Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, it seems DS9's story is not yet over, and if the next books in the series are as good as the Avatar Duology, then Star Trek fans have a great time ahead. Set 3 months after the events of "What You Leave Behind..", Avatar returns us to Starbase DS9 (is it the first time DS9 is reffered to as a STARBASE?) and to its key personnel : Kira, Bashir, Dax et al. (not to mention some new characters, some introduced earlier in the comic book series N-Vector). The plot? well, a real page-turner that deals with a newly-discovered ancient Bajoran text which deals with Sisko and Kassidy's unborn child. The effect of this text, as well as its future implications for Jake and Kira (above all others) keep the reader at the edge of his\hers seat and set the stage quite nicely for future tales. The new characters? I, for one , really like the new Jem'Hadar "observer" (and I won't spoil it for people who haven't read the books, but not all is what it seems..). I also took quite a liking to Commander Vaughn - the new soldier "first officer" in much the same way that Kira used to be.. ..quite a reversal, where once this was a Starfleet station with a Bajoran second-in-command, it is now , more than before, a Bajoran station with a Starfleet second-in-command.

All in all, a great start to the next phase of Star Trek in general and DS9 in particular. It is actually almost as good as the Millennium Trilogy, which ranks as my all-time favorite Trek story (including ALL incarnations!).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This is a review of the two part Star Trek: Deep Space Nine story called Avatar.

The only disappointment I with the Deep Space Nine TV series was with the way they ended it. It was a bit anti-climactic, the final episode wasn't well-written, but it also left me really wishing that we could see where the characters would go from there. Thus, I was overjoyed when I saw that Pocket Books was going to continue the Deep Space Nine story, starting with the two book series called Avatar, by S.D. Perry. Was it worth the wait? Was it worthy of the Deep Space Nine name?

To quote a famous 60s persona stuck in the 90s, "YEAH, BABY!"

Avatar contains a wonderful mix of the characters fans love along with a selection of new characters that have a lot of potential. Perry has come up with a very plausible way for the story to continue, that contains action, intrigue, romance, and personal strife. Probably the best portrayed, though, is Colonel Kira. Kira was one of my favourites on the TV show, and it's a testament to Perry's writing that I could hear Nana Visitor speaking the lines and going through the conflicts that the story puts her through. Kira is so well-rounded (though it does help that the TV show provided a wonderful springboard for this), and Perry paints the angles and the gray areas of the character marvelously. When Kira has to go through a crisis of faith, with the prophecy making her choose between her religious beliefs and what's best for the people of Bajor, I could feel the tension radiating off of the page.

The rest of the returning characters succeed admirably as well. Dr. Julian Bashir and Ezri Dax continue the relationship that they formed during the last season of the TV, but they find that interspecies romance isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Nog, the young Ferengi ensign who matured greatly during his fighting in the war, especially when he lost his leg in battle, has become the new Chief of Operations on the station. He's still dealing with the emotional trauma of the war, and it doesn't help when a Jem'Hadar warrior from the Dominion beams on board and claims to be there on a peace mission. All of the characters are very true to their characterization from the series, but Perry expands on that as well. All of them seem real, but they show the ability to grow in interesting ways. I look forward to more character growth in the rest of the series.

The new characters are just as good. I found Ro Laren the most intriguing. She's a character from the Star Trek: The Next Generation series, a Bajoran who joined a rebel group against the Federation, but is now the new security chief on the station. She brings a real emotional conflict with her, trying to decide where she belongs, and whether or not she belongs among her fellow Bajorans. She doesn't have the same faith in the Prophets that her people do, and this often puts her into conflict with Kira. I found that Ro's character really stood out in this one, and I think she'll quickly become my favourite of the new bunch. She'll always have a slight chip on her shoulder, which will bring her into some conflict with the rest of her compatriots. It should be interesting to see how her relationship with Kira develops, especially after what happens at the end of the book.

I found the Vaughn character slightly annoying, just because he seemed almost too perfect. He's 101 years old, only a Commander but yet seeming to have the ear of all the higher-ups in Starfleet. He doesn't really come across as haughty; he's actually more philosophical than anything else. However, he just seems to know everything. Hopefully his character will be a little subtler in subsequent books. Ensign Shar, the Andorian technical officer, is also given a nice character hook, but not much is done with it. I think that will be done more in future books as well. What we are given, though, is very nice.

I've said a lot about the characters, mainly because I think they are very important to any Star Trek series, whether it's a book series or TV series. But how is the plot? I'm pleased to say that Perry hits a home run with that as well. It's the perfect continuation from the TV series, yet completely understandable to anybody picking this up with no knowledge of the series. It even has a complete timeline of the TV series at the beginning of Book 1, which is a tremendous help to new readers as well as forgetful older readers as well. Perry blends the plots very well, all of them interacting at points, but having their own resolution. There's no contrived "one size fits all" solution to everything.

