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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Prophecy and Change Anthology
Love and Hate. Faith and Doubt. Guilt and Innocence. Peace and War.
Few television series have embraced this symphony of contradictions on the epic scale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. From the vastness of space to the darkest depths of the soul, from the clash of empires to the struggles of conscience, from the crossroads of a galaxy to the convergence of hearts -- that seven-year journey was both universal and personal, challenging its audience with stories and characters that redefined Star Trek's Human Adventure for all time.
PATHWAYS TRAVELED...The widowed father struggling to rebuild his shattered life, reborn as a religious icon to millions of believers.
CHALLENGES CONQUERED...The resistance fighter who aided her former oppressors in their struggle for liberation and emerged as the leader she never imagined herself becoming.
TRUTHS REVEALED...The orphaned alien whose quest for his own identity became the salvation of a quadrant.
Rediscover this extraordinary saga in a landmark collection of tales that confronts assumptions, divulges secrets, and asks as many questions as it answers.
These stories, entwined with familiar episodes, reveal the world of Deep Space Nine anew as told by
Christopher L. Bennett * Keith R.A. DeCandido * Heather Jarman * Jeffrey Lang * Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels * Una McCormack * Terri Osborne * Andrew J. Robinson * Kevin G. Summers * Geoffrey Thorne
Few television series have embraced this symphony of contradictions on the epic scale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. From the vastness of space to the darkest depths of the soul, from the clash of empires to the struggles of conscience, from the crossroads of a galaxy to the convergence of hearts -- that seven-year journey was both universal and personal, challenging its audience with stories and characters that redefined Star Trek's Human Adventure for all time.
PATHWAYS TRAVELED...The widowed father struggling to rebuild his shattered life, reborn as a religious icon to millions of believers.
CHALLENGES CONQUERED...The resistance fighter who aided her former oppressors in their struggle for liberation and emerged as the leader she never imagined herself becoming.
TRUTHS REVEALED...The orphaned alien whose quest for his own identity became the salvation of a quadrant.
Rediscover this extraordinary saga in a landmark collection of tales that confronts assumptions, divulges secrets, and asks as many questions as it answers.
These stories, entwined with familiar episodes, reveal the world of Deep Space Nine anew as told by
Christopher L. Bennett * Keith R.A. DeCandido * Heather Jarman * Jeffrey Lang * Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels * Una McCormack * Terri Osborne * Andrew J. Robinson * Kevin G. Summers * Geoffrey Thorne
434 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
27 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 23, 2025
No real home runs in this collection, but no real duds either. Though I have to admit to being disappointed by Andrew Robinson's The Calling. Very trippy and hard to follow. Highlights included:
Broken Oaths by Keith R. DeCandido (4.0) - The DS9 crew attempts to reunite Bashir and O'Brien after they return from an away mission seemingly estranged. This one deftly plumbs the depths of their special friendship.
...Loved I Not Honor More by Christopher L. Bennett (4.0) - Grilka returns. Quark as the hopeless romantic, eager to become the best Klingon he can for her until Odo knocks some sense into him. Great Quark character piece, and some great raw interactions between him and Odo stressing their status as the best of "frienemies".
The Devil You Know by Heather Jarman (4.5) - This nails everything about Jadzia's spirited character as she deals with grief and loss and struggles with the ethical and moral dilemmas of developing a biogenic weapon that would give Starfleet a much needed edge in the war against the Dominion.
Foundlings by Jeffrey Lang (5.0) - Odo and his Cardassian predecessor investigate the mystery of an exploded ship. Great tension, subtext and some heartfelt moments between Odo and Kira.
Broken Oaths by Keith R. DeCandido (4.0) - The DS9 crew attempts to reunite Bashir and O'Brien after they return from an away mission seemingly estranged. This one deftly plumbs the depths of their special friendship.
...Loved I Not Honor More by Christopher L. Bennett (4.0) - Grilka returns. Quark as the hopeless romantic, eager to become the best Klingon he can for her until Odo knocks some sense into him. Great Quark character piece, and some great raw interactions between him and Odo stressing their status as the best of "frienemies".
The Devil You Know by Heather Jarman (4.5) - This nails everything about Jadzia's spirited character as she deals with grief and loss and struggles with the ethical and moral dilemmas of developing a biogenic weapon that would give Starfleet a much needed edge in the war against the Dominion.
Foundlings by Jeffrey Lang (5.0) - Odo and his Cardassian predecessor investigate the mystery of an exploded ship. Great tension, subtext and some heartfelt moments between Odo and Kira.
November 1, 2015
Its hard for me to write a review about Star Trek, or anything tied into it, objectively. From 1987 to 2001, I watched some form of Trek on TV with my father on a weekly basis. From The Next Generation to Voyager my formidable years were shaped by those shows and the ideals. My dad will often lament the fact I remember DS9 the greatest since its darker tone and more cynical view of Roddenberry's 'future' in turn seemed to influence my sarcastic, cynical nature. That void though in my fannish life was never fully filled though. And then the re-launch began. Originally with Deep Space Nine, which by far has the unanswered questions of any of the 'newer' Treks, in recent years the entire novelization line has seen a dramatic shift towards continuing the franchise in that same vein.
Technically speaking Prophecy and Change is not part of the re-launch at all. Its actually a commemorative anthology celebrating the 10th anniversary of the show with stories that span from the first season to the seventh and even a little beyond. In the forward the Terry J Erdmann and Paula M. Block, the editors of the Deep Space Nine companion (which I dearly would kill to possess), talk about in the years after the shows finale they worked to gather material for the Companion book, rewatching reel after reel of footage. They realized how much they missed seeing Nog and Jake hang out on the balcony over the promenade, or watching O'Brien and Bashir have a friendly round (or few) of darts at Quark's. They missed the daily lives of the characters when they lived together. And so this anthology was born.
