Positively Trek Book Club: Q-in-Law

 Star Trek: The Next Generation
Q-in-Law

By Peter David

Purchase:
Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca
Audiobook: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Very few adversaries are capable of bringing the great Captain Jean-Luc Picard to his knees, and now two of them are coming together to make his life miserable. Lwaxana Troi, ambassador from Betazed and mother of Counselor Deanna Troi, has become enamoured with the extradimensional entity known only as “Q,” and life aboard the Enterprise may never be the same again.

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss the classic TNG novel Q-in-Law by veteran Trek author Peter David. We talk about Lwaxana Troi, the historic meeting between her and Q, Lwaxana’s relationship with her daughter Deanna, a sub-plot involving Wesley Crusher, lessons in love for Q, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Positively Trek 40: Book Club: Q-in-Law by Peter David

 

Previous episode: Hell's Mirror (Comic)
Next episode: TNG: Warped by Mike McMahan

Positively Trek Book Club: Hell's Mirror

 Star Trek
Hell's Mirror

Purchase:
Kindle: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

In the infamous “Mirror Universe,” Khan Noonien Singh has been awoken. However, contrary to his Prime Universe counterpart, this Khan wishes to spread the ideals of peace and democracy across a fractured and violent galaxy. Can he lead a rebellion to overthrow the evil Terran Empire with the help of his closest advisor, Spock?

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by guest host Brandon Shea-Mutala to discuss the new one-shot comic from IDW, Hell’s Mirror. We talk about Khan’s goals, Mirror-Kirk’s history, Khan’s “Satori” superweapon, and the role that Spock plays in Khan’s plans.

Positively Trek 35: Book Club: Hell's Mirror
With Guest Host Brandon Shea-Mutala

 

Previous episode: More Beautiful Than Death with David Mack
Next episode: TNG #18: Q-in-Law by Peter David

Positively Trek Book Club: More Beautiful than Death

Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline)
More Beautiful than Death
Special guest: author David Mack!

Purchase:
Trade paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise are assigned to escort Ambassador Sarek to the planet Akiron, a world rich in dilithium deposits. However, upon arrival, they discover the people of Akiron under attack by strange creatures, described by their victims as “demons.” It is now up to Kirk, guided by a mysterious Kathikar mystic, to save the people of Akiron from these sinister “wights.” Meanwhile, Sarek’s Vulcan aide, L’Nel, has a diabolical plan in place for Spock--a plan that will result in his death!

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined by author David Mack to discuss his Kelvin Timeline novel, More Beautiful than Death. We talk about the long road this book took to publication, how David wrote the characters of the Kelvin Timeline, Sarek’s role in the story, how Kirk’s beliefs inform his character, and the Spock/L’Nel subplot. We also talk about David Mack’s role as a consultant on Lower Decks and Prodigy, and wrap up with what he is working on now and where he can be found online.

Positively Trek 30: Book Club: More Beautiful than Death
Exclusive interview with author David Mack!

Previous episode: Strangers From the Sky with Margaret Wander Bonanno
Next episode: Star Trek: Hell's Mirror

Release Day! More Beautiful Than Death by David Mack

Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline)
More Beautiful Than Death
by David Mack

Where would we be without our regular fix of Star Trek fiction? Today sees the release of a new novel, ten years in the making: More Beautiful Than Death by New York Times' bestselling author David Mack!

Set in the "Kelvin Timeline" of the last three feature films, this novel features the alternate crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of James T. Kirk. Their mission: to escort Spock's father, Sarek, on a diplomatic mission to a planet seemingly under siege by horrific demons!

Check out below for the back-cover blurb and links to purchase from Amazon!

Publisher's description:

An original novel based on the thrilling new Star Trek movies!

Based on the “Kelvin Universe” movie saga!