In fact, not everything is completely resolved, and the book actually ends on an emotional cliffhanger, which I found pleasing. It really brought the feel of the TV series back to the books, as if this is a true continuation, Season 8 if you will. Character arcs don't end in the same book where they begin. The book is self-contained plot-wise, but things aren't necessarily rosy when the book ends. I found this a really nice touch.

There are no gaping plot holes, and everything leads naturally into each other. There are no contrived situations either. Perry writes with ease, and her prose is very good for this kind of book. It's not literature, but it doesn't aspire to be. Instead, it aspires to be a great Star Trek novel, and in that it succeeds admirably. Between the two books, you get over 500 pages of action-adventure, interesting characters and lots of drama. What more could you ask for?

This is really a review for both books 1 & 2 of the series, being as they should have been published togehter, even at a more expensive price would have been okay, cause I would much prefer to have them in one volume. Anyway, the plot his been discussed to death so I think I'll just ad one thing in reference to the quote from the back of the book that says on the adventure someone will:

"make a starling discovery...that will affect the destiny of an entire civilization..."

Well this, I believe, refers to the book that was discovered, and how it will forever change the way bajor looks at religion. From now on the civilization founded upon strict adherence to one religion is going to be forced to start leniently letting factions branch off based on such books as the one discovered. No longer will such books be turned in to the vedeks and burned instantly, they will be explored as the one discovered in Avatar was. Anyway, just my two cents.

I thought what that vedek did to Kira was rather unbelivable though. Sure he was upset at her, but wouldn't the rest of the vedek assembly see that she was following the 'will of the prophets' as they did prove that prophecy true. Ah - well. It'll make a good plot point in further books.

Speaking of further books: I WANT MORE!!! NOW! I just found out that S31: Abyss picks up where Avatar left off so I'm off to buy and read it. But it'll be over in days and then where will I be!?!?!?! I want one a week! Boy I miss the show.

So to anyone else missing the show, it's great to see them finally picking up where the show left off and expanding on the epic story that DS9 began. I also like seeing the enterprise in the story cause it just makes sense. Them being in the same part of the universe, you'd think they'd cross path's more often!

Kudos to S.D. Perry!

I loved the way this book ended. It did not wrap everything up in a neat little package, but rather ends with the words: The Beginning. Since that is what these books are. They are the beginning of the DS9 relaunch, and are set up as an introduction to new characters who have replaced those gone on (Worf, O'Brien, Garak and Rom make no appearances at all. Odo is talked about and briefly seen in action, and Sisko...well there's mystery surrounding that guy!).

Other people have had problems with the way the book ends, but I loved it. A reviewer said that Book 1 could have been the opening episode of DS9's eighth season, and I completely agree! Book 2 would be the continuation of the season premiere, and WHAT A CONTINUATION! Book 2 is much better than the necessary Book 1. All the new characters are well flushed out and relationships are solidified (Ro and Kira; Dax and Bashir; Vaughn and everyone; ch'Thane and Nog; etc.). The plot quickens and the truth behind Kitana'klan's statements is revealed... with a neat twist.

I can say for sure that I want to keep reading the rest of the "episodes" in the DS9 relaunch. The way they are set up (the other books that is) is that they flow from Avatar in a sequence so that there's great continuity! "Abyss", Bashir's section 31 romp continues where Avatar left off, and it's good to see that it doesn't bother reintroducing everyone, but assumes you've read Avatar and know the deal. For this reason, I love that Avatar does not get wrapped up, but leaves itself open for plenty more books (which were subsequently written). I especially like the manner in which the idea of exploring the Gamma Quadrant opens up.

Problems: One will have to ignore the Dominion Books (1&3) since it contradicts Ro and Picard's relationship. Personally I liked how it was dealt with in this book (and I liked how it clears up why Ro didn't got to a Federation penal colony). However, it cheapens the Dominion Books which saw some great action for Ro and Picard... so you be the judge if you can deal with the HUGE discrepancy.

Missed Opportunities: Seeing the TNG crew in action!!! Riker does virtually nothing, when so much could have been done, especially considering the Thomas Riker incident! Crusher does a good job filling in as CMO. Troi does a little. But a real disappointment was the lack of any Data dialogue with Bashir (common, seeing an android and genetically engineered human interact would have been brilliant) or even ch'Thane or Dax or others who are curious about Data.
The biggest mistake I think was the lack of seeing Geordi LaForge work on DS9's repairs! We learn that O'Brien has kept in touch with Geordi and told him all about DS9's screw ups... so how cool would it have been to see Geordi trying to tackle some of those problems... and seeing the Chief's innovations... and commenting on them and whatnot! That was definetely a missed opportunity.

But, ignoring what wasn't in the book, what was in it was excellent. It was good to see a Federation-Klingon-Romulan task force and hear them lectured from a Jem'Hadar supposedly sent from Odo... really good stuff.
The Avatar prophecy sort of gets shoved aside quickly, but resurfaces in an interesting way indeed! It was good to see the interaction between Ro, Kira, Vedek Yevir and Kassidy. Their heated debate was excellent and I was just screaming for someone to say what I was thinking when finally Kass lets it loose! Oh baby that was excellent! Good religious/spiritual (maybe philosophical?) and conformist/orthodox interplay!
Everything else was really interesting, and the scene at the central core was very intense!
It was good to see th'Chane's character explained a bit more, and you can tell a lot more will revolve around this young ensign in the future!
The job Perry does with setting up Vaughn as a guy you have to like deserves kudos. I love this guy already and keep hoping Sisko won't return so he can stay as XO! Seriously, he's THAT cool! He's only a Commander but with Admiral-type knowledge and secrets. I can't wait to hear some of them in later books!

Book 1 was good; Book 2 is much better! Although it would have been better to have the books in one set, it takes nothing away from them to have them alone. Though I absolutely recommend reading Book 1 before reading Book 2.

If you plan to read any of the DS9 relaunch books, I highly recommend reading Avatar first, for otherwise characters in the later novels won't be as flushed out as they are here. If you haven't read Garak's "A Stitch in Time" novel, which takes place after he returns to Cardassia in ruins, I highly recommend reading that novel first. Avatar makes quick mention of Bashir reading Garak's communique (which is the book).
Also, if you haven't read the Reeves-Stevenses' Millenium trilogy (available as 3 separate books, or in an Omnibus version) I highly recommend reading that as well. So far those two novels are the best of the DS9 series, though Avatar came close in many instances.

I look forward with enthusiasm to reading the rest of the DS9 relaunch novels. Look for my next review for Section 31: Abyss.

Avatar book two opens up new possibilities for the future of the trek book series. Finally, books which are consistant with one another, and individual books build on a richer picture to continue an ongoing history.

I greatly enjoyed this book, it's well writen, the charachters portraied very well. There are some incridibly tense situations as past personal histories are brought together, and new charachters brought in as well, including one very intriguing Commander Elias Vaugn. Ezri Dax is more thoroughly explored as she comes to terms with the depth of meanings of being a joined Trill and the possibilities and consequences this brings for her.

Quark brings some humor to the story in an oh-so-Quarkish way. Jake is on a mission alone to find his father, and I'm looking foward to the future book which explores this adventure. For now, this is only the begining of a great new era in trek books.

Eagarly reading this book to find answers to certain questions and plot resolutions, I was sorely mistaken. It advances some plots, but others are left dangling. One of the most disappointing things about the book was the fact that "Avatar" has not happened yet and the plot involving Jake has not gone anywhere. The mystery involving the mysterious Jemhadar soldier "Kitana'klan" was resolved to my satisfaction and opens up some interesting possibilities for future novels. There is one good fire fight and I'll add that S.D Perry describes them well.

The action, character development and the overall writing style compels me to give this book 4 stars. Were it not for the dangling plots, I would have given this book 5 stars. Oh, and the awkward relationship beween Ro Lauren and Quark is rather annoying and a waste of space.

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.

I loved this book and book 1. They were both very well written and I would encourage any Star Trek fans to read them!

This is for those who stared at the final scene of DS9 slowly turning and receeding against the backdrop of stars, silently (or not so silently) screaming 'NOOOOOOO', the AVATAR stories are for you.

Book One of AVATAR picked up a few weeks after the series finale, Worf, the O'Briens, Rom, Garak, Odo and Sisko are all gone while those remaining are picking up their lives and carrying on. There has been an attempted invasion by a small Jem'Hadar force, leaving behind a Jem'Hadar who claims to have been sent by Odo. On Bajor a new prophecy has been discovered, one that involves Sisko, Jake and Kasidy's unborn child. On the Enterprise a missing Orb of the Prophets has been located. All of these things converge on the station, sparking a controversy that threatens the very fabric of Bajoran society.

Those fans who are still mourning the end of the series will not want to miss either of the AVATAR books nor any of those that follow. More casual fans of the series may be at a bit of a loss to understand the missing characters and those who are not fans will probably not be reading this. The only complaint that I have with AVATAR is that the story should have been released as one, rather than two books, the first volume is obviously incomplete and the second makes absolutely no sense if the first has not been read.

This book was well-wriiten, with interesting characters placed in interesting situations. Unfortunately, not only does it not have a beginning (as one might expect from a book labelled "Book 2 of 2") but it doesn't even have much of an ending (which is the LEAST that one can expect from a "2 of 2"). It seems that it is actually book 2 of...umm...some undefined number GREATER than 2. ("Book 2 of 2" should NOT end on a cliffhanger!)

Enjoyable, but ultimately frustrating.