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Stargate SG-1 #5

The Cost of Honor

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The sequel to A Matter of Honor - the team attempt to rescue Major Henry Boyd and the SG-10 team from the black hole planet. But the rescue attempt has unforeseen consequences which force them to confront a monstrous secret on the homeworld of the Kinahhi.

362 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 25, 2005

16 people are currently reading
332 people want to read

About the author

Sally Malcolm

38 books291 followers
Sally Malcolm was bitten by the m/m romance bug in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. It’s fair to say she’s obsessed with the genre. She has four contemporary m/m romances out, set in the fictional Long Island seaside town of New Milton.

She's also the author of eight Stargate novels and novellas, including the hit "Apocalypse" trilogy. She has penned four Stargate audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, including Stargate SG-1: "An Eye for an Eye" starring Michael Shanks, Claudia Black, and Cliff Simon.

Sally lives in South West London.

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5 stars
222 (46%)
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166 (34%)
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81 (16%)
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11 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Cherie.
Author 28 books117 followers
March 26, 2018
"No one gets left behind" finds a way to bite SG-1 in the behind in Sally Malcolm's The Cost of Honor. This book was a fantastic conclusion to the tale started in A Matter of Honor.
Profile Image for Lizz.
243 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2018
Awesome and fun and delightful and engaging. It totally delivers on the story that was set up in the first book and there are so, so many times in just these two books alone where you're like "how the hell are they going to get out of this????" and then they do in the most brilliant, skin-of-their-teeth ways and I haven't had this much *fun* reading a book in a while, so thanks for that Sally Malcolm.

SG-1 as a team is just reckless as fuck for each other and I love them all so very, very much.
Profile Image for Heidi Bryan.
11 reviews
February 12, 2019
Extremely satisfying if you are missing SG-1 & want more

I loved reading this book. It was like a brand new episode only in more depth and involved. There are all the familiar characters plus a new adversary, and lots of action plus nuanced interactions. Twists & turns, suspense, ups & downs with no thread left hanging. Well written too. I can't wait to read the next one by Sally Malcolm.
Profile Image for Erik Dreiling.
71 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2021
A satisfying ending…

The story, without giving away much, was a satisfying read. It read and felt like an actual episode; I could hear each character’s voice in my mind. The dialogue was accurate for the characters. It is always fun to enjoy stories where Hammond travels off-world to help his men.

I’m looking forward to the next SG-1 novel adventure.
4 reviews
March 16, 2021
Well written

Very good reading, follows the characters very well.
If you liked the tv show I think you'll like this series.
It has a strong plot that keeps you interested and hard to put down.
Profile Image for Ben Landry.
4 reviews
November 4, 2023
The Honor Duology was absolutely fantastic -- I've read a ton of Stargate novels, and this one is the closest to what feels like an actual television episode. The Kinnahi feel fully fleshed out, and some of the moments in the last act had me flipping pages like my life depended on it.
43 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2018
The poor characterization pulled me out, and I couldn't reconcile the plot as being continuous with the canon.

The escape from the black hole bit was much shorter and much less epic than I was promised to believe, and it ended up being rather unsatisfying. No mention of what has happened to Cromwell. And, apparently, SG-10 has spent the last 5 years trying to occasionally dial the Earth? Sure, from their perspective it shouldn't have been that long, and the window that the wormole is open ends up being rather short to be actionable, but not a single mention of it Earth-side? Also, an obligatory mention that black holes don't work like that, nor does the time dilation.

One of the cultures depicted in the story, Arxantians, are essentially alien Jews reenacting the tale of exodus. Nothing wrong with that, except they have ATA, they live in a working, living city full of ancient technology - and with the story set before the discovery of the Antarctic outpost and the Atlantis, so why exactly did the SGC never go back there to study it, considering that they have left Arxantians on the friendly terms?

After the change of the chain of command at the SGC, it is difficult to see how and why they would return back to the status quo.

A bit too much torture porn, especially in regards to Carter.

Overall, I do prefer the Trial by Fire - a story that dealt many of the similar themes this one did.
Profile Image for Vethan Auryn.
20 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2025
One of the best sci-fi novels I have ever read. Absolutely incredible!

Action-packed, so many emotions, so many twists and turns, a dozen stories in one novel. The characters as per the collection are perfectly described and their reactions spot on, although this book surpasses the ones I have already read from the series.

It is the follow-up to "A Matter of Honor" and starts shortly after its events with SG1's rescue attempt of SG-10.

The dystopian world the author created and with which SG1 is interacting is gut-wrenching, you just cannot put the book down, you need to know how they will get out of this, what is at the bottom of it all, and that they will all make it unscathed.

Secondary characters are an integral part of the plot, which is very refreshing, especially now that the series has ended and that we crave new storylines for each and every beloved SGC team member.

