Worlds of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Volume Three : The Dominion and Ferenginar (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

Rating:
Summary: Greed, power, religion. Something's gotta give.
Review: After reading "Olympus Descending," the Dominion story in Worlds of Deep Space Nine: The Dominion & Ferenginar, I felt like I had been kicked in the gut. This feeling was heightened when I realized that there is no new Deep Space Nine book out this year (the only one on the schedule, Hollow Men, takes place during the television series). What a powerful ending to a fascinating series of stories. "Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed," the Ferengi story by Keith R.A. DeCandido, was also fun as well, but "Olympus Descending," by David R. George III was the perfect capper to the whole series. While quibbles can be made about both stories, none of these little nits can overshadow the fact that these were both great stories. The future of Deep Space Nine is well in hand with these people in charge.

DeCandido's "Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed" is a fun story, a calm before the storm right in between Volume 2's Bajoran story and "Olympus Descending." It does almost the exact opposite of what the other stories have done, as Quark is (albeit reluctantly) fighting to keep the changes that have already happened on Ferenginar. Thus, this is a fight for the status quo, rather than a fight to change worlds as has happened in the other four stories of this series. It's all the better for it, too, as there is some great comedy in it. While I think Ferengi stories are able to have depth, I don't think they work if that depth is too out in the open, without a veneer of comedy. The best Ferengi episodes (not many, I admit) always worked on two levels, and "Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed" is the same way. There are some wonderful scenes between Quark and Rom, especially when the possibility of Rom's having signed a horrible marriage contract comes up and Rom admits to some things that he would rather not admit to.

I think the story works for a number of reasons. First, we don't have actors trying to act smarmy and speaking in annoying, sometimes squeaky voices. That puts it a step above most episodes anyway. However, that's not the only plus to this story. DeCandido is able to examine not only Ferengi society, but the internal workings of individual Ferengi as well. Thus, we see Quark's thoughts about what is happening on his home planet. We see the fact that, while he hates what Rom has been doing to his world, the idea of Brunt being in charge is even worse. DeCandido also avoids showing us a completely stereotypical Ferenginar, showcasing all businessmen as horrible people. I think the show sometimes went too far that way, but DeCandido shows us some of the good in Ferengi society as well. Thus, the story is very well-rounded.

Even better, we get to see an outsider's view of the whole thing. The television show went to Ferenginar once, and it was a pretty horrible episode, partially because it consisted entirely of Ferengi. This time, Ro comes along to help out, and we get some wonderful scenes of her adapting to the planet. Her reaction to the ads that can't be shut off that show Brunt grinning in extreme close-up was hilarious. Even her reaction to the near-constant rain and humidity were very amusing. She gives us that perspective that we really need so we don't get lost amidst all of the Ferengi avarice. The fact that the story also deals with the developing relationship between Quark and her is also a plus. In fact, I think Ro is the best part about the book, though the other characterization is equally well-done. This is excellent work, all the way around.

"Olympus Descending," on the other hand, ratchets up the tension and is consumed by a very foreboding atmosphere. Yet that doesn't bring the story down at all, and in fact heightened my interest in it. I loved the entire philosophical discussions between Odo and Laas, especially when Odo begins investigating Laas' question about why the 100 were sent out. I won't reveal what answer Odo finds, but it brings up a lot more discussion of the nature of religion and the difference between faith and fact. The beginning of the story can be a bit slow, and part of me wishes that George had switched to Taran'atar a little bit sooner at the beginning, but overall it's extremely interesting stuff that has far-reaching consequences for the Dominion, and perhaps the rest of the Deep Space Nine mythos as well. The story ends up tying into Ben Sisko's dire warnings in "Fragments & Omens," which is a good thing and will probably lead into the next series of books.

If the Odo story is fascinating, the Taran'atar story is gripping. We have seen this Jem'Hadar struggle with the mission Odo gave him since the relaunch began, and it's not getting any easier. In fact, he's reached a point where he has to make a decision, but he can't do it without help. He and Kira go on a journey that he hopes will help him decide, but it only makes things worse for him. I've grown to like the character throughout all these books, and watching him go through this was almost agonizing, especially because I knew that something bad was going to happen (unfortunately, I also knew *what* was going to happen, as it had been spoiled for me).

Since the Bajor story had also left one of its plots dangling, it wasn't so jarring this time as "Olympus Descending" does the same thing. I think another reason for the difference in my thinking was because while "Fragments & Omens" just coasted to halt with that plot dangling, "Olympus Descending" was a true cliff-hanger. The wait for the next book is now going to be excruciating. In the meantime, the Worlds of Deep Space Nine books will sate your thirst.

David Roy

Rating:
Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: As enjoyable and satisfying as the four previous stories told in Volumes One and Two of Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are, Volume Three saves the best for last and packs quite a punch. Volume three brings together the Ferenginar story, "Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed" by Keith R.A. DeCandido with the final tale "Olympus Descending", a story of the Dominion by David R. George III.

