A Covenant of Justice

Trackers #2

by David Gerrold

A genetically altered vampiric race known as the Phaestor threaten to overrun the galaxy, but the opposition--an outnumbered band of malcontents--fights savagely to preserve their freedom.

The galaxy is dominated by the Regency, a government of vampires and dragons and other mutated humans. Finn Markham, a mercenary tracker, and his brother, Sawyer, have been hired by the sinister Lady Zillabar and then betrayed by her. Infected with a horrific vampiric blood disease, Finn is near death.

Sawyer and his colleagues of the Alliance for Life must capture Lady Zillabar and defeat the Dragon Lord. After accomplishing that sure-to-be-impossible task, they can use the enigmatic powers of the Time-binders to pull down the Regency and replace it with a more equitable covenant of justice.

Gerrold is able to infuse his electrifying adventures with humor (the dangerously ravenous pfingle eggs come to mind) while keeping the action cascading past the reader at the speed of light. Saving the universe has never been more enjoyable. --Dennis Winters

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this two book series as one novel. Part of me feels this was split in two by the publishing company at the time it was written, and really this reads best as one novel (or if you prefer one sitting). The split between the two books feels a little forced but that is not a major item in regards to this duo.

Gerrold is best known for his script The Troubles with Tribbles for Star Trek TOS, and the unfinished War against The Chtorr. I have my own issues with Chtorr and and his later work but these books show his strengths. World building, character, and humor in trying circumstances.

Thousands of years earlier humans had to leave the Milky Way Galaxy and found a small cloud which they, and the genetic lifeforms they created, could inhabit and live in peace. The problem is that the warrior race they created ended up becoming ruler of the cloud.

And, you know they drink blood to survive.

Now entering this mix are two human bounty hunters, some members of the vampire ruling class, the second warrior race created (think sentient dinosaurs), and a mixed crew merchants ship. Add in political plots and infighting, to go along with a rebellion.

Much of the world building is done in footnotes and exposition dumps. The majority of it made sense for me, and the rebellion's aspirational goals feel like somewhere Gerrold may have wanted to take STNG's Federation (he was part of the writer's room until fighting over a gay story line lead to his resignation).

This does read like a television script turned into novels. A combination of short chapters (cutting from one scene to the next) and heavy dialogue brought that thought to mind.

Not as good at his Starwolf trio or Chess With A Dragon but enjoyable space opera that is upbeat.

[Michael J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, but I liked it less than the first. I'll probably only read this series once more.

[Chrystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great fun.

It's unfortunate that David Gerrold is so under appreciated. The man writes well, can draw a delightful cast of characters, tells a great story, knows how to start and end a novel correctly (too many authors do not!), and so much more.

[Pumpkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerrold creates a complete and fascinating future space-traveling world. But his characters are what keeps me reading his books.