Excellent!
Profile Image for Laura.
442 reviews27 followers
June 28, 2018
This book is the second in a 2 part series on the same mission. I didn’t have the first so I was a little confused at the start, didn’t 100% know what was going on. So I just went with it and once I started getting into it, didn’t really matter not reading the first part. You could pretty much figure out what had happened.

I am a Stargate fan, used to watch it all the time with my mom so I am a little bias toward this story but having said that it was quite different from the tv series. It felt more real in a sense. With it being in book format the Author had more chance to flesh out the characters, flesh out the story. Oh boy did she run with it. Was really good.

Very tempted now to read the rest of the books based on the show.
Profile Image for K.
645 reviews3 followers
November 25, 2020
THE MATTER OF HONORの続き。ブラックホールの中に捕まってしまっているボイド達を救出に向かったSG1。

もう本当にハラハラさせられ通しの内容でした。ピンチに次ぐピンチすぎて、もう今度こそ絶対に助からないに違いないと何度絶望しかけたことか。
SG1チームのみならず、ことはハモンド将軍までピンチでしたのでSGC全体の危機という、今回のミッション。

ブラックホールの中に閉じ込められたヘンリー・ボイドを助けるため異星のテクノロジーを盗んだオニール。ハモンドには内緒でボイドを助けに。それもチーム全員が命を失いかけるような危険な作戦で、オニールも思わず後悔しかけたところ、無事にボイドを救出。しかし、これはまだまだこの小説の序の口なのです。
ボイドを地球に無事に連れて帰ったSG1。オニールとカーターは、異星人のテクノロジーを盗んだ科でその異星で罰を受けることに。ダニエルとティルクもSGCから遠ざけられてしまうのですが、ハモンドとボイドの助けによって、オニールとカーターの救出に向かうのですが、なんといっても多勢に無勢。その間にオニールとカーターは人の記憶を食らうというとんでもないマシンに繋がれてしまい…。いや、もうなんか…。

全ての困難を乗り越えた時の感動たるや!
読みながら笑顔全開。
今回のことでチームを失いかけ、ハモンドの信頼を失いかけ、自分もキャリアを失いかけ、行動を起こす前にもっとじっくり考えるべきだったと反省するオニールに、ハモンドが、ボイドが家族と五年ぶりに再会するシーンに一緒に立ち会わせるんですよ。この瞬間のためなら全てを賭ける価値が十分にあると。ボイドも五年ぶりということで家族に会うことをためらっていたところもあったんですが、家族がついに再会するシーンは涙涙。
本当によかったです!!
これまでで読み終えて一番感動したかもしれません。
Profile Image for Alexandra.
19 reviews1 follower
October 17, 2025
I loved this two parter! I think the writer really captured the essence of the characters and the whole story definitely felt like a Stargate episode with a bit more time for a longer story :) and if you are like me and have watched every episode countless times this definitely scratches that Stargate itch with something new!
Profile Image for Emily.
46 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2022
Excellent. Great action, fast paced, exciting. Sam seemed off to me, but everyone else was well characterized. Very well-balanced across the team - everyone got whumped, everyone got lots of POV time, everybody contributed. Very much enjoyed.
539 reviews3 followers
February 7, 2024
This is a sequel to The Cost of Honor. The SG-1 team has stolen alien technology to rescue an SG team from a black hole. Will they return to court martials or trials on another planet? Lots of action.
I like the way Sally Malcolm captures the spirit of the television series and its characters.
Profile Image for Kasey Minnis.
43 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2018
A satisfying conclusion

The second of a two book series, this offered a satisfying conclusion to the story. Action-packed and entertaining, and everyone got their just desserts.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
587 reviews3 followers
May 29, 2020
I enjoyed the second part to this story as much as the first, very enjoyable and I would recommend!
Profile Image for Michael Sigler.
170 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2020
Perhaps the worst Stargate book I've read so far. Boring and bloated, this series of two books could have had 200 pages of fat trimmed and the two books combined.
Profile Image for Linda Kaban.
349 reviews6 followers
August 11, 2020
An amazing sequel to "A Matter of Honor." Beautifully poignant scenes between Col. O'Neill and General Hammond.
Profile Image for jagle.
526 reviews
November 4, 2022
So fun, great story and perfect if you love the stargate world.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
March 15, 2016
A good media tie-in novel should hit a number of criteria. Expand upon the established universe. Give the reader better insight into the internal motivation of the characters. Build a setting that goes beyond the restrictions of the original format.

Sally Malcolm's conclusion to the story she started in A Matter of Honor does all that and more (you can see my review of that book here).

1. Expand upon the established universe: In the world that SG-1 deals with in this novel, the reader can see touches of a culture inspired by Jewish mythology. This is a refreshing change from the Egyptian mythos that the Stargate universe relies on so heavily on that time period in the show.

