Customer Reviews

Shadow of Heaven (Star Trek Voyager, No 21, Dark Matters Book Three of Three)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An exciting and extremely satisfying conclusion to Christie Golden's "Dark Matters" trilogy. Golden manages to keep you on the edge of your seat as you turn each page. The various story threads interweave skillfully as the adventure builds to the end.

This is a fantastic trilogy! The third book was as engaging as the first two, I simply could not put it down. Not only were the Voyager regulars beautifully written, but the Romulan characters were excellent. Jekri Kaleh was absolutely captivating, and I came to really care what became of her.

I've heard several comments from various Star Trek fans who feel there were flaws with technobabble. And I also noticed the slip up where someone speaks to Paris on the bridge, when he had been missing since early on in the story. But to be completely honest, I don't see the big deal. When I saw Tom being addressed in that scene, I simply smiled to myself and went on. It didn't distract me from the story. Why? Because the story isn't really ABOUT the technobabble. It's about the hearts of these characters that I have come to love and adore so much.

Christie Golden has a way of capturing the essence of the Voyager characters that seems to elude most authors. She gives them depth and a realism that many Voyager novels lack. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Voyager not only for the space battles and futuristic technology, but for the heart and the character interaction.

Shadow of Heaven is a wonderful conclusion to a brilliant story. If you love Janeway's wry humor mixed with her deep devotion to her crew, or B'Elanna's Klingon temper toned down by her newly found sense of belonging and acceptance, and all the things that make each character unique ... if you love action, humor, and emotion all rolled up neatly into one story - this trilogy is for you.

Kudos to Christie Golden! Once again, she wrote a book that touched my heart, and took my mind off of reality for a short while. What a gift. Thank you, Christie!

"Shadow of Heaven" is the wonderfully well told conclusion of Christie Golden's Dark Matter trilogy! Of the several Star Trek Voyager books I've read to date, I would definitely have to put this particular trilogy at the top of any list of Voyager novels and well into the top ten of any list of top Trek novels in any series!

Where "Cloak and Dagger" and "Ghost Dance" established the trilogy and furthered it along, "Shadow of Heaven" quickly takes shape in the beautiful "Trek" fashion of wrapping up the many strands that make up a great story! Christie Golden's skills as a writer, in setting up a very plausible premise, carrying an exceptional pace and imbedding a highly intriguing twist or two all shine through brilliantly in this trilogy, making this third novel one that is hard to put down until you've reached the last page.

One extremely minor note of caution in this third novel is that there are some fairly glaring mistakes in where people are but I would highly recommend dismissing those editorial misses as I did, all in favor of the overall excellence of this exemplary tale!

The cover art for this third and final novel in the Dark Matters trilogy is in keeping with the other two in that they're a cut above the rest of the novels published in the same time frame.

The Premise:

Where the first novels established the premise and furthered the story, Christie Golden does an exceptional job of wrapping up the many threads of this wonderful Trek tale where we finally become privy to the rogue Shepherds plot and the good Shepherds role; the exceptional character of the Romulan chairman of the Tal Shiar, Jekri Kaleh and the conclusion of her intriguing tale; the troubles that Chakotay and Paris go through in the Shadow universe and ultimately, the trials that Captain Janeway and her remaining crew aboard Voyager must go through to conclude this extraordinary chapter in their journey home...

Overall, I highly recommend this entire trilogy to any and all who are fans of great Star Trek fiction that more than capably makes up for the lack of these series airing on a weekly basis for our viewing enjoyment. Additionally, I'd highly recommend any other novels written by Christie Golden as she is an exceptional author whose work "must" be acknowledged as among the best in the world of Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}

This is the third installment of the three part series, Dark Matters: Shadow of Heaven written by Christie Golden.

What a wrap-up! All along you were hopeful that things would turn for the better... with the Voyager characters and the universe... the Romulans, the Shepards... even the deceitful rogue... as if I should doubt.

Christie Golden pulled it off in her unique way... I was riveted to the whole series, not only were they fast reading, but captivating till the end. And, yes, I too had a chuckle when Paris was not on the bridge... ahh just a little brain flatulence nothing more... something a good proof reader should have caught.

Nonetheless, a good story told well. To get the whole story reading all three volumes is a must. The Romulans were excellently portrayed, true to the essence of their character... even some redemption.

Shadow of Heaven was an incredible ending to an equally amazing epic that stretches across three volumes. One of the book's most compelling points is the masterful exploration of Romulan society and their people's frame of mind, a segment of the Star Trek universe that is too often neglected. The storyline is complex and yet its points, both superficial and philosophical, are easily grasped by the most casual readers. The characters are developed and believable. The readers will find them very easy to emphasize with.

The story takes a most innovative approach to the all too typical "end of the universe" plot. Despite getting off to a slow start in book one, the story line accelerates to warp speed near the end of volume one and takes the reader on a ride of their life through volume 2 and brings them to a climatic conclusion that is bitter sweet in volume 3. Truly, Dark Matters shines brightly as one of Voyager's finest.

This last book in the series of three really packs a punch. Its' crossover aspects gives a fresh distration to the overall storyline. Well written, especially in regards to the character authenticity. You have to ge all three - don't try and read just this one by itself.

While it's certainly not the best Star Trek book I have ever read, it is certainly in the to fifty percent. One warning, however, the book will take quite a while to make sense if you have not yet read the other two proceeding it in the series (kind of like watching the second half of an episode, minus the montage at the beginning that summarizes the first part). Other than that, however, it is a good read -- by itself, or as the final book in the series.

I found the first and last books in the Dark Matters trilogy more amusing than the second. I feel that Christie Golden goes into too much detail with the Ailaan and the Culiann and that more depth should have been given to the Entity, Kes. Overall it was a great book ,and I enjoyed reading about the Tal'Shiar and Jerki Kaleh.

Wow, this was an exciting conclusion to the Dark Matters trilogy. I was quite touched and saddened regarding Kim's love affair but was satisfied with the end or how this 3rd and last book ended. I've enjoyed this trilogy so much even though it's been out in the market for so long. Thank God for libraries! Thank you Christie Golden for this fun 3-book ride on Voyager. Dark Matters is highly recommended if you are a Star Trek Voyager fan.

I believe some have extremely over rated this book. Sure, it was good over all. Finally the plot lines come together and Jerki finds Telek and everyone else comes together. Yet, there were certain things that really bothered me about this novel that others have failed to mention. First of all, it took me a while at least to really get into it. I had to literally put the book down, read about eight other novels ( including the DS9 post-finale books, pick them up ) and then come back to it. After a few months away from the book, it appeared better. Just as Golden did in ' Seven of Nine' and the previous books of this series alone, the majority of the plot is given to Paris and Chakotay's alien friends. Total bore. FINALLY around mid way through, Golden realizes its a Voyager novel and Janeway and crew are given their moment to shine before the plot snaps back to the rather wasteful Kim and alien relationship and the Paris/Chakotay issue.

Another problem I had was that it appeared Golden simply started throwing things together near the end. She even slips up at one point when Voyager is faced with danger, Janeway tells Paris to take the ship back. Well duh, PARIS is not even on Voyager and clearly it was meant to be Tom Paris. The whole emotional part added to all the characters, including Seven of Nine, R'Mor, Jerki and every other character in the novel was just out of character. I'm sorry, I can't see Seven near tears over not saying good bye to a Romulan she worked with for around a week. Janeway goes wimp at the end, Kim has an emotional break down, its simply something that ruined the novel near the end. Another BORE factor was the near ten page summary of Dark Matter. I'm no Data or Spock or Janeway in that I know little about Dark Matter itself and a full report within a ruined ending was not that pleasing. In all, as Seven would say, its an ' efficient' book. The best part about it is the Entity HERSELF, how troubled she is following ' Fury.' I thought this novel took place during 5th season Voyager... yet Kes' involvement would sorta say it took place following Fury which would put it in season 6 I believe. Ack, buy Dark Passions, DS9's The Avatar, the New Earth series or Double Helix if you haven't hit them up yet. Gateways appears to be promising, yet I think Golden is set to write the Voyager novel so :: rolls eyes :: We'll pray for it.