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Star Trek: Errand of Vengeance #2
Killing Blow
A Klingon assassin has infiltrated the U.S.S. Enterprise. His To ambush the horrible, dishonorable Captain James T. Kirk. But when Kirk turns out not to be what his Klingon superiors had said he was, the Klingon assassin must decide whether to do what he was told to do, or to follow the dictates of his honor.There are more than four hundred sagas aboard the Starship Enterprise™, one for each of the unique men and women serving under the command of Capt. James T. Kirk. For years their personal adventures, their individual struggles and successes, have gone largely untold...until now. The U.S.S. Enterprise™ is patrolling the Klingon border when sensors detect a massive power source on a planet supposedly populated only by a race of primitive humanoids. Suspecting some sort of Klingon plot, Captain Kirk decides to investigate the matter personally, beaming down to the planet with Dr. McCoy and a team of security officers. But Kirk is in more danger than he knows. Among the landing party is Lt. Jon Anderson, a Klingon infiltrator on an undercover mission aboard the Enterprise. Anderson does not know if the Empire is at work on the unnamed planet, but if it is, then his duty demands that Kirk be stopped—by all means necessary.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2002
28 people are currently reading
271 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 11, 2019
Lots of typos near the end! Ugh!
The story is through the eyes of a Klingon infiltrator for the scenes that take place with Enterprise crew! I love this unique angle!💘💘💘 My only complaint is that they need a proofreader for this digital edition. I think the conversion software might have been a wee bit drunk!😕
The story is through the eyes of a Klingon infiltrator for the scenes that take place with Enterprise crew! I love this unique angle!💘💘💘 My only complaint is that they need a proofreader for this digital edition. I think the conversion software might have been a wee bit drunk!😕
October 22, 2015
This one was really a drag for me. Ive lost all interest in this trilogy and I doubt I'll finish it.
November 23, 2025
Star Trek: TOS: Errand of Vengeance 02 Killing Blow by Kevin Ryan
4.25 Stars
challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
What do you do...when the main character of the novel...is NOT a good person? That is the dilemma of every reader of this series, but especially in this book.
The main character is an embedded assassin...and he's poised to kill Captain James T. Kirk. Some of the tension is relievd, since we KNOW he fails (for obvious reasons...since we KNOW how Captain James T. Kirk dies, and this is not the way he dies), but the quandary is...is this character redeemable? By the end of this novel...you get your answer.
Throughout the first three quarters of this novel, dare I say, even 95% of this novel...you are thinking one way, but that last portion. Ugh.
Loved the way that this book set things up, and then fulfilled the buildup of tension...with the right amount of disovery of the characters, their growth, and then the belief...that they are doing better.
Loved the dual timeline, and how you get to know one character (that I honestly...had forgotten that it was "back on the past"), but when it was brought to the present...I was, oh...I see what you did there. So good.
There were some loses in the novel...that his hard. There were betrayals that I hadn't seen coming, but in my heart...knew that they were going to happen, but I was just being a sentimental human...to think otherwise.
Loved the banter between our hero three, Kirk, Spock and Bones.
Loved the Justman/West dynamic...and hope that it continues in the final book in the trilogy.
We are getting a LOT of inside information about the Klingons (human versions, smooth foreheads), and their ultimate long-game struggle with the humans of the Federation.
Next up is Star Trek: TOS: Errand of Vengeance 03 River of Blood by Kevin Ryan.
4.25 Stars
challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
What do you do...when the main character of the novel...is NOT a good person? That is the dilemma of every reader of this series, but especially in this book.
The main character is an embedded assassin...and he's poised to kill Captain James T. Kirk. Some of the tension is relievd, since we KNOW he fails (for obvious reasons...since we KNOW how Captain James T. Kirk dies, and this is not the way he dies), but the quandary is...is this character redeemable? By the end of this novel...you get your answer.
Throughout the first three quarters of this novel, dare I say, even 95% of this novel...you are thinking one way, but that last portion. Ugh.
Loved the way that this book set things up, and then fulfilled the buildup of tension...with the right amount of disovery of the characters, their growth, and then the belief...that they are doing better.
Loved the dual timeline, and how you get to know one character (that I honestly...had forgotten that it was "back on the past"), but when it was brought to the present...I was, oh...I see what you did there. So good.
There were some loses in the novel...that his hard. There were betrayals that I hadn't seen coming, but in my heart...knew that they were going to happen, but I was just being a sentimental human...to think otherwise.
Loved the banter between our hero three, Kirk, Spock and Bones.
Loved the Justman/West dynamic...and hope that it continues in the final book in the trilogy.
We are getting a LOT of inside information about the Klingons (human versions, smooth foreheads), and their ultimate long-game struggle with the humans of the Federation.
Next up is Star Trek: TOS: Errand of Vengeance 03 River of Blood by Kevin Ryan.
May 17, 2020
This book's level of enjoyment would depend on whether one has read the book that preceded it. I think one could still enjoy this, but it wouldn't pack the same emotional punch without reading The Edge of the Sword.
Picking up from the previous book, Klingon infiltrator Kell's disguise remains as he acts as Lt. Jon Anderson aboard the Enterprise. His mission is to kill Kirk, but having worked with other humans and seen the captain in action, his opinions of the "Earthers" is changing, as they show more courage and honor than he suspected.
After a classic bar fight with Kell and his companions getting into trouble with some iconic Trek aliens, the Enterprise is sent to investigate if the Orions were working for the Klingons in the previous book to test the mettle of a Federation starship. This leads to an adventure on a world that's somewhat similar to the earlier book's ground battle, though Kirk is with his men and there is a very surprising native force on this world that are not Ewoks.
There's also adventure aboard the Klingon ship that Karel serves on. There's an early reveal of classic Trek foe that delighted me to no end and Ryan gives this character outstanding lines and actions.
The highlight of the book was surprisingly a space battle. Often these are not exciting for me to read in any franchise, by any author, because they're just boring. This was not the case as the Battle of Donatu V is the most thrilling space battle I've read, as I reread all my Trek novels. It's outstanding. I never thought that a backstory could be so riveting. Those portions of the book would make for an outstanding film.
This was as stellar a read as the previous novel and has made me anxious to see how this story concludes in the third book.
Picking up from the previous book, Klingon infiltrator Kell's disguise remains as he acts as Lt. Jon Anderson aboard the Enterprise. His mission is to kill Kirk, but having worked with other humans and seen the captain in action, his opinions of the "Earthers" is changing, as they show more courage and honor than he suspected.
After a classic bar fight with Kell and his companions getting into trouble with some iconic Trek aliens, the Enterprise is sent to investigate if the Orions were working for the Klingons in the previous book to test the mettle of a Federation starship. This leads to an adventure on a world that's somewhat similar to the earlier book's ground battle, though Kirk is with his men and there is a very surprising native force on this world that are not Ewoks.
There's also adventure aboard the Klingon ship that Karel serves on. There's an early reveal of classic Trek foe that delighted me to no end and Ryan gives this character outstanding lines and actions.
The highlight of the book was surprisingly a space battle. Often these are not exciting for me to read in any franchise, by any author, because they're just boring. This was not the case as the Battle of Donatu V is the most thrilling space battle I've read, as I reread all my Trek novels. It's outstanding. I never thought that a backstory could be so riveting. Those portions of the book would make for an outstanding film.
This was as stellar a read as the previous novel and has made me anxious to see how this story concludes in the third book.
November 17, 2025
More like 4.5 stars but I just can't give this a perfect rating - even though I really wanted to.
What to like again is Kell's story as he now wrestles with his honour and his mission and how they do not align culminating in his destroyed friendships and betrayals. I also liked Karel's story as well as he has to deal with his honour as well.
The battle on the planet and the Enterprise leaving to deal with another ship felt too much like the first one except this time Kirk is there to tip the scales.
Justman's story is thrown in as well to give context to the tensions and here is where I struggled giving this a better ranking. I will admit that I didn't catch on to the name of the Admiral in the first book but putting him on the Endeavour which is a ship full of Star Trek creators really distracted me from the story which was pretty awesome. I had just wished he didn't use those names which was a cool way to honour them but a big distraction to anyone who knows some names of those who built Star Trek and TNG. At least he wasn't too on the nose and having a Lieutenant Roddennberry on the ship somewhere.
Anyway I am liking this trilogy but hopefully the name dropping ends in the next book.
What to like again is Kell's story as he now wrestles with his honour and his mission and how they do not align culminating in his destroyed friendships and betrayals. I also liked Karel's story as well as he has to deal with his honour as well.
The battle on the planet and the Enterprise leaving to deal with another ship felt too much like the first one except this time Kirk is there to tip the scales.
Justman's story is thrown in as well to give context to the tensions and here is where I struggled giving this a better ranking. I will admit that I didn't catch on to the name of the Admiral in the first book but putting him on the Endeavour which is a ship full of Star Trek creators really distracted me from the story which was pretty awesome. I had just wished he didn't use those names which was a cool way to honour them but a big distraction to anyone who knows some names of those who built Star Trek and TNG. At least he wasn't too on the nose and having a Lieutenant Roddennberry on the ship somewhere.
Anyway I am liking this trilogy but hopefully the name dropping ends in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2025
This is a good follow-up to the first in the trilogy, but I do think that there's evidence of a sort of sag that often comes up in middle books. This particular mini-series is already quite battle-heavy - never my favourite part of Trek books - and introducing yet another battle in flashbacks does make it seem a little repetitive in places. It's still an enjoyable book, though, and the slow illustration of the shift in Klingon culture towards the values of Kahless, a shift that will ultimately lead to characters such as Worf, is the most interesting thing here for me.
June 4, 2022
It was as easy to read as Book #1, but slightly less satisfying. Adding the flashback story of young Admiral Justman's experiences during the Battle of Donatu V just adds too much to an already-full slate of plot machinations. They're all enjoyable in isolation, but together it's just too much in too small a space.
February 4, 2024
Has the Mission Changed?
Still keeping up the pace in this second part. Plenty of action, plots, introduction
of one very familiar TOS character.
A couple of errors in this book with regard to the naming of a wrong character, but once you realise and mentally correct it, you're off again. Definitely worth a read.
Still keeping up the pace in this second part. Plenty of action, plots, introduction
of one very familiar TOS character.
A couple of errors in this book with regard to the naming of a wrong character, but once you realise and mentally correct it, you're off again. Definitely worth a read.
June 30, 2025
Loved it !
December 2, 2025
One of the better Trek Books I've read so far! Engaging characters, action that's actually enjoyable, and great setup for what could be a edge-of-your-seat showdown between brothers. For the Empire!
September 15, 2014
“Killing Blow” is the 2nd Novel in Kevin Ryan’s “Errand of Vengeance” trilogy that takes a look at the tension between the Federation and Klingon Empire which results in war as seen in the Star Trek Original series episode “Errand of Mercy”. The main focus of the novel continues to be on Kell, the Klingon infiltrator who is current disguised as a human aboard the Enterprise. Kell has come to realise that the way in which the Empire portrays Kirk and humanity as a whole is not accurate, in fact his viewpoint has changed so much that he has ended up in a relationship with a human woman called Leslie Parrish. However, despite his reservations he is still determined to complete his mission and assassinate Kirk.
When I started reading this book I wasn’t expecting much as middle novels in trilogies do tend to be weakest of the three. However, Ryan has managed to continue the overall plotline adequately whilst also giving us an interesting and enjoyable story specific to this novel. There are of course still some elements of the novel dedicated to setting things up for the finale but the inclusion of a specific mission to follow that contains a start and finish ensures that the when you finish the novel you still feel satisfied with the conclusion.
In regards to the writing, the quick pacing and action packed storyline ensures the novel feels like an episode of the TV series with us never dwelling to long on any one area. Also, the loss of red shirted personnel left, right and centre really reinforces that Original series feeling. Probably the only element that really differs strongly from one of the TV episodes is that most of the viewpoints are from people outside the regular cast. These new characters introduced in the first novel continue to grow and provide a feeling of freshness to the Star Trek Universe.
