The Final Reflection (Star Trek: The Original Series)

Others have already gone into mentioning things about the plot and how this differs from a run of the mill trek book. I wish to review what makes this stand out as a very different Klingon book... with very different Klingons from what defines the stereotype today.

This was written before Next Generation made the airwaves and shaped people's opinions about what Klingons were. It was published in May of 1984- the month before Star Trek III came out in theaters. The only things at that time to discuss or hint at klingon culture was the first movie (where the ridged foreheads appeared) and a handful of TOS episodes (significantly, the likes of "Errand of Mercy" and "The Day of the Dove"). If one understands the background which formed the novel, one can get a better appreciation for what it tries to portray.

Ford was tasked with creating an entire Klingon culture based on the characterization of the race within the TOS episodes. Accordingly some of the traits we know in "Klingons" today like overzealous Honor obsession, eating things alive, tests of strength with sharp objects, Klingon opera, and long boasts about family honor, are noticeably absent. The Klingons are hostile creatures, but they are not barbarians. Ford's novel presents a different and altogether refreshing character of the Klingon people that has been forgotten by contemporary trek.

The Klin-Zha (Klingon Chess) game at the beginning of the novel may be tedious and confusing, but it helps to define the thought behind Ford's Klingons. Through Vrenn we learn that the Klingons see life as "The Perpetual Game". The game Klin-Zha is used as a vehicle for Vrenn by his adoptive father to learn how to see and understand the rules of any game in order to beat it and win. Vrenn takes this with him as he advances forward into the Klingon Deep Space Fleet, outsmarting enemies from without and within by thinking several moves ahead. Not once does Vrenn challenge someone for insulting his honor, the question never arises.

Other aspects of Klingon thought are presented that were left by the wayside and forgotten as TNG defined the Klingons. One interesting point (and mentioned by another reviewer) was the notion of the Komerex and the Khesterex; that which grows, and that which dies. As important as the notion of the Purpetual Game, these two concepts define the Ford Klingon Mentality quite clearly: You are either growing, or you are nothing better than slaves. This is something I can believe of the likes of Kor, Kang, and the original series Klingons... but not in the dramatic personae of the contemporary portrayals.

If for no other reason, I invite Klingon fans to read the novel (and bear through the Klin-Zha section) to discover rich characterization of Klingons that were forgotten by Star Trek. You may find it more appealing (and interesting) than the Klingons you came to know since the adventures of the Enterprise-D.

As you can see from the other reviews, this is an excellent book from beginning to end. If your a Klingon fan, then this a must-read, must-have book. Klingons aren't the scum as protrayed in earlier books, because we get a detailed look of Klingon culture. The story focuses on a Klingon from as a boy to an adult as captain of a Klingon ship, and to his eventual confrontation with humans.
Read this book and own it. It's a classic!
Russ

John M. ford's book probably is the first book that doesn't portrays Klingons as villains. Most of the Star trek authors prior to TNG's debut used Klingons as stereotypes or villains. Worse, some of the authors including Blish and Goldin discredited the klingons as dishonorable and deceitful villains.
John M. Ford not only did NOT used Klingons as stereotypes but depicts them as heroes even before Worf was conceived.

John M. Ford's novel will be remembered with honor.

There is nothing Star Trek about this novel, except, perhaps the prologue and the epilogue. It has virtually nothing to do with the enterprise crew. I bought it because of the good reviews, but I have to wonder if we read the same book.

If you are so in love with Star Trek that you actually cared about that Trekkie/Trekker debate and actually speak Klingon, then this is the book for you. It fleshes out the Klingon Empire and the background to the Klingon/Federation hostilities while creating a fairly compelling story. It also is told from the perspective of a Klingon with very short cameos from Kirk, Spock and McCoy. It is definitely not the "something comes on the ship and everyone goes crazy until they get rid of it in the last 20 pages" story that dominates these tie-in books.

However, if your interest from Star Trek ranges from pretty good to indifferent (I assume that Trek haters won't be reading the books) then this is a very tedious slog through one writer's obsession with a boring set of characters. Do you love to have chess games described at you for 30 pages? Great. The first chapter is a play by play description of some game that is sort of like chess but not really and only really matters to the people playing. Do you like boring family stories? You're in luck as the next few chapters get into clan negotiations. Would you like to wait for anything resembling a story happens? Would 130 pages of exposition be enough for you?

The pacing is slow. THe characters are one note (could someone please write a Klingon who thinks "forget honor and fighting, I just want to dance") and the story is ultimately trite. Basically this is a waste of time and not even an enjoyable one.

....the other book being "How Much for Just The Planet?", the only musical comedy Trek ever written (the characters actually break out in song for no reason!) (it helps if you're familiar with the Gilbert and Sullivan canon). (Would that make it a space opera?)

I know, I know, this is a review of "The Final Reflection." But HMFJTP was also written by the late, much lamented John M. Ford, a great science fiction writer.

Actually, this is not much of a review either; everyone else seems to have gotten here first. But let me make clear: this is truly awesome, excellent Trek, indeed, it is movie-worthy.

The story is set 40 years previous to the Five Year Mission, when McCoy is in diapers and Spock is seven. Krenn is an orphaned Klingon of noble birth but raised in a sort of creche for the "lineless." He is noticed by a Klingon chess-master admiral who raises him from oblivion and places him in the path of command, where he - Krenn - is forced by circumstances to betray his own benefactor.

Every step in life among the Klingons is a chess maneuver of advancement, ambition, and power; their faith-view revealed to be, essentially, that of Norse Vikings in long ships plundering their neighors. And yet, Krenn, when faced with a diplomacy master of Earth origin, is put in a position where he both prevents intergalactic war and achieves vengeance on those who forced him to kill his master.

A brilliant read. Simply a brilliant read. Five stars.

Item arrived as described and on time!

Mr DeCondido slams it out of the park here. It's essentially a melding of Sun Tzu's "Art of War" with Musahi's "5 Rings" presented in a way both entertaining and enlightening. There is some wonderful artwork in the color plates at the beginning of each chapter and stories illustrating each of the concepts presented. And there is nothing false or made up about each of the precepts presented. It specifically involved the way of the warrior as an individual more so than advice to leaders or statesmen. If your a Trek fan and a fan of Klingons this is a must have.

What a refreshing story, told by another point of view. It is the early history of the Klingon Empire and its inner workings. Even long after ST "canon" has been established and other Klingon stories have been told, the story holds up well. Not wanting to give anything away, my only regret in finishing this novel is there weren't more books like this.

John M. Ford has created a wonderful tale in "The Final Reflection." It is essentially the life story of one Klingon, Captain Krenn, who starts the book as Vrenn, a houseless fencer in the Klingon game of klin zha and eventually becomes a key figure in an attempt by certain factions to start a war with the Federation.

Krenn utilizes his knowledge of klin zha, chess, and other strategic games to move up quickly in the ranks of the Klingon Navy. At one point he is asked to travel to Earth in order to pick up a human ambassador who will hopefully bring both Klingons and the Federation together in some sort of peaceful agreement. Unknown to Krenn, however, is the fact that certain groups want war between the Klingons and the Federation, and they have taken steps to set this confrontation in motion.

Krenn begins to doubt the trustworthiness of the Federation and his own Klingon brethren. The human ambassador, Tagore, furthers Krenn's education of strategic games by playing games with him, including poker, which teaches him the importance of taking risks sometimes.

The story takes place over many years and due to this, it manages to give the reader a wonderful and (in some cases) detailed look at the day-to-day life and culture of the Klingons. From the Klingon language to the use of servants, "fusions" and "houses," Ford covers a lot in this story.

Fans who might be unfamiliar with Star Trek TOS might find the Klingons a bit odd when compared to the likes of Worf and the Klingons from the films. However, much of what Ford put into this book actually became the basis for future developments of Klingons in the Star Trek canon.

Those who read this book looking for another adventure alongside Kirk, Spock, and McCoy will be disappointed. While they get a mention in the prologue and epilogue, not much else is said about the crew of the Enterprise. There is one funny tidbit involving McCoy as a baby, and an interesting interaction between Krenn and a youthful Spock, but other than that, this book is all about Klingons.

Fans of Keith R.A. DeCandido's IKS Gorkon novels will appreciate this book. Despite being Klingon-centric, I do think that just about any fan of Star Trek will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.