Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila

Titan: Fortune of War
Exclusive interview with author David Mack


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

The Husnock: described as beings of "hideous intelligence," this sprawling empire represented a surprise threat to the United Federation of Planets in the 24th century. However, the inevitable invasion never arrived due to the fact that the entire species was wiped out by an incredibly powerful and enraged entity, a Douwd who went by the name of Kevin Uxbridge. Now, all of the ships, weapons, and machines of war of the Husnock sit empty and unclaimed, awaiting the opportunistic clutches of Nausicaans, Ferengi, Pakleds, and more.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined by author David Mack to discuss his latest Titan novel, Fortune of War. We talk about the links to TNG's The Survivors, the Husnock, Admiral Riker's new role, the characters of Titan, "The Chase" on speed, and wrap up with what David Mack has on the go for future novels and where you can find him online.

In our news segment, we are once again joined by Earl Grey and The Edge host Amy Nelson to talk about the final issue of the TNG: Mirror Broken comic from IDW.


Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila
Titan: Fortune of War: Exclusive interview with author David Mack


 


Previous episode: Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks
Next episode: Literary Treks 214: A Pair of Richards

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks

Deep Space Nine: I, The Constable
An e-book exclusive novella by Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann


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

Quark is the kind of Ferengi that can smell profit on the wind, and when his tavern-magnate uncle passes away, he detects just such an opportunity! However, in the pursuit of his newfound potential profit, Quark gets caught up in a web of crime and intrigue, and it's up to Odo to don his constable's uniform and save the day. Along the way, he will deal with double-crosses, nasty armed thugs, and gallons of glebbening rain on the mean streets of Ferenginar.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson welcome authors Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann to the show to discuss their recent Deep Space Nine e-novella, I, The Constable. We talk about the inspiration for the story, the research they did to capture the noir feel, changes in the society of Ferenginar, the voices of the characters both old and new, Quark's seemingly newfound generosity, some fun references, and wrap up with where you can find Paula and Terry online.

In the news segment, we judge the cover of the upcoming Discovery novel Drastic Measures by Dayton Ward and review two new comics: Boldly Go #14 and the first issue of a new series: Discovery: The Light of Kahless.


Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks
Exclusive interview with Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann, authors of DS9: I, The Constable


 


Previous episode: Literary Treks 211: Team Garak!
Next episode: Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila

Hearts and Minds

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Hearts and Minds by Dayton Ward
Release date: May 30th 2017
Read June 7th 2017


Previous book (The Next Generation): Headlong Flight
Next book (The Next Generation): Available Light


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

Spoilers ahead for Hearts and Minds!

Publisher's description:
2031: United States Air Force fighter jets shoot down an unidentified spacecraft and take its crew into custody. Soon, it’s learned that the ship is one of several dispatched across space by an alien species, the Eizand, to search for a new home before their own world becomes uninhabitable. Fearing extraterrestrial invasion, government and military agencies which for more than eighty years have operated in secret swing into action, charged with protecting humanity no matter the cost...

2386: Continuing their exploration of the Odyssean Pass, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise discover what they at first believe is a previously uncharted world, with a civilization still recovering from the effects of global nuclear war. An astonishing priority message from Starfleet Command warns that there’s more to this planet than meets the eye, and Picard soon realizes that the mysteries of this world may well weave through centuries of undisclosed human history...

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of TNG: Hearts and Minds, or click play on the embedded video below!





Final thoughts:

A fun follow-up to previous TOS novels From History's Shadow and Elusive Salvation, while at the same time continuing the voyages of the Enterprise-E in the Odyssean Pass from Armageddon's Arrow and Headlong Flight. Hearts and Minds also deals with some weighty issues, and I'm fascinated to see where Picard's story goes from here. 4/5 stars.


More about Hearts and Minds:


Also by Dayton Ward:

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

Next review is for Best Destiny by Diane Carey.