Stargate SG-1: Four Dragons [Mass Market Paperback]

Diana Dru Botsford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2010

Shortly after Daniel Jackson returns from his time among the ascended Ancients, he volunteers to join an archaeological survey of Chinese ruins on P3Y-702. But after accidentally activating a Goa'uld transport ring, Daniel finds himself the prisoner of the Goa'uld Lord Yu. Blaming himself for Daniel's capture, Jack O'Neill vows to go to any lengths to get him back - even if it means taking matters into his own hands.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Diana Botsford has written science fiction for a variety of mediums including books, television, stage and comics. Her screenwriting credits include "Rascals" for Star Trek: The Next Generation and episodes of Spiral Zone. She recently completed her first original novel, "Critical Past," and the comic book series, "The Fracture." Prior to picking up the pen, she worked in the television & film industry as a producer and Visual FX Supervisor.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Fandemonium Books (September 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905586485
• ISBN-13: 978-1905586486
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #406,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diana Botsford has written science fiction for a variety of mediums including books, film, television, theatre and comics. Prior to moving to the novel form, she wrote, produced and directed for 12 years in the television and film industry. Her screenwriting credits include Star Trek: The Next Generation (co-writer of the sixth-season episode "Rascals") and Spiral Zone, as well as development of various children's series for CBS, NBC and independent networks.

As a visual effects director, Botsford has enjoyed the opportunity to play techno-junkie while telling people like George Clooney how to stand in front of a bluescreen. As a producer, she worked on various television series such as the CBS series Harts of the West and Nightgames. Her visual effects work include Nightmare of Elm Street VI, Tank Girl, From Dusk Till Dawn, Terminator 2 and many independent films. As Associate Producer for D.I.C. Enterprises, and later as VP of Family Programming for Kushner-Locke, she produced over 1,000 hours of animation for shows that included Inspector Gadget, Heathcliff, M*A*S*K Force, Spiral Zone and the Columbia/Tristar film Pound Puppies & The Legend of Big Paw. Most recently, Botsford served as Executive Producer for the SF short Apollo which was a recent selection at the Athens, Greece International Science Fiction Film Festival.

In addition to Botsford's Stargate: SG-1 novels, The Four Dragons (2010) and The Drift (2011), her recently completed written work includes the SF novel Critical Past and the comic book series The Fracture. As head of the Screenwriting Program at Missouri State University, she attempts to corrupt her students' minds on a daily basis while educating them on the finer points of storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That's what I'm talking about!, September 14, 2010

By 

Geonn W. Cannon "geonn" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stargate SG-1: Four Dragons (Mass Market Paperback)

As people probably could tell by my bad review of the other Stargate novel released with this one, I had to take some time to let the taste wash out of my mouth before I risked reading another novel. I wish I hadn't. This book made up for all the problems in the other one, in spades. It gave us some great character development, good insights into the characters, an interesting exploration into one of the most enigmatic System Lords (he's our friend except when he isn't, except he's kind of friendly then, too).

It was a huge relief when I realized that it was 1:30 in the morning and I didn't want to stop reading. I had to know what happened next. Closing the book to go to bed was like stopping in the middle of an episode.

There were problems with the book, but they were far too minor to pick on here. An occasional typo, possible out-of-character dialogue (there were moments when Jack seemed a little too obnoxious... closer to Gregory House than Jack O'Neill, but his situation could explain that away), but nothing that made me want to drop the book.

This book made me want to break out my DVDs and rewatch every episode she referenced. There were scenes I remembered, but the book made me itch to actually see it again. And in an amazing move, she actually took what could have been considered a plot hole on the series and explained it beautifully.

This is what novels for TV series should do. They should explore the characters who weren't seen on the show and give them a turn under the microscope. Lord Yu wasn't my favorite System Lord, and I was hesitant about reading an entire novel focused on him. But it was a very enjoyable read and I give her a thumbs up for that.

The Stargate Novels crew need more authors like Diana Dru Botsford. The end of this book has mention of a possible continuation of the story in another novel. Unlike the Steven Savile novel, this information made me scan the "upcoming releases" at the back of the book to see when it would be available. I WILL be preordering that novel, and any other book with Diana Dru Botsford's name on it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Spirit of the Show Lives On., September 12, 2010

By 

zinke - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stargate SG-1: Four Dragons (Mass Market Paperback)

The television series may be over and a third movie in doubt, but the spirit of the show lives on in the latest Stargate: SG1 novelization, Four Dragons by Diana Dru Botsford.

Still adjusting to Daniel's return from his time amongst the Ancients, SG1 is sent to P3Y-702, where SGC scientists are conducting a survey of newly discovered ancient Chinese ruins. The mission is supposed to be a cakewalk; but it rapidly becomes something more when Daniel is unexpectedly captured by the mysterious System Lord Yu.

Jack, Sam and Teal'c immediately begin planning a rescue. But their efforts are hindered by the arrival of the Chinese Ambassador, who threatens to reveal the existence of the Stargate Program unless SG1 agree to his rather unusual demands.

While SG1 struggles to balance the political, the professional and the personal in an effort to bring their friend home, Daniel finds himself engaged in a bizarre battle of wits with the System Lord that leaves him wondering just what Yu's real motivations may be.

A fast-paced story with plenty of action, Four Dragons also offers revealing glimpses into the characters we've watched and grown to love over the years. Botsford takes the time to explore the impact Daniel's ascension and subsequent return have had on SG1 both individually and as a team - something viewers really didn't get from the television series - while simultaneously weaving those struggles into the larger story being told. Her character voices are spot-on, and their interactions are anything but flat or one-note.

But what makes this story so compelling is the presence of the enigmatic Lord Yu. The only known System Lord not to have adopted the persona of a God, Yu's always been something of a wildcard amongst the System Lords. Using what little scraps of information the show has given, Botsford meticulously builds a believable backstory that is both complex and confounding - just like the System Lord himself.

Though the story itself is anything but, Four Dragons feels familiar, like coming home after a long journey. It incorporates all the essential elements of a great Stargate: SG1 episode and does so with flair and intelligence. All in all a fun and fascinating read that draws you in from the first clink of Jack's Zippo lighter to the last and stresses the importance of memory, history and the things we carry with us - both literally and figuratively - from one day to the next.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SG-1 Four Dragons, September 14, 2010

By 

L. Gerling "abinathra" (North Dakota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stargate SG-1: Four Dragons (Mass Market Paperback)

Fans of the series will be delighted when reading Four Dragons by Diana Dru Botsford. The book has something for every fan. Love Teal'c? His quiet nobility is shown throughout the book. Sam fan? Her tech-savvy intelligence is evident. Like Daniel best of all? His academic intelligence will thrill you as he works his way through the game of Go. Think Jack is the end-all-be-all? His wry sense of humor and heroism has been written just for you.

The book reads like an episode of SG-1. The interplay of characters and point of view make it a fun read. Botsford obviously knows the series and uses her writing talents to share her love of SG-1 with her readers.