Customer Reviews

Avatar Book One of Two (Star Trek Deep Space Nine)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

A book that is a combination of DS-9 and STNG. We have Colonel Kira Nerys holding down the fort at DS9 after the Dominion War. A Jem'Hadar ship cripples the space station and power is at a minimum after the jetison of part of the core power unit.

We get to read about Kira's thoughts and the others characters are fleshed out in this book. A good sign to the reader. Now, we get to feel the characters as the go about thinking, instead of just the doing.

The peace that was is fragile and is threatened. We have Kassidy Yeates pregnant with Capt. Benjamin Sisko's child, the Avatar, hence the name of the books.

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard makes an interesting discovery... yes but it wouldn't be fair to disclose it here... please read it and enjoy why this discovery will effect the Deep Space 9 and those of the Alpha Quadrant.

A good book for reading and getting character development. Also, this is where we get to know Kira Nerys better.

There is a great chornology of events that happen in linear time at the beginning of the book. Great to keep everyone in perspective perspicaciousness.

Read and enjoy this book as it will be refered to in future writings in this genre.

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.

I found that much of this book was a buildup for Book 2. Not that that's a bad thing, but it was what I deem a "necessary introduction" for the DS9 Relaunch. The characterization is good, but not as complete or rounded as in the Reeves-Stevenses' Millenium trilogy (a must read!).

The book starts with a recap of important events from pre-DS9 (ie Occupation of Bajor, Orbs) to the finale where Odo, Worf (and Martok), Garak, O'Brien, Rom AND Sisko have all left DS9. I must say at first I wondered how a show (book, whatever) could proceed with a) Kira in charge; b) only Ezri, Bashir, Kira, Jake and Nog and Quark (who is spot on perfect btw) left from the original cast (oh and Yates). But surprisingly it works very well. The main reason for this is the introduction of some new characters. However, I deeply missed the interplays with Worf and especially Garak. And without O'Brien, Bashir is demeaned to the position of the relationship character with Ezri...

The best part about the book I found is the solid character development for the new characters, but also Ezri and to some degree Kira (though she's still arrogant).

Andorian Ensign ch'Thane is probably the most refreshing character. To delve into a new race is great fun, and Book 2 offers a lot more intrigue (and I'm assuming the Gamma books).

Elias Vaughn. This guy rocks, I can't wait to read more about him. This 101 year old Starfleet veteran is going through a change of mindset and his introspection is fascinating.

Lt. Ro Laren. She's there to take over Odo's position (which is funny cuz Kira loves Odo but dislikes Ro). Ro's arrivial bugged me for several reasons. Understand I think it is brilliant to have her on DS9, but she's very poorly introduced. First, the information in the two Avatar books contradicts the Dominion War books and totally discredits all the awesome work she did with Picard during that time.. which WOULD have made sense as to why she was instated on DS9. Instead, some lame excuse about terrorist attacks against Dominion is given, and despite the Federation's (or Starfleet's) qualms about Ro and requests NOT to let her on DS9, Bajor goes against their wishes (which *should* harm their chances at Federation membership but surprise, doesn't) and puts her there anyways, for no real reason. But ignoring that, Ro has always been one of those characters you just love to get more of, and she's her typical rebellious self here, and it's grand!

The Plot is very good. I especially like the idea surrounding the Jem'Hadar soldier. Jake loves his father as much as he did in "The Visitor", yet it seemed obvious to me that from his first reading of the Prophecy that he had probably misinterpretated it. If the author thought she was being sneaky, she was wrong. It was quite clear that Jake was being naive... or was he?

The attack on the station is quite wonderful, and provides the bulk of the action. The murder investigation is nowhere as indepth as that from the Millenium trilogy.
The religious talk is nowhere as deep as that from the Millenium trilogy, but is still interesting. It really picks up more in Book 2 where Ro loses it. It is good to see why Ro opposes the Bajoran faith (which IS well explained).

Also, don't let the cover fool you, this is a DS9 book, not a TNG book. Though Picard is in this book, he and the TNG crew do little, though Book 2 is a different story.

