Literary Treks 306: There's Shag Carpet on This Ship Somewhere

Star Trek: The Original Series
Agents of Influence
Exclusive Interview with Dayton Ward!

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

When the extraction of undercover agents from the Klingon Empire goes disastrously wrong, it's up to Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise to come to the rescue. The U.S.S. Endeavour, crashed on the surface of an asteroid, must hold out against Klingon reprisal and Orion attacks long enough to ensure they deliver their valuable passengers safely back to Federation space.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined once again by author Dayton Ward to discuss his newest Original Series novel, Agents of Influence. We talk about the undercover agents at the center of this story, the U.S.S. Endeavour and her crew, the Klingon/Orion alliance, an unorthodox "ground assault" on a starship, Klingons and Humans coming to an understanding, a spy among Starfleet's ranks, and wrap up with what Dayton is working on now and where he can be found online.

At the top of the show, Bruce and Dan talk about their decision to move on from Literary Treks and where they will be continuing the Star Trek book and comics discussion in the future. We also respond to listener feedback from The Babel Conference for the previous episode, Literary Treks 305: The Nacene Scenes.

Literary Treks 306: There's Shag Carpet on This Ship Somewhere
The Original Series: Agents of Influence - Exclusive interview with author Dayton Ward!

Previous episode: Literary Treks 305: The Nacene Scenes
Next episode: Literary Treks 307: Discovery: Die Standing by John Jackson Miller

Literary Treks 305: The Nacene Scenes

Star Trek: Voyager
String Theory, Book 3
Evolution
by Heather Jarman

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

After incalculable losses, the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager continues to battle against the forces of "Phoebe Janeway" and her army of exiles, determined to re-enter Exosia. The effects of the conflict among the Nacene threaten to spill beyond the boundaries of the Monorhan system. The very underpinning of the universe threatens to unravel thanks to the actions of the exiled Nacene, and only Voyager stands in their way! 

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson discuss the third and final book in the String Theory trilogy: Evolution by Heather Jarman. We talk about Tom & Harry's adventure in the Q Continuum, The Doctor's mission to Ocampa's past, the final showdown on Voyager, Janeway's absence in this novel, the plot elements that set us up for Voyager's future, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, we judge the upcoming More Beautiful Than Death by David Mack by its cover, review issue #11 of Star Trek: Year Five, and respond to feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 304: Vulcans Do Not Cry.

Literary Treks 305: The Nacene Scenes
Voyager: String Theory, Book 3: Evolution by Heather Jarman

Previous episode: Literary Treks 304: Vulcans Do Not Cry
Next episode: Literary Treks 306: There's Shag Carpet on This Ship Somewhere

Release Day! Agents of Influence by Dayton Ward

Star Trek: The Original Series
Agents of Influence
by Dayton Ward

The latest novel adventure from Star Trek: The Original Series officially hits shelves today: Dayton Ward's Agents of Influence is now on sale in bookstores and online shops everywhere!

Set during the classic five-year mission, Agents of Influence chronicles an undercover operation in the Klingon Empire. Captain Kirk and the Enterprise must undertake a risky rescue of an undercover agent, and preserve the tenuous peace between the Empire and the Federation.

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

Publisher's description:

An epic new Star Trek saga by New York Times bestselling author Dayton Ward set during the original Five-Year Mission!

For years, Starfleet Intelligence agents have carried out undercover assignments deep within the Klingon Empire. Surgically altered and rigorously trained in Klingon culture, they operate in plain sight and without any direct support, while collecting information and infiltrating the highest levels of imperial power. Their actions have given Starfleet valuable insight into the inner workings of Klingon government and its relentless military apparatus.

After three of Starfleet’s longest serving agents fear exposure, they initiate emergency extraction procedures. Their planned rendezvous with the USS Endeavour goes awry, threatening to reveal their activities and the damaging intelligence they’ve collected during their mission. Tasked by Starfleet to salvage the botched rescue attempt, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise must discover the truth behind a secret weapons experiment while avoiding an interstellar incident with the potential to ignite a new war between the Federation and one of its oldest adversaries.

Purchase Star Trek: The Original Series: Agents of Influence:

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

Previous Release: The Kelvin Timeline: The Unsettling Stars

Next Release: Discovery: Die Standing

Literary Treks 304: Vulcans Do Not Cry

Star Trek: Voyager
String Theory, Book II
Fusion
by Kirsten Beyer

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

As Voyager continues her exploration of the Monorhan star system, they encounter a vast array orbiting a black hole. Tuvok, having been compelled to board the array, has come under the influence of a mysterious alien lifeform. Meanwhile, a powerful being in the guise of Captain Janeway's sister, Phoebe, carries out her sinister agenda aboard Voyager.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss the second book in the String Theory trilogy, Fusion by Kirsten Beyer. We talk about Tuvok's journey, the mysterious array, the fourteenth tribe of Monorha and their role in the events unfolding, Phoebe Janeway, and the cliffhanger ending, wrapping up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, we discuss the results of a recent poll in our Goodreads group, review the classic DS9 comic Blood & Honor written by Mark Lenard, and respond to listener feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 303: A Pair of Legs in Sickbay.

