Literary Treks 299: We Need a Kick in Our Complacency

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Losing the Peace
by William Leisner

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

The Federation has won the war. The Borg, once humanity's most lethal enemy, are gone forever. However, new challenges arise as the people of the Federation deal with the aftermath of the greatest, most unimaginable loss of life, leading to the displacement of countless Federation citizens. Will Starfleet have won the war only to lose the peace they've struggled so valiantly for?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined by The Edge's Brandi Jackola to talk about Losing the Peace by William Leisner. We talk about Crusher's role in the story including flashbacks to her past, the refugee situation on Pacifica, Chen and Taurik's grief, Choudhury's journey, the grim reminder to listen to our better angels, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

At the top of the show, we discuss the newly-revealed cover of Agents of Influence by Dayton Ward and respond to listener feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 298: Utopia is a Series of Choices.

Literary Treks 299: We Need a Kick in Our Complacency
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Losing the Peace by William Leisner

Previous episode: Literary Treks 298: Utopia is a Series of Choices
Next episode: Literary Treks 300: TOS: The Higher Frontier by Christopher L. Bennett

Literary Treks 298: Utopia is a Series of Choices

Star Trek: Picard
The Last Best Hope
Exclusive interview with author Una McCormack!

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

Since the debut of Star Trek: Picard earlier this year, fans have been enjoying the continued adventures of Jean-Luc Picard as he delves into the mystery of Dahj and Soji, the android daughters of his former shipmate, Lt. Commander Data. However, many things have changed since Star Trek Nemesis and the year in which Picard is set. How did we get from there to here?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson welcome Una McCormack, author of Picard: The Last Best Hope, to the show. We discuss the process of writing the novel, the social issues it deals with, the threat of the breakup of the Federation, the research led by Dr. Amal Safadi, the crew of Picard's new ship, the Verity, the revenge of the synths, a melancholy ending, and wrap up with what Una is currently working on and where she can be found online.

In the news segment, we judge the upcoming Star Trek: Discovery: Die Standing by its cover and back-cover blurb, and report on the pending sale of Simon & Schuster. We also respond to feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 297: A Palm Punch with No Follow Through.

Literary Treks 298: Utopia is a Series of Choices
Exclusive Interview with Una McCormack, author of Picard: The Last Best Hope

Previous episode: Literary Treks 297: A Palm Punch with No Follow Through
Next episode: Literary Treks 299: We Need a Kick in Our Complacency

Release Day! The Higher Frontier by Christopher L. Bennett

Star Trek: The Original Series
The Higher Frontier
by Christopher L. Bennett

A new Star Trek novel has been officially released: The Original Series: The Higher Frontier goes on sale today!

This movie-era novel by the veteran Trek author features the return of the Medusans ("Is There in Truth No Beauty?") and a faceless, extradimensional threat!

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

Publisher's description:

An all-new Star Trek movie-era adventure featuring James T. Kirk!

Investigating the massacre of a telepathic minority, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise confront a terrifying new threat: faceless, armored hunters whose extradimensional technology makes them seemingly unstoppable. Kirk must team with the powerful telepath Miranda Jones and the enigmatic Medusans to take on these merciless killers in an epic battle that will reveal the true faces of both enemy and ally!

Purchase Star Trek: The Original Series: The Higher Frontier:

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

Previous Release: Picard: The Last Best Hope

Next Release: Kelvin Timeline: The Unsettling Stars

Literary Treks 297: A Palm Punch with No Follow Through

Kirk Fu Manual:
A Guide to Starfleet's Most Feared Martial Art
Exclusive interview with author Dayton Ward!

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

Starfleet has always been an organization dedicated to the peaceful exploration of space. However, Starfleet officers have to be able to defend themselves against the threats that the final frontier throws at them. To that end, Starfleet trains its officers in a variety of hand-to-hand combat skills. An expert wielder of these martial arts is Captain James T. Kirk, who has not only mastered these skills, but also has developed some of his own unique techniques of dealing with aggressive alien threats!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther welcome Dayton Ward back to the show to talk about his book Kirk Fu Manual: A Guide to Starfleet's Most Feared Martial Art. We discuss where the idea for the book came from, Dayton's process of writing it, the fantastic artwork, Dayton's favorite Kirk Fu moves, where our listeners can find the book, and wrap up with where Dayton can be found online and what he is currently working on.

At the top of the show, we talk about the recently announced DS9 comic miniseries Too Long a Sacrifice from IDW and review Star Trek: Year Five #10.

Literary Treks 297: A Palm Punch with No Follow Through
Kirk Fu Manual: Exclusive interview with author Dayton Ward!

Previous episode: Literary Treks 296: Attack of the 50 ft. Betazoid!
Next episode: Literary Treks 298: Utopia is a Series of Choices

Literary Treks 296: Attack of the 50 ft. Betazoid!

Star Trek: The Next Generation
The Battle of Betazed
by Charlotte Douglas and Susan Kearney

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

At the height of the Dominion War, the peaceful world of Betazed was invaded by the Jem'Hadar and the Cardassians in pursuit of their goal of control over the Alpha Quadrant. With Starfleet stretched thin, the Betazoid Resistance comes up with a desperate plan to turn their power of telepathy against the occupying forces. However, the use of their talents in the goal of killing may change the face of the peace-loving Betazoid culture forever...

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by Earl Grey's Amy Nelson to discuss the TNG novel The Battle of Betazed by Charlotte Douglas and Susan Kearney. We talk about the criminal Hent Tevren, killing with telepathy, Dr. Crell Moset, DS9's contributions to the mission, Troi's command abilities, the fateful choice facing the people of Betazed, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news segment, we report on four new upcoming novels from Simon & Schuster. We also review the Star Trek: Year 5 Valentine's Day special issue and respond to feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 294: Walls Behind Walls Behind Walls.

Literary Treks 296: Attack of the 50 Ft. Betazoid!
The Next Generation: The Battle of Betazed by Charlotte Douglas and Susan Kearney

Previous episode: Literary Treks 295: Walls Behind Walls Behind Walls
Next episode: Literary Treks 297: A Palm Punch with No Follow Through

Release Day! Picard: The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack!

Star Trek: Picard
The Last Best Hope
by Una McCormack

A new Star Trek hardcover once again graces the shelves of your local bookstore today!

A prequel tale for the new Star Trek: Picard television series, The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack fills in some of the backstory for characters in the exciting newest Trek series!

I've long been a huge fan of Una McCormack, so I can't wait to crack this one open. Bruce and I will also surely be covering it on an upcoming Literary Treks, so keep an eye out for that!

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

Publisher's description:

A thrilling novel leading into the new CBS series, Una McCormack’s The Last Best Hope introduces you to brand new characters featured in the life of beloved Star Trek captain Jean-Luc Picard—widely considered to be one of the most popular and recognizable characters in all of science fiction.

Purchase Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope:

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

Previous Release: Discovery: Dead Endless

Next Release: The Original Series: The Higher Frontier

Literary Treks 295: Walls Behind Walls Behind Walls

Star Trek: Picard
Countdown
by Kirsten Beyer & Mike Johnson
Exclusive interview with Mike Johnson!

With an unspeakable tragedy about to strike the homeworld of the Romulan Empire, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard undertakes a daring mission: leading a rescue armada to evacuate millions of Romulan citizens. However, not everyone is supportive of this mission, and the admiral faces some unexpected resistance when he tries to save everyone in danger, not just the Romulans.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther welcome Mike Johnson, co-writer of Star Trek: Picard: Countdown, back to the show. We discuss how the comic trilogy came about, the inclusion of characters from TNG, Picard's new first officer, Tal Shiar operatives Laris and Zhaban, Admiral Picard during this time, the natives of Yuyat Beta, Romulan diversity, the machinations of the Tal Shiar, and wrap up with what Mike is working on now and where he can be found online.

At the top of the show we review Star Trek: Year Five #9 and respond to listener feedback from The Babel Conference for Literary Treks 294: Pulling the Strings.

Literary Treks 295: Walls Behind Walls Behind Walls
Star Trek: Picard: Coundown - Exclusive interview with writer Mike Johnson!

Previous episode: Literary Treks 294: Pulling the Strings
Next episode: Literary Treks 296: Attack of the 50 Ft. Betazoid!