Showing posts with label Una McCormack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Una McCormack. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

The Last Best Hope

Star Trek: Picard
The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack
Release date: February 11th 2020
Read February 27th 2020

 Next book (Picard): The Dark Veil
Purchase:
Hardcover: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
Trade Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

 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.

My thoughts:

Una McCormack has earned a reputation as a stellar, thoughtful, and compelling author within the Star Trek literary universe, and is one of my absolute favorite writers currently producing Trek fiction. So when it was announced that she would be penning the debut novel for the (at the time) new Star Trek: Picard series, I was thrilled. The author who has become known for her deftness at weaving together political stories, usually involving Cardassians, was going to handle some of the toughest political storytelling in the Star Trek mythos: the impending destruction of the Romulan Star Empire, Picard's impossible mission to save the Romulan people, and the fallout of the mission and supernova on the United Federation of Planets. As a doctor of sociology, Dr. Una McCormack is singularly equipped to handle these stories!

I was not disappointed. McCormack deftly crafts a story that fills in some of the blanks from the years prior to Star Trek: Picard's first season. The passion and humanity with which Jean-Luc Picard tackles the problem of the Romulan evacuation is a perfect reflection of the character as we have known him throughout The Next Generation: a man who believes wholeheartedly in the principles of justice and compassion. This, of course, puts him at odds with the reality of the situation: as much as Picard wants to save everyone and ensure justice for all who are being evacuated, the "situation on the ground" makes this impossible. As the mission drags on and Picard faces numerous barriers, he continually finds himself having to compromise in the face of heated opposition from both the Romulan government itself, and eventually, even Starfleet and the Federation.

One of the obstacles that Picard faces feels very familiar to us here in the 21st century: denial of reality. There are many in the Romulan Empire who try to convince their citizens that the threat of the supernova isn't real; that it is "fake news," basically. When this novel was written, there were obvious parallels to climate change denial and the undermining of media by public figures. In the years since, even more obvious examples have made themselves known in the form of science denial, specifically in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now that the first season of Picard is a few years in the past, we all know where this story is leading: the eventual falling-out between Admiral Picard and the upper echelons of Starfleet, resulting in Picard's parting of ways with the service. Although the outcome is known, The Last Best Hope does an admirable job in showing us how it got to that point. There is almost a mounting horror as the Romulan evacuation efforts go more and more awry, and a feeling of crushing inevitability that is not ruined by knowing the outcome, but rather, is enhanced by it.

Raffi and Picard during the final days of the Federation's Romulan evacuation efforts.

I truly appreciated the background the novel provides, setting up the status quo in Picard season one. While reading the book isn't necessary to enjoy and fully understand the show, it does act as a nice bonus for viewers wanting more insight into things such as Picard's relationship with Raffi, the animosity shown to Picard by Admiral Clancy, and even some insights into the relationship between Jurati and Maddox. Viewers of Picard who chaffed at Raffi regularly calling Picard "JL" will perhaps understand their relationship more after reading this novel. Given the events of this book, the casual familiarity between the two characters made a lot more sense to me.

One final aspect of the novel that I wish would be picked up on by future canon Trek projects: there are hints in this story that there is more to the Romulan supernova than meets the eye. Given the speed at which its effects propagated through Romulan space, as well as the massive destruction it caused, an artificial origin for the supernova would do a lot for the verisimilitude of this tragedy within the Star Trek mythos. I would love it if some future Star Trek television show or film picked up these threads and crafted the story behind the causes of the destruction of the Romulan Star Empire.

Final thoughts:

The Last Best Hope is a thoughtful and mature examination of the events leading into the first season of Star Trek: Picard. Una McCormack is one of my favorite Trek authors, and the perfect choice to capture the political climate and the personal struggles of Picard in this period. I loved the answers to lingering questions that arose from the first season, and while reading this novel isn't necessary to enjoy and fully appreciate that season of Picard, the novel works very well as a supplement and is a terrific read for hardcore Trek fans, as well as those who might be wanting just a little more insight into the events of Picard.

 More about The Last Best Hope:



Also by Una McCormack:

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

Next up is The Next Generation: Losing the Peace by William Leisner.


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Wednesday, June 12, 2019

The Way to the Stars

Star Trek: Discovery
The Way to the Stars by Una McCormack
Release date: January 8th 2019
Read January 11th 2019

Previous book (Discovery): Fear Itself
Next book (Discovery): The Enterprise War
Purchase:
Trade Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

 Publisher's description:
Despite being an inexperienced Starfleet cadet, Sylvia Tilly became essential to the U.S.S. Discovery finding its way back home from the Mirror Universe. But how did she find that courage? From where did she get that steel? Who nurtured that spark of brilliance? The Way to the Stars recounts for fans everywhere the untold story of Tilly’s past.

 It’s not easy being sixteen, especially when everyone expects great things from Tilly. It’s even harder when her mother and father are Federation luminaries, not to mention pressing her to attend one of the best schools that the Federation has to offer. Tilly wants to achieve great things—even though she hasn’t quite worked out how to do that or what it is she wants to do. But this year, everything will change for Tilly, as she about to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime—an adventure that will take her ever closer to the stars….

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of Discovery: The Way to the Stars, or click play on the embedded video below!



Final thoughts:

The Way to the Stars is an excellent bit of backstory for one of my favorite Discovery characters. The young Sylvia Tilly comes to life with a past that seems far too familiar to many people. Over the course of the story, she begins to chart a new course in her life and grow into the person she will become by the time we see her as a cadet in season one of Discovery. This book contains some great life lessons for those among us who may have struggled with the expectations of their peers and their parents. 5/5.

 More about The Way to the Stars:



Also by Una McCormack:

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

Next up is my review of the first book in the Star Trek: Titan series: Taking Wing by Michael A. Martin & Andy Mangels.


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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Enigma Tales

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Enigma Tales by Una McCormack
Release date: June 27th 2017
Read July 7th 2017

 Previous book (Deep Space Nine): Section 31: Control
Next book (Deep Space Nine): Gamma: Original Sin
Mass-Market Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

 Spoilers ahead for Enigma Tales!

 Publisher's description:
Elim Garak has ascended to Castellan of the Cardassian Union...but despite his soaring popularity, the imminent publication of a report exposing his people's war crimes during the occupation on Bajor looks likely to set the military against him. Into this tense situation come Dr. Katherine Pulaski—visiting Cardassia Prime to accept an award on behalf of the team that solved the Andorian genetic crisis—and Dr. Peter Alden, formerly of Starfleet Intelligence. The two soon find themselves at odds with Garak and embroiled in the politics of the prestigious University of the Union, where a new head is about to be appointed. Among the front-runners is one of Cardassia’s most respected public figures: Professor Natima Lang. But the discovery of a hidden archive from the last years before the Dominion War could destroy Lang’s reputation. As Pulaski and Alden become drawn into a deadly game to exonerate Lang, their confrontation escalates with Castellan Garak—a conflicted leader treading a fine line between the bright hopes for Cardassia’s future and the dark secrets still buried in its past...

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of DS9: Enigma Tales, or click play on the embedded video below!





Final thoughts:

Another winner in Una McCormack's catalog! She has crafted a compelling story that goes, at times, to some very dark places, but that is offset by a great sense of humor. McCormack captures the voices of the characters magnificently, especially Garak, which is no surprise. McCormack has become a master of writing for the enigmatic Cardassian tailor/spy/leader of Cardassia!

 More about Enigma Tales:


 Also by Una McCormack:
Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

Next up is my review of the Shatnerverse novel Spectre, the first book of William Shatner's Mirror Universe trilogy.


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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Cardassia: The Lotus Flower

Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Volume One
Cardassia: The Lotus Flower by Una McCormack
Published May 2004
Read January 8th 2015

Previous book (Deep Space Nine): Unity
Next book (Deep Space Nine): Andor: Paradigm


MMPB: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
Kindle: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
Spoilers ahead for The Lotus Flower and the rest of the Deep Space Nine relaunch!

 From the back cover:
The last world ravaged by the Dominion War is also the last on which Miles O'Brien ever imagined building a life. As he joins in the reconstruction of Cardassia's infrastructure, his wife Keiko spearheads the planet's difficult agricultural renewal. But Cardassia's struggle to remake itself -- from the fledgling democracy backed by Elim Garak to the people's rediscovery of their own spiritual past -- is not without opposition, as the outside efforts to help rebuild its civilization come under attack by those who reject any alien influence.

My thoughts:

When I began doing the Deep Space Nine relaunch reviews for this site (starting way back with Avatar, Book One), it was meant to be a re-reading project. However, I was surprised to realize that I had never actually read the Worlds of Deep Space Nine novels! Discovering this fact has meant that a wealth of DS9 stories that I have never read can be enjoyed for the first time now, including one of Una McCormack's first professional Trek stories: Cardassia: The Lotus Flower. Regular readers of Trek Lit Reviews will know that I think very highly of Una McCormack's work, having given very high marks to every one of her novels that I have read. So, what were my thoughts on The Lotus Flower?

Unsurprisingly, McCormack's work here is up to her usual excellent level. After the explosive "finale" of S.D. Perry's Unity, this first story in the Worlds of Deep Space Nine anthology felt much like some of DS9's season premieres: a soft re-tuning of the series' premise and a continuation of the story in a somewhat unexpected direction. This story of Cardassian recovery from the horrors of the end of the Dominion War is the perfect story to continue the saga of Deep Space Nine.

Keiko gets a storyline of her own in The Lotus Flower.
McCormack has a terrific handle on her characters. Miles O'Brien's terror and anger at the jeopardy that Keiko is in felt very real, as did Keiko's steely resolve in the face of the threats and crises she faces. Keiko O'Brien was never one of my favorite characters on Star Trek (possibly unfairly so). She was often given the role of the "nagging" wife, with only occasional work done with her character to chart her own course apart from that of her husband, Miles. She gets her best storyline to date in this novel, in my opinion. In The Lotus Flower, she is not merely Miles' wife or Molly and Kirayoshi's mother, but a character in her own right.

Also written extremely well was, of course, Garak. Everyone's favorite "tailor" is back in this story, and he is up to his usual standard of excellence. Any time Una gets the chance to write Garak, I am on board. No other author, with perhaps the exception of Garak actor Andrew Robinson himself, has the ability to write him as well as McCormack can.

Garak plays political operative in Cardassia's young democratic government.

At one point in the story, the situation Cardassia faces following the Dominion War is compared to the state of Bajor following the Occupation. This juxtaposition is used to amazing effect and was a stroke of brilliance on the part of the author. This accompanies some strong character development for Vedek Yevir, the Bajoran religious figure to issued the attainder to Colonel Kira. I felt that The Lotus Flower continued the character redemption (or, at the very least, rehabilitation) of Yevir from the final two books of the Mission Gamma series. As with any truly round character, Yevir is revealed to have many facets. He is not simply a foil for Kira or anyone else; he is, in fact, much more.

 Final thoughts:

An excellent continuation of the Deep Space Nine post-finale stories. Una McCormack has a great ear for the characters, and writes them extremely well. I love that Deep Space Nine delves into the lives of the secondary characters so deeply, and The Lotus Flower continues that tradition admirably.

More about The Lotus Flower:

Also by Una McCormack:
My next read:

Next week, the second story in Worlds of Deep Space Nine: Volume One, namely, Andor: Paradigm by Heather Jarman.


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Saturday, January 10, 2015

The Missing

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
The Missing by Una McCormack
Release date: December 30th 2014
Read January 3rd 2015

Previous book (Deep Space Nine): Section 31: Disavowed
Next book (Deep Space Nine): Sacraments of Fire

MMPB: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
Kindle: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

 Spoilers ahead for The Missing and the current state of Trek novel continuity!

 From the back cover:
The entire sector is waiting to see what the newly reopened Bajoran wormhole will mean for the shifting political landscape in the Alpha Quadrant. On Deep Space 9, Captain Ro Laren is suddenly drawn into the affairs of the People of the Open Sky, who have come to the station in search of sanctuary. Despite the opposition of the station's security officer, Jefferson Blackmer, Ro Laren and Deep Space 9's new CMO, Doctor Beverly Crusher, offer the People aid. But when Dr. Crusher’s highly secure files are accessed without permission—the same files that hold the secrets of the Shedai, a race whose powerful but half-understood scientific secrets solved the Andorian catastrophe—the People seem the likeliest suspects.

 As tensions rise on the station, the science vessel Athene Donald arrives as part of its journey of exploration. The brainchild of Doctor Katherine Pulaski, this ship is crewed by different species from the Khitomer Accords and the Typhon Pact. Pulaski’s hope is that science will do what diplomacy has not: help the great powers put aside their hostilities and work together. But when the Athene Donald is summarily stopped in her voyage by the powerful vessel of a hitherto unknown species, Pulaski begins to wonder—will this first contact bring her crew together or tear them all apart?

Notable quote:

"I know," Pulaski said with a laugh, "that I'm not the kind of person to attract confidences. So I appreciate your trust. I've always felt that because of that brief time I spent on the Enterprise that people ... I don't know ... put us into competition somehow. Compare and contrast us. But I was always more than chief medical officer on the Enterprise."

"I know exactly how you feel," said Crusher.

Dr. Katherine Pulaski, formerly of Starfleet, plays a starring role in The Missing.

 My thoughts:

I have long been a fan of Una McCormack's Star Trek work. The first of her novels that I read was the outstanding Deep Space Nine novel, The Never-Ending Sacrifice. From that moment on, I was hooked. McCormack has a way of getting to the core of what a story is about, with redemption being one of her favorite topics. The Missing is no exception.

There are a number of plotlines that make up the story of The Missing. First, the Olympic-class science vessel Athene Donald is embarking on a civilian mission of exploration. Aboard the Athene Donald is Katherine Pulaski, the one-time chief medical officer of the Enterprise-D, as well as one of the "co-conspirators" in devising a cure for the Andorian reproductive crisis. The mission of the vessel is to bring together various species in the spirit of peaceful cooperation in scientific endeavors.

The Athene Donald, an Olympic-class starship, hosts a civilian mission of scientific discovery.

At the same time, a rag-tag fleet of starships arrives at Deep Space Nine, populated by a group calling themselves the "People of the Open Sky." Meanwhile, a Cardassian civilian petitions Odo to act on her behalf in repatriating her son, a prisoner of the Romulans since the end of the Dominion War, along with a number of other Cardassian POWs.

Una manages to stitch each of these stories together quite well, creating a "day in the life" feel on this new Deep Space Nine, a feeling that has been missing for some time. In many ways, The Missing felt like an actual episode of DS9.

While I didn't quite enjoy The Missing to the same extent I liked McCormack's previous outings, including Hollow Men, The Never-Ending Sacrifice, Brinkmanship, or my favorite Trek novel of 2013, The Crimson Shadow, The Missing is still very well-written and engaging. With Una McCormack, I tend to set the bar very high, and her weakest novel is still miles above most others!

Earlier, I mentioned that Una McCormack likes to deal with redemption in her novels. In The Missing, a highlight for me was the character of Peter Alden, a character that was first introduced in Brinkmanship. His character arc surprised me by being one of the great parts of this novel. His relationship with unwitting Tzenkethi defector Corazame (also from Brinkmanship) was a touchstone of the character work in The Missing. The contrasting ideas of politics and conflict versus the ideals of exploration and discovery have been a central theme in Star Trek novels lately, and that contrast was played out very literally in the character of Peter Alden.

 Final thoughts:

The Missing brings us back to Deep Space Nine in a way that made the series great. More than any other Star Trek series, the premise of DS9 allowed for "day-in-the-life" vignettes and on-going story arcs, and The Missing showcases those features expertly. I very much enjoy Una McCormack's writing, and I love that she feels free to experiment with different styles of narrative. For example, each chapter in The Missing begins with a personal log entry by Captain Picard, discussing various aspects of discovery and exploration. Each log entry set the tone for the chapter, bringing the story together in a fun and interesting way. For this and many other reasons, The Missing was definitely a joy to read.

 More about The Missing:

Also by Una McCormack:
My next read:

Look forward to my review of a classic from my childhood: Dark Mirror by Diane Duane!


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Friday, October 4, 2013

The Crimson Shadow

Star Trek: The Fall
The Crimson Shadow by Una McCormack
Release date: September 24th, 2013
Read September 25th, 2013

 Previous book (The Fall): Revelation and Dust
Next book (The Fall): A Ceremony of Losses

Purchase The Crimson Shadow from Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Spoilers ahead for The Crimson Shadow and The Fall!

 From the back cover:
Cardassia Prime is home to a prideful people who, for centuries, forged alliances with those they believed would strengthen them and their place in the Alpha Quadrant, and expanded their empire at great cost to other worlds. For generations, dissenting voices were silenced either by fear or an early grave. When their wartime ally, the Dominion, suddenly turned on them, seeking to transform Cardassia into a tomb for every last member of their race, their old adversary—the United Federation of Planets—put an end to the carnage, and even now works to help rebuild Cardassia Prime.  
To celebrate this alliance, the Castellan of the Cardassian Union is to welcome the Federation president to Cardassia Prime. As a symbol of this deepening friendship, the U.S.S. Enterprise-E is tasked to carry the Cardassian ambassador to the Federation back home. For his part, Ambassador Elim Garak is working with Captain Jean-Luc Picard to oversee the diplomatic reception that will commemorate the last of Starfleet’s personnel finally leaving the homeworld. However, there are malevolent forces at work, who even now strive to “restore Cardassia to its proper place and glory,” and are willing to do anything to achieve their goal...

My thoughts:

The Crimson Shadow is the second book in The Fall, a five-book series featuring crossovers between the current series in the 24th-century post-Nemesis continuity. Taking place over a sixty-day period, The Fall deals with a rather shocking attack against the Federation through the eyes of various players in the current continuity. Written by Una McCormack, The Crimson Shadow is primarily set on Cardassia and deals with the effects of The Fall on current Cardassian politics and the former empire's relationship with the Federation.

I have written reviews of a number of Una McCormack's earlier Trek works. Those who have read those reviews will know that I think very highly of her work. Hollow Men was a terrific novel, and The Never-Ending Sacrifice will always be a high point of Star Trek fiction for me. So, how does The Crimson Shadow stack up?

Quite frankly, it blows them out of the water.

Author Una McCormack proves herself extremely adept at creating a vivid landscape and tone in the reader's mind. The Crimson Shadow adopts a noir tone at times, alternating between advancing the plot in surprising ways and becoming a lovely, introspective character piece. The Crimson Shadow is very different from the typical Star Trek novel. While the Enterprise is on the cover, The Crimson Shadow is very much a story about Cardassia at large, and Garak in particular. The other characters that populate the novel's pages are extremely dynamic and well-thought-out. Much like Neta Efheny in McCormack's earlier book, Brinkmanship, one of the primary characters in this novel is someone we've never seen before: Ista Nemeny, a member of the Cardassian constabulary who is assigned to investigate the murder of a Bajoran Starfleet officer in Cardassia's capital city. Through the eyes of this investigator, we see Cardassian society like never before.

Might this have made a better cover than the Enterprise-E?
I make no secret of the fact that Garak is one of my all-time favorite Star Trek characters. From his initial introduction in DS9's first season, I have always been fascinated by the character and wholly impressed with Andrew Robinson's portrayal. Una McCormack is able to channel Robinson's performance in her writing for a pitch-perfect representation of the spy-turned-tailor-turned-ambassador. Garak is one of the most complex characters ever created in Star Trek, something that Deep Space Nine excelled at. His complexity can be witnessed through his interactions with other characters in the novel. For example, his literary comparisons with Captain Picard were a highlight, as were his letters to Dr. Bashir. In particular, I enjoyed seeing his relationship with Dr. Parmak, who watchers of the television series may recall was mentioned as a victim of Garak's interrogation techniques in the episode "The Die is Cast." In many ways, The Crimson Shadow can be seen as a companion piece to Andrew Robinson's own novel, A Stitch in Time. Readers wishing to get more out of The Crimson Shadow would be well-served to also read that particular book.

If you haven't read this yet, DO IT!
After a somewhat ponderous (if still enjoyable) beginning to The Fall in the previous book, Revelation and Dust, The Crimson Shadow shifts gears by giving us less "set-up" and more actual plot. It feels as though Revelation and Dust could not stand on its own, and rather needs the rest of The Fall (or perhaps further books set on Deep Space Nine, Fall or otherwise) in order to feel complete. Not so with The Crimson Shadow. While I certainly wouldn't suggest reading this novel without the rest of the series for context, it could be done and still feel satisfactory.

 Final thoughts:

Vivid characterizations and amazing prose make The Crimson Shadow rise to the very top of great Star Trek fiction, and proves that tie-in fiction is not just "junk" literature. I would put this book toe-to-toe with nearly any modern novel in terms of complexity, entertainment value, and meaning. I enjoyed every single moment of reading this book, even when, at one point, I was tempted to throw it across the room; readers will know which part I mean! Beautifully written, and featuring the continuing story of one of my all-time favorite Trek characters, The Crimson Shadow currently sits at or near the top of my "best of Trek" list. Well done, Una McCormack; you've earned a life-long fan.

Further resources:

Also by Una McCormack:

The Fall

My next read:

My next review is for the second book in the Deep Space Nine relaunch: Avatar, Book Two. Coming soon!


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Friday, October 26, 2012

Brinkmanship

Star Trek: Typhon Pact: Brinkmanship by Una McCormack
Published October 2012
Read September 28th 2012

Previous book (Typhon Pact): Raise the Dawn
Next book (The Next Generation): Cold Equations #1: The Persistence of Memory
Next book (Deep Space Nine): The Fall: Revelation and Dust
Click to purchase Brinkmanship from Amazon.com!

 Spoilers ahead for Brinkmanship and the Typhon Pact storyline!

 From the back cover:
The Venette Convention has always remained independent, but it is about to become the flashpoint for a tense military standoff between the two power blocks now dominating interstellar space--the United Federation of Planets and the recently formed Typhon Pact. The Venetan government turns to the Typhon Pact's Tzenkethi Coalition for protection in the new order and has agreed to allow three of their supply bases for Tzenkethi use. But these bases--if militarized--would put Tzenkethi weapons unacceptably close to Federation, Cardassian, and Ferengi space. While Captain Ezri Dax and the crew of the U.S.S. Aventine are sent to investigate exactly what is happening at one of the Venette bases, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise are assigned to a diplomatic mission in order to broker a mutually acceptable resolution. But the Cardassian delegates don't seem particularly keen on using diplomacy to resolve the situation, which soon spirals out of control toward all-out war...

 My thoughts:

Brinkmanship by Una McCormack is the sixth novel published under the Typhon Pact banner (actually the seventh, counting Christopher L. Bennett's e-novella The Struggle Within). The focus of the story is on the machinations of the Tzenkethi, a race which, to me, has become the breakout star of the Typhon Pact members. Three stories are featured in Brinkmanship: the first is the story of Neta Efheny, an undercover Cardassian agent embedded in the Department of the Outside on Ab-Tzenketh as a low-ranking member of the cleaning staff. Her job is to be the eyes and ears for her government while remaining hidden and inconspicuous. While she is perfectly content to do so, a run-in with another undercover operative, this one a human from the Federation, leads to complications for her and her mission.

The second story follows Captain Picard, Dr. Crusher, and the crew of the Enterprise at the Venetan homeworld, escorting representatives of the Federation, the Ferengi Alliance, and the Cardassian Union. The Venetan Convention has established ties with the Tzenkethi, even going so far as to allow them use of three space stations; space stations that are located very near the borders of Federation, Cardassian, and Ferengi space. Picard and Crusher must find a way to convince the Venetans that the Tzenkethi are not working in their best interests before the stations are weaponized.

The final story features Captain Dax and the crew of the Aventine, assigned to inspect Outpost V-4, the Venetan station closest to Federation space, for evidence that the Tzenkethi have placed weapons there. Complicating matters is the arrival of Peter Alden of Starfleet Intelligence, an old friend of Ezri's and a holder of strong opinions about the Tzenkethi. Dax must weigh her own suspicions about the Tzenkethi against the extreme paranoia voiced by Alden and find a way to complete her mission without plunging the Federation into another war.

At its core, and as the title implies, Brinkmanship is an exploration of how people and governments can push each other to the brink of war. The military posturing and tussle over Tzenkethi weaponization of the Venetan stations is very much a "Cuban missile crisis" of the Typhon Pact cold war. Both sides, Federation and Tzenkethi, are too afraid of what the other side might do if they back down. Like that real-world crisis of 1962, both sides come very close to all-out war. However, making this incident either more or less tragic, depending on your point of view, the victims of the fighting would have been the people of the Venette Convention rather than the populace of the two nations involved. In fact, as the tension ramps up and the events spiral closer to all-out war, the chapters begin with public announcements by the Venette Convention to their people on the subject of preparedness for the coming hostilities. The stoicism and resolve with which the Venetans meet the seeming certainty of Federation-Tzenkethi hostilities is somewhat heartbreaking.

The Venetans themselves are very interesting. Here we have a society in which all forms of deception and secrecy with regards to state affairs are non-existent. Picard and the rest of the delegation are surprised to discover that all of the talks are to be held in the open, with the entire population of the Venette Convention able to witness the goings-on. The supposed wisdom of the long-lived Venetans is balanced by their seeming naivete about matters such as espionage and black ops. The very idea of such activities repulses them, and even makes the head negotiator for the Venetans physically ill. Absolutely shocked that the Cardassians or the Federation would have undercover agents on Ab-Tzenketh, they cannot even conceive that their new allies, the Tzenkethi, would possibly have done the same.

One aspect that makes Brinkmanship work for me is the characters. I really enjoyed the new characters introduced by McCormack, in particular the Cardassian agent Neta Efheny and the Ferengi Ambassador, a female named Ilka. Also fascinating is the Tzenkethi delegate Alizome, whose machinations are a joy to witness. Of course, no one writes Garak like Una McCormack (see Hollow Men), and while the infamous Cardassian ambassador to the Federation only makes one small appearance in Brinkmanship, it's still full of all the Garak-y awesomeness we've come to expect. Dr. Crusher in particular is given a chance to shine in Brinkmanship. I very much welcomed this, as her character sometimes seems to get short shrift, if not in the novels, then at least in screen-time in the TNG films. In this novel, she is able to flex her diplomatic muscles as she tries to bring the major players together to salvage what little remains of the talks between the Convention and the Federation and her allies.

Dr. Crusher gains some diplomatic experience in Brinkmanship

My favorite parts of Brinkmanship were the explorations of Tzenkethi society through the eyes of Efheny. As I mentioned earlier, the Tzenkethi have become the breakout hit of the Typhon Pact. Their society is highly structured, with each member taking a particular role based on their genetic makeup. The Federation spy naturally recoils at this, seeing the Tzenkethi of lower castes as little more than slaves. It is somewhat unsurprising that Efheny, a Cardassian, warms to the society a little more easily. Many readers would have a huge problem with her final decision in the novel, but one can also see the allure of a society in which everything is taken care of, and you automatically know your place and what is expected of you. Certainly, most of us would hate it, but for many, that sort of constancy could be appealing.

 Final thoughts:

Another hit from Una McCormack. I very much enjoyed Brinkmanship, and highly recommend it for the political thriller aspect, the fascinating exploration of interesting characters, and the continued building of the very intriguing Tzenkethi culture. I have to admit that the tension had me wondering up to the very end how the Federation was going to get out of this situation without going to war with the Tzenkethi and the Typhon Pact. McCormack weaves an engrossing tale that kept me guessing throughout.

More about this book:

Also by Una McCormack:

My next read:

I've just picked up my copy of David Mack's new novel, Cold Equations: The Persistence of Memory, the first book in a new TNG trilogy. I'm very excited for this one! Look for a review, plus all the others I still have yet to catch up on, soon!

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Hollow Men

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Hollow Men by Una McCormack
Published April 2005
Read April 22nd, 2012

Previous published book (Deep Space Nine): Worlds of Deep Space Nine Volume 1: Cardassia and Andor
Next published book (Deep Space Nine): Warpath

Spoilers ahead for Hollow Men and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine!


From the back cover:
At the turning point of the Dominion War, Captain Benjamin Sisko of Starbase Deep Space 9, facing certain defeat by the relentless forces of the Jem'Hadar and the Cardassians, went through with a secret plan to secure the aid of the Federation's longtime adversaries, the Romulans.  What began as a desperate attempt to save lives became a descent into an abyss of deception, moral compromises, and outright criminal acts, as Sisko sacrificed every ideal he held dear in order to preserve the civilization that espoused those selfsame principles.
Now the aftermath of that choice is revealed for the first time as Sisko is summoned to Earth to take part in the first Allied talks to come out of the Federation's new partnership with the Romulans.  But Sisko's conscience weighs heavily on him, compelling him to seek some kind of penance for what he has done ... while elements within Starfleet itself set in motion a scheme to use Elim Garak as a pawn against a human political dissident who may hold the key to the outcome of the war.

About this book:

Hollow Men is a follow-up to the very popular Deep Space Nine episode "In the Pale Moonlight," a personal favorite of mine.  In that episode, Captain Sisko engages the service of DS9's enigmatic tailor and former spy, Garak, in order to create a forged depiction of a meeting in which the Dominion discusses a planned invasion of Romulus.  The purpose of this forgery is to convince the Romulans to enter the war against the Dominion on the side of the Federation.  The ruse is discovered, but the plan ultimately succeeds when Garak sabotages the shuttle of a Romulan senator, casting suspicions on the Dominion.  The Romulans enter the war, and the momentum of the conflict begins to shift.  Sisko is furious, of course, and wrestles with a guilty conscience for his part in the deception and subsequent assassination.
"That's why you came to me, isn't it captain? Because you knew I could do those things that you weren't capable of doing. Well, it worked. And you'll get what you wanted: a war between the Romulans and the Dominion. And if your conscience is bothering you, you should soothe it with the knowledge that you may have just saved the entire Alpha Quadrant, and all it cost was the life of one Romulan senator, one criminal... and the self-respect of one Starfleet officer. I don't know about you, but I'd call that a bargain."

 Hollow Men deals with the fallout from that incident.  In the novel, Sisko and Garak are invited to Starfleet Command to attend a conference which both the Romulans and the Cardassian "government in exile" will be attending.  Sisko, still trying to come to terms with his feelings about the matter, is torn between informing his superiors of the truth of Senator Vreenak's death and keeping the secret.  Garak is very much against revealing what happened, and manages to convince Sisko to keep the information to himself for a time.  However, things come to a head when elements within Starfleet Intelligence seek to co-opt Garak for their own purposes.  Added to the mix are a former Starfleet officer and colleague of Sisko's, turned peace protester.

 My Thoughts:

Hollow Men was a great read!  I admit to some bias, in that Elim Garak is one of my favorite Star Trek characters of all time, and Una McCormack writes him superbly.  Although Star Trek literature is often painted with the "low-brow" brush, Hollow Men is anything but.  Many issues are explored in this novel's pages, causing me more than once to put the book down and really contemplate where I stand on issues I felt were black and white.  For example, a sub-plot of the book is Odo's suspicion and pursuit of a former criminal aboard Deep Space Nine.  Odo suspects that he will attempt to steal a valuable shipment, but he has no evidence whatsoever.  However, he believes it to be all but certain that this former criminal will strike.  When Starfleet hands down a wartime directive that extraordinary measures may be taken to ensure the security of Starfleet installations, Odo uses this as an excuse to incarcerate this individual.  Now, I firmly believe that incarceration without due process is a violation of civil rights and liberties, but in this instance, Odo is proven correct.  Was he right in suspending the rights of the criminal?  (Incidently, it should be noted that Odo's capture of this being in no way prevented the theft.  What does that say about the effectiveness of heavy-handed techniques such as this?)

More than anything, Hollow Men is an examination of the thoughts and beliefs of Benjamin Sisko.  Wracked with guilt over the Vreenak assassination, Sisko does a great deal of soul-searching.  This led me to think of the people around him who have turned their backs on Starfleet ideals over the years, and paid the price for it: Cal Hudson, a Starfleet commander who turned his back on his uniform to join the Maquis, and was killed by the Cardassians.  Michael Eddington, an officer under Sisko's command who also joined the Maquis; he was captured by Sisko himself, jailed, and later killed by the Jem'Hadar.  Finally, Admiral Leyton, who sought to overthrow the presidency of the Federation and install a military dictatorship when he believed that the president wasn't acting in the best interests of the Federation.  In fact, in this novel, Sisko confronts Leyton about his actions, and how what Sisko has done mirrors them.  In gaining the aid of Mr. Garak and ultimately being party to an assassination, Sisko has also turned his back on the ideals of the Federation.  However, in this case, he is not being punished for it; rather, a great deal of good has come from that decision.  Understandably, this causes a lot of internal conflict for the normally principled and virtuous Captain Sisko, and Una McCormack writes this tension superbly.

There were a couple of small nerdly quibbles I had while reading Hollow Men: at one point, Garak seems unfamiliar with champagne.  However, if memory serves, Garak had already encountered champagne by this point, and in fact made a snide remark about Dr. Bashir's marksmanship with a champagne cork in the episode "Our Man Bashir."  Also, towards the end of the novel, the main power of Deep Space Nine is shut down, and the entire station is locked down and cut off from communications and aid from the outside world.  However, at this point in the series, the Federation's Ninth Fleet is permanently stationed at DS9.  Shouldn't they have been able to help?  As I said, these are merely the ramblings of a Trek-obsessed geek, and these minor quibbles did nothing to take away from the wonderful experience of reading this very well-written novel.

Final Thoughts:

With Hollow Men, Una McCormack has written a very "high-brow" novel, dealing with issues of betrayal, guilt, and redemption, while also expanding upon one of my favorite episodes of all time.  I highly recommend this novel to any fan of Deep Space Nine.  I also urge readers to check out McCormack's other Trek novels.  The Never-Ending Sacrifice, which I have also reviewed, was excellent.  And, in a few months, she has another novel coming out entitled Brinkmanship, published under the Typhon Pact banner.  Look for that soon!

Final score for Hollow Men: 10/10.  Superb, absolutely superb.
More about Hollow Men:

Also by Una McCormack:

My next read:

I'm a little behind on my reviews.  Look for write-ups of Star Trek #22: Shadow Lord by Laurence Yep, #78: The Rings of Tautee by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and Ex Machina by Christopher L. Bennett.  Also being released at the end of this month is Typhon Pact: Plagues of Night, the first book of a duology by David R. George III.  Look for a review of that novel shortly after its release!

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