Customer Reviews

Mere Mortals (Star Trek: Destiny, Book II)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the first book of the trilogy you can bet that I was extremely excited about reading the second book. The Star Trek universe is about to have something happen that will change the face of it forever. The "Destiny" Trilogy is a perfect title because this story reminds me ofsomething that is felt in very few novels and that is something that will impact everything that is published for quiet some time.

This book picks up right were book one leaves off. The Enterprise and the Aventine are now working together to uncover the secret behind the subspace tunnels and Borg entrances and exits to and from the Alpha quadrant. The Titan crew has become the newest prisoners of a race of beings known as the Caeliar. The Caeliar you find out in "Gods of Night" were responsible for the disappearence of the Columbia and of course Erika Hernandez's long journey with the Caeliar and how she became many years younger when she welcomed the crew of the Titan that she was when she disappeared.

It is very simple if you were a big fan of the first book then you are in for a real treat. In my opinion "Gods of Night" while a great read was just setting the table and "Mere Mortal" you are starting to eat the meal. This book is better than Gods of Night a lot more action and everything starts to come into focus. The danger of the Borg hits you in the face by the end of the novel. We are not just talking about another little battle with the Borg, this is war.

Bottom line: If you like "Gods of Night" then you will absolutley love "Mere Mortal" and even if you struggled to get thru the first book you still need to give this book a go it is a lot better.

Grade: A

After the almost child-like and flat writting in Greater than the Sum I was about ready to give up on TNG works. While not nearly as stupid as the Voyager relaunched it certainly found itself leaning to that simple third grade writing style rather than the rich, compelling and complicated beauty that is the DS9 works, in particular the fabulous Terok Nor trilogy. However, the first two books, Mere Mortals, in particular, have renewed my interest. Well written and impossible to put down, the authors weave a number of stories as they flesh out characters that we can like, dislike or simply believe in. What I found most interesting was the story of Erika Hernandez and her three crewwoman stuck on Axion. It is such a sad, desperate tale that truly leaves the reader feeling for each of these characters and more specifically Hernandez. The writing is great and the stories are well crafted. Each crew and story gets its own time and never seems to long or rushed. While initially suspicious of the Borg storyline (since I feel it has been exhausted and while fine in this one hopefully will end) I was happy to see that while in the background, it really isn`t a focal point. The books thus far are more about the crews and individual characters. About time that we fleshed some of these characters out! Finally, Voyager shows up, and while it is a short appearance at least they weren`t ignored as much as they have been in recent publications. All in all, a great read for anyone.

Picking up where Gods of Night left off, Captain Riker and the Titan have stumbled upon the Caeliar and are now trapped as another captain and crew was. Meanwhile, Captain Picard and Captain Dax have joined forces to investigate the area that the Borg may be using to enter the Alpha Quadrant. And back on Earth, President Bacco must convince every neighboring empire and alliance to help defend the quadrant against the Borg invasion.

Time is running out for the crew of the Titan, and not just in their fight against the Borg. Deanna's pregnancy is becoming more detrimental to her health. But she doesn't want help from the Caeliar even though they are far more advanced technologically. This part of the story bothers me a bit. Obviously, she's distraught and wanting to keep her baby at all costs. But wouldn't you check to see if the Caeliar had the technology to help heal her and keep the baby? I know she doesn't trust them. But if she's truly as desperate to keep her baby (as most women would be), you'd think she'd be willing to try anything. As a female reviewer, I obviously got hung up on this subplot and found myself siding with Troi from the beginning.

Captain Hernandez has gone through a lot of changes, mentally and physically. Her character has the most depth in this story, as the central storyline revolves mostly around her. She's intriguing and easy to sympathize with. I'm looking forward to seeing where the author takes her next.

And, of course, on the frontlines of the invasion, the Borg are proving to be near impossible to combat. As the situation grows worse, tensions and suspense run high. And Mere Mortals ends on a major cliffhanger that left me on the edge of my seat. I'm eagerly awaiting the conclusion - Lost Souls, set to release in late November. Again, Star Trek fans, don't miss this crossover trilogy!

I have read Book One "Gods of Night" of STAR TREK destiny and I'm half-way through Book Two "Mere Mortals" of STAR TREK destiny; I anticipate reading Book Three with great enjoyment as well as excitement. I am of the opinion that David Mack is an excellent science-fiction writer; his characters are so real & recognizable to me. I mean they are so much like the characters on TV, maybe even better because he lets you get inside their heads and hearts. David Mack really understands the STAR TREK universe and the people,politics,forces,and power relations of good sci-fi fiction. Keep them coming...Mack.

The second book continues to drive the multilayered story forward in a creative and compelling manner. I cannot wait to find out what happens in the end, but am content reading along to see it all unfold. I really cared less about the Hernandez subplot at first but have all kinds of theories as to where it will lead and can't wait to see it unfold. I care for those characters now, and that is the mark of good writing. I wanted to see more of Riker, and that is my only negative comment about any of the Titan series books...more Riker!!!

Not only Mere Mortals but the complete trilogy "Destiny" is great. The way that so many questions are answered regarding the borgs and how the whole ordeal is close is creative, sound and interesting. I will recommend this for every TNG fan even though the Picard that is presented is a shadow of the one I remember from the TV series...of course all fits according to the history but is the one thing that kept me sometimes wondering... this somber and pesimistic guy is just not the same captain I recall but the story is great.

Although slightly darker than Book 1: Gods of Night, Book 2: Mere Mortals retains the excitement, the emotion, and the storytelling excellence that I've come to expect from works by Trek novelist David Mack.

The characterizations were genuine and the plot was captivating from page one onward. Mack has an impeccable understanding of the Star Trek universe and uses it to make the book come to life with believable dialogue and detailed narration. For instance, during a triage scene, the meticulous use of futuristic medical-babble made it seem like I was really in a 24th-century sickbay.

If you enjoyed the first Star Trek: Destiny novel, this book is for you! (If you haven't read Book 1: Gods of Night, do so before picking up this book.) Enjoyment is guaranteed.

Star Trek: Destiny, Mere Mortals, could not be a better continuation of the adventures started in book one. As one reads, the details of the story seems to come together slowly, boiling down to a specific idea/climax.
The characters are very real, with the author painting an authentic picture of how the Federation would deal with a threat to it's existance.

I have to admit that the Destiny Trilogy, and Star Trek after the post-Nemesis 24th century is shaping up into what it really ought to be- adventrous, spontaneous. I felt that before Nemesis, there was no real tractions in the Trek novel- all the main characters lived on, and the ship was not destroyed and they lived on to go to their next adventure. Destiny breaks all rules and barriers- and so did "Before Dishonor", which rocked the Trek world with the death of Admiral Janeway. I think that "Mere Mortals" takes us into a darker road of Trek, one that isn't as hope filled, and continous. It's about time the Federation "More than met their match" for once, with their challenges of the Borg invasion adn the alusive Caeilar. For those of you who are hoping for some change in the Trek universe, and a little bit of a shake up- "Mere Mortals" is an exceptional good sequels of "Gods of Night".

Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of NightStar Trek: Destiny: Mere MortalsStar Trek: Destiny: Lost Souls

A fantastic trilogy, the best Star Trek story of all. My hats off to David Mack.

"bows its head and prays to the mother of all machines"