There is no one more responsible for how we view the Ferengi than actor Armin Shimerman. He was the first Ferengi and he was, of course, the most famous one - Quark. With this book, he does the noble Ferengi race proud.

I previously mentioned when reviewing A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson how it isn't always entertaining to read a book written by an actor who originally portrayed the character. Robinson's tale of Garak's life before the end of the Bajoran Occupation and after the Dominion devastation of Cardassia was made possible, according to Robinson, by Armin Shimerman's Quark book. I think it benefited from it as well with Robinson being able to navigate around some of the pitfalls found here.

The novel takes place sometime after season 4's "Bar Association" episode, but there are some moments when it seems like it takes place earlier than that. The story is both simple and overly complicated at the same time. Grand Nagus Zek refuses to sell an orb (the orb from season 3's "Prophet Motive") to the Bajorans. Relations quickly turn bitter and Bajor begins planning for war.

What I didn't like was the repetition and some unnecessary narrative. If I were editing this book I would have cut about 70 pages to make a tighter story.

What I liked about the book was the acknowledgment that Bajorans and many Federation species look down on the Ferengi. I liked how they didn't pussyfoot around about it and came right out calling them racists. I liked how Rom and Quark's suffering was portrayed as well. While some scenes were overkill (a Sisko/Jake scene comes to mind), it is overall entertaining.