Unity (Star Trek Deep Space Nine (Unnumbered Paperback)) [Mass Market Paperback]

S.D. Perry (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Trek Deep Space Nine (Unnumbered Paperback) | Publication Date: November 30, 2004

The assassination of First Minister Shakaar on the eve of Bajor's entry into the Federation has plunged both the planet and space station Deep Space Nine into chaos. Investigations revealed a conspiracy threatening not only Bajor but also the Federation. At the same time the very foundation of the deep spiritual faith for which Bajor is famous has been challenged by the contents of an ancient heretical text discovered by Colonel Kira Nerys. Now, after a harrowing and historic voyage of exploration in the Gamma Quadrant, the Starship Defiant is coming home with its weary, wounded crew. But their joy is short-lived as they find themselves caught up into the midst of the crisis, and some are forced to make choices which alter their lives. Captain Elias Vaughan learns the true purpose for which he was Touched by the Prophets -- and discovers in the process the ultimate fate of Captain Benjamin Sisko. Meanwhile, somewhere on Bajor, a long-awaited child is about to be born...

Editorial Reviews

Review

Gregory J. Dolnack, "The Storyteller's Archive" Let me say it plainly -- this was a helluva book.

About the Author

S.D. Perry is a top genre author who has written for Resident Evil, Aliens, Xena and Timecop as well as Star Trek. Her DS9: Avatar spearheaded the new, post-television series of Deep Space Nine books from Pocket.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074349654X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743496544
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,202,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tightening the relaunch, December 6, 2003

By 

Jason C. Garza "The English Major" (Moline, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unity (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) (Hardcover)

Due to two pregnancies (editor Marco Palmieri's wife and Perry herself), "Unity" was pushed back from its initial release of February. As such, fans of the relaunch have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Unity," which promises to deliver many of the answers fans have been waiting for. Indeed, it proves to wrap up old plot lines and create more, making for an extremely fast read (three hours); however, fans of Perry's previous work in the Trek universe already know of her fast-paced, well-written prose and deft characterization. One can almost hear the actors delivering their lines with customary inflection; from O'Brien to Kira to Opaka, the characters come alive on every page. If anything, the 330 or so pages are barely enough to contain the energy, development, and anticipation that build up through the entire novel.

At the center of "Unity" is, of course, the parasite crisis; Bajor and DS9 are under seige and the Bajoran sector is under lockdown. Cardassian warships surround both planet and station, a communications blackout in effect. Gul Macet, previously seen clawing at his throat when a parasite launches itself at the Dukat-esque Cardassian, is in charge of the Cardassian contingent. This is the scene that Vaughn and the crew of the "Defiant" find themselves entering.

Without revealing anything too much, "Unity" gives us more of the inner turmoil Vaughn finds himself facing after shooting the Borg-Ruriko in sickbay, the anger Prynn holds for Vaughn, the deep-seeded Trill desire for privacy in all matters internal, and, of course, Kira's Attainder.

Ro and Quark are given a lot of face time, and not just towards their romance; each have their own demons to face: if Bajor joins the Federation, Ro fears she will be turned over to Starfleet for prosecution and Quark fears he will be forced to leave DS9 for more profitable pastures. Taran'atar bonds with Wex, the stowaway whom Jake Sisko encountered when fulfilling his part of the Avatar prophecy. While not everyone is who they appear, one person holds true to her nature; the former Kai, Opaka Sulan.
It is she who finds a Bajor in spiritual crisis, telling Vedek Yevir it is not the texts Kira uploaded that have caused the split in faith; it is the Attainder the Vedek Assembly placed upon the colonel that has lead to Bajor fractured. The former Kai does not step up to retake her mantle, instead opting to allow spiritual politics to play out as they will, acting instead as a spirtiual counselor to the lost Elias Vaughn. She exposes him to the Orb of Unity, allowing for Vaughn to come face to face with the man he first encountered in the Badlands after opening the Orb of Memory. His role is significant to the novel, and while he is not completely healed at the conclusion of "Unity," the centenarian commander is well on his way, thanks to the Prophets.

Ultimately, we discover the fate of Sisko and Kasidy, see the true face of evil (read: parasite), and relish the return of the O'Brien's to the fore. We leave the novel with an Andor in a peril of its own creation and an Andorian alone, a Bajor redefined and a faith still fractured, a son coming to terms with his father's place in the universe, and, as the cover shows, a former Bajoran freedom-fighter trying out a new uniform. Sometimes frightening, sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet, and always breathtaking, "Unity" establishes Perry as the chancellor of the relaunch, leaving the reader satisfied yet wanting more.
Oh, I almost forgot; "somewhere on Bajor...a child long awaited is born."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful continuation of the DS9 saga!, December 10, 2003

By 

Jonathan Burgoine "bookseller" (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unity (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) (Hardcover)

I waited a very long time for this book, and I must say it was worthy of the wait. S.D. Perry began the relaunch of DS9 with the "Avatar" duet, and since then, I've been avidly watching the series unfold.

First off, the book captured the ensemble feel of the show excellently - the main characters - including the new characters written into the storyline to replace characters gone or lost at the show's end - all shine in their own way with their own interesting stories. The new plot-arc of the invading parasitic aliens - as we've seen on screen in TNG, and read about in the superb "Lives of Dax," short story collection - continues with a great deal of suspense and solid prose work.

Best of all, the internal minds and emotional states of the characters are both valid and consistant. Shar, especially, gets a lot of work in this book, as does Lieutenant Ro, who is definitely at a loss as to what she should choose, now that Bajor might merge with the Federation and her job would become a Starfleet one.

Granted, the purchase of a Star Trek hardcover often makes me flinch (it's quite expensive), but this one was worth it - even if I did tear through it in a single evening.

The only part of the book I have a caveat for is the 'Benny' storyline - I never quite liked Sisko's insane asylum plotline in the series, and having Elias Vaughn go through something similar grated on me a little - though, if you enjoyed the various visions Sisko had at the hands of the prophets in the show, you'll likely enjoy this also.

Very well done.

'Nathan

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Promise is Delivered, November 11, 2003

By 

Mary Ellis (Sierra Foothills, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unity (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) (Hardcover)

At long last the arrival of Unity completed the storyline started in the DS9 final episode. The book promised to deliver the strings nicely tied and it does. What happens next? I will have to read the next book to find out.