Search - Kevin Conway :: Star Trek: Next Generation-Kahless

An untold story of a God

Wade A. Hampton | Santa Maria,CA USA | 10/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Klingon mythos are treated on the series as a footnote rather than an established fact.This Novel seperates the man from the myth.If you follow Star Trek closely like I do then you can easily recognized the legend of Kahless and instead of unknown references and stories about him,you'll get the truth from his own words.



It's amazing how well this Novel is written and how they really paid attention to detail.All the stories told always have a motitum of truth behind them as well as the actual truth inserted.You'll really see who Kahless was as a man and how he would in the coming centuries is remembered as a savior of the Klingon Empire and celebrated as a God.



Even the side story with Riker,Troi and Alexander Rozenko is really well done and doesn't suffers from the pitfalls of the side stories from previos ST Novels.



But the main plot will have reading until exhaustion.It's one of those rare Novels you simply can't put down.And if you're a huge Klingon fan like I am you have to read this Novel.One of the best Star Trek Novels in my collection and one that you can't aford to pass up.



Read and enjoy.You won't be disapointed I promise."

An important point in Klingon history

David Bonesteel | Fresno, CA United States | 07/06/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A scroll recovered from an archeological site throws into doubt the story of Kahless the Unforgettable, who is revered by the Klingons. The clone of Kahless enlists the aid of Captain Picard and Lieutenant Worf to prevent opportunists from using the occasion to effect a coup d'etat.



Although his prose is frequently clunky, author Michael Jan Friedman passes the test of a Star trek author, which is whether his novel would make an effective addition to the filmed canon. He has a firm grasp of the characters and his story fills an important gap in Trek history.

"

The story of Kahless and the reconciliation of the legend an

Charles Ashbacher | Marion, Iowa United States(cashbacher@yahoo.com) | 11/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best Star Trek novels, independent of the preface denoting the television series. It gives us a glimpse into the history of the Klingon Empire, depicting the actual events that led to the ascension of Kahless to the throne and his establishment of the fundamental laws of Klingon behavior.

The story has two tracks, a recapitulation of the actions of the original Kahless as he battles to overthrow the tyrant Molor and a modern one involving the clone of Kahless in the present. The link between them is an ancient scroll, an accurate depiction of how Kahless broke with Molor, became an outlaw and then fought his way back to overthrow Molor.

As is eventually determined, the scroll is genuine and since it is not in conformity with the legend, it sends shockwaves throughout the Klingon Empire, leading to a conspiracy against council leader Gowron. The clone of Kahless requests help from Worf, so he and Captain Picard travel to the Klingon Empire to try to unravel the conspiracy. With the help of Worf's brother Kurn, they are able to expose the conspirators and keep the Empire safe for now.

The original Kahless is a combination of Moses, Jesus and Alexander the Great. He conquers the world and then sets down a set of moral laws that mold the Klingons into a unified group. To the extent that it is possible for Klingons, his legacy is also part religious, which makes it also an act of faith. That faith is deeply disturbed when the scroll reveals that while Kahless was an extraordinary Klingon, he was still just a Klingon. Furthermore, the contents of the legends divert from the facts, a point that not all are comfortable with. This undercurrent of how myth arises from reality and the difficulty of reconciling the two keeps this story interesting as it reflects human experience.

"