The Klingons have always been the favorite aliens of legions of Star Trek fans. For every new series of action figures it seems the toy companies always knew to include an extra Klingon variant to meet fan demand. Whether you’re a fan of Kor, Koloth, and Kang in the original series, Worf, Gowron, Kurn, K’ehleyr, Klag, Lursa and B’Etor in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Martok in Deep Space Nine, B’Elanna Torres in Voyager, Kolos, Orak, and Duras in Enterprise, or Kruge, Kamarag, Korrd, Gorkon, Chang, and Azetbur of the movies, the Klingons have been an integral part of Star Trek. And this year they return as the antagonists of Star Trek Discovery. So what better time to get yourself ready for the new Klingons? You can delve into the homeworld and beyond in the newest of the Hidden Universe Travel Guides–Star Trek: The Klingon Empire.
The second entry in Insight Editions’ new Hidden Universe Travel Guides series will prompt you to book your next vacation early, and brush up on your Klingonese. Your travel guide to the Final Frontier, Star Trek novelist Dayton Ward scoured Qo’noS and beyond and the battle-filled history of those ridged-foreheaded aliens to target your second galactic trip–this time not to the planet Vulcan, as detailed in last year’s Hidden Universe Travel Guide–Star Trek: Vulcan (reviewed here at borg.com), but to the lands of the honorable Klingon Empire. And yes, Klingon culture is just as much fun as you think it is so brush up on your Shakespearean Klingon and sharpen your bat’leth and dk’tagh. Blood wine and gagh awaits you.
This in-universe book channels Ward’s Trek expertise from producing Star Trek novels and the artistry of Livio Ramondelli and Peter Markowski. The travel guide follows the format of the Vulcan guide, which in turn followed the format of Earth destination books. You’ll test your own knowledge of the planet, people, and culture, and learn even more along the way. You’ll walk away knowing how to get around, what are the best sights and activities, where to shop and what’s happening, and what’s current in dining, nightlife, and lodging for select destinations. Are monuments honoring the notable among the Klingon dead your thing? How about some Klingon opera? The pervasive and ever-expanding franchise of Quark’s Bar is here (you’ll want to check out the Klingon spin on a hot chicken wing eating contest). But if anyone tries to sell you tickets to the local Tribble hunt, watch out (you’ll learn why).
