Rating: 
Summary: A good synthesis of what's happened so far.
Review: "Rising Son" seems to be a good synthesis of what's been going on in the Deep Space Nine universe up to this point.I like the way that the author showed Opaka's spiritual evolution. She begins, in the series, as knowing faith from a single perspective, the traditional Bajoran view of the Prophets. However, being away from Bajor forces her to make her faith something more universal and flexible. It ties in nicely with the schism of the Bajoran faith that was introduced in the "Avatar" books and continued in the "Mission Gamma" series. Opaka's experiences offworld have prepared her for what's happening on Bajor. However, I don't think it's a sure bet that she will become kai again when she returns. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion she will choose not to be kai if it comes down to it. I also liked the revelation that Bajor is not the only world that has been visited by the wormhole aliens. That dovetails with a mention made at the end of the "Gateways" series, where an Iconian comments to Kira on the worlds (plural) that the wormhole aliens watch over. I am still waiting to see if Benjamin Sisko reappears. But even if he doesn't, the Deep Space Nine series still has legs. It should be interesting to see what to do with "Unity," the next book in the series. The Ascendents and parasites are lurking in the background as some potentially nasty enemies.
Rating: 
Summary: The best thing going in the Trek universe
Review: I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Jake has always been one of my favorite characters, and one of the most under-used. I didn't think I would like the idea of him trekking around the Gamma Quadrant, but his new friends were interesting, entertaining and very well written. And Jake is eaten up by internal conflict during the entire story. It's nice to see him growing up, realizing that he has to be a man with or without his father. This story also brings to my mind some of the best DS9 episodes, like Explorers. Jake is a complex character, and now we get to see him shine. The prophecy that he was chasing is, of course, a major part of the book. I had the feeling after Lesser Evil that he had misinterpreted the prophecy, and it was nice to see that played out. His feelings of resentment towards the Prophets were right on target. And then there is Opaka. How nice is it to see her again? I don't understand why the character of Wex is even in the story. I assume that she has a major role to play in Unity, because she seemed kind of random to me here. It was also nice to see some of the more underused species like Tosk and the Wadi. I don't have a lot of negative comments on this one. I wish it was longer. I would have liked Jake and Dez to have a larger confrontation about the lies. I would have liked to know more about the Eav'oq and the Ascendants. And the conclusion was painfully short. I realize that this is all building towards Unity, which must be a major payoff for all of the relaunch books. I can't wait for that one. All in all, this book was very well done.
Rating:
Summary: DS9 Delivers Again
Review: I have been caught up in all of the DS9 books that have been published in the last year and since Avatar 2 I have been in suspense as to what has happened to Jake. The reemergence of Kai Opeka was a great twist. The book delivered a great story in spades and brought together the threads that have been created since Avatar 1. I can't wait to see the tapestry that was created from the threads. All in all it was a very satisfactory read.
Rating:
Summary: Well written but slowed by revelation in last book.
Review: I loved S.D Perry's writing style, and all the great characters and the marvelous plot. The ONLY ONLY ONLY problem with this book came in the conclusion of the last book. If they hadn't allowed us to know that Jake found Kai Opaka in the end of the last book, then Rising Son would have been a much more enjoyable book. Because I knew how it ended, that Jake was found and he brought back Kai Opaka, I found that I read the book, not for the story, but just to find out how he found Opaka. I had to get through 3/4 or more of the book before that even happened! Just an editing glich and a personal opinion. Otherwise, great job S.D.! I look forward to Unity. R
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting concept, but ultimately lackluster.
Review: I will begin by saying that I have been truly enjoying the DS9 relaunch albums. Avatar parts 1 and 2, and Mission: Gamma 1, were some of the best fiction that I can recall reading in a long time. After reading book 4 of mission: gamma, I was sort of looking forward to reading Rising son. However, as I have never been a huge Jake Sisko fan, I wasn't bursting with anticipation for it (the same can not be said for Unity). The problem with this book is that it seems to have a problem finding it's stride. It NEVER and I mean NEVER reaches a climax. It just seems to be like "umm... yeah.. then this happens.. then.. well I suppose.. they go here.. and.." I just felt kind of cheapened by the whole experience because nothing special happens. In a way, it reminded me of Star Wars Episode 2, in the way that the acting was so horrible. I didn't buy the relationship between the two main characters, and it seemed like the only reason they got together was so the other movies could happen. It's in this way that this book seemed to hit me. I didn't buy the story. It seemed like the only point of it was getting Opaka back on Bajor. Point being, you don't have to read this one to follow the relaunch story line. Read the Mission Gamma series and that will tell you enough.
Rating:
Summary: Boy? I'm all MAN lady-that line shoulda been there somwhere
Review: Ok ok, corny review titles aside, I think this was a pretty good book. It gives Jake a lot to work with, and really draws on the few episodes from the series where he had a lot to work with. The real meat of the story is how being the son of the Emissary has shaped his life, and hurt him over the years. He has never felt anything positive from his once removed connection to the prophets, and resents them for taking his father. I still have a few questions about how he wound up where he was, but I have a feeling they will be answered later. In the meantime, this answers questions about what happened to another famous DS9 character, who I won't really mention even though the cover pretty much tells all. Another possible storyline was set up which I have BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG reservations about. Please, writers of DS9... don't pull a New Jedi Order on this series.
Rating:
Summary: Boy? I'm all MAN lady-that line shoulda been there somwhere
Review: Ok ok, corny review titles aside, I think this was a pretty good book. It gives Jake a lot to work with, and really draws on the few episodes from the series where he had a lot to work with. The real meat of the story is how being the son of the Emissary has shaped his life, and hurt him over the years. He has never felt anything positive from his once removed connection to the prophets, and resents them for taking his father. I still have a few questions about how he wound up where he was, but I have a feeling they will be answered later. In the meantime, this answers questions about what happened to another famous DS9 character, who I won't really mention even though the cover pretty much tells all. Another possible storyline was set up which I have BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG reservations about. Please, writers of DS9... don't pull a New Jedi Order on this series.
Rating:
Summary: What's it like being the son of a prophet?
Review: Rising Son is part of the post-television continuity Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Not only that, but it runs parallel with all of the other books except Avatar. It explains what happened to Jake Sisko after he disappeared into the wormhole during that book, and his experiences as he tries to get home (or tries to decide whether or not he even wants to go home). It's a very intriguing character study of young Jake and it includes an interesting plot as well. We've been waiting months and months to find out what happened to Jake, and it was well worth the wait. If you're a fan of Deep Space 9, especially the post-television continuity, this is a must-own book for you. I've only read a couple of the newer books, but I've wondered when the Jake story would be told, and I'm glad they waited until the tenth anniversary of the show to tell it. Perry writes a very satisfying book, with interesting characters and a good story to go with it. I enjoyed reading about Jake and the touch decisions he has to make in it. Perry really portrayed well the tug-of-war between Jake's new friends and his ideals. The crew is not the most honest bunch around, and they make some of their living by doing illegal things. They don't do things out of the goodness of their hearts and helping people is only a priority if they are getting paid. This goes completely against how Jake was brought up and he finds himself doubting. Should he stay with these people who have accepted him? Should he build his own life, away from the Federation and from being "Ben Sisko's son?" Is sacrificing his ideals worth it? And then when the prophecy rears its ugly head again, Jake is even more torn. It seems like, even this far away from home, Ben Sisko is reaching out to grab him and pull him in. Jake's final decision looks more and more obvious as things progress (Dez can't understand why Jake is having a problem with the way they do things, and thinks he needs to grow up), but it's still heart-wrenching to see him go through it. I think this would be a marvelous vehicle for Cirroc Lofton (the actor who played Jake) if a TV movie ever got made (not that it will happen of course). I think that's the highest compliment to the book. Dez is an good contrast to Jake. He desperately wants Jake to like him, to give Jake the opportunity that he never had with his own father. He is baffled by Jake's ethical code that has a problem with the way he does things. He finally decides to pretend that they will become a more altruistic crew while Jake becomes further immersed in the crew's life. Then, when Jake is unable to get himself out, he'll force Jake to realize that what they do is not a bad thing. While you don't like what Dez does, you can understand it and almost sympathize with him. It makes him a sad character in a way, and as you watch Jake agonize, you know that there is no real good or bad side in this conflict. There are only a couple of times where the character doesn't ring true, as he goes just that little bit further to convince Jake and seems to go over the top. It's not often, though, and Dez turns out to be a fascinating character to read about. The crew of the Even Odds is an eclectic bunch, with a few familiar Alpha Quadrant races (2 Ferengi and a Cardassian) and one Gamma Quadrant race we're familiar with (the Wadi). Thus, Perry can wrap her other, unfamiliar characters in a sheet of familiarity that Trek fans can handle. I'm a bit disappointed in that aspect, but Perry does a good enough job with them that it's not a bad thing. The Caradassian is fairly non-descript, though he does learn some things during the course of the story. The Ferengi are stereotypical, but it's the new races that are so very interesting. The best of the bunch is Stessie, a joined being with numerous different facets. Only one can talk, but all the facets have their own personality even as they are part of the whole. While this sort of thing has been done before (even in Trek), Perry imbues the character with an interesting personality that makes her (it?) a wonderful piece of work. The other crew members aren't really that interesting, fulfilling their roles admirably but not doing much else. Facity, the Wadi first officer and Dez's lover, provides an interesting viewpoint as she watches the interplay between Jake and Dez, but I didn't find much of interest in her personally. She serves almost as a spectator, viewing the game between the two of them and commenting on it. The writing is standout for a Star Trek book, with no real waste or padding visible in the book. The only pointless point of the story is the ending, where a surprise personality from the television series meets up with them, adding a slight bit of tension but then quickly dissipating it. The story also ends with a "To Be Continued," but in itself it is fairly self-contained. If you're just interested in what happened to Jake, you will find that out and don't have to continue further if you don't want to (but what DS9 book fan will not want to continue?).
The book is well-written enough that if you're not a fan, you would probably still enjoy it. If you are a fan, though, you should check it out. The book is marvelous and it is a fine addition to the DS9 library of books. Bring on Unity!
Rating:
Summary: What's it like being the son of a prophet?
Review: Rising Son is part of the post-television continuity Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Not only that, but it runs parallel with all of the other books except Avatar. It explains what happened to Jake Sisko after he disappeared into the wormhole during that book, and his experiences as he tries to get home (or tries to decide whether or not he even wants to go home). It's a very intriguing character study of young Jake and it includes an interesting plot as well. We've been waiting months and months to find out what happened to Jake, and it was well worth the wait. If you're a fan of Deep Space 9, especially the post-television continuity, this is a must-own book for you. I've only read a couple of the newer books, but I've wondered when the Jake story would be told, and I'm glad they waited until the tenth anniversary of the show to tell it. Perry writes a very satisfying book, with interesting characters and a good story to go with it. I enjoyed reading about Jake and the touch decisions he has to make in it. Perry really portrayed well the tug-of-war between Jake's new friends and his ideals. The crew is not the most honest bunch around, and they make some of their living by doing illegal things. They don't do things out of the goodness of their hearts and helping people is only a priority if they are getting paid. This goes completely against how Jake was brought up and he finds himself doubting. Should he stay with these people who have accepted him? Should he build his own life, away from the Federation and from being "Ben Sisko's son?" Is sacrificing his ideals worth it? And then when the prophecy rears its ugly head again, Jake is even more torn. It seems like, even this far away from home, Ben Sisko is reaching out to grab him and pull him in. Jake's final decision looks more and more obvious as things progress (Dez can't understand why Jake is having a problem