Star Trek: Prey: Book Two: The Jackal's Trick by John Jackson Miller

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.

Description: 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.