Thursday, December 26, 2013

A Very Klingon Khristmas

A Very Klingon Khristmas by Paul Ruditis
Illustrated by Patrick Faricy
Published October 2013
Read December 25th 2013


HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Trek Lit Reviews! Here's a special bonus Christmas book review!

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From the back cover:
QISmaS DatIvjaj 'ej DIS chu' DatIvjaj and a Happy New Year! 
A Very Klingon Khristmas recounts, in rhyming verse, the treasured children's story of the birth of revered warrior Kahless and celebrates the rich Klingon Khristmas traditions originating on Qo'noS and spreading across the Star Trek universe! 
My thoughts:

It is really great to see Star Trek getting the novelty book treatment. For years, Star Wars fans have gotten treats such as Vader and Son and this year's Vader's Little Princess, not to mention the delightful William Shakespeare's Star Wars. Star Trek never really got the same attention. However, this year marks a change in that trend. With A Very Klingon Khristmas, I feel we've gotten a truly fun and whimsical entry in the Star Trek book universe.

In rhyming verse, the book tells the timeless tale of the magical Santa Qlas, who delivers gifts each Khristmas to the honorable Klingon girls and boys. However, if you have been naughty and dishonorable, beware: Santa Qlas will leave you a dreaded tribble! Borrowing from both The Night Before Christmas and The Grinch, this book's delightful rhyming is very clever and a pleasure to read. The story is fun, and the entire family will get a kick of hearing it read aloud!

Each page features a wonderful illustration from the extremely talented Patrick Faricy. In a Norman Rockwell style, the pictures leap off the page in their beauty and classic design. You won't be able to help but laugh as you see a young Klingon child's excitement at the new dagger that Santa Qlas has brought him! Perhaps my favorite illustration is the look of absolute frustration on the face of a Klingon patriarch as he attempts to untangle the Khristmas tree lights!

Final thoughts:

Beautifully illustrated and cleverly written, A Very Klingon Khristmas is a true delight! I found myself grinning from cover to cover, and then going back again to examine the pictures even closer. The rhyming is delightful, and as a tongue-in-cheek parody, this book is a true winner! And the novelty books won't end: coming next year is Fun with Kirk and Spock, in the style of the old primary school readers, Fun with Dick and Jane.

My next read:

The Wounded Sky by Diane Duane.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

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