Rating: 
Summary: Spectacular
Review: "Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" are intended to immerse the reader in the cultures of the chosen planets and allow the reader to experience those societies from a familiar characters point of view. At the same time the Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine advances the post-finale storylines. Both stories in volume one definitely succeeded in doing both of those things in spectacular fashion. Una McCormack transports us to Cardassia in "The Lotus Flower" where Keiko O'Brien has accepted a position to head up an important agricultural renewal project. The recovery and reconstruction efforts are continuing slowly when the O'Brien family, Vedek Yevir and other innocents become pawns in a dangerous political game instigated by those on Cardassia who are opposed to the leadership of Ghemor. Garak, an old hand at playing such games, must call on all of his skills to avert a tragedy that could spell the end of hope of a democratic future for Cardassia. In many respects Una McCormack has the more difficult job in this first volume of Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and she definitely rises to the occasion. Life on Cardassia has been portrayed before, while Andor is another kettle of fish entirely, it's more of a clean slate. McCormack builds on what has already been established about Cardassia and does a wonderful job of allowing the reader to catch glimpses of what Cardassian society had been like before the Dominion War, while at the same time portraying what they are experiencing now. The short chapters really kept the story moving along at a very fast pace and make it seem a bit shorter than it actually was. McCormack does a very good job of illustrating her theme: the idea that major change can be very frightening and that fear can leave people, particularly children, vulnerable to manipulation. She also succeeds in driving home the point that politics can be a very dangerous and cold-blooded game. What I enjoyed the most about "The Lotus Flower" was McCormack's characterization of Garak. It is outstanding. She's got him down cold and I found myself missing the character very much indeed when I finished. There are also several sweet and effective character moments for the O'Brien's. The prose is a pleasure to read and very straight forward. Most of the time the narrative is quite evocative but it's a bit uneven. The Garak scenes were the strongest. You can clearly tell she loves the character and understands him well. There is a whole 'men in the shadows' element to the story that allows a sense of mystery and menace to creep in and McCormack does an excellent job of using that to build suspense. In the second story, "Paradigm", Heather Jarman paints a portrait of Andor that you won't soon forget. Shar, Ensign Thirishar ch'Thane, returns home to Andor to face the consequences of his choices but he doesn't travel alone. Ensign Prynn Tenmei and Lieutenant Commander Phillipa Matthias accompany Shar and the trio arrives on Andor as the society stands on the edge of an abyss. To save their species, the Andorians may be forced to make tough choices, choices that may save them as a race but destroy their culture. "Paradigm" is a very impressive piece of fiction. Heather Jarman's narrative is so rich and vivid that it's quite easy to become lost in the story. As the story unfolds the tension builds continuously providing moments of satisfying release before it builds again. It is like being on a thrill ride that gives you moments to catch your breath before it races off again. World building is something Jarman excels at and in "Paradigm" she provides a duel look at Andor and Andorian society that works perfectly by giving the reader both the point of view of a native of the planet and a visitor. Shar, in his role as tour guide provides one perspective, but we also get to see Andorian society from Prynn's outsider looking in position as she struggles to understand the complex culture. There are also moments of lightness and clever inclusions, for example Jarman's way of handling the name of the planet issue and those curious about Andorian sexuality will certainly be satisfied. The issue is handled very tastefully. A glossary of Andorian terms at the end of the book comes in quite handy if all the alien pronouns confuse you as much as they do me. Although "The Lotus Flower" comes first in "Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", it doesn't matter what order you read the two novellas. Chronologically "Paradigm" is set before "The Lotus Flower". Each story stands on it's own merits and each is outstanding in its own way.
Rating: 
Summary: It makes me want to get the others...
Review: but maybe that's because i'm a fan of DS9 and the relaunch series. At any rate, i'm a fan of the storyline, i've only read the beginning and ending books (all three of which were GREAT) and then I checked this one out. The end of season 8 gave a synopsis of what had happened before, so i wasn't ignorant.
I say this because it probably explains why I enjoyed the Cardassia story while not enjoying the Andorian story too much. Cardassia reintroduced characters I knew from the TV series as well as a few I met in the relaunch books I read, and I was fascinated by the rebuilding efforts and the terrorism parallels to today's history. The story was well written and engaging and is a great introduction to season "9". It's at times like this that I wish the DS9 tv writers hadn't been so quick to kill Damar; everyone who writes stuff set after the TV series (whether canon or fan fic) seems to feel the same way.
The Andorian story would have been pretty good except for one character; Prynn Tenmei. Simply put, I don't like her at all. She's a self-centered immature bitch who needs to grow up a LOT. I only know of her in the books i read, but the image I got of her from those 3 books wasn't a good one. Thus, with her as the focus of this story, that was a point down already. Also, while the Andorian world was pretty well described, I'm not as huge a fan of Andorian storylines as many others seem to be. It was all a bit too soap-operaish at times, but here's hoping that Andorians don't become extinct.
So overall, i give the book a 4 and it is worth checking out for anyone who is a fan of either DS9 or the DS9 relaunch. I am looking forward to the second book that deals with Trill and Bajor (looking forward to the Bajor episode more, heh heh) and i see that the third book has already been projected to deal with the Dominion and Ferengrinar. That should be interesting as well.
Rating:
Summary: The Cardassia story is excellent.
Review: Cardassia Story: The DS9 Relaunch has had a very high standard of writing, and this keeps right up. The characterisations are excellent. The descriptions are extremely emotive and mood-setting. The writing in general is just wonderfully witty. The author perfectly captures Garak's perpetual wit, sarcasm and love of a well-crafted phrase. The only near problem I could find in this story was that the most crucial action in the book is virtually told at second-hand. During the final resolution, most of the writing is a long introspection by Keiko O'Brien. It ends exactly one paragraph short of being too long. It is a good and effective method, at least when the author obviously knows what she is doing, but it also came right to the edge of fading out. Great as it is, it gives the impression that it could somehow have been better. Still, it also meets my most important criteria: I really enjoyed it. This is how Trek should be written.
Andor Story: this story is firmly in the teen soap-opera genre. It really does not work for me. The descriptions are generally good, but they often become so word dense they are hard to take in. the characterisations are vivid, but that actually becomes part of the problem. To start with, Shar evaluates his friendship with Prynn and its possibilities in extremely technical terms. Passion and anthropological terminology just do not go together. He spends most of the rest of the story acting straight from his emotions, which is an odd contrast. Prynn, until the obvious sob-story ending, is hyper-emotional as well and also self-centred. The characters are too wrapped up in themselves and their relationship status to generate a lot of sympathy. One of the other major characters even complained about it. That should be a big warning sign to authors: if you have to make the characters complain, why do you think the readers will like it? Originally, this plot was a sub-plot of the major stories in Mission: Gamma. It should have stayed that way, because it was not strong enough to stand on its own.
All in all, the Cardassia story was for me well worth the price of the book. The Andor story was a let down, but it might be a good story for people that like the genre.
Rating:
Summary: High-calorie mind-candy!
Review: I bought this for two reasons: One, I really enjoyed Heather Jarman's work on the character of Shar (the Andorian) and wanted to continue his tale in her voice. Two, I needed mind-candy. Bad.
This delivers on both fronts. McCormack's 'Cardassia' story is a bit thin, a straightfoward hostage taking, though it has the virtue of including Keiko and Miles O'Brien (who have been missing mostly from the relaunch of DS9 given that they retired to Earth at the end of the series - but Keiko moved to Caradassia to help rebuild its ecology). Also present, of course, is Garak, but I find that without Doctor Bashir, his character just sort of degrades into a base manipulator with no real redeeming qualities. The inclusing of Vedek Yevir, a character introduced earlier in the DS9 relaunch, however, was a stroke of genius, and well appreciated by me.
'Andor' is where this book shines, however. Jarman delivers yet another superb telling of the Andorian four-gendered culture, the fallout thereof, and some really interesting ethical genetic dilemmas that face the people since Shar's discovery a few books back. Shar and Prynn make an interesting couple - without bordering overmuch on the "Will they or won't they?" crap of most romance in Science Fiction. Definitely worthwhile for the relaunch, or DS9 fans of any stripe (of interesting note is that none of the original series characters pop up in 'Andor,' only the newbies to the DS9 station are involved).
High-calorie mind candy.
'Nathan
Rating: 
Summary: I was disappointed
Review: I found it difficult to even finish this work. I think Ms. McCormack has potential but her writing resembles that done for college level creative writing courses. Overly descriptive with a sophomoric 'breathy' quality. Characterizations tended to thin out. I'll wait and borrow her next one from a friend rather than purchase it myself. I had high hopes after reading Ms. Jarmen's work.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for DS9 fans
Review: I want to keep this short and to the point.I have watched all the 7 seasons of DS9 and found it to be a experience i would never trade.What is so great about this book is that it involves you into the worlds especialy Cardasia one of my favorite worlds in the Star Trek universe. Awesome story the author realy brings out the characters especialy Garek which is a very colorful character.This book is just great worth every penny (especialy if you go to Walmart for $4.80!).If you like Star Trek this book is a buy no doubt about it....go BUY IT! NOW! (So much for short and to the point huh?).
Rating:
Summary: Class
Review: I've been a fan of Una McCormack's writing for many years now, and she brings not only an elegant, classy style but also a sense of social and political realism to all her work, not least in DS9. I would recommend this book to anyone, on the strength of McCormack's contribution alone.
Rating:
Summary: Another Home Run
Review: This book is wonderful!! Kudos to whomever is developing the plot of the DS9 post tv show books. This feels like the beginning of Season 9. Season 8 was all of the books from A Stitch in Time until Unity. Wonderful character development. Engaging stories that grabbed my interest immediately. With all of the mediocre stuff out there today, it's nice to have something that consistently satisfies. Two thumbs up for Ms. McCormack and Ms. Jarman.
Rating:
Summary: Another Home Run
Review: This book is wonderful!! Kudos to whomever is developing the plot of the DS9 post tv show books. This feels like the beginning of Season 9. Season 8 was all of the books from A Stitch in Time until Unity. Wonderful character development. Engaging stories that grabbed my interest immediately. With all of the mediocre stuff out there today, it's nice to have something that consistently satisfies. Two thumbs up for Ms. McCormack and Ms. Jarman.
Rating:
Summary: The continuing adventures.
Review: Two reviews for the price of one. I really enjoyed half of this book but I was not enthralled by the other half.
'The Lotus Flower'
This story returns the O'briens back to the world of Deep Space 9. I jumped for joy when I read Unity and saw their return. I almost burst into tears when I struggled through this first half of the book. The story was great. The writing was everything I expected. I just felt that this story robbed the O'brien family of who they were.
'Paradigm'
The second story of this book delves into the relationship of two characters introduces in the novels. I enjoyed watching Prynn and Thane struggle to survive the culture they view as foreign. This adventure lets us explore the world of Andor and learn more about the people of this founding Federation world.
As a fan of DS9 I have to recommend this book. I love to follow the adventures of these characters I fell in love with over seven seasons. I want to see the world and places grow over time in the novels and worlds of Deep Space 9.
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