The Jackal's Trick

Star Trek: Prey #2

by John Jackson Miller

Continuing the milestone 50th anniversary celebration of Star Trek—an epic new trilogy that stretches from the events of The Original Series movie The Search for Spock to The Next Generation!The Klingon-Federation alliance is in peril as never before. Lord Korgh has seized control of the House of Kruge, executing a plot one hundred years in the making. The Klingon cult known as the Unsung rampages across the stars, striking from the shadows in their cloaked Birds-of-Prey. And the mysterious figure known as Buxtus Cross launches a scheme that will transform the Klingon Empire forever. Into danger flies Admiral William T. Riker and the USS Titan, charged with protecting the peace forged nearly a century before during the Khitomer Accords. Aided by Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the USS Enterprise, Riker and his officers scour the stars, seeking to find the Unsung and uncover the truth behind the conspiracy before time runs out. Yet even as Commander Worf departs on a deeply personal mission of honor, hidden sinister forces seek to turn the crisis to their advantage. And the conspirators’ plans threaten to spiral out of control, jeopardizing the very empire they aspire to rule.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Adventure, Star Trek The Next Generation, Novels

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2016

About the author

New York Times bestselling author John Jackson Miller has spent a lifetime immersed in science fiction. His Star Trek novels include the Discovery – Die Standing, the acclaimed novel Discovery — The Enterprise War, the Prey trilogy, and Takedown. His Star Wars novels include A New Dawn, Kenobi, Knight Errant, Lost Tribe of the Sith, and the Knights of the Old Republic comics, available from Marvel as Legends: The Old Republic.

He’s written comics and prose for Halo, Iron Man, Simpsons, Conan, Planet of the Apes, and Mass Effect, with recent graphic novels for Battlestar Galactica, Dumbo, and The Lion King. Production notes on all his works can be found at his fiction site.

He is also a comics industry historian, specializing in studying comic-book circulation as presented on his website, Comichron.. He also coauthored the Standard Catalog of Comic Books series.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent follow-up to book one, with more intrigue and deceit, and some major twists that involve far more than the Klingons and the Federation. While political intrigue is at the heart of the story it digs deep into examining the morality of Klingon society's notions of honor and involves quite a bit of skullduggery and deception at a scale that could tip the balance of power across the galaxy. Like many good Trek tales, the story is well balanced with several exciting battle sequences. Worf continues to be central to the story, acting as a moral anchor to events.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The excitement and fun continues here; can't wait to see what happens next!

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is bubble gum, but it's better than average Trek stuff. The audiobook narrator is pretty amazing at impersonating assorted voices from TNG and Voyager.

[Tad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jackal’s Trick is the middle book in the Prey trilogy set in the Star Trek Universe. The book picks up shortly after the events at the end of the first book, Hell’s Heart. Korgh continues to sow discord that threatens the century long peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire after the Khitomer Accords. Korgh’s influence in the Empire grows as the Unsung and their shadow wing of Birds of Prey ships continue to wreak havoc and disrupt peace talks aimed at creation of a safe corridor of space for travel by numerous races.

Admiral William Riker works at maintaining the fragile peace while his flagship, along with the Enterprise and Captain Picard continue to hunt the Unsung as well as whoever is behind them. Meanwhile, Worf is once again isolated and outnumbered as he takes on a mission that has become deeply personal for him.

This second book explores more of the history of Cross, the Kruge impersonator who is key to Korgh’s schemes. The plight of the unsung and the role of discommendation in general in Klingon society is an interesting subtext to the events in this book and this series. The role of honor among Klingons is well known, but the implications of the Klingon treatment of those judged without honor is explored more fully here.

John Jackson Miller has a firm grasp on the characters in the Star Trek Universe. He delivers an exciting book with great action scenes and a riveting conspiracy. Hidden agendas and secret plans spice up the action. More favorite characters, such as Tuvok, pop up in this book both in aid of unraveling the current conspiracy as well as to provide insight into past events that have helped shape the present. Miller does a great job of interspersing outstanding action scenes in amongst a fascinating conspiracy and characters who are not always what they appear to be. This book is a blast and I can’t wait to see how the series concludes.

Robert Petkoff’s narration is once again amazing. He voices a large cast that includes humans, Klingons, and various other alien races. His pace complements the story and underscores the action. He manages to draw you into the story without ever distracting from it. An outstanding performance. Highly recommended.

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the publisher.

