The Law of War

War #2

by William Shatner

The peaceful, free society recently created on Mars is once again under fire as a series of assassination attempts threatens to undermine it, and Prime Minister Benton Hawkes must risk a full-scale military confrontation to achieve final peace, in the sequel to Man O'War. Reprint.

Genres: Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction

286 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

About the author

William Shatner is the author of nine Star Trek novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Ashes of Eden and The Return. He is also the author of several nonfiction books, including Get a Life! and I'm Working on That. In addition to his role as Captain James T. Kirk, he stars as Denny Crane in the hit television series from David E. Kelley, Boston Legal -- a role for which he has won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.

Reviews

[C Jon Tice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I also read TekWar and found that he has gotten better with writing since then. I really enjoyed this book.

[Mark Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book, Man O’ War but still pretty good. Feels like there could have been a third book. The interior book design was bad at beginning of chapters the chapter number is large and gray and interferes with reading the text. Really poor design choice. Quick read and continues where Man O’ War left off. Mars produces most of what they consider food for the Earth. If it’s ever cut off millions on Earth will starve to death.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great follow-up to the first book with a grander story that involved more action on places other than Mars. It also ends with a huge space battle which was a great finale. The one sad part of this story is Shatner sidelines Dina Martel for a new love interest in this book. After all of the good raport built up between Martel and Hawkes in the first book, we lose the potential to build on that in this book. While I liked the character of Elizabeth Truman, I would have liked more of Martel in this book. Including Martel back into the story at some point would have increased the tension for Hawke's love triangle which is a staple of many stories.
All in all a very entertaining follow-up and the beginning of opening the story up to more interesting options that we sadly will never see.
Shatner's previous series, The Quest For Tomorrow, had five entries and was targeted to a younger male audience. His most famous and successful, and longest non-Trek series is Tekwar of which I've only read about 5 of the 9 books. I intend to read the entire series again now that I've finished Shatner's other novels.

[Sedengr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story seemed somewhat simplistic but was interesting enough that it was finished quickly

[Keith B]

OK book but plot jumps around in places. But it's Shatner... what do you expect.