Captain James T. Kirk and the Enterprise crew escort Spock’s father, Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan, to a dilithium-rich planet called Akiron. They arrive to find this world under siege by creatures that some of the planet’s denizens believe are demons. Sarek orders Kirk to abandon the mission, but the young captain won’t turn his back on people in danger. After a harrowing encounter with the dark-energy “demons,” Kirk’s belief in a rational universe is challenged by a mystic who insists that it wasn’t coincidence that brought Kirk to Akiron, but the alien equivalent of a Karmic debt.

Purchase Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death:

Trade Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Previous Release: Discovery: Die Standing

Next Release: Voyager: To Lose the Earth

New Podcast! Positively Trek Book Club: Strangers From the Sky

Star Trek
Strangers From the Sky
Special guest: author Margaret Wander Bonanno!

Purchase:
Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

In the history of the Federation, the story of first contact between Humans and Vulcans is well-known: Earth astronauts came to the rescue of a Vulcan ship, stranded in our system’s asteroid belt. The rest is, as they say, history. But what if the official story is not how it actually happened? What if first contact with the Vulcans actually came many years earlier? And what if Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise were instrumental in that event happening the way it did?

In this, the first episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by author Margaret Wander Bonanno to talk about her renowned and much-celebrated novel, Strangers From the Sky. We discuss how Margaret became a fan and an author of Trek books, how this story came about, how it stands up in the face of the canon that has moved on in the years since it was published, the characters that populate the story, and how its legacy has affected Trek Lit in the years since.

Positively Trek Book Club: Strangers From the Sky
Exclusive Interview with author Margaret Wander Bonanno

Next episode: More Beautiful than Death by David Mack

Comic Review: Year Five #13

Star Trek: Year Five #13
Writers: Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly
Artist: Angel Hernandez
Release date: August 5^th 2020

Previous issue: Year Five #12
Next issue: Year Five #14

Purchase:
Kindle & Comixology: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Publisher's description:

The Enterprise and her crew finally make it back to Federation space, but the Federation they find isn’t quite the same as the one they had left behind. Meanwhile, Aegis and Gary Seven’s grand design continues to take shape—and the consequences will be staggering. The final voyages of the original Enterprise crew continue in this episode from showrunners Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly (GREEN ARROW, NIGHTWING)!

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of Star Trek: Year Five #13, or click play on the embedded video below!

Final thoughts:

The start of a new story arc, in which the Enterprise crew returns to Federation space to find their peaceful society showing cracks at the edges. A fascinating concept, and very much in line with the current trend of Star Trek storytelling in recent years. I'm very much looking forward to seeing where this story ultimately goes. Highly recommend!


Next Comic:

Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #2

Literary Treks 308: Maybe Stop Biting and Kidnapping Counselors

Star Trek: Titan
Over a Torrent Sea
by Christopher L. Bennett

Purchase:
Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

In the aftermath of the devastating events of the Destiny trilogy, the Starship Titan is once again assigned to deep space exploration beyond the farthest borders of the Federation. Investigating an oceanic world of abundant and mysterious life, the crew unwittingly causes distress to the ecosystem and to the lives of the inhabitants of the world, nicknamed Droplet. Now, Captain Riker and Ensign Lavena, cut off from the rest of the crew, must convince their captors of their sincere desire to help the people of Droplet before the damage becomes irreparable.

In their final episode as hosts of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss the Star Trek: Titan novel Over a Torrent Sea by Christopher L. Bennett. They talk about Titan's new mission, the Squales of Droplet, Ensign Aili Lavena and her past, a difficult maternal situation for Deanna Troi, the unintended consequences of the crew's decisions, atonement for past mistakes, and wrap up with their final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, Bruce and Dan review the first issue in IDW's new Deep Space Nine miniseries, Too Long a Sacrifice.

Literary Treks 308: Maybe Stop Biting and Kidnapping Counselors
Titan: Over a Torrent Sea by Christopher L. Bennett

Previous episode: Literary Treks 307: Twisted Like a Bag of Bread
Next episode: Stay Tuned for Book Coverage on Positively Trek!