Literary Treks 304: Vulcans Do Not Cry
Voyager: String Theory, Book II: Fusion by Kirsten Beyer

Previous episode: Literary Treks 303: A Pair of Legs in Sickbay
Next episode: Literary Treks 305: The Nacene Scenes

Dead Endless

Star Trek: Discovery
Dead Endless by Dave Galanter
Release date: December 17^th 2019
Read December 1^st 2019

Previous book (Discovery): The Enterprise War
Next book (Discovery): Die Standing

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

Publisher's description:

The U.S.S. Discovery’s specialty is using its spore-based hub drive to jump great distances faster than any warp-faring vessel in Starfleet. To do this, Lieutenant Paul Stamets navigates the ship through the recently revealed mycelial network, a subspace domain Discovery can briefly transit but in which it cannot remain. After responding to a startling distress call originating from within the network, the Discovery crew find themselves trapped in an inescapable realm where they will surely perish unless their missing mycelial fuel is found or restored. Is the seemingly human man found alone and alive inside the network the Starfleet officer he claims to be, or an impostor created by alien intruders who hope to extract themselves from the mycelial plane at the expense of all lives aboard Discovery?

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of Dead Endless, or click play on the embedded video below!

Final thoughts:

Dead Endless is a moving story about characters I love. The story is not what it initially appears to be, but eventually reveals itself to be much more poignant that it would seem at first glance. Dave Galanter is one of my favorite Trek authors, and his writing does not disappoint here. In fact, Dead Endless was my pick for top Star Trek novel of 2019, and it is well-deserved.

More about Dead Endless:

• TrekBBS Review and Discussion Thread
• Podcast: Literary Treks 292: More of a Culmets Book - Exclusive interview with author Dave Galanter!

Also by Dave Galanter:

• Star Trek: S.C.E. #11: Ambush with Greg Brodeur (2001)
• Star Trek: Mere Anarchy: Shadows of the Indignant (2006)
• Star Trek: Troublesome Minds (2009)
• Star Trek: The Original Series: Crisis of Consciousness (2015)

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

My next review will be for the conclusion of the Star Trek: Destiny trilogy: Lost Souls by David Mack.

Literary Treks 303: A Pair of Legs in Sickbay

Star Trek: Voyager
String Theory, Book I
Cohesion
by Jeffrey Lang

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

During its seven-year journey through the Delta Quadrant, the U.S.S. Voyager has encountered many strange phenomena and spatial anomalies. Among the strangest turns out to be an impossible binary star system, home to a people who should not be able to survive there. When the crew comes to the aid of the Monorhans, they discover that their desire to help may be outweighed by the terrible risks presented by this strange region of space.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson discuss Voyager: String Theory, Book I: Cohesion by Jeffrey Lang. We talk about the unique setting of the novel, the strange star system, the Monorhans, the effects of the strange radiation in the system, Seven & B'Elanna Torres's contentious relationship, the Key to Gramadia, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news segment, we talk about the upcoming Voyager: To Lose the Earth by Kirsten Beyer. We also respond to feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 302: What If A.I. Becomes Mommy? 

Literary Treks 303: A Pair of Legs in Sickbay
Voyager: String Theory, Book I: Cohesion by Jeffrey Lang

Previous episode: Literary Treks 302: What If A.I. Becomes Mommy?
Next episode: Literary Treks 304: Vulcans Do Not Cry

Literary Treks 302: What If A.I. Becomes Mommy?

Star Trek
The Unsettling Stars
Exclusive Interview with author Alan Dean Foster!

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

The J.J. Abrams film Star Trek was released over a decade ago now, and as expected, novels featuring the new "Kelvin Timeline" crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise were solicited. Four novels were originally scheduled, but none of them were released... until now! Newly-minted Captain James T. Kirk leads the Enterprise on a rescue mission to save a ship of refugees. Settling them on a nearby planet, all seems well. However, the refugees and their new neighbors are soon at odds for what seems to be the strangest of reasons.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson & Dan Gunther welcome legendary author Alan Dean Foster to the show to discuss his new novel, The Unsettling Stars. We talk about the long path to publication for this novel, the experience of writing the alternate Trek characters, the two major alien races in the novel, the unique problem presented by the Perenoreans, Alan Dean Foster's contributions to the legacy of Star Trek, and wrap up with what he is working on now and where he can be found online.

At the top of the show, we report on the newly-released cover for the newest Star Trek Little Golden Book. We also review a DS9 comic, "The Rules of Diplomacy," written by Aron Eisenberg, Nog himself! And finally, we discuss listener feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 301: Sing a Song of Sixpence.

Literary Treks 302: What If A.I. Becomes Mommy?
The Unsettling Stars - Exclusive Interview with author Alan Dean Foster!

Previous episode: Literary Treks 301: Sing a Song of Sixpence
Next episode: Literary Treks 303: A Pair of Legs in Sickbay