[reherrma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Der Mittelteil der Star Trek: Prey-Trilogie führt die Handlung des 1. Teils konsequent fort. Einer der Protegés von Commander Kruge, der in der Auseinandersetzung um den Genesis-Planeten von Captain Kirk getötet wurde (vgl. "Star Trek II: Der Zorn des Khan" & "Star Trek III: Auf der Suche nach Mr. Spock") verfolgt über hundert Jahre einen Racheplan, der das Bündnis zwischen der Förderation und dem Klingonischen Reich zum Scheitern bringen könnte, der aber auch den inneren Zusammenhalt des Imperiums gefährdet.
Nach der Niederlage von Kruge wurden seine getreuen Offiziere entehrt und verstoßen, sie zogen sich danach auf einen unbekannten Planeten zurück, wo ihre Nachkommen sich zu geschickten Jägern entwickelten und dem Klingonischen Imperium mit Hass und Verachtung entgegenstanden. (Bei den Klingonen wird eine Entehrung und Verstoßung auch auf deren Angehörigen auf mehrere Generationen ausgedehnt) Ein Jahrhundert später beauftragte Korgh, Kruges Protegé, einen betazoidischen Illusionisten, sich als Kruge auszugeben, der von den Toten auferstanden ist. Die Entehrten, von dem vermeintlichen Kruge geleitet, erhielten den Phantom Wing, eine Schwadron von getarnten Bird-of-Preys und wurden nun zu den Ungesungenen, mit deren Hilfe Korgh nun das Klingonische Imperium auf eine neue Richtung trimmen will, sein Ziel ist das Kithomer-Abkommen zwischen der Förderation und dem Klingonischen Reich zu Fall zu bringen, er will auch Martok und die gemäßigten Klingonen beseitigen.
Die Förderation und speziell Captain Picard gibt Korgh die Alleinschuld an seiner selbst erdachten Tragödie, der Massakrierung der Adeligen des Hauses Kruge und die Entführung des Khaless-Klones und dessen vermeintlicher Tötung. Doch Korgh ahnt nichts, dass Cross, der betazoidische Illusionist, Kahless am Leben ließ um mit dieser Tatsache eine eigene Agenda zu verfolgen.
In diesem Band wird die Geschichte von Cross und dessen Assistentin, eine Orionerin, erzählt. Es zeigt sich, dass die Ungesungenen nicht nur vom klingonischen Reich unter Kanzler Martok und dessen Verbündete, Captain Picard auf der ENTERPRISE oder Admiral Riker auf der TITAN, verfolgt werden, sondern sie werden von Korgh und auch von Cross an der Nase herumgeführt und mißbraucht.
Dazu kommt auch noch die Tatsache, dass der Typhon-Pact, insbesondere die Breen (für die Cross's orionische Assistentin als Agentin arbeitet) an der Auseinandersetzung mitmischen und eigene Ziele verfolgen...
Eine mitreißende und spannende Geschichte, die ein Jahrhundert Star Trek-Geschichte umfasst. Besonders die Erlebnisse des entführten Worf bei den Unbesungenen und die der jungen Unbesungenen, Valandris sind ergreifend erzählt, der Autor haucht den unterschiedlichen Charakteren nachvollziehbares Leben ein. Tragisch wurde die Existenz, die Täuschung und der Verrat an den Unbesungenen beschrieben, besonders interessant sind die Tatsachen, dass sowohl Cross als auch Korgh auf die Mittel der Mißinformation, der Fake News und der Empörungsrhetorik zurückgreifen, die auch gerade in der Gegenwartswelt mit den unzähligen Populisten und Faschisten überall auf der Welt verwendet werden...

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts of very slowly, and I was beginning to worry about how this story's end game was going to play out. Then I reached the halfway point and all hell broke loose. A disastrous battle, two surprising revelations, one triumphant cliffhanger...and one reader's exhausted adrenal gland. Book two of "Prey" manages (thankfully) to finish at the same strong level as book one. Don't let the sedate opening lead you down the garden path...

[Christopher Backa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the audiobook. The story is engaging and takes from the Trek movies and some plot points from an episode on TNG. Can't wait to read the conclusion

[John Lars · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Jorn. To listen to my podcast on this book, check out KAG.org/series/bound-by-honor/

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really digging this trilogy by John Jackson Miller. It is fleshing out Worf in ways that feel earned and natural. It has a conflict that is both new but familiar enough that it feels fully "Trek." It doesn't speak down to the reader. Rather, it demands that the reader keep up with shifting alliances and double (and sometimes triple!) agents.

There's not as much Picard as I would like (But I mean, come on, is there ever enough Picard?), but in it's place is some awesome Riker action. I was surprised by many of the twists and turns and cannot wait to see the conclusion to the "Prey" series!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

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The second installment in JJM’s Klingon trilogy. The action picked up right where it left off in the previous book. Korgh has taken control of the ancient House of Kruge and, in rather Trump like fashion, is now taking every opportunity to attack the longtime allies of the Klingon Empire and weaken its ties to the Federation. Someone claiming to actually BE Kruge is whipping the Unsung into a froth of rage against traditional Klingons who haven't been discommendated. And it's all linked to an old Enterprise foe from nearly 20 years ago who was never what she appeared to be.