These aren't novelized versions of episodes but moments that happened before or after episodes. The moment when Kira realized that maybe Sisko really was the Emissary her people needed, the aftermath of O'Brien and Bashir's fight in the episode 'Our Man Bashir'...the consequences of the series finale and the emotional tumult thereafter. Each story has a small note before it, dating when it happens according to series chronology. With the grand exception of one story, Andrew J Robinson's, they are all set between seasons 1 and 7. Robinson, who played 'just a simple tailor' Garak, wrote a book called A Stitch in Time which has been retro-conned to fit into the re-launch and details Garak after the finale, wrote a story that is set after that novel about Garak once more.
It's not possible to read this anthology without any knowledge of DS9. I'd even venture to say its impossible to read without having watched the entire series. Every story depends upon several factors--the reader's knowledge of the characters and their relationships, an idea of the events that shaped many of their lives and an understanding of the show itself. If you didn't see the first episode, 'Emissary', then the first story "Ha'mara" will matter very little to you; you'll have no idea about the torment Sisko went through with the Prophets. If you haven't watched the show for five seasons, Quark regaining control of his bar will mean very little to you. In short, you won't find any interest or enjoyment in this book.
For fans though, this is a gorgeous, dedicated anthology depicting what DS9, and Star Trek in general, does best: a character's journey. These are, for the most part, important moments in these characters lives, but they're the sort of everyday importance that happens to everybody and no one thinks twice about. Sure everybody remembers when the Station was taken over by Gul Dukat once more--but who thinks twice about what Nog went through when he decided to go against every tenant of his people's beliefs to become a Starfleet Officer? Or how Dax felt when she decided to stop being a spectator to her past lives and start living her own?
This isn't to say that the stories were all A+ excellent writing--there's certainly flaws. Character decisions that I rather doubted or resolutions I felt were too neat considering. The first story for instance, "Ha'mara" both seemed likely, but unlikely. It didn't feel like it was the season 1 Sisko and Kira, it felt more like season 4 or 5 Sisko and Kira. It at least explained her drastic change in hair style from the pilot to episode 3.
In the end though, the book accomplished what it was meant to do--it gave me back a glimpse into lives I had forgotten I enjoyed watching so much. It renewed my love of the show and gave me the same feeling I always felt during those 14 years, a feeling I have long missed and welcomed back eagerly.
Technically speaking Prophecy and Change is not part of the re-launch at all. Its actually a commemorative anthology celebrating the 10th anniversary of the show with stories that span from the first season to the seventh and even a little beyond. In the forward the Terry J Erdmann and Paula M. Block, the editors of the Deep Space Nine companion (which I dearly would kill to possess), talk about in the years after the shows finale they worked to gather material for the Companion book, rewatching reel after reel of footage. They realized how much they missed seeing Nog and Jake hang out on the balcony over the promenade, or watching O'Brien and Bashir have a friendly round (or few) of darts at Quark's. They missed the daily lives of the characters when they lived together. And so this anthology was born.
These aren't novelized versions of episodes but moments that happened before or after episodes. The moment when Kira realized that maybe Sisko really was the Emissary her people needed, the aftermath of O'Brien and Bashir's fight in the episode 'Our Man Bashir'...the consequences of the series finale and the emotional tumult thereafter. Each story has a small note before it, dating when it happens according to series chronology. With the grand exception of one story, Andrew J Robinson's, they are all set between seasons 1 and 7. Robinson, who played 'just a simple tailor' Garak, wrote a book called A Stitch in Time which has been retro-conned to fit into the re-launch and details Garak after the finale, wrote a story that is set after that novel about Garak once more.
It's not possible to read this anthology without any knowledge of DS9. I'd even venture to say its impossible to read without having watched the entire series. Every story depends upon several factors--the reader's knowledge of the characters and their relationships, an idea of the events that shaped many of their lives and an understanding of the show itself. If you didn't see the first episode, 'Emissary', then the first story "Ha'mara" will matter very little to you; you'll have no idea about the torment Sisko went through with the Prophets. If you haven't watched the show for five seasons, Quark regaining control of his bar will mean very little to you. In short, you won't find any interest or enjoyment in this book.
For fans though, this is a gorgeous, dedicated anthology depicting what DS9, and Star Trek in general, does best: a character's journey. These are, for the most part, important moments in these characters lives, but they're the sort of everyday importance that happens to everybody and no one thinks twice about. Sure everybody remembers when the Station was taken over by Gul Dukat once more--but who thinks twice about what Nog went through when he decided to go against every tenant of his people's beliefs to become a Starfleet Officer? Or how Dax felt when she decided to stop being a spectator to her past lives and start living her own?
This isn't to say that the stories were all A+ excellent writing--there's certainly flaws. Character decisions that I rather doubted or resolutions I felt were too neat considering. The first story for instance, "Ha'mara" both seemed likely, but unlikely. It didn't feel like it was the season 1 Sisko and Kira, it felt more like season 4 or 5 Sisko and Kira. It at least explained her drastic change in hair style from the pilot to episode 3.
In the end though, the book accomplished what it was meant to do--it gave me back a glimpse into lives I had forgotten I enjoyed watching so much. It renewed my love of the show and gave me the same feeling I always felt during those 14 years, a feeling I have long missed and welcomed back eagerly.
August 19, 2013
Most of the material in this Deep Space Nine tenth anniversary collection is pretty typical Pocket Books Star Trek fiction.
That being said, the last two stories are well worth talking about. Una McCormack, who later wrote the brilliant Never-Ending Sacrifice, writes the first one, which tackles a few key characters from one of the closing moments of the series as they attempt to grapple with the drastically changed fortunes of their lives (that's the running theme of the whole collection, but it's only McCormack and the author who follows her who truly nail it). Kira Nerys, the fiery Bajoran first officer who spent most of her time serving under Benjamin Sisko, has returned to her roots as a resistance fighter, only instead of defending her own people she's now fighting for Cardassians (the very people who once oppressed the Bajorans before the start of the series). She has with her Damar, the leader of this new resistance, and Garak, the most intriguing character to come out of DS9, both representative of a Cardassia that for them no longer exists, which is why they're fighting for something new, attempting to shrug off the iron grip of the Dominion. Kira has every reason to distrust Damar, and, well, Garak is Garak.
Anyway, it's McCormack's very first professional work of fiction. Even if she's not at the top of her powers yet, she's still better than anyone else in the collection.
The last story belongs to Andrew Robinson, the actor who portrayed Garak in the series. He'd previously released the acclaimed novel A Stitch in Time, a further exploration of the character, as well as a play. This is to date his last mark on Garak, and it shows, because Robinson becomes fairly existentially expansive. If anyone else had written the story, it would have rung as hollow as the majority of the material in the collection. And yet he has such a command, a grasp of things, that you accept whatever twists come along even at their wildest.
It's ironic that the collection ends up being so kind to Cardassians, when the series itself sometimes seemed to go out of its way to ensure the audience had as low an opinion of them as the Bajorans did. But in literature, in truly exceptional literature, that's how it goes, isn't it?
That being said, the last two stories are well worth talking about. Una McCormack, who later wrote the brilliant Never-Ending Sacrifice, writes the first one, which tackles a few key characters from one of the closing moments of the series as they attempt to grapple with the drastically changed fortunes of their lives (that's the running theme of the whole collection, but it's only McCormack and the author who follows her who truly nail it). Kira Nerys, the fiery Bajoran first officer who spent most of her time serving under Benjamin Sisko, has returned to her roots as a resistance fighter, only instead of defending her own people she's now fighting for Cardassians (the very people who once oppressed the Bajorans before the start of the series). She has with her Damar, the leader of this new resistance, and Garak, the most intriguing character to come out of DS9, both representative of a Cardassia that for them no longer exists, which is why they're fighting for something new, attempting to shrug off the iron grip of the Dominion. Kira has every reason to distrust Damar, and, well, Garak is Garak.
Anyway, it's McCormack's very first professional work of fiction. Even if she's not at the top of her powers yet, she's still better than anyone else in the collection.
The last story belongs to Andrew Robinson, the actor who portrayed Garak in the series. He'd previously released the acclaimed novel A Stitch in Time, a further exploration of the character, as well as a play. This is to date his last mark on Garak, and it shows, because Robinson becomes fairly existentially expansive. If anyone else had written the story, it would have rung as hollow as the majority of the material in the collection. And yet he has such a command, a grasp of things, that you accept whatever twists come along even at their wildest.
It's ironic that the collection ends up being so kind to Cardassians, when the series itself sometimes seemed to go out of its way to ensure the audience had as low an opinion of them as the Bajorans did. But in literature, in truly exceptional literature, that's how it goes, isn't it?
May 15, 2016
Everything that is wonderful about Deep Space Nine is distilled within the stories found in this beautiful collection. No "Star Trek" series ever displayed the intensity that DS9 possessed; the battles, the drama, the character depth, even the humour...all combined to create something special. Ahead of its time yet timeless -- something best said about both DS9 the series, and this celebratory short story collection.
August 14, 2022
I wish Andrew J. Robinson had written and published more Garak stories. I loved the novel A Stitch in Time and the story in this collection is a great follow up to it.
May 5, 2019
Right, so I know I'm 20 years late to the game, but I just watched DS9 for this first time this past winter and I fell head over heels in love with it. I've been reading fanfiction online, but it's fun to get into the published fanfiction (which, let's face it, is what this is). This is my first Star Trek book, and it is absolutely worth it.
I could do without the frame narrative, which is basically a reworking of Jake's dialogue from "The Visitor" to set up the reason for these stories, but then I can almost always do without frame narratives. They rarely do anything for me. I do appreciate that every story is introduced with where it is relative to the show, so I knew what the characters know (and what they couldn't, yet) while the story was happening.
"Ha'mara" takes us into a visit to Bajor right after Sisko has been dubbed the Emissary; we watch him and Kira wrestle with what that means and whether they believe it. In the B story, Bashir (with whom I am madly in love, so that's going to color every story that even tangentially mentions him, sorry not sorry) and Jake talk to the citizens who are also getting used to this new reality. I accept this whole thing as headcanon, for sure.
"The Orb of Opportunity" throws Kai Winn and Nog together, which is an interesting pairing that actually worked really well even though I despise Winn and I'm not altogether sure about Nog early in the series. Martin and Mangels nail the maneuvering and intrigue of it, though, and I was totally on board for how they worked against both the Maquis and the Cardassians.
"Broken Oaths" was a heartfelt examination of how Julian and Miles would have fixed their friendship after Miles disobeyed Julian's orders on the planet with the Jem'Hadar. This is one where I can tell that my love of Bashir is coloring my review because it wasn't quite as strong as the first two but I love it to pieces anyway.
"...Loved I Not Honor More" is Quark/Grilka, and I'm not a fan of Quark (or Grilka) so I'm not a great reviewer of this one. I do appreciate the examination of just how bad an idea that pairing is culturally and personality-wise, so it's a good story that's just my cup of tea.
"Three Sides to Every Story" tries to create a Jake/Ziyal thing and doesn't quite succeed, but I do like the idea of them being friends because they both inhabit a weird liminal space because of their fathers. It's made so much more painful if you know Ziyal's fate.
"The Devil You Know" gives some insight into Jadzia's bad days, which was interesting. I really liked how neatly it fit in-between episodes, picking up right where a scene left off and leaving room for the next scene to start. Smart writing with a great knock on the door of the moral ambiguity DS9 was so good at presenting, and again, much more painful if you know Jadzia's fate.
"Foundlings" throws Odo against his Cardassian predecessor as Cardassia tries to figure out how to exist under the Dominion. It is heartbreaking and makes me hate the Dominion that much more, so a very effective story.
"Chiaroscuro" gives some connection for Ezri to the Dax legacy in a mind-bending kind of way. I would love to see this staged because I think it would be beautiful in an end-of-2001-A-Space-Odyssey kind of way. Makes me glad I have "The Lives of Dax" on the way to read and compare.
"Face Value" looks at Kira's time with Garak and Dukat on Cardassia, building the resistance, and I am all kinds of here for the wonderful characterizations of that trio and how each of them is fighting a thousand internal battles. Again again, much more painful when you know the fate of most of the people mentioned.
"The Calling" was written by Andy Robinson, who played Garak and is masterful at it, and I think I missed a lot because I haven't read his "A Stitch in Time." I did read the play he and Alexander Siddig/Bashir wrote together, though, which you can read at Edosian Orchids. This was trippy AF and now I want to track down "Stitch in Time" so much more and I am so sad that Garak's beloved Cardassia is falling apart so hard and I want to know what happens next. Write more, Andy!
I could do without the frame narrative, which is basically a reworking of Jake's dialogue from "The Visitor" to set up the reason for these stories, but then I can almost always do without frame narratives. They rarely do anything for me. I do appreciate that every story is introduced with where it is relative to the show, so I knew what the characters know (and what they couldn't, yet) while the story was happening.
"Ha'mara" takes us into a visit to Bajor right after Sisko has been dubbed the Emissary; we watch him and Kira wrestle with what that means and whether they believe it. In the B story, Bashir (with whom I am madly in love, so that's going to color every story that even tangentially mentions him, sorry not sorry) and Jake talk to the citizens who are also getting used to this new reality. I accept this whole thing as headcanon, for sure.
"The Orb of Opportunity" throws Kai Winn and Nog together, which is an interesting pairing that actually worked really well even though I despise Winn and I'm not altogether sure about Nog early in the series. Martin and Mangels nail the maneuvering and intrigue of it, though, and I was totally on board for how they worked against both the Maquis and the Cardassians.
"Broken Oaths" was a heartfelt examination of how Julian and Miles would have fixed their friendship after Miles disobeyed Julian's orders on the planet with the Jem'Hadar. This is one where I can tell that my love of Bashir is coloring my review because it wasn't quite as strong as the first two but I love it to pieces anyway.
"...Loved I Not Honor More" is Quark/Grilka, and I'm not a fan of Quark (or Grilka) so I'm not a great reviewer of this one. I do appreciate the examination of just how bad an idea that pairing is culturally and personality-wise, so it's a good story that's just my cup of tea.
"Three Sides to Every Story" tries to create a Jake/Ziyal thing and doesn't quite succeed, but I do like the idea of them being friends because they both inhabit a weird liminal space because of their fathers. It's made so much more painful if you know Ziyal's fate.
"The Devil You Know" gives some insight into Jadzia's bad days, which was interesting. I really liked how neatly it fit in-between episodes, picking up right where a scene left off and leaving room for the next scene to start. Smart writing with a great knock on the door of the moral ambiguity DS9 was so good at presenting, and again, much more painful if you know Jadzia's fate.
"Foundlings" throws Odo against his Cardassian predecessor as Cardassia tries to figure out how to exist under the Dominion. It is heartbreaking and makes me hate the Dominion that much more, so a very effective story.
"Chiaroscuro" gives some connection for Ezri to the Dax legacy in a mind-bending kind of way. I would love to see this staged because I think it would be beautiful in an end-of-2001-A-Space-Odyssey kind of way. Makes me glad I have "The Lives of Dax" on the way to read and compare.
"Face Value" looks at Kira's time with Garak and Dukat on Cardassia, building the resistance, and I am all kinds of here for the wonderful characterizations of that trio and how each of them is fighting a thousand internal battles. Again again, much more painful when you know the fate of most of the people mentioned.
"The Calling" was written by Andy Robinson, who played Garak and is masterful at it, and I think I missed a lot because I haven't read his "A Stitch in Time." I did read the play he and Alexander Siddig/Bashir wrote together, though, which you can read at Edosian Orchids. This was trippy AF and now I want to track down "Stitch in Time" so much more and I am so sad that Garak's beloved Cardassia is falling apart so hard and I want to know what happens next. Write more, Andy!
January 9, 2019
strong collection of short stories, set throughout tv canon chronology. most of them, while entertaining to read, did not really add anything to the series or character development not already in the show (felt like an afterthought that's trying too hard to be important/relevant), but the last several were fantastic -- took full advantage of the medium to tell stories that couldn't be captured in a tv series. sisko is on the cover, but I was really disappointed he was only featured in one story.
May 27, 2021
Jag gillar detta koncept med en massa olika historier som oftast är lagom att läsa för en kväll innan man somnar. Boken kräver att man har viss kunskap om serien och man bör ha sett hela serien innan man läser hela boken. Berättelserna redovisas kronologiskt vilket gör det enkelt att lägga från sig boken innan man läser något som "spoilar" säsonger man ännu inte har sett.
Jag gillade särskilt Andrew J Robinsons (han som spelar Garak) novell - hans bok lär vara mycket bra och är nog ett måste för Garak-älskaren att läsa.
Jag gillade särskilt Andrew J Robinsons (han som spelar Garak) novell - hans bok lär vara mycket bra och är nog ett måste för Garak-älskaren att läsa.
November 27, 2024
Did I only buy this to read The Calling? Yes.
I will probably read the rest eventually, but holy shit what a story. Andrew Robinson never fails to make me overly emotional about Cardassians, and I fear I will never be normal about The Calling or A Stitch In Time.
Definitely recommend you read A Stitch In Time and The Nexus first if you can find it, because otherwise The Calling will probably be more of an acid trip than it already is. Great story, I need to know what happens to Garak after the events of The Calling.
I will probably read the rest eventually, but holy shit what a story. Andrew Robinson never fails to make me overly emotional about Cardassians, and I fear I will never be normal about The Calling or A Stitch In Time.
Definitely recommend you read A Stitch In Time and The Nexus first if you can find it, because otherwise The Calling will probably be more of an acid trip than it already is. Great story, I need to know what happens to Garak after the events of The Calling.
January 14, 2018
This year being the 25th anniversary of the first broadcast of Deep Space Nine, I figured I would read the anthology they did for the 10th anniversary. Over all, I enjoyed it. Some answered questions that had never been addressed. Others gave insight into characters.
Little disappointed in the last chapter - I think Stitch in Time set the bar high, and anything revisiting that couldn't measure up.
Little disappointed in the last chapter - I think Stitch in Time set the bar high, and anything revisiting that couldn't measure up.
December 23, 2017
I always love new insights into the DS9 universe. And while this anthology featured some of my favourite characters, some of the stories came off a little weak.
Una McCormack's story was definitely the best one of the bunch and mostly saved the rest of the book.
Fun for any DS9-lover, but certainly not the must-read I was hoping for.
Una McCormack's story was definitely the best one of the bunch and mostly saved the rest of the book.
Fun for any DS9-lover, but certainly not the must-read I was hoping for.
November 28, 2022
Felt like these stories covered no new ground. The intent seems to have been to tell those little in-between narratives, i.e., what happens in between episodes or even during an episode. Well, . . . .mission accomplished but they seem to be totally inconsequential in an otherwise big story with episodes that carry a lot of gravitas.
February 17, 2024
Continuing my quest to read every Star Trek novel. If you’re like me and have watched DS9 several times over this is a great read of in between stories scattered throughout the series as a whole. Most of them work. None are really worth skipping. Some are really great and capture the voice of the cast.
June 1, 2024
I really liked this book! If you're a fan of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine you're bound to love it. I decided to read it after finishing the show for the first time, because I needed more of those characters I came to love and this was just the thing!
I particularly like how the book is organized, as it's indicated when each story takes place (between episode x and y), which helps to situate things.
My favourite stories are "Face Value", by Una McCormack, and "Foundlings", by Jeffrey Lang, they are absolutely amazing and I want to read more from these authors.
"Ha'mara", by Kevin Summers, is a really good story, too, it gave me chills. "Broken Oaths", by Keith DeCandido, covers a flaw in the tv show between two characters, something that should have been addressed and developed over time, which finds some closure here. I really liked it! (It concerns the argument between Bashir and O'Brien after that encounter with the Jem 'hadar and that's all I'll say...)
I liked other stories, as well, but these were the best for me. There were some that I found to be lackluster and the last one with Garak I really did not understand at all (which was a shame, I was looking forward to it...), but it's still mostly a book with fantastic Deep Space Nine stories.
I highly recommend it!
I particularly like how the book is organized, as it's indicated when each story takes place (between episode x and y), which helps to situate things.
My favourite stories are "Face Value", by Una McCormack, and "Foundlings", by Jeffrey Lang, they are absolutely amazing and I want to read more from these authors.
"Ha'mara", by Kevin Summers, is a really good story, too, it gave me chills. "Broken Oaths", by Keith DeCandido, covers a flaw in the tv show between two characters, something that should have been addressed and developed over time, which finds some closure here. I really liked it! (It concerns the argument between Bashir and O'Brien after that encounter with the Jem 'hadar and that's all I'll say...)
I liked other stories, as well, but these were the best for me. There were some that I found to be lackluster and the last one with Garak I really did not understand at all (which was a shame, I was looking forward to it...), but it's still mostly a book with fantastic Deep Space Nine stories.
I highly recommend it!
June 5, 2017
Pretty good anthology of stories celebrating the 10th anniversary of DS9 in 2003. I'm reading this as part of my personal project to read every Pocket Star Trek novel published.
January 30, 2020
An excellent collection of Star Trek DS9 short stories.
February 17, 2021
I haven't read this in several years. It was nice to remind myself of the stories between that you always assume happen off screen between episodes and seasons.
Want to read
January 30, 20222022 Challenge - Anthology
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2023
As is sometimes the case with anthologies, this was a mixed bag, ranging from kinda meh to good.
September 26, 2024
Taking a side road through short fiction (my favorite trips) with Prophecy and Change. I like that these books open the tracks for more philosophical and metaphysical exploration of these characters.
July 12, 2017
*** These are my personal notes, not a review! (Sorry, the private notes box is too small...) ***
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1. Story about Sisko & Kira getting to know each other a bit on Bajor, and Kai Opaka (set after the first ep). 4/5, nice read
2. Kai Winn tries to return an Orb from Cardassia to Bajor. Many chars, most interestingly showing Nog's evolution from typical Ferengi to thinking about joining Starfleet. 3.5/5
3. Jadzia conspires to make Bashir & O'Brien make up after a (canon) fight. Brief Garak. 3.5/5
4. Grilka comes to Quark again for aid. Mostly Quark, love story. 3/5 (not bad just not really my cup of tea)
5. Jake on DS9 under Dominion control, writing things, makes friends with Ziyal but then Ziyal dies and he's sad. 3/5 (not bad just not really my cup of tea)
6. Jadzia wrestles with death and the ethics of using biogenic weapons on the Jem'Hadar. I found it... not really in character? And the ending was just jarring. 2/5
7. Odo works with Thrax to investigate an incident, that turns out not to be what it seems. Decent mystery story and characterization. 4/5
8. Ezri Dax has to save the world or something. I didn't care for it, too overblown and "grand". 2/5
9. (Una McCormack) Kira, Damar and Garak hide out in Mila's basement on Cardassia. Ziyal's death and prejudices hang between them like a suffocating cloud, but they try to work through it. Excellent, 4.5/5
10. (Andrew J. Robinson) A continuation of Garak's story after ASIT and the Dream Box (sort of hinting towards what happened in the latter). Philosophical as ever, ties up a few ends but pulls out new threads to follow. 4.5/5 love it
***************************************************************************
1. Story about Sisko & Kira getting to know each other a bit on Bajor, and Kai Opaka (set after the first ep). 4/5, nice read
2. Kai Winn tries to return an Orb from Cardassia to Bajor. Many chars, most interestingly showing Nog's evolution from typical Ferengi to thinking about joining Starfleet. 3.5/5
3. Jadzia conspires to make Bashir & O'Brien make up after a (canon) fight. Brief Garak. 3.5/5
4. Grilka comes to Quark again for aid. Mostly Quark, love story. 3/5 (not bad just not really my cup of tea)
5. Jake on DS9 under Dominion control, writing things, makes friends with Ziyal but then Ziyal dies and he's sad. 3/5 (not bad just not really my cup of tea)
6. Jadzia wrestles with death and the ethics of using biogenic weapons on the Jem'Hadar. I found it... not really in character? And the ending was just jarring. 2/5
7. Odo works with Thrax to investigate an incident, that turns out not to be what it seems. Decent mystery story and characterization. 4/5
8. Ezri Dax has to save the world or something. I didn't care for it, too overblown and "grand". 2/5
9. (Una McCormack) Kira, Damar and Garak hide out in Mila's basement on Cardassia. Ziyal's death and prejudices hang between them like a suffocating cloud, but they try to work through it. Excellent, 4.5/5
10. (Andrew J. Robinson) A continuation of Garak's story after ASIT and the Dream Box (sort of hinting towards what happened in the latter). Philosophical as ever, ties up a few ends but pulls out new threads to follow. 4.5/5 love it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2012
This is an anthology of ten longish stories focusing on the characters of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine set from right after the pilot episode "Emissary" to well after the end of the series in the aftermath of the Dominion War. I find that Star Trek pro-fiction can be rather hit or miss--and at first I thought this would be a miss. Editors usually choose their strongest story to open an anthology, hoping those taking a look will be pulled in. I wasn't taken with Summer's "Ha'mara" and left it thinking that if this were a novel, I might have stopped here, but being an anthology, the other entries might prove stronger--and after all, going by series chronological order as this book was, this being the first didn't mean this was the best the anthology had to offer. I was in the middle of the Martin and Magels' "The Orb of Opportunity," centered on Nog, when I decided that rather than putting the book down, I could just skip to the next story. The next story "Broken Oaths" about Bashir and O'Brien and a crises in their friendship was in my estimation just okay.
It says a lot about how strong were almost all the following stories that I wound up rating the book so highly. I adored "...Loved I Honor More" a humorous story about Quark and his Klingon lady love. "Three Sides to Every Story" is a poignant tale about a friendship between Ziyal and Jake during the Dominion occupation of the station. I very much liked the thoughtful Jarman story, "The Devil You Know" centered on Jadzia--and the ending was both perfect for the story and ironically poignant given Jadzia's fate. Lang's "Foundlings" was another thoughtful story and deft character portrait--and as fitting concerning a story centered on Odo, a well-done mystery. Thorne's "Chiascuro" was not only a good Ezri story, but featured the strongest use of science fiction elements in the book. I thought McCormack's "Face Value" the standout story in the book, the one that provoked the greatest emotional reaction--the ending both gave me chills and made me choke up at the same time. I didn't feel Robinson's "The Calling" was a strong closer. Centered on Garak and written by the actor who played him, it was based on a post-Deep Space Nine novel by Robinson, and it may be that not having read that book blunted it's impact, that this just isn't a story that can stand on its own.
Overall I wouldn't say this is as strong as the other Deep Space Nine anthology edited by Palmieri I just read, The Lives of Dax--but ultimately, there were some fine stories here that raised it for me to a keeper.
It says a lot about how strong were almost all the following stories that I wound up rating the book so highly. I adored "...Loved I Honor More" a humorous story about Quark and his Klingon lady love. "Three Sides to Every Story" is a poignant tale about a friendship between Ziyal and Jake during the Dominion occupation of the station. I very much liked the thoughtful Jarman story, "The Devil You Know" centered on Jadzia--and the ending was both perfect for the story and ironically poignant given Jadzia's fate. Lang's "Foundlings" was another thoughtful story and deft character portrait--and as fitting concerning a story centered on Odo, a well-done mystery. Thorne's "Chiascuro" was not only a good Ezri story, but featured the strongest use of science fiction elements in the book. I thought McCormack's "Face Value" the standout story in the book, the one that provoked the greatest emotional reaction--the ending both gave me chills and made me choke up at the same time. I didn't feel Robinson's "The Calling" was a strong closer. Centered on Garak and written by the actor who played him, it was based on a post-Deep Space Nine novel by Robinson, and it may be that not having read that book blunted it's impact, that this just isn't a story that can stand on its own.
Overall I wouldn't say this is as strong as the other Deep Space Nine anthology edited by Palmieri I just read, The Lives of Dax--but ultimately, there were some fine stories here that raised it for me to a keeper.
February 1, 2017
I assume that most readers are picking this book up hoping to find some meaning to their lives after finishing all of DS9 in an incredible feat of binge watching.
Further, I assume that many of those readers are looking for Andrew J Robinson's "The Calling", a rare case of an actor competently writing the further adventures of a character they portrayed. If you've read Robinson's novel, "A Stitch In Time", you'll probably love this story. If you haven't, find a copy then come back for this.
But of course this is an anthology, and a special one for attempting to fill the void of the show by showing the characters as they were, not after the final episode like the "relaunch" novels do. As with everything published by Pocket Books, the quality depends very much on who's writing. Some stories in this collection are miserable, plotted in such a way that nothing can really change or happen due to being set in the middle of a serial arc from the TV series. Others are bad because they seem to totally miscalculate the characters and their quirks. I would say that the anthology isn't particularly balanced - each story follows the blueprint of the show in focusing on one or two characters primarily, and depending on your favorite characters from the show, you may feel a lack. Others are just blunt storytelling, with a minimum of characterization.
But there are some excellent ones, ones that get something (or more than one something) right. The Calling, Chiaroscuro, Foundlings, and Face Value, which end the collection, are all quite strong. The first two stories are solid as well.
Before diving into this world, I asked myself if a) I like reading, and b) if I like Star Trek. Since the answer to both is yes, I'm willing to slog through a couple of weak stories to find some gems, just as I do with literary fiction or original genre fiction. If you are unsure, know that there are indeed some gems in the world of the books, and don't let finding a stinker unnerve you.
Further, I assume that many of those readers are looking for Andrew J Robinson's "The Calling", a rare case of an actor competently writing the further adventures of a character they portrayed. If you've read Robinson's novel, "A Stitch In Time", you'll probably love this story. If you haven't, find a copy then come back for this.
But of course this is an anthology, and a special one for attempting to fill the void of the show by showing the characters as they were, not after the final episode like the "relaunch" novels do. As with everything published by Pocket Books, the quality depends very much on who's writing. Some stories in this collection are miserable, plotted in such a way that nothing can really change or happen due to being set in the middle of a serial arc from the TV series. Others are bad because they seem to totally miscalculate the characters and their quirks. I would say that the anthology isn't particularly balanced - each story follows the blueprint of the show in focusing on one or two characters primarily, and depending on your favorite characters from the show, you may feel a lack. Others are just blunt storytelling, with a minimum of characterization.
But there are some excellent ones, ones that get something (or more than one something) right. The Calling, Chiaroscuro, Foundlings, and Face Value, which end the collection, are all quite strong. The first two stories are solid as well.
Before diving into this world, I asked myself if a) I like reading, and b) if I like Star Trek. Since the answer to both is yes, I'm willing to slog through a couple of weak stories to find some gems, just as I do with literary fiction or original genre fiction. If you are unsure, know that there are indeed some gems in the world of the books, and don't let finding a stinker unnerve you.
November 16, 2009
This collection of short stories about characters in the “DS9” 'verse written by professional writers has better and lesser stories. “Ha’ mara” by Kevin G. Summers is set immediately following “The Emissary” on Bajor. Sisko, Kira and two children are trapped in caves under Ashalla monastery. In “The Orb of Opportunity” by Michael A. Martin & Andy Mangels Kai Winn asks 14 year old Nog to open a safe containing a Bajoran orb. This adventure leads Nog to question whether profit is his motivator. In “Broken Oaths” by Keith R.A. DeCandido Bashir and O’Brien are miserable and won’t have anything to do with one another after Bashir tries to rescue some Jem ‘Hadar from their ketracel white addiction and O’Brien destroys his research so they can escape. Their friends try to get them to reconcile, but it’s only when they stop acting like little boys and just talk that they do. “Three Sides to Every Story” by Terri Osborne Jake the writer and Ziyal the artist bond over their famous fathers, become friends and part of the resistance during the Cardassian takeover of DS9. “The Calling” by Andrew J. Robinson is confusing, taking place on Cardassia, on Earth and in an ancient place of Cardassian visions – or did it? Garak is asked to clarify his role – is he a politician, a spy or a tailor—I can’t tell. Perhaps he’s all three and it’s not necessary or advantageous that he change, or be clear.
June 16, 2016
This is a wonderful collection of 11 stories from Star Trek Deep Space Nine covering all seven seasons and beyond. The list of stories contained in this anthology, along with my notes on each story, is listed below:
Revisited Part 1 - this is basically the beginning of the show called The Visitor -5 stars
Ha'mara by Kevin G. Summers - excellent story which takes place soon after Opaka tells Sisko that he's the Emissary. Sisko and Kira are lost in the catacombs after a bomb explodes while they are touring the library. - 4 stars
The Orb of Opportunity by Michael A. Martin & Andy Mangels takes place just after the death of Bareil and features Kai Winn and Nog. - 5 stars
Broken Oaths by Keith R. A. DeCandido features O'Brian and Bashir - 3 stars
...Loved I Not Honor More by Christopher L. Bennett features Quark and Grilka - 3.5 stars
Three Sides to Every Story by Terri Osborne. Features Jake Sisko and Tora Ziyal. - 5 stars.
The Devil You Know by Heather Jarman features Jadzia. - 3 stars
Foundlings by Jeffrey Lang featuring Odo and Thrax.- 4 stars."
Chiaroscuro by Geoffrey Thorne features Ezri Dax - 3.5 stars.
Face Value by Una McCormack features Kira, Garak, and Damar - 3.5 stars.
The Calling by Andrew J. Robinson features Garak - 5 stars
Revisited, Part 2 The ending of the show, The Visitor.
Revisited Part 1 - this is basically the beginning of the show called The Visitor -5 stars
Ha'mara by Kevin G. Summers - excellent story which takes place soon after Opaka tells Sisko that he's the Emissary. Sisko and Kira are lost in the catacombs after a bomb explodes while they are touring the library. - 4 stars
The Orb of Opportunity by Michael A. Martin & Andy Mangels takes place just after the death of Bareil and features Kai Winn and Nog. - 5 stars
Broken Oaths by Keith R. A. DeCandido features O'Brian and Bashir - 3 stars
...Loved I Not Honor More by Christopher L. Bennett features Quark and Grilka - 3.5 stars
Three Sides to Every Story by Terri Osborne. Features Jake Sisko and Tora Ziyal. - 5 stars.
The Devil You Know by Heather Jarman features Jadzia. - 3 stars
Foundlings by Jeffrey Lang featuring Odo and Thrax.- 4 stars."
Chiaroscuro by Geoffrey Thorne features Ezri Dax - 3.5 stars.
Face Value by Una McCormack features Kira, Garak, and Damar - 3.5 stars.
The Calling by Andrew J. Robinson features Garak - 5 stars
Revisited, Part 2 The ending of the show, The Visitor.
May 26, 2012
Of the various Star Trek television series that have aired over the years, my favorite is Deep Space Nine. Unlike the rest, this series had an engaging backstory, intrigue, and a little mysticism thrown in for good measure. I was disappointed when the series ended, but evidently others feel the same way. A host of authors have continued the DS9 saga in print and this collection of short stories features their work. Read it.
Of particular interest are the stories by Andrew J. Robinson, the actor who plays Garak, Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels, and Jeffrey Lang.
This book, part of the tenth-anniversary DS9 celebration, was edited by Marco Palmieri and published in trade paperback by Pocket Books.
Of particular interest are the stories by Andrew J. Robinson, the actor who plays Garak, Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels, and Jeffrey Lang.
This book, part of the tenth-anniversary DS9 celebration, was edited by Marco Palmieri and published in trade paperback by Pocket Books.
May 16, 2014
Wow.
Great anthology for a media related collection. Especially recommended are the stories by McCormack and by Robinson.
McCormack's story really drew me in emotionally, perhaps because the way to my heart is through books, and a book plays an important role in this story.
Robinson's story, great as it is, bewilders me a bit. I don't really comprehend what the Vinculum is; it might be mostly incomprehensible, something experienced in a non-analytical way. All the stuff about the Hebitians, ancient precursors to the Cardassians, is fascinating to me. It reminds me of the mystery religions of the ancient Mediterranean, what with the Oralian Mask and its resemblance to the mysteries of Dionysus, the root of drama.
Great anthology for a media related collection. Especially recommended are the stories by McCormack and by Robinson.
McCormack's story really drew me in emotionally, perhaps because the way to my heart is through books, and a book plays an important role in this story.
Robinson's story, great as it is, bewilders me a bit. I don't really comprehend what the Vinculum is; it might be mostly incomprehensible, something experienced in a non-analytical way. All the stuff about the Hebitians, ancient precursors to the Cardassians, is fascinating to me. It reminds me of the mystery religions of the ancient Mediterranean, what with the Oralian Mask and its resemblance to the mysteries of Dionysus, the root of drama.
April 29, 2014
A book of short stories based at different times in the series. These are all character based plots that work really well. There's even a Garak one written by the actor. My favourites were the Quark finding himself with help from his ex-wife the Klingon, and Jake Sisko the journalist. A very good read. Well worth it if you are a fan of the series as it plugs gaps, like how Julian and Miles became friends again after that incident. A very good read.
February 15, 2023
There's a few really fun stories in here, a few less so. The Garak one was - surprisingly - the weakest, followed by the DeCandido one which felt like bland fanfiction. I enjoyed 'Ha'mara', 'The Orb of Opportunity' and 'Foundlings', though 'Face Value' and 'Three Sides' were decent too. None were bad; I've certainly read worse, and this is a Star Trek book after all.
May 27, 2012
A somewhat uneven but ultimately accomplished anthology. Some really good stuff in this one, stories that needed to be told. I would have liked to have seen a continuation to the episode "Hard Times," though...
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