Rating: 
Summary: STV #20 Ghost Dance Dark Matters II - Absolutely intriguing!
Review: "Ghost Dance" is the second book in Christie Golden's Dark Matters trilogy and as good as the first one, "Cloak and Dagger" was, "Ghost Dance" is that much better. As "Cloak and Dagger" established the premise in which the author chose the character of Romulan scientist Telek R'Mor from Star Trek Voyager's first season episode of "Eye of the Needle" and the events of that episode and has expounded upon them beautifully in this trilogy; "Ghost Dance" takes the tale much further and gets into the heart of the subject.The most impressive aspect of this and third novel is where the first novel established the premise of the entire trilogy, this second novel is where the true intrigue and the overall compelling nature of the story as a whole kicks in. As I casually read the first novel, this approach was unacceptable for the second as this trilogy turned into a true page turner! The cover art for this second Dark Matters novel is on par with the first novel and a cut above the rest of the novels published at that time. The Premise: In "Cloak and Dagger" we learned that an individual named Lhiau who claimed to be a member of a race known as the Shepherds established contact with the Romulan Empire of twenty years in Voyager's past and that he more or less brought them an offer "they couldn't refuse." His primary contact with the Romulans was established through Jekri Kaleh, the chairman of the Tal Shiar, the Romulan's super secretive security organization. Armed with "superior" cloaking technology given to them by Lhiau, they intended to open a wormhole to the Delta Quadrant and send thirteen Warbirds to seize control of the technologically advanced Voyager... "Ghost Dance" easily picks up where "Cloak and Dagger" left off, although there is one minor distraction which is the "cleverly" played retrospective of the first novel, just in case somebody decides to start this brilliant Trek trilogy with the second novel instead of the first one. With "Ghost Dance," Christie Golden's talents as an author shine even more brilliantly as she takes us even deeper into the political intrigue involving the Chairman of the Tal Shiar, Jekri Kaleh; an extremely well written and developed character that more or less carries the story. Along with the exceptionally well written Jekri Kaleh parts, the author's skill in fast paced, narrative and action driven Trek fiction shine as she takes us through Captain Janeway and her crews steps in solving the many problems caused by the rogue Shepherds release of mutated Dark Matter upon their universe and the wonderfully well told sub plot of Chakotay and Paris's experiences after Chakotay dragged them through a "portal" to an unknown planet... I highly recommend this and the other two novels in the trilogy as author Christie Golden, with this trilogy once again proved why she is one of Star Trek's premier authors. She is truly capable of some of the most creative story telling in the world of Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: STV #20 Ghost Dance Dark Matters II - Absolutely intriguing!
Review: "Ghost Dance" is the second book in Christie Golden's Dark Matters trilogy and as good as the first one, "Cloak and Dagger" was, "Ghost Dance" is that much better. As "Cloak and Dagger" established the premise in which the author chose the character of Romulan scientist Telek R'Mor from Star Trek Voyager's first season episode of "Eye of the Needle" and the events of that episode and has expounded upon them beautifully in this trilogy; "Ghost Dance" takes the tale much further and gets into the heart of the subject. The most impressive aspect of this and third novel is where the first novel established the premise of the entire trilogy, this second novel is where the true intrigue and the overall compelling nature of the story as a whole kicks in. As I casually read the first novel, this approach was unacceptable for the second as this trilogy turned into a true page turner! The cover art for this second Dark Matters novel is on par with the first novel and a cut above the rest of the novels published at that time. The Premise: In "Cloak and Dagger" we learned that an individual named Lhiau who claimed to be a member of a race known as the Shepherds established contact with the Romulan Empire of twenty years in Voyager's past and that he more or less brought them an offer "they couldn't refuse." His primary contact with the Romulans was established through Jekri Kaleh, the chairman of the Tal Shiar, the Romulan's super secretive security organization. Armed with "superior" cloaking technology given to them by Lhiau, they intended to open a wormhole to the Delta Quadrant and send thirteen Warbirds to seize control of the technologically advanced Voyager... "Ghost Dance" easily picks up where "Cloak and Dagger" left off, although there is one minor distraction which is the "cleverly" played retrospective of the first novel, just in case somebody decides to start this brilliant Trek trilogy with the second novel instead of the first one. With "Ghost Dance," Christie Golden's talents as an author shine even more brilliantly as she takes us even deeper into the political intrigue involving the Chairman of the Tal Shiar, Jekri Kaleh; an extremely well written and developed character that more or less carries the story. Along with the exceptionally well written Jekri Kaleh parts, the author's skill in fast paced, narrative and action driven Trek fiction shine as she takes us through Captain Janeway and her crews steps in solving the many problems caused by the rogue Shepherds release of mutated Dark Matter upon their universe and the wonderfully well told sub plot of Chakotay and Paris's experiences after Chakotay dragged them through a "portal" to an unknown planet... I highly recommend this and the other two novels in the trilogy as author Christie Golden, with this trilogy once again proved why she is one of Star Trek's premier authors. She is truly capable of some of the most creative story telling in the world of Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: STV #20 Ghost Dance Dark Matters II - Absolutely intriguing!
Review: "Ghost Dance" is the second book in Christie Golden's Dark Matters trilogy and as good as the first one, "Cloak and Dagger" was, "Ghost Dance" is that much better. As "Cloak and Dagger" established the premise in which the author chose the character of Romulan scientist Telek R'Mor from Star Trek Voyager's first season episode of "Eye of the Needle" and the events of that episode and has expounded upon them beautifully in this trilogy; "Ghost Dance" takes the tale much further and gets into the heart of the subject. The most impressive aspect of this and third novel is where the first novel established the premise of the entire trilogy, this second novel is where the true intrigue and the overall compelling nature of the story as a whole kicks in. As I casually read the first novel, this approach was unacceptable for the second as this trilogy turned into a true page turner! The cover art for this second Dark Matters novel is on par with the first novel and a cut above the rest of the novels published at that time. The Premise: In "Cloak and Dagger" we learned that an individual named Lhiau who claimed to be a member of a race known as the Shepherds established contact with the Romulan Empire of twenty years in Voyager's past and that he more or less brought them an offer "they couldn't refuse." His primary contact with the Romulans was established through Jekri Kaleh, the chairman of the Tal Shiar, the Romulan's super secretive security organization. Armed with "superior" cloaking technology given to them by Lhiau, they intended to open a wormhole to the Delta Quadrant and send thirteen Warbirds to seize control of the technologically advanced Voyager... "Ghost Dance" easily picks up where "Cloak and Dagger" left off, although there is one minor distraction which is the "cleverly" played retrospective of the first novel, just in case somebody decides to start this brilliant Trek trilogy with the second novel instead of the first one. With "Ghost Dance," Christie Golden's talents as an author shine even more brilliantly as she takes us even deeper into the political intrigue involving the Chairman of the Tal Shiar, Jekri Kaleh; an extremely well written and developed character that more or less carries the story. Along with the exceptionally well written Jekri Kaleh parts, the author's skill in fast paced, narrative and action driven Trek fiction shine as she takes us through Captain Janeway and her crews steps in solving the many problems caused by the rogue Shepherds release of mutated Dark Matter upon their universe and the wonderfully well told sub plot of Chakotay and Paris's experiences after Chakotay dragged them through a "portal" to an unknown planet... I highly recommend this and the other two novels in the trilogy as author Christie Golden, with this trilogy once again proved why she is one of Star Trek's premier authors. She is truly capable of some of the most creative story telling in the world of Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}
Rating: 
Summary: Finally ... It's Coming Out of the Dark ...
Review: DARK MATTERS, Book Two "Ghost Dance" is finally starting to go someplace. After a horrific beginning in "Cloak and Dagger," Christie Golden finds her stride in telling the story of the Voyager's 'side jaunt' to seek and destroy all Dark Matter in the universe ... an impossible, at best, premise. However, the reader finally gets a sense that this is NOT the destination the Voyager will eventually reach. If there is any disappointment here, it's that Ms. Golden has created characters and situations within the Romulan Empire and their plotting to rule the Alpha Quadrant (you'll have to read the book to understand fully how Voyager, in the Delta Quadrant, deals with events of the Alpha Quadrant), and these characters and situations are far more interesting than anything the Voyager crew is facing. Hopefully, Ms. Golden has an ace up her sleeve and can pull off DARK MATTERS with even greater light in Book Three.
Rating: 
Summary: Read this one and part 3 together - don't NOT get part 3
Review: The book continues to build depth to book two's story line very well. I felt at the end though that you would kick yourself if you knew you couldn't get hold of book 3. William Shatner tends to close off his ongoing saga books to the point where you could stop there if you wanted, yet he also tags it as an effective bridge to the next (expected/upcoming) book.Well done to Bill- not so well done to Christie. Still a good story and worth going on to book 3. Collect the whole set and DON'T lend them out to untrusted aquaintences.
Rating:
Summary: Good Sequel
Review: The second book certainly fulfilled any expectations set by its predecessor. The writing and plot is moderately good. The story keeps moving throughout and unlike many books, there are no points at which you wonder what in the world the remaining 150 pages are for. On the other hand, this book is by no means a cliffhanger. The book will make little to no sense without the first book, and really resolves no issues on its own. If you plan to only read one book in the trilogy, the first or third would clearly be a better choice. The story once again centers around a substance called "Dark Matter." This dark matter, according to the novel, supposedly exists everywhere in a limbo between this galaxy and others. The series' villain, a renegade from a super-powerful group called the Shepards, has been causing the Romulans to bring this matter into our universe. The matter, when in contact with living flesh causes irrational behavior. Janeway and crew, at the request of another Shepard continue on their quest to disinfect planets affected by the dark matter and collect it to prevent further calamity.
Rating:
Summary: Good Sequel
Review: The second book certainly fulfilled any expectations set by its predecessor. The writing and plot is moderately good. The story keeps moving throughout and unlike many books, there are no points at which you wonder what in the world the remaining 150 pages are for. On the other hand, this book is by no means a cliffhanger. The book will make little to no sense without the first book, and really resolves no issues on its own. If you plan to only read one book in the trilogy, the first or third would clearly be a better choice. The story once again centers around a substance called "Dark Matter." This dark matter, according to the novel, supposedly exists everywhere in a limbo between this galaxy and others. The series' villain, a renegade from a super-powerful group called the Shepards, has been causing the Romulans to bring this matter into our universe. The matter, when in contact with living flesh causes irrational behavior. Janeway and crew, at the request of another Shepard continue on their quest to disinfect planets affected by the dark matter and collect it to prevent further calamity.
Rating:
Summary: Takes "That Damn Ball" and runs with it
Review: The second book in the trilogy introduces us to a couple of new races, tests the limits of B'Elanna's patience, strands Chakotay and Paris on an unknown planet, gives us a glimpse of "the entity" (Q only knows who/what THAT is), continues the "Little Dagger" subplot with intrigue and suspense, and ends on a rather startling note that made me want to jump right into the 3rd book. However, it was my bedtime, and I had to wait until morning. This trilogy is shaping up to be an enjoyable romp, even if it isn't all that great. (Maybe I'll finish book 3 in a week too? I'm usually such a slow reader...)
Rating:
Summary: Still Impressed!
Review: The second book of this trilogy keeps up the promise of the first as Chakotay and Tom Paris have been ripped away from their friends on Voyager and tossed onto a new planet. Their first contact with these people is harsh and painful, but plans are made to retrieve them by another possible set of allies.
Back on Voyager, the crew is set forth by a higher evolved species to go and cleanse the Delta Quadrant of dark matter. Helped by the Romulan scientist and an alien that they found they begin to delve into the instrument they have been given and go forth on their quest.
Poor Harry Kim takes it in the heart again when he falls in love with the new alien woman. Her society is technologically advanced and she wants nothing to do with natural things. Some of those things near and dear to Harry's heart.
In the Alpha Quadrant, there is plenty of political intrique with the Romulan court and the head of the Tal Shiar.
Once again, with this new setup of stories extending two or more novels, there is plenty to sink your teeth into. I find myself looking more and more for the next novel to come out. I can only hope that this new view extends into the new year!
Rating:
Summary: A decent middle part to the trilogy.
Review: The second volume starts where the first volume left off: Voyager has signed on for a mission to rid whole solar systems of dark matter, Chakotay and Paris are lost in a parallel "shadow" universe, and the chairman of the Tal Shi'ar has to take responsibility for the loss of 13 warbirds. In addition, we are introduced to a strange, powerful entity that is suffering from amnesia, and whose identity will only be revealed in the final volume. As in the first part, the Romulan subplot is the most interesting. Even though she is a villain, Tal Shi'ar leader Jekri Kaleh manages to capture the reader's sympathies, and her fall from grace makes for an exciting, suspenseful story. Chakotay and Paris find themselves caught in the middle of a conflict between two opposing factions of the race inhabiting the planet in the shadow universe. One faction has embraced a simple lifestyle and renounced technology, the other has chosen the opposite path. Bigottry and feelings of cultural superiority run rampant in both camps, and it takes two Federation officers to make some of these people see the light.. standard Star Trek stuff, not particularly imaginative, and relatively unrelated to the main storyline. A typical example of formulaic storytelling: split the crew up, get two characters into some predicament involving a moral lesson, and resolve the situation just in time for the closing credits. The third storyline, the one that involves Voyager, is of the same caliber. Torres, Seven and Telek have to figure out how to use the 'ball' given to them by the Shepherds, and as usual, the solution consists of some ad-hoc procedure involving lots of treknology. Golden dutifully drags it out through some chapters, but there is of course never any doubt as to the eventual outcome. "Ghost Dance" is not high literature, but for five bucks, it is entertaining enough, and it manages to keep the reader interested enough to read the final volume.
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