Monday, February 17, 2020

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

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

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

Monday, February 3, 2020

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!

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Star Trek Book News!

Hey everyone! It's been awhile, but we have some book news for 2020 for you. Let's dive right in!

First, the cover has been revealed for the first of the "Kelvin Timeline" novels: The Unsettling Stars by Alan Dean Foster. Check it out!


Here's the back-cover blurb:

An original novel based on the thrilling Star Trek movies directed by J.J. Abrams! 
Taking place in an alternate timeline created when the Starship Kelvin was destroyed by a Romulan invader from the future, this bold new novel follows Captain James T. Kirk and an inexperienced crew commandeering a repaired U.S.S. Enterprise out of spacedock for a simple shakedown cruise. When a distress call comes in, the Enterprise must aid a large colony ship of alien refugees known as the Perenorean, who are under siege by an unknown enemy. But Kirk and his crew will find that the situation with the peaceful Perenorean is far more complicated than they bargained for, and the answers as to why they were attacked in the first place unfold in the most insidious of ways…
The Unsettling Stars is scheduled for release on April 14th. Here are the pre-order links:

Pre-order The Unsettling Stars:
Trade paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk



Next, we have a newly-revealed back-cover blurb for Dayton Ward's next Trek novel, the upcoming The Original Series: Agents of Influence. Check it out below along with links to pre-order! Agents of Influence is scheduled for a June 9th release.

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 U.S.S. 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 Starship 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.

Pre-order 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




We also recently got news about the next Discovery novel, thanks to author John Jackson Miller. Coming on July 14th is Discovery: Die Standing, a novel featuring the former Emperor Philippa Georgiou getting the chance to rebuild her empire in the Prime Universe. Look below for links to pre-order!

Pre-order Discovery: Die Standing:
Trade paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk