Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda: Destruction of Illusions (Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda) [Hardcover]

Keith R. A. DeCandido (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda | Publication Date: February 8, 2003

Captain Dylan Hunt of the Andromeda Ascendant--a mighty vessel of the Systems Commonwealth that encompassed three galaxies-- finds himself a man out of time. Three hundred years have passed, the Commonwealth has fallen, and chaos reigns in the Known Worlds.

Now, with a crew of salvagers, mercenaries, and misfits, Captain Hunt has set out to restore the Commonwealth and bring unity to the galaxies once again. But who are these hardy souls that have joined Hunt on his grand quest? Discover the story of Captain Beka Valentine and the crew of the Eureka Maru and the Nietzschean mercenary Tyr Anasazi, and how they came to sign on with the Andromeda Ascendant.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This space operatic romp marks the debut of a new tie-in series, to Gene Roddenberry's last televised brainchild, Andromeda. Following the tramp freighter Eureka Maru's rescue of the High Guard starship Andromeda Ascendant, which has been stuck in a black hole's event horizon for 300 years, the story flashes back to how the Maru reached this rendezvous. We soon realize that we're one universe over from Star Wars, complete with a princess to be kept from harm-though Catherine, one of the genetically tailored Nietzschean super-persons and pregnant to boot, is far from your standard congenial princess. The characterization is rather more polished than the perils-of-Pauline plot, notably in Captain Beka Valentine, as well as minor characters like the purple-skinned Trance, who carries an odd streak of good luck with her as she bumbles about. And DeCandido, the author of a number of novels based on Star Trek, Farscape and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, exhibits his usual dry wit. This is better than average franchise fiction, and bodes well for the series. (Feb.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Fans of the TV show Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda will be intrigued by this exciting adventure that adds to the series' rich backstory. Before Captain Dylan Hunt and his ship, Andromeda Ascendant, were rescued from a temporal freeze near a black hole, Captain Beka Valentine and her crew, who rescued Hunt, were scavengers for hire, pretty much for whoever hired them. As DeCandido's novel opens, Beka has to retrieve her ship, the Eureka Maru, from an impound lot. Far away on another planet, Tyr Anasazi, a proud member of the genetically engineered Nietzschean race, is helping the king and queen of Malani's Heaven escape a coup attempt with their lives. As Beka and crew search for work to pay for repairs to the Maru, Tyr winds up working for the leader of the Malani's Heaven coup. Paths gradually converge for the mission that will bring Beka and Tyr both to the Andromeda. DeCandido captures the world and characters of the show perfectly, giving fans much to enjoy here. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (February 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076530483X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765304834
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,270,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Keith R.A. DeCandido was born and raised in New York City to a family of librarians. He has written over two dozen novels, as well as short stories, nonfiction, eBooks, and comic books, most of them in various media universes, among them Star Trek, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, Marvel Comics, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, Resident Evil, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, Farscape, Xena, and Doctor Who. His original novel Dragon Precinct was published in 2004, and he's also edited several anthologies, among them the award-nominated Imaginings and two Star Trek anthologies. Keith is also a musician, having played percussion for the bands the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players, the Boogie Knights, and the Randy Bandits, as well as several solo acts. In what he laughingly calls his spare time, Keith follows the New York Yankees and practices kenshikai karate. He still lives in New York City with his girlfriend and two insane cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Enjoyable, February 13, 2003

By 

Jacqueline Bundy (Calabasas, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda: Destruction of Illusions (Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda) (Hardcover)

Fans of Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda are sure to be pleased with this first novel based on the popular Science Fiction television series. Author Keith R.A. DeCandido has crafted a well written and compelling story in the new hardcover novel Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda: Destruction of Illusions. Penning the first novel in a series can be difficult but Mr. DeCandido has risen magnificently to the challenge presenting for the readers enjoyment a tale that has action, adventure, humor and spot on characterizations.

Destruction of Illusions is a prequel, taking the reader through the story of how Beka Valentine and the crew of the Eureka Maru and Tyr Anasazi and his band of mercenaries came to find themselves part of the bold salvage operation of the Andromeda Ascendant in "Under the Night", Andromeda's pilot episode. Fittingly Destruction of Illusions begins and ends with the recovery of the Andromeda Ascendant.

As the reader follows the crew of the Maru through the events and adventures that lead them to Dylan, the hardships and realities of their life eking out a living in the former Commonwealth are vividly presented. We also get to learn what drove Tyr to do what he has done in his pursuit of restoring the Kodiak Pride to glory. Along the way there is a daring breakout, a liberal sprinkling of Nietzschean politics, a dangerous and dramatic museum heist, the appearance of several familiar faces and most importantly great character development. Oh yes, and Dylan and Roomie are in it as well.

DeCandido adroitly fleshes out the back-stories established onscreen for the characters in a tight well-paced plot. In the style of the show each chapter begins with a pertinent quotation. Since he has only been mentioned twice in the series, one character we finally get learn more about is Vexpag, Trance's forerunner on the Maru. He even gains a given name in the novel. But the character that I found myself seeing in a new light was Rev Bem. His importance to Beka and his unique personality shines through better in the pages of Destruction of Illusions that it has onscreen. Each and every character and event in Destruction of Illusions is keenly and skillfully portrayed allowing the reader to loss themselves in the story right up until you turn the last page.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's amazing, March 10, 2003

By 

"lenonn" (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda: Destruction of Illusions (Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda) (Hardcover)

Author Keith R.A. DeCandido has even surpassed his Farscape novel House of Cards with this book... and I did not even think that was possible. He proves that he knows the characters of the series well enough to capture each individual's voice perfectly and manages to mix elements of the show only previously discussed.

Whether it is Charlemagne Bolivar, Rev Bem, Seamus Harper or the Andromeda Ascendant herself, the characters are "spot-on" with how they are portrayed on the series. And even Vexpag is someone we grow to care about, even though you already know what is coming his way in terms of his fate. When Trance shows up... I had a huge smile on my face.

This book is highly recommended, especially for those fans who enjoyed seasons one and two, and those who miss that quality from season three. This is bar-none one of the best media tie-in novels I have ever read. I look forward to more Andromeda work, particuarly from Keith.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read! Star Trek fans give it a try!, February 3, 2003

By 

J. Bonavita "john31b" (Huntington, New York United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda: Destruction of Illusions (Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda) (Hardcover)

Finished this book in one day and all I can say is GREAT! As a die-hard Classic Star Trek fan I was quick to dismiss Andromeda as the latest Trek "rip off". What I have discovered after watching the first selection of episodes on DVD (received as a gift), is that the show is witty, intelligent, smart and fun (something that Star Trek lacks today). This book is as fun to read as the show is fun to watch. It is a great intro to the series with dead on characterization and fresh back stories (especially for Beka and crew). The author did a great job referring to popular episodes and is some cases expanded upon them in subtle ways.
This is a great read and reminds me of the early Star Trek novels of the 1970s and 1980s when authors had the freedom to expand upon another creators universe. Great job Mr. DeCandido! I look forward to your next visit to Andromeda!