In "Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed", it comes as no surprise to learn that Quark is not the only Ferengi who is not pleased with direction that the recent reforms is taking their society. When Grand Nagus Rom finds himself in the middle of a no holes barred fight for his political future, Rom and Ro Lauren accompany Quark home to Ferenginar in an attempt to get to the bottom of serious accusations leveled against Rom.

With "Satisfaction is No Guaranteed" Keith DeCandido demonstrates that he knows his Ferengi every bit as well as the Klingons with a serious story that still manages to be rousing good fun. The predicament Rom finds himself in is uniquely Ferengi as is the solution.

"Olympus Descending" is a different kettle of fish entirely, an introspective tale that explores the nature of the changelings existence. While Odo, and his search for answers about his people and their history may be the focus of the story, the author also manages to clarify a lot about the Jem'Hadar and the Vorta along the way adding a good deal to our understanding of both species.

The story starts slowly, evolving into a tale that is entirely engrossing and at times shocking. The author pulls off more than one very neat little writing trick with great expertise. David George's writing style strives to allow the reader to wholly immerse themselves not only in the events and surroundings that the characters are experiencing, but also to illuminate how they feel about it, and what the ramifications for them may be.

Each of these volumes has the "acknowledgements" and standard "about the author" sections run before each story, instead of at the end of the book as they usually do and there is a very good reason for that. Many readers read those sections before they begin a book and in the case of these stories, most particularly this final volume, turning to the back might mean you inadvertently see the final sentences. Whatever you do, don't turn to the back of the book, not even to peruse the included chronology of events. Save it for last and savor the bombshell.

You can't really characterize Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Volume Three as a conclusion; these books are after all, not a trilogy. Rather they are three books that feature six separate stories that are part of one larger whole. However, you can easily characterize Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Volume Three, indeed all three volumes, as an outstanding addition to this bestselling series.


Rating:
Summary: The best of the mini-series
Review: This is hands down the best book in the Worlds series. I received it today and read through it all, and just finished it. I had a feeling it would be really good when I read the first story, and the conclusions of the second story sealed it for me. This is the third book in a series featuring the worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The first book featured two novels/novellas looking at Cardassia and Andor; I found the Cardassian story to be quite engaging, while the Andorian story much less so. The second book dealt with stories from Trill and Bajor, and I enjoyed both stories very much. This book currently under review looks at Ferenginar and the Dominion, and provides a great contrast and the best stories of the series. The plot synopsis is given in the editorial review, so I will not go through them in this review.

The Ferenginar story was the most amusing of all the six, and was actually pretty good, considering the hit-or-miss nature of the DS9 Ferengi episodes on TV. I found myself chuckling through a lot of it and I had no problem envisioning the characters as I saw them on TV. Quite a few characters are brought back, such as Leck (I find it hard to believe that the most dangerous person in the Alpha Quadrant is a FERENGI!), Moogie and Zekkie, and Brunt (F.C.A.). Not much of heavy drama is present, the plot runs pretty quickly and is along the line of a "whodunnit" and while there are a few weak spots, everyone ends up feeling ok. There are some developments with Quark and Lt. Ro Laren, Nog and Jake catch up with each other as well as with someone else, read and see what :) and the door is left open for more adventures in Ferenginar. If Keith deCanadido keeps writing them like that, i'll be willing to check it out. All in all, a nice, engaging light read.

It's good that the Ferenginar story is a light read, because the Dominion story is most definately not. Don't get me wrong, it is a good story, though I found the writing a bit hard to follow, especially in the scenes where Odo is actually in the Great Link. However, it is not a pleasant story, it is the darkest story in the entire collection. It also brings back some Founders we haven't seen in a while, and I had a feeling that they were giving a bit of a shoutout to the "What You Come Back To" crew. For those who don't know, the WYCBT crew took it upon themselves to do a fanfic version of life on Deep Space Nine after season 7, said version is actually pretty decent, and compares favourably to the "official" writings in quality. If you want an alternate view on post-war Deep Space Nine, go check it ou. I don't recall the exact website, but you can google it or go to www.sidcity.com. But I digress...

So yeah, the Dominion story deals both with Odo's experience with the Great Link as he discovers why the Hundred were sent out, and Taran'tarar finds out that he can't help who he is, something Odo should have know, bloody idealist. We also get an idea of how the Dominion operates in the Gamma Quadrant...Many shocking developments occur during the course of this story, and I daresay that the effects of the events in this story are of greater effect than those of the Trill storyline, both to the personel of Deep Space Nine and to the entire galaxy. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I won't go into further detail, but you will come close to tears if you are a fan of DS9's charcters. The closing sentence is quite stunning in its implications and you wonder what the hell will happen next. This was not my favourite story in the series but it is the most poignant one and I applaud the writer for the balls to make such huge gambles (even if there was a MAJOR copout in one aspect).

In retrospect, the stories in this series do a great job of continuing the legacy of Deep Space Nine, both the old and the new, the familiar and the "let's give it a shot". The novels are not set in chronological order per se, but I would recommend reading collection 2 before collection 3. In the pages of these writers, Deep Space Nine isn't canceled, it lives.