Overall this book is a good read! I definetely had some problems with it, but once I forgave them reading it became quite interesting. I definetely wanted to read Book 2 right after (which I am doing) and am sure it will lead me to read all the Gamma books and subsequent Perry novels. All in all a good start for Season 8 of DS9!

AVATAR picks up the story about three months after the events of the series finale, Rom is now Grand Nagus, Worf and Garak have left the station for the Klingon Empire and Cardassia, Odo has returned to the Great Link, and the O'Briens have returned to Earth, and Sisko has entered the Wormhole to be with the Prophets. On the station everyone is adjusting to the changes, particularly Jake and Kassidy, who is pregnant with Sisko's child.

While working on Bajor Jake is informed of a newly discovered prophecy, one that personally involves him, his father and the soon to be born baby. He also discovers that the prophecy is apparently a dangerous thing to know about, the Bajoran who had discovered it was found murdered on DS9 a few days later.

In addition the Wormhole, which has been firmly closed since Sisko's disappearance has suddenly opened emitting a Jem'Hadar invasion force, and perhaps a messenger from Odo. As if that is not bad enough the station and the Defiant are in the midst of repairs and upgrades, leaving them unprotected. As this first book of the two volume story ends DS9 has sent a message to the Enterprise requesting help.

Enjoyment of this book and it's sequel will be in direct proportion to the reader's interest in the series. Those who still remember the sadness and frustration they felt as the final scenes of the finale played out and then faded on the sight of the slowly spinning station against the backdrop of the stars will not want to miss finding out what happens next.
Those who only caught a few episodes will be much less interested in this story arc.

I really enjoyed Avatar book one and two, and, the section 31 book that followed. I had just happened apon the Section 31 book earlier last week in a bookstore, thought it looked interresting and read it on and off over a day. The storyline was engaging and understandable enough with out avatar, but, there were things going on I didn't understand.. like Jake disappearing and how Ro ended up on Deep Space 9. It was like I missed an episode of the TV show. lol That's when I noticed (on the back cover) there was avatar that was supposed to go before the section 31 book.

Anyway... I bought both of them and read them in two days flat. That's a major accomplishment for me as I have a small child - I'd read during naps and when playing with daddy. These books were a really fast read and were true to the characters already established in DS9 and TNG. Also, it was really great to see the mix of those two series. I've always thought someone should have done more to blend the two somehow.

I"m giving the book 5 stars even if the epilogue read somewhat disconnected. Maybe the author wanted the book to be an obvious cliffhanger? (Hey.. what can I say...Empire Strikes Back was my favorite Star Wars movie. hehe) Well, it worked! Now I"m eagerly awaiting the next DS9 books to come out.

This book was a most pleasant surprise for me. I have grown a little wary of the Trek book series (seems like every book that has come out recently is part of a series), but I was interested in the idea of continuing the tale of DS9 from the very beginning. The plot in Avatar is not complicated, but it is satisfying and not overly ambitious. Where the book shines is in the characterization and little details. Perry seems to have a very intricate knowledge of the Trek universe down to the little technical details. He even makes the technobabble make sense. The set-up was excecuted well and came out as very natural. Perry also left enough space for the new characters to grow and skillfully handled the relationships between the new and old characters. The only complaint I have is that the ending doesn't seem to be conclusive at all. I think part one and two should have been a single book. I guess the publishers just wanted for the fans to pay the seven dollars twice.

It's like season eight has begun with this new launch of the DS9 book series. Col. Kira has never been portrayed better than in this novel. There are the old familiar characters with lots of new ones to follow. It's a rare treat to read a novel that is very much like it's TV counterpart. I hope S.D.Perry continues to write this extrodinary series. Perry should have monthly or bi-monthly installments of this series to write. Of all the series; DS9 deserves a writer as good as this!

I made the mistake of only purchasing Book 1 and had to wait before I could put another order to get book 2. As an avid DS9'er, I was thrilled to discover the series is continued in books and I was not disappointed. Quark lovers will definately enjoy this book.

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.