The First Kingdom - Destiny!

The First Kingdom Volume Five - Destiny is not like the ones which have come before. "Destiny" is not a reprint, but like "The Space Explorers Club" rather new material produced by Jack Katz in this century. I had hoped this material which might shed light on the epic Katz produced between 1974 and 1986, but I think I'm disappointed. Like the previous volume of new material I again miss the visceral tits-out energy of the original stuff. Katz is much more restrained here, with a lighter style that does its job of telling a somewhat mundane story, at least compared to the sagas which have come before. 

The story is a pretty simple one this time. A family man comes into the knowledge that he is not who he thought he was. He is in fact the last descendant of a special family which possesses the capacity to decipher the meaning of the universe and the meaning of life itself from an ancient artifact which has tumbled down through the centuries to finally arrive into his hands. A story we learn at length. He becomes obsessed with this new mission and is torn about his obligations to his family. He is not helped in that several sects of people seek to capture the artifact and him and so learn the secrets for themselves. They seek him throughout the story and he spends much of it hidden away attempting to reach enlightenment. There is betrayal and steadfast loyalty on display in the story which ramble along.

I was much disappointed in this story which is a chore to read actually. The actual meaning of life is not that different from what The Matrix movies had to say and just as in those flickers reams of gobbledygook is used to say it. This story seems to have no direct connection to story from decades ago. Frankly, after reading the entire saga now, I'd have to recommend that most folks will be quite satisfied by the first four volumes which present the original The First Kingdom saga told between 1974 and 1986. The final two Titan volumes add little to the mix as far as I can tell. And in fact take away from the total reading experience of the saga. It's a pity, because I admire that Katz wanted to add to his tale. I just which what he'd added actually enhanced the experience. It doesn't. 

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