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5.0 out of 5 stars
Really the launching of Season 8 DS9. No ending!, Jan 30 2004
I loved the way this book ended. It did not wrap everything up in a neat little package, but rather ends with the words: The Beginning. Since that is what these books are. They are the beginning of the DS9 relaunch, and are set up as an introduction to new characters who have replaced those gone on (Worf, O'Brien, Garak and Rom make no appearances at all. Odo is talked about and briefly seen in action, and Sisko...well there's mystery surrounding that guy!). Other people have had problems with the way the book ends, but I loved it. A reviewer said that Book 1 could have been the opening episode of DS9's eighth season, and I completely agree! Book 2 would be the continuation of the season premiere, and WHAT A CONTINUATION! Book 2 is much better than the necessary Book 1. All the new characters are well flushed out and relationships are solidified (Ro and Kira; Dax and Bashir; Vaughn and everyone; ch'Thane and Nog; etc.). The plot quickens and the truth behind Kitana'klan's statements is revealed... with a neat twist. I can say for sure that I want to keep reading the rest of the "episodes" in the DS9 relaunch. The way they are set up (the other books that is) is that they flow from Avatar in a sequence so that there's great continuity! "Abyss", Bashir's section 31 romp continues where Avatar left off, and it's good to see that it doesn't bother reintroducing everyone, but assumes you've read Avatar and know the deal. For this reason, I love that Avatar does not get wrapped up, but leaves itself open for plenty more books (which were subsequently written). I especially like the manner in which the idea of exploring the Gamma Quadrant opens up. Problems: One will have to ignore the Dominion Books (1&3) since it contradicts Ro and Picard's relationship. Personally I liked how it was dealt with in this book (and I liked how it clears up why Ro didn't got to a Federation penal colony). However, it cheapens the Dominion Books which saw some great action for Ro and Picard... so you be the judge if you can deal with the HUGE discrepancy. Missed Opportunities: Seeing the TNG crew in action!!! Riker does virtually nothing, when so much could have been done, especially considering the Thomas Riker incident! Crusher does a good job filling in as CMO. Troi does a little. But a real disappointment was the lack of any Data dialogue with Bashir (common, seeing an android and genetically engineered human interact would have been brilliant) or even ch'Thane or Dax or others who are curious about Data.
The biggest mistake I think was the lack of seeing Geordi LaForge work on DS9's repairs! We learn that O'Brien has kept in touch with Geordi and told him all about DS9's screw ups... so how cool would it have been to see Geordi trying to tackle some of those problems... and seeing the Chief's innovations... and commenting on them and whatnot! That was definetely a missed opportunity. But, ignoring what wasn't in the book, what was in it was excellent. It was good to see a Federation-Klingon-Romulan task force and hear them lectured from a Jem'Hadar supposedly sent from Odo... really good stuff.
The Avatar prophecy sort of gets shoved aside quickly, but resurfaces in an interesting way indeed! It was good to see the interaction between Ro, Kira, Vedek Yevir and Kassidy. Their heated debate was excellent and I was just screaming for someone to say what I was thinking when finally Kass lets it loose! Oh baby that was excellent! Good religious/spiritual (maybe philosophical?) and conformist/orthodox interplay!
Everything else was really interesting, and the scene at the central core was very intense!
It was good to see th'Chane's character explained a bit more, and you can tell a lot more will revolve around this young ensign in the future!
The job Perry does with setting up Vaughn as a guy you have to like deserves kudos. I love this guy already and keep hoping Sisko won't return so he can stay as XO! Seriously, he's THAT cool! He's only a Commander but with Admiral-type knowledge and secrets. I can't wait to hear some of them in later books! Book 1 was good; Book 2 is much better! Although it would have been better to have the books in one set, it takes nothing away from them to have them alone. Though I absolutely recommend reading Book 1 before reading Book 2. If you plan to read any of the DS9 relaunch books, I highly recommend reading Avatar first, for otherwise characters in the later novels won't be as flushed out as they are here. If you haven't read Garak's "A Stitch in Time" novel, which takes place after he returns to Cardassia in ruins, I highly recommend reading that novel first. Avatar makes quick mention of Bashir reading Garak's communique (which is the book).
Also, if you haven't read the Reeves-Stevenses' Millenium trilogy (available as 3 separate books, or in an Omnibus version) I highly recommend reading that as well. So far those two novels are the best of the DS9 series, though Avatar came close in many instances. I look forward with enthusiasm to reading the rest of the DS9 relaunch novels. Look for my next review for Section 31: Abyss.
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by S.D. Perry
