen out of love with it.

[D.F. Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this series engrossing, but difficult to read. I never really grokked the aliens (Indami?), but went with the flow. Overall, enjoyable, although I disliked most of the characters, including the heroine at times. A lot of thinking "how could he/she/it be so stupid? It took me a long time to read the series because i kept abandoning the books and coming back later.

Overall, I found the concluding book rewarding. i liked the resolution of most of the conflicts from the previous novels. So I'd rate this book and the first/second the best of the series. Liked the concept of "Paper" as described in the first books, and the glorification of bureaucrats as a class. Not sure I'd recommend the series to a friend though.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suitably clever and bloody conclusion to the series. I skipped the middle volumes, because it seemed clear that they weren't really essential, just more of the same--and I'd say it was a good decision because the characters were still fresh and it wasn't that hard to fill in the back story. The series reminds me of C.J. Cherryh's way too long and attenuated FOREIGNER sequence, but more tightly plotted.

[Kathryn Baron · Rating 4 out of 5]

In and of itself, this book is a solid 3 stars. Read it enjoyed it, might read it again. However, as a concluding volume it raises itself up to 4 stars. A very satisfying end to the series. It most is as it should be.

[Gregory · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish it

Each book in this series became more and more arduous to read. There was so little joy in reading this one that I am giving up.

[Geri Bethel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. Each book kept giving the characters more depth. I love reading about strong women who get things done. Not like me who is a wimp.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to finish this book. It's very political which isn't my cup of tea. I'm not sure if I will be reading the rest of this series.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the form in which I originally read this series, so I can't say much about the individual books. I also read this book before the first collection, something I've only ever done with one other series. Ah, well.

This was one of the best hard science fiction books/series I've ever read. It's a story about aliens trying to get along with humans, an old theme certainly, but one worth reading about.

These books are competently written, and there's little more to say about that, but it's the portrayals of the characters that struck me as memorable. Jani's relationship with Tsecha was well thought-out and meaningful. All of the response to Tsecha's assassination was both touching and realistic. What I loved the most, I think, was the way these books contrasted the anti-Idomeni terrorists with Jani and Tsecha, and managed to illustrate the wrongness of the former while still presenting both sides realistically and from their own perspective. It is incredibly rare to obtain a depiction of terrorism (in nonfiction or fiction) that is at once so clear-cut and so sympathetic. The whole build up to the assassination is frantic and true and brilliant.

The Idomeni themselves are also an interesting alien race. Smith has clearly put some thought into their culture. The religious zealots among them were a perfect addition and counterpoint to the extremists in the human camp. As an aside, I loved Smith's use of the word "anathema."

While one should obviously not do what I did and instead read all the books in this series in their proper order, I definitely consider this collection superior to the one that precedes it. I highly recommend it to any devoted readers of hard science fiction.

[Kalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have like this book a lot more if I had known that it was the fifth book in a series when I picked it up. The story and characters were intriguing but I felt left behind. It's like I was joining a group of friends that had been together for a while and I was catching up on the inside jokes and past adventures while hanging out with them now. The book appeared to tie up a lot of loose ends from other stories and had a lot of action that pulled everything together. Overall, a good story if you know what some of references are about.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly picked this book off the library shelves. I didn't realize it was the culmination of a series. Now I wish I had looked more carefully because I loved it! It was different, interesting and kept my attention from the beginning. It would have been even better to follow the characters through the first four books. Ah, well. It's hard to go back now but I highly recommend the series.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying conclusion to this 5 book science fiction series. Jani, the main character, a warrior, courier, priest, but mainly a catalyst stays true to character solving problems with her mind and her strong right arm.

Cannot be read without reading the first few books of the series.

[Jensownzoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading the conclusion to the Jani Killian series, but a satisfying conclusion it was. It wrapped up all the major plotlines very nicely and everyone road off into the sunset (although not together), so you aren't left wondering.

[Ron Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this was the fifth book in the series and maybe the last of the series. It is an enjoyable read as long as you remember all the characters and their roles in the story. There was just enough sex to keep it interesting.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read a book in a series out of order. This is the last novel in the series and though I found a few things confusing (due to the fact that I hadn't read the previous novels) I thought this was an incredible piece of science-fiction.

[DaNela · Rating 5 out of 5]

*BIO-Endgame-a sci fi book club 2 in 1 addition*

[Doranna Durgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning world-building, characters who never take the easy way...always true to themselves. An author who doesn't take the easy way, either. Wonderful series finale!

[Lynn Calvin]

Amazon received

[Bill Blocksom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hated to finish this one, since it is the last of the series. I really liked the characters and the story.

[Stephanie Foust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very highly recommended

[John]

a slow read

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT

Jain is a fascinating character. Vulnerable and strong at the same time.
I have read all four books and hope a fifth is written soon.

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Endgame was a satisfying resolution. The characters stayed true to themselves. I’m curious if there will be a new adventure.