2. Provide better insight into internal character motivation: So much of the political intrigue evident in this novel would not have been possible through a visually based medium. In addition, Sam Carter's character arc would have lost so much if we had only seen what she went through at the hands of the planet's technology.

3. Build a setting not possible in the original format: The scope of this novel was enormous. In fact, my only major critique was the breakneck pace that allowed for very few moments for readers to catch their breath. Instead of visiting just the area of planet right outside the Stargate, this novel allowed the team to explore much more of the world, both physically and culturally.

I thoroughly enjoy all of the Stargate novels being published, and I appreciate the hand that Malcolm has in editing them. I know that she is branching into original fiction, but I would eagerly read any return that Malcolm has to this universe.
Profile Image for David.
24 reviews
February 21, 2013
Just as good if not better than the first book, this details the rescue of SG-10 which, I will confess, took a lot less time than I expected to. Perhaps that was the point, however: while it only took a few chapters from our point of view and perhaps a day from SG-1's point of view, it took six months from the point of view of the SGC, and a lot had changed. The Kinahhi with their sheh'fet technology and with the aid of Senator Kinsey and Ambassador Crawford had gotten a foothold into Earth via the SGC itself, and were almost completely running the program by the time SG-1 got back. However, despite SG-1 being disbanded and the SGC under control of a hostile alien force, they managed to get back to Kinahhi and start a revolution which toppled their government and saved the Earth. The theme of overcoming the odds is very strong and ever present in this book, which is hardly a bad thing as the TV show itself had a very similar theme. While not the most quoteable book I've ever read (the only quote that does come to mind was in a conversation between Teal'c and Dr. Jackson regarding preemptively sabotaging Crawford and Kinsey before they could become a threat to Earth's security. "By the time their plans for the Tau'ri are made apparent, Daniel Jackson, it will be too late to resist." "And if we go around locking people up for crimes they might commit, we may as well hand ourselves over to the Kinahhi right now!").

Overall, I give this book 5 stars. It makes a fine addition to the canon of the Stargate universe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
6 reviews
July 26, 2010
Probably the best Stargate novel I have read to date (and an improvement on it's prequel), with everyone in character (including some good stuff for characters often underused in novels, particularly General Hammond) and a story with a much greater scale than would have been possible on the TV show. Quite surprisingly nasty at points too, with poor Sam in particular going through some especially unpleasant experiences.
Profile Image for Gwen Johnson.
40 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2008
I was excited to read this book because I had loved the author's fan fiction so much. I still enjoyed the writing style, but part of what I'd liked about her stories was content that could not be included here...and I knew that going in. Still, I'm amazed that the convoluted plot, the attention to detail. It was a very enjoyable read.
:)
Profile Image for Claudia.
28 reviews
October 14, 2011
Perfect continuation of A Matter of Honor, even though I somehow expected them to take longer to save SG-10. *lol*
Not that I had to many worries, since I'm pretty sure the author wrote just kept on writing and didn't take a long break after the first.

This time we see what consequences SG-1 have to face, but also get deeper into what Crawford is into and what's going on on Kinnahi.
Profile Image for Mark.
336 reviews21 followers
May 27, 2012
Sally Malcolm concludes the story she began in A Matter of Honor. This is an action-packed tale. The reader is rocked from heroic to horrific events. I was exhausted when I finished the book. I don’t think a televison episode could be made from this two-book series, but it works as a Stargate tale.

Published in mass-market paperback by Fandemonium Books.
Profile Image for Jason.
43 reviews
March 7, 2013
What a fantastic ending to the story. This could have easily been multiple episodes in the series, like a couple of the other 3 part episodes they had done, and I almost wish it were.

Just like the first book, the characters were well written, the story was in depth, and the action never stopped.

Malcolm's 2-parter is a must read for fans of SG-1!
Profile Image for Bruce.
383 reviews
July 21, 2015
Awesome! In combination with the first book, A Matter of Honor, it's a terrific adventure that gave me the SG-1 fix I was needing. The characters we know so well are portrayed perfectly in these books. I kept having the feeling that I just watched SG-1 on TV, even though it's probably been 6 months since my last Stargate binge.
Profile Image for Brittany.
51 reviews
Read
January 31, 2025


Jack, Daniel, even Hammond: “This man got 50 times hotter when his life fell apart.”

I will never forgive Sally Malcolm for making me fall in love with Jack and Daniel over and over again, and then tearing my heart out and feeding it to the dogs on page 280.
Profile Image for Beverly K.
490 reviews34 followers
Read
March 15, 2009
It was really very enjoyable. Like its predecessor, the characters sprang to life and the situations were reminiscent of the television show. It was easy to visualize the characters in their situations, and hear their voices in my mind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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