Positively Trek Book Club: DS9: Devil in the Sky

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #11

Devil in the Sky

by Greg Cox and John Gregory Betancourt

Purchase:

Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca

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

Hortas… IN SPAAAACE!!!

In the classic Trek episode “The Devil in the Dark,” we are introduced to the Horta: a strange, non-humanoid being whose fearsome aspect belies a gentle creature, only interested in protecting her many vulnerable young. However, while peaceful, the Horta is capable of great destruction thanks to its silicon-based physiology and its ability to spew highly concentrated, deadly acid. So what do you think might happen when twenty young Horta are suddenly released into the sealed environment of a space station?

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss the Deep Space Nine novel Devil in the Sky by Greg Cox and John Gregory Betancourt. We talk about the origin of the novel, the premise, Jake and Nog’s role in the crisis, the characterizations of the DS9 crew, Kira’s rescue mission, the solution to the Horta problem, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Positively Trek Book Club: Deep Space Nine #11: Devil in the Sky by Greg Cox and John Gregory Betancourt

Previous episode: TNG: Warped by Mike McMahan

Next episode: Voyager: To Lose the Earth by Kirsten Beyer

Release Day! The Long-Awaited To Lose the Earth by Kirsten Beyer!

 Star Trek: Voyager
To Lose the Earth
by Kirsten Beyer

Finally! After a number of long delays, the final book in the Star Trek: Voyager relaunch saga by Kirsten Beyer is upon us!

Star Trek: Voyager: To Lose the Earth continues the adventures of the U.S.S. Voyager, returned to the Delta Quadrant with the Full Circle Fleet. The crew investigates the apparent loss of the U.S.S. Galen, as well as the mystery of Species 001.

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

Publisher's description:

The long-awaited follow-up to Voyager: Architects of Infinity from the New York Times bestselling author and cocreator of Star Trek: Picard!

As the crew of the Full Circle fleet works to determine the fate of their lost ship, the Galen, a struggle for survival begins at the far edge of the galaxy. New revelations about Species 001, the race that built the biodomes that first drew the fleet to investigate planet DK-1116, force Admiral Kathryn Janeway to risk everything to learn the truth.

Purchase Star Trek: Voyager: To Lose the Earth:

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

Previous Release: Kelvin Timeline: More Beautiful Than Death

Next Release: The Autobiography of Kathryn Janeway

Positively Trek Book Club: TNG: Warped!

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Warped!

An Engaging Guide to the Unaired 8th Season
by Star Trek: Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan

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

Mike McMahan: you may know him as the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks. But in 2015, before the idea of Lower Decks had made its way to the ear of CBS, he created an episode guide for the little-known, never talked-about 8th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. All 26 episodes were covered, including the one where Riker’s pajamas attempt to kill him, and the one where Barclay can’t seem to survive a bet between Q and fellow Continuum member “California Steve.”

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson discuss TNG: Warped! An Engaging Guide to the Unaired 8th Season by Mike McMahan. We talk about the origins of the book, the format, the artwork, some of our favorite plots and moments from the various episodes, the book’s link to Lower Decks, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

Positively Trek 45: Book Club: TNG: Warped by Mike McMahan

Previous episode: TNG: Q-in-Law by Peter David

Next episode: DS9: Devil in the Sky by Greg Cox & John Gregory Betancourt

Comic Review: Too Long a Sacrifice #2

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Too Long a Sacrifice #2
Writers: by Scott Tipton & David Tipton
Artist: Greg Scott

Release date: August 19^th 2020

Previous issue: Too Long a Sacrifice #1

Next issue: Too Long a Sacrifice #3

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

Publisher's description:

With the murderer still on the loose, the inhabitants of Deep Space Nine are starting to divide into factions, made even worse when the Ferengi government gets involved. To make matters worse, conflict between Constable Odo and the Federation’s handpicked criminal investigator threatens to derail the investigation itself! The DS9 murder mystery continues in this new space noir from David and Scott Tipton (STAR TREK: MIRROR BROKEN, STAR TREK: THE Q CONFLICT) and Greg Scott (GOTHAM CENTRAL, THE X-FILES)!

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of Too Long a Sacrifice #2, or click play on the embedded video below!

Final thoughts:

While the story feels like it is lacking forward momentum at times, the plot is fascinating enough to hold my interest to see where this is all heading. Looking forward to getting some answers as to the connections between some of the events of this story in issues three and four!


Next Comic:

Star Trek: Hell's Mirror

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