Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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: Miss Cleo's Just a Spectre!

Monday, March 16, 2020

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

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

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

Monday, March 2, 2020

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