Rating: 
Summary: Thank you, S.D. Perry!
Review: I sure have missed Deep Space Nine ever since it went off the air, so the Avatar (Books I and II) series came as quite a treat. Of course, they could have been a letdown, had they been poorly written, but this was NOT the case. They truly were "can't put it down" reads, with a great blend of new characters with established characters, as well as an interesting plot. Mostly, I am looking forward to a continuation of the the series.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent new beginning for DS9
Review: I was one of those fans who was devestated that DS9 had to be over. Then when I saw this book, promising a bold new beginning for the series, I was skeptical. But the author, S.D. Perry, really did a good job. He starts with a timeline, laying out the events from the DS9 tv series' 7 years in just a few pages. Surprisingly, he summed it up pretty well. That prepares you for the book itself. It and it's sequel tell the story of the beginning of the future of DS9. It adds Ro Laren, a Next Generation character many fans like, but doesn't forget all the others you'd expect to be there. I won't go into the story itself, but suffice it to say that there are multiple plots, only some of which are resolved. They will be continued in the subsequent books. I highly recommend these two books to any Star Trek fan, let alone a DS9 fan. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Not all that great
Review: I went into this book with low expectations after reading the first one. Sadly though, I was still disapointed. There are no appearences of O'Brien or Worf in either book. There is virtually no Odo either. Sisko is the worst of all though. I don't want to spoil the ending so I can't really say anything specific. If you like plot resolution, these books are probably not for you. It is good to see DS9 back again though.
Rating:
Summary: DS9 begins 8th season in novel form
Review: In May 2001, Pocket Books published Avatar, a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel, in two volumes. It's written by S.D. Perry, who has previously contributed two stories to The Lives of Dax and has written the novelizations of Timecop and Virus. Under the name Stella Howard, Ms. Perry has written an original novel based on the series Xena: Warrior Princess.Avatar begins three months after DS9's finale, "What You Leave Behind," and focuses on Colonel Kira's command of the station. A surprise attack by what's left of the Dominion kills hundreds of Starfleet and Bajoran militia officers as well as civilians. As well, an ancient Bajoran text is discovered that incites religious controversy among the populace - one of its prophecies is that the birth of the son of the Emissary (Kasidy Yates' unborn child) will require the death of 10,000. What that actually means will be revealed at the end of the second volume, but several of the more conservative elements of Bajoran religious hierarchy have their own interpretation of it. We meet again a former Enterprise officer who becomes the station's new chief of security, and are introduced to three new characters - Commander Tiris Jast, a Bolian senior officer who commands the Defiant; Shar, the reticent Andorian science officer; and Elias Vaughn, a longtime Starfleet officer at a crossroads in his life. I found both volumes of the novel hard to put down. In the post-TOS era, Deep Space Nine has always been my favorite and I'm glad to see the "8th season" begin with a well-considered blend of action, characterization and thought-provoking issues of religion, culture and society. Pocket Books is taking up the threads of themes begun in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine quite effectively and I look forward to further adventures in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: Return to the Edge of the Federation Fontier
Review: In this, the first novel of DS9 set after the events of the television series, we are once again taken back to the Federation Frontier. Here we meet the new characters who are taking the places of the characters who exited the series in the final episode. Although this first book is very much a "set-up" novel, getting the plot started and introducing the new characters, it is by no means an empty book. Just exploring the new characters would be good, but there's a decent plot around this novel as well - the station, gutted for refitting that is way overdue, ends up under attack again by forces that might be the Dominion. Renewed aggression? Rebels? The tale is well set, the characters are well written, and the plot just gets better... This book definately does the DS9 crew and setting justice, and I'd reccommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointed
Review: It seems that people are so desperate for new Deep Space Nine related material, they they will read about anything and call it good. But I have to say, this book is average at best. All it seems to do is introduce us to characters, and then kill most of them off. While the plot remains painfully light. And the events of the plot are treated as almost a summary, with not enough depth in my opinion to call it a novel. They have a great oppertunity here, to keep the franchise alive at least in some way, but if the other books are like this, it might be afully hum drum. But, I have yet to read the second book.. so it may get better.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful return to the intricate world of DS Nine!
Review: It took two years, but the powers that be at Paramount and Pocket Books have finally given us the beginnings of the continuation of the story of Deep Space Nine. Colonel Kira, now in command of Deep Space Nine after Sisko's departure, struggles with her almost-breakdown, and none too soon the station is attacked. We are re-introduced and introduced to many familiar and new characters, including Kira, Jake, Kasidy, Nog, Ezri Dax, Quark, Ro Laren (from TNG), Jast, Shar, and many others who don't survive the book. The TNG cast makes a nice cameo, linking it to the second book in the series. I like the fact that Kasidy is actually used as a major character, not just "Sisko's wife." Basically, this book is a wonderful read if you've been looking forward to it (I have), and even if you just ocassionally dip in and out of Trek fiction, it's still a very interesting read. Very highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: a good place to start
Review: It turns out that the station was attacked again which resulted in thousands of deaths and severe damage to the station. While every one on the station is more or less recovering from the attack and working around the clock to make repairs, Picard's ship stumbles upon a significant find. This find is significant because it has something to do with the planet Bajor. So Picard's crew heads for DS9 to show Kira what they've found. There are other sub-plots which may or may not be connected to the Enterprise's discovery such as: A strange Jemhadar soldier shows up on the station claiming to be on a mission of peace. An ancient Bajoran tablet is found which contains a ground-breaking prophesy (Avatar). Other than those aforementioned plots, the book is mostly character driven. Bashir, Ezri, Nog, Jake, Quark and others are still on the station but there are a few new interesting characters such as Shar. Shar is an Andorian and I think it's neat how they have sensory antennas on their heads. Shar (a member of Starfleet) plays a significant part in making a frightening discovery on board DS9 where his antennas come in handy.
Rating:
Summary: a good place to start
Review: It turns out that the station was attacked again which resulted in thousands of deaths and severe damage to the station. While every one on the station is more or less recovering from the attack and working around the clock to make repairs, Picard's ship stumbles upon a significant find. This find is significant because it has something to do with the planet Bajor. So Picard's crew heads for DS9 to show Kira what they've found. There are other sub-plots which may or may not be connected to the Enterprise's discovery such as: A strange Jemhadar soldier shows up on the station claiming to be on a mission of peace. An ancient Bajoran tablet is found which contains a ground-breaking prophesy (Avatar). Other than those aforementioned plots, the book is mostly character driven. Bashir, Ezri, Nog, Jake, Quark and others are still on the station but there are a few new interesting characters such as Shar. Shar is an Andorian and I think it's neat how they have sensory antennas on their heads. Shar (a member of Starfleet) plays a significant part in making a frightening discovery on board DS9 where his antennas come in handy.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding continuation of the "Deep Space Nine" saga
Review: One does not pick up "Star Trek" novels expecting to find great literature. We read them for plots which extend the television legacy, and are satisfied with action and dialogue that are at least congruent with what we have seen on television. For that reason, "Avatar: Books I and II" (and the two "Deep Space Nine" novels which follow it) are a wonderful surprise. They are, in fact, great literature. The intricacies of the plot, and the breadth of the character development are superior to those in most "Trek" novels, but what makes these works truly stand out above the others I have read is the writing itself. It is so lush and descriptive that images are brought to mind with a clarity and brilliance that rivals the images we have seen on the screen. These books are not merely an attempt to substitute for television episodes or films; they are great works in their own right. That following novels by different authors are equally well-written is a great gift to fans of "Deep Space Nine." The other thing that makes this novel and its successors -- "Section 31: Abyss," and the "Gateways" installment, "Demons of Air and Darkness" -- so outstanding is the employment of internal monologue to truly engage the reader. We are not merely observers and listeners, but equal participants in the unfolding adventure. We share the fears, pain, joys, and triumphs of the characters as each faces her or his particular challenges. It is a privilege to experience the "Deep Space Nine" universe through the characters' eyes and minds, enabled by these gifted writers. A word of caution, however: as with the television series itself, do not expect events which unfold in "Avatar" to be tidily wrapped up in the end. Much is shaken up and left for summation in future novels. My advice is to read these two books first, then continue with "Abyss" and "Demons of Air and Darkness." Then do what I am doing now: wait will gleeful anticipation for further novels, sharing my hope that they are as brilliantly crafted as "Avatar."
|