This was a fun and action packed novel. I could read it just on its surface but, rather unlike the first in this Klingon trilogy, it seemed a bit deeper, dealing much more closely with complex themes of honor and duty. Worf really gets put through the wringer in this one and he's not done yet. I have hopes for a thing to happen with him in the final novel in the trilogy that began in this novel. A good thing about being so far behind on my Trek reading is that I don't have to wait for the next one to come out to find out if I’m right! A thoroughly enjoyable read! ‘Qapla!

One random thing - that cover. Who the fuck is the Klingon demon supposed to be on the front, and why is he apparently punching himself in the face? It doesn't fit in with the story, other but than one small and fairly irrelevant scene with Geordi and Tuvok, and doesn't matter much to the overarching plot. That’s just the weirdest cover image I’ve seen in a while.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong entry in this exciting trilogy! I'm really getting into the story of Korgh, and once again, Miller has crafted a tale with plot twists that I didn't see coming at all. After reading a few hundred Trek novels in my life, I would not have thought it possible, but there you go. Setting up an exciting conclusion for book three, this trilogy just keeps getting better and better.
4.5/5 stars.

Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2016/12/P...

[Chris Friend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this is a well-told narrative. The broad strokes of the plot work well with the characters we’re familiar with, and the ones created for this story fit tightly together. The story moves with determination, and this book serves as an excellent connecting piece between the other books in this series—it follows rationally from its prequel, reaches its own satisfying conclusion, and obviously suggests the third book.

As an aside, Book 1’s ending demanded the second book; this time the connection is less forceful. That’s not a complaint, but an observation.

These *are* complaints: This book has too many characters, ships, and locations to keep track of. The number of Klingons with names beginning with K alone could drive a person mad, but it seems every other character in this story has multiple identities, names, and personalities. The author, to his credit, does manage them, but it takes work follow along. I feel like the story could have still worked with fewer people involved.

While the author’s ability to keep track of the characters may be essential, the audiobook’s narrator does even more impressive work, making it clear who is talking at any point, switching affect as the characters switch personae. He does amazing work here, making an incredibly complex cast of characters much easier to deal with. (If you notice how Ferengi sound different from Cardassians, who sound different from Vulcans—and I mean the character of their voices, not the cadence and words they use—you’ll appreciate the narrator’s work. He mimics Worf and Picard with precision, which I’ve heard before, and he gets Riker’s vocal patterns, too, which I’ve not heard before. He’s good.)

One other thing about the story that put me off just a bit: The author occasionally tried too hard to put in too many references to television shows. Yes, it’s good to have characters draw on their own history, and yes, fanboys get a dopamine rush every time they can congratulate themselves for knowing the backstory to each reference (I admit I’m guilty of that), the relative insignificance of many of the references does little more than add to the complexity I mentioned above. For instance, a featured villain in an episode from TNG Season 4 gets referenced routinely throughout this story, yet that character has no direct influence on events here. It’s as though we’re being asked to make room for that villain in the narrative without the villain taking any actions at all. In short, it becomes a distraction.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sci-fi adventure that includes a tale of vengeance one-hundred years in the making, Star Trek Prey is an epic original tale that includes many favorite Star Trek characters. The Jackal’s Trick is the second book in this series, and it starts right where Book 1, Hell’s Heart left off.

To be honest, the story is quite detailed and I find it hard to do it justice, especially as it is in the second book in the series. In general, a young lieutenant of Kruge, (Klingon Kirk killed at the end of Star Trek III) Korgh, spent 100 years plotting his revenge and how to take over the house of Kruge. Using rogue Klingons who were kicked out of the empire, now called the Unsung, Korgh was able to mastermind his takeover. But there are other players involved including Worf who is on a mission to avenge the assassination of Kahless, and Admiral Riker and crew who are trying to protect all participants in a peace conference. Will the Unsung continue to follow their leader? Will the tricksters involved get their due or host the biggest con in the galaxy?

The Jackal’s Trick was an action packed book. I’ll admit I thought the storyline was all tied up at one point and thought, how could there be a third novel, only to have the storyline really explode on me and surprise me in the direction it turned. I loved books that can continually surprise me! I also loved that so many characters of Star Trek are involved including Tuvok from Voyager. I love all of the different threads of this story. I’m actually almost finished with Book 3 and I can’t wait to see how it ends!

Robert Petkoff is the perfect narrator for this audiobook. He does amazing voice acting for all of the different characters that makes this a very enjoyable audiobook to listen to – especially for a lifelong fan of Star Trek like myself.

Overall Star Trek Prey: The Jackal’s Trick (Book 2) is an enthralling adventure story that continues the journey started in Hell’s Heart. It perfectly captures the Star Trek world and characters with a fantastic voice narrator. I highly recommend this audiobook!

This review was originally posted on my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Jimyanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like book one of the series, this is a perfectly adequate Next Generation story; it is reasonably well-written and edited, the characters are handled well, the plot moves well and is not TOO implausible, and it doesn't even suffer too badly from "middle-book-itis", also known as "Book 2 of 3 Syndrome". But there is nothing outstandingly good about it, either; if you enjoy Next Generation books, by all means, pick up a copy of Prey: Book 1, and if you like that one, continue on to this one. I wouldn't try reading this one as a stand-alone; it suffers sufficiently from middle-book-itis that it can't really be said to have a beginning but rather starts in the middle of things (and not in a good way, "in media res".) But unless you're a fan of the genre, there's really little to recommend here.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poor follow up to a decent first installment.
I do not like magic. Whilst this book skirts around it and dresses it up in trek technobable Cross is in effect a mage, anything can be an illusion, but it's done to no great effect and it all felt rather pedestrian.

A third novel set up with only a few sentences towards the end, and the status quo shall be resumed by the end of volume three no doubt.

It felt very long, and needed whittling down by a good third if it were to have any pace.

Disappointing.

[Jeremy Bonnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great second entry with plenty of action and excitement. I loved the twists toward the end that will certainly set up a wild finish in Book 3. It's too bad we can't have a movie version. I suppose I'll just have to settle for letting it play out on the movie screen in my head. :)

4.4 out of 5

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Star Trek novels and content. This is one of the best Star Trek series I’ve read. Book 2, The Jackal’s Trick is a wonderful addition to this series. I love the story and the twists and turns. Each twist is interesting and useful, not just a way to prolong the story. I can’t wait for Book 3.

[Scott Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often find the second book in a trilogy to be fairly dull. They tend to do a lot of setup and forget to tell a worthwhile story of their own. That’s not the case with this novel. It’s very action-driven but it has a story. There’s some good character moments for Worf, and more exploration of Klingon culture. I’m looking forward to book three.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

It was a good story, definitely different (in tone) from the previous novel. I look forward to reading the final book within this trilogy.

The characters that I enjoyed in this book were: Worf, especially when he was teaching the young female Klingon. Tuvok when he was learning about Houdini and Admiral Riker. The rest were okay.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty exciting and fun book. It is definitely the middle part of a three-part story though.

Part way through this book, I was wondering if there was really enough of a story here for a whole trilogy, but I guess there is. There was a reveal near the end of the book that clearly sets up a big conflict for the next volume. I'm looking forward to reading it.

[Matthew Greig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Enjoyable

A very good story and very well written. He really has captured the essence of so many beloved StarTrek characters and seamlessly integrated them with so many new and compelling ones.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very impressed how strong the excitement of the in part one and now part two. There is a continuation of the over all story but it does not drag on to get to the final part, each has it on joy.( that has not been true for all trilogies I have read). Good job Mr. Miller.

[Christopher Lutz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half. For a nearly 400 page novel both books so far in this trilogy have seemed a bit light on story. I was actually wondering what would be left to tell in part three, but a fun plot twist right at the end gives me hope that the final book will be an exciting conclusion.

[Elliot Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun read. Book one was action packed and had a great set up, but book two was spectacular in pay off. About a third of the way in things blow up and the author never steps off of the gas. Can’t wait to start book three!

[Apostolos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey! The unsung had been played all along by external forces! Well, I guess this is what you get when a society discommendates several generations of their citizens for whatever reason. Also, Kahless is alive because...he's Kahless ;-) A fun read. Looking forward to the third part.

[Bookreader1972 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
Wonderful part 2, as good as the first book.
I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion.

Recommend this book to everyone who liked book 1.
I also recommend the trilogy to all Star Trek aficionados.

[Nathan Mang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series keeps getting better. The twists and plans within plans keeps the pace of the story moving. Everyone is trying to gain an edge and find power in their own way. The game is at hand and plans are beginning to unravel.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good series, but a bit too drawn out and a bit too far fetched in the plot. The Federation never consider the obvious reasons behind the threat to the Accords. I've enjoyed it, but am looking forward to it concluding!

[Stefanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

Idk, it was boring and I just didn't care.

[theron smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Exciting and entertaining. Too much action for a single book. Glad it is in three. Looking forward to the next chapter in this saga.