with the way they do things, and thinks he needs to grow up), but it's still heart-wrenching to see him go through it. I think this would be a marvelous vehicle for Cirroc Lofton (the actor who played Jake) if a TV movie ever got made (not that it will happen of course). I think that's the highest compliment to the book. Dez is an good contrast to Jake. He desperately wants Jake to like him, to give Jake the opportunity that he never had with his own father. He is baffled by Jake's ethical code that has a problem with the way he does things. He finally decides to pretend that they will become a more altruistic crew while Jake becomes further immersed in the crew's life. Then, when Jake is unable to get himself out, he'll force Jake to realize that what they do is not a bad thing. While you don't like what Dez does, you can understand it and almost sympathize with him. It makes him a sad character in a way, and as you watch Jake agonize, you know that there is no real good or bad side in this conflict. There are only a couple of times where the character doesn't ring true, as he goes just that little bit further to convince Jake and seems to go over the top. It's not often, though, and Dez turns out to be a fascinating character to read about. The crew of the Even Odds is an eclectic bunch, with a few familiar Alpha Quadrant races (2 Ferengi and a Cardassian) and one Gamma Quadrant race we're familiar with (the Wadi). Thus, Perry can wrap her other, unfamiliar characters in a sheet of familiarity that Trek fans can handle. I'm a bit disappointed in that aspect, but Perry does a good enough job with them that it's not a bad thing. The Caradassian is fairly non-descript, though he does learn some things during the course of the story. The Ferengi are stereotypical, but it's the new races that are so very interesting. The best of the bunch is Stessie, a joined being with numerous different facets. Only one can talk, but all the facets have their own personality even as they are part of the whole. While this sort of thing has been done before (even in Trek), Perry imbues the character with an interesting personality that makes her (it?) a wonderful piece of work. The other crew members aren't really that interesting, fulfilling their roles admirably but not doing much else. Facity, the Wadi first officer and Dez's lover, provides an interesting viewpoint as she watches the interplay between Jake and Dez, but I didn't find much of interest in her personally. She serves almost as a spectator, viewing the game between the two of them and commenting on it. The writing is standout for a Star Trek book, with no real waste or padding visible in the book. The only pointless point of the story is the ending, where a surprise personality from the television series meets up with them, adding a slight bit of tension but then quickly dissipating it. The story also ends with a "To Be Continued," but in itself it is fairly self-contained. If you're just interested in what happened to Jake, you will find that out and don't have to continue further if you don't want to (but what DS9 book fan will not want to continue?).
The book is well-written enough that if you're not a fan, you would probably still enjoy it. If you are a fan, though, you should check it out. The book is marvelous and it is a fine addition to the DS9 library of books. Bring on Unity!
Rating:
Summary: ST-DS9: Rising Son
Review: Star Trek - Deep Space Nine: Rising Son written by S.D. Perry is a well-written book about Jake Sisko and his adventures in the Gamma Quadrant as he makes his way back home. This book is richly written and carries the character of Jake Sisko right along. Even though Jake wasn't one of the best characters in the Deep Space Nine series, by that I mean he wasn't one of the primary driving force characters as he was young and the son of Captain Benjamin Sisko which in and of itself made him more of an adjunct than anything else. Perry does the character of Jake well and gets the character's personallity and especially the mindset right... along with the journal enteries makes Jake come alive. As the story goes Jake is found in the Gamma Quadrant by a rag-tag bunch of space faring salvagers and favor runners... all in it for the profit. As they make stop after stop and exchange cargo they get leads on other "jobs." After joing them, Jake learns that his voyage is a search for the truth and that the truth will lead him to find the last thing he ever expected. The book eludes to great things coming for Jake, but only time will tell. I found the book to be interesting reading as the story moves right along and towards the ending the book's pace really kicks into gear. So from the ruins of B'hala, to the far reaches of the Gamma Quadrant, and finally back to the wormhole Jake grows up and we get a better picture of the true character of one Jake Sisko. The ending to this book is a mild suprise, but it will carry us into the next installment well. This is a solid 4 star book that is well-written with mild action-adventure, but mainly it is a book that shows us a young man growing up... maturing into a personallity all of his own. This is a good book for the fleshing out of the character known as Jake Sisko.
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