Overall this was an enjoyable continuation of the Errand of Vengeance trilogy which continues to highlight and develop the lives of the “regular” people aboard the Enterprise. In addition, Kell’s personal struggles are well portrayed and whilst we know that Kirk won’t be killed, how Kell’s journey will conclude does remain a mystery and I am eager to see how this will be resolved.
When I started reading this book I wasn’t expecting much as middle novels in trilogies do tend to be weakest of the three. However, Ryan has managed to continue the overall plotline adequately whilst also giving us an interesting and enjoyable story specific to this novel. There are of course still some elements of the novel dedicated to setting things up for the finale but the inclusion of a specific mission to follow that contains a start and finish ensures that the when you finish the novel you still feel satisfied with the conclusion.
In regards to the writing, the quick pacing and action packed storyline ensures the novel feels like an episode of the TV series with us never dwelling to long on any one area. Also, the loss of red shirted personnel left, right and centre really reinforces that Original series feeling. Probably the only element that really differs strongly from one of the TV episodes is that most of the viewpoints are from people outside the regular cast. These new characters introduced in the first novel continue to grow and provide a feeling of freshness to the Star Trek Universe.
Overall this was an enjoyable continuation of the Errand of Vengeance trilogy which continues to highlight and develop the lives of the “regular” people aboard the Enterprise. In addition, Kell’s personal struggles are well portrayed and whilst we know that Kirk won’t be killed, how Kell’s journey will conclude does remain a mystery and I am eager to see how this will be resolved.
February 20, 2017
Ryan continues his outstanding trilogy focusing on a Klingon infiltrator struggling with his loyalties.
August 28, 2021
This is a fun 3-book series about a Klingon infiltrator, Kell, on the Enterprise. He and his brother, Karel, have been taught that humans are cowardly and treacherous, as opposed to Klingons who are brave and honorable. Kell begins to admire humans for their courage and willingness to sacrifice themselves for something other than personal gain, while Karel, who is serving on a Klingon battlecruiser, gets caught in a web of deceit and behavior at a high level, which shocks a Klingon raised with old-world values.
Kell comes to admire the "spineless, treacherous" Captain Kirk, while Karel witnesses the murder of a great Klingon warrior as the result of a plot by dishonorable and weak Klingon underlings.
A great book for people who enjoy science fiction, particularly if you are interested in the beginnings of Klingon/Federation cooperation.
Kell comes to admire the "spineless, treacherous" Captain Kirk, while Karel witnesses the murder of a great Klingon warrior as the result of a plot by dishonorable and weak Klingon underlings.
A great book for people who enjoy science fiction, particularly if you are interested in the beginnings of Klingon/Federation cooperation.
December 17, 2012
A generally good continuation of the Errand of Vengeance story. The flashbacks to the decades-earlier battle of Donatu V are particularly welcome, as they illustrate the dangers of losing the peace. Kell's struggle is compelling, and while we know that Kirk will not be killed, the conclusion to Kell's personal journey is a mystery that makes me very eager for the final book in the trilogy. Also somewhat fun are the homages and "shout outs" to Trek production personnel. "Lt. Okuda" comes to mind!
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2012/12/k...
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2012/12/k...
February 3, 2015
I almost gave it 4 stars because of *SPOILERS* Benitez. He was the best I loved his relationship with Kell and I couldn't believe it when he let him die just like that. You serve the Empire? The Empire my ass you decided not to kill Kirk after realizing that the Empire was like a shiny apple rotting inside so stfu and help Benitez instead of letting him fall. Did Moffat write this book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2010
A good sequel to 'The Edge of the Sword'. All the story lines are continued, and really could have been the in same book (other than they would have been close to 550 pages and there would be still one book to go).
January 31, 2017
Multiple storylines intertwine and influence each other, even while one plays many years in the past. One viewpoint represented is that of a Klingon which makes it a very special series. Packed with action.
December 17, 2010
Had a good twist at the end :)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews