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Star Trek: Double Helix #4
Quarantäne
Tom Riker, ein identisches Duplikat des Ersten Offiziers der Enterprise, dient nun als medizinischer Kurier der Sternenflotte, als er auf eine Gruppe von Maquis-Überläufern trifft, angeführt von einem ehemaligen Sternenflottenoffizier namens Chakotay. Ein Planet in der Entmilitarisierten Zone, der nun von den Cardassianern kontrolliert wird, wurde von der gleichen tödlichen Seuche erfasst, die den Alpha-Quadranten seit Jahren heimsucht, und nur Riker kann die Medikamente liefern, die die Maquis so verzweifelt benötigen. Aber die Cardassianer würden eher alles Leben auf dem Planeten auslöschen, als zu riskieren, dass sich die Seuche ausbreitet!
270 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 12, 2017
In Vornholt I may have found my least favorite author of Star Trek lit. I TRUDGED through this, only because I wanted to read Peter David's volume five of this series. I didn't care what happened, the characters and dialogue did not ring true, and I was not a fan of the writing.
May 23, 2020
Among all the Star Trek series,The Next Generation (TNG) remains my favourite.It had plenty of memorable characters and did not suffer from the budgetary constraints of the original series.It got a seven season run and remained interesting.
However,I have yet to read a decent book in this series.This one features a duplicate of William Riker,called Tom Riker.I like Ricker,but this story went nowhere,a snoozefest.
Even the story of a virus,a pandemic and quarantine couldn't liven it up.
(1.5 stars,rounded up)
However,I have yet to read a decent book in this series.This one features a duplicate of William Riker,called Tom Riker.I like Ricker,but this story went nowhere,a snoozefest.
Even the story of a virus,a pandemic and quarantine couldn't liven it up.
(1.5 stars,rounded up)
January 24, 2011
Again we have another decent Star Trek book and again one that I'm not entirely happy with. I do not know why I did not like this one as much as I thought I should have except that it may have been too long. We have in this novel the sort of things I like about Trek books--minor, yet intriguing characters that needed more fleshing out from the TV series, and a spotlight on events that happened off camera (like the circumstances surrounding Tom Riker's joining the Maquis). However, at the end, I am left wanting more, but not in a good way....oh well, book 5, here we come!
September 27, 2010
When I first began reading this I thought that I just didn't like stories using the characters from the "new" Star Trek series. But as I got toward the end I began to say to myself phrases such as "Huh?", "That doesn't make sense", "Where did that come from". So perhaps I was wrong. Maybe I just didn't like this writer. I'll still finish the six-book series, but this book was by far the weakest so far.
July 4, 2012
This book explains why Tom Riker joined the MArquis, it also spotlights on 3 of the voyaer crew. Again not really a TNG book. The Marquis find a planet in the DMZ that has a plague and nobody is doing anything to help, they decide to do what they can. An interesting story, with a different type of alien species (where blending is everything). A good read but not a TNG book.
September 7, 2021
A planet in the DMZ has fallen prey to a vicious virus that has plagued other worlds. The Maquis, lead by Chakotay (and including crewmembers Tuvok, B'Elanna, and Seska) vow to help the inhabitants, but they're not skilled in medicine. Luckily they're able to apprehend two Starfleet medical officers who've gone to the world on a mission of mercy. One is a young Benzite named Shelzane and the other is Thomas Riker, the character from the episode "Second Chances".
After 100 pages of introducing the disease to the characters and the Starfleet officers making a decision to help the Maquis, the book takes some interesting twists. The most unusual being that one continent on the island, currently free of the disease, really appreciates people of mixed heritage, I mean REALLY appreciates them. What they want with B'Elanna was interesting and I wish there had been more on this aspect of the novel, but it did bring the disease storyline to a halt. Riker and Shelzane find themselves isolated from the Marquis for a strange reason. Though it does involve the disease, it served more of reason for Thomas's character to change into the one encountered on Deep Space Nine. This plot involving the schemes of the inhabitants seemed forced to fit into the Double Helix saga.
The villain of this piece, and previous entries, continues to remain unknown, as his reasons for picking this planet are vague. I did like having Cardassians appear to cause trouble, but there's not enough of them for me.
This is the weakest entry in the Double Helix saga. It's enjoyable to read, but not as fulfilling as the previous novels.
After 100 pages of introducing the disease to the characters and the Starfleet officers making a decision to help the Maquis, the book takes some interesting twists. The most unusual being that one continent on the island, currently free of the disease, really appreciates people of mixed heritage, I mean REALLY appreciates them. What they want with B'Elanna was interesting and I wish there had been more on this aspect of the novel, but it did bring the disease storyline to a halt. Riker and Shelzane find themselves isolated from the Marquis for a strange reason. Though it does involve the disease, it served more of reason for Thomas's character to change into the one encountered on Deep Space Nine. This plot involving the schemes of the inhabitants seemed forced to fit into the Double Helix saga.
The villain of this piece, and previous entries, continues to remain unknown, as his reasons for picking this planet are vague. I did like having Cardassians appear to cause trouble, but there's not enough of them for me.
This is the weakest entry in the Double Helix saga. It's enjoyable to read, but not as fulfilling as the previous novels.
November 21, 2020
Thomas Riker is such an underrated character and missed opportunity in Star Trek. I love how Vornholt not only gives him life, but makes him his own unique persona separate from his twin.
This is the fourth Vornholt trek book I have read and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite trek authors. Each character remains true to the series and he doesn't have a creepy and cringy approach to them like Peter David does with Deanna Troi.
This fourth chapter of this saga looks a lot like what is happening today (quarentine). I really saw various elements of what we are going through. There were those who didn't take the plague seriously, those who wouldn't accept treatment because of the fear of transporters, racial elements (unibloods and blended species), and there was the governmental power struggles as well...the Cardassians wanted to kill the infected, ultimately wanting to destroy the planet, the federation had no intention of helping as the planet was in the demililtarized zone, the klingons were merely messengers of their allies, and the marquis were the rebellious heroes who defied their "political powers" in order to help the less fortunate plague ridden planet.
All in all this has been my favorite installment of this particular saga. Looking forward to part five, with the exception of knowing that another cringy description of Deanna Troi is coming from the creepy Peter David....
This is the fourth Vornholt trek book I have read and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite trek authors. Each character remains true to the series and he doesn't have a creepy and cringy approach to them like Peter David does with Deanna Troi.
This fourth chapter of this saga looks a lot like what is happening today (quarentine). I really saw various elements of what we are going through. There were those who didn't take the plague seriously, those who wouldn't accept treatment because of the fear of transporters, racial elements (unibloods and blended species), and there was the governmental power struggles as well...the Cardassians wanted to kill the infected, ultimately wanting to destroy the planet, the federation had no intention of helping as the planet was in the demililtarized zone, the klingons were merely messengers of their allies, and the marquis were the rebellious heroes who defied their "political powers" in order to help the less fortunate plague ridden planet.
All in all this has been my favorite installment of this particular saga. Looking forward to part five, with the exception of knowing that another cringy description of Deanna Troi is coming from the creepy Peter David....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2020
The "Voyager" edition of the Double Helix storyline had Maquis-era Chakotay, B'Eleanna and Tuvok getting involved in the latest outbreak of the designer disease that has been central to all the stories of this arc. But we also got the weird involvement of Thomas Riker, William T. Riker's transporter duplicate who continues to live his own life of sorts.
The disease actually wasn't that big a focus - more of background noise to the core story. There was a lot more focus on the Maquis forces trying to figure out how had brought the disease to the planet and like in the other books it was someone on the ground who had been coerced to use a bioweapon to get their goals. The rest of the book was about Thomas Riker trying to find a more useful path for himself and ultimately ending up joining the Maquis - something that would come into play during the Deep Space Nine TV series.
I wasn't too keen on the story overall and it was a bit of a struggle to finish. It was just a lot of talking and moving around but not actually dealing with the medical problem since none of our central characters had that area of expertise.
The disease actually wasn't that big a focus - more of background noise to the core story. There was a lot more focus on the Maquis forces trying to figure out how had brought the disease to the planet and like in the other books it was someone on the ground who had been coerced to use a bioweapon to get their goals. The rest of the book was about Thomas Riker trying to find a more useful path for himself and ultimately ending up joining the Maquis - something that would come into play during the Deep Space Nine TV series.
I wasn't too keen on the story overall and it was a bit of a struggle to finish. It was just a lot of talking and moving around but not actually dealing with the medical problem since none of our central characters had that area of expertise.
November 22, 2018
Not a bad read, but a big missed opportunity. This book not only tells us how Tom Riker joined the Maquis, but places him in the lead trio alongside Chakotay and B'Elanna... but barely has them interact, and tells us virtually nothing new about any of these characters. To boot, the main plot was mind-bogglingly boring.
On the other hand, it was a nice quick read, and there was nothing in it that I found "wrong." Tuvok's dialogue was odd, but I could chalk it up to his winning espionage skills. (There's a part where he blatantly criticizes the Maquis referring to them as "they" right in front of B'Elanna, and she suspects nothing. Facepalm.) The concept of Helena was also interesting.
On the other hand, the plot was not only boring, but almost impossible to follow. I understand this was part of a "series," so maybe that's a factor. But while this was not a bad read, I can't really recommend this to anyone, even fans of Tom Riker, B'Elanna, Chakotay or the Maquis, unless they're just looking for a quick breezy read that will give an explanation, any explanation, for how they acquired Tom Riker.
On the other hand, it was a nice quick read, and there was nothing in it that I found "wrong." Tuvok's dialogue was odd, but I could chalk it up to his winning espionage skills. (There's a part where he blatantly criticizes the Maquis referring to them as "they" right in front of B'Elanna, and she suspects nothing. Facepalm.) The concept of Helena was also interesting.
On the other hand, the plot was not only boring, but almost impossible to follow. I understand this was part of a "series," so maybe that's a factor. But while this was not a bad read, I can't really recommend this to anyone, even fans of Tom Riker, B'Elanna, Chakotay or the Maquis, unless they're just looking for a quick breezy read that will give an explanation, any explanation, for how they acquired Tom Riker.
November 30, 2018
I think I would rate this one 3.5 stars if I could because it is a little better than the ones I usually rate 3 stars but I just couldn't justify four. I think this started off really well with Tom Riker dealing with living in the shadow of his other self and trying to find a niche for himself in the galaxy. I enjoyed how he found the Maquis and that whole plot line. It's the convoluted and boring stuff on Helena that really lost me. All the diplomacy stuff they had to do was uninteresting and all I wanted to do was follow along with Riker and the mystery there but then he gets plunked out on an island and become irrelevant for a portion of the novel. I liked the ending but there was just too much in the book that I wish would have been pushed back more and other more interesting things brought forward. Overall, I did like it and you get to see more of who is behind the curtain in regards to who is behind all this but still remain in the dark.
March 1, 2022
A fun frolic of a book that's an excellent example of the fun Star Trek writers can have playing outside of established canon. The framing device is another instance of the genetically engineered virus at the center of this six-book series, but that bit of plot gets relatively short shrift.
The real story is the tale of how Thomas Riker was recruited by the Maquis. It takes place two years after he's found on Nervala IV as a clone of William Riker and it also occurs before the events that began Voyager as a series. Which means that it's the tale of Chakotay, Torres, Tuvok, Seska, and Riker saving a planet in the Demilitarized Zone that has mysteriously contracted the virus.
The details of how they solved the problem aren't necessarily interesting. I was more intrigued by the fleshing out of Thomas Riker's character and the pre-Voyager Maquis members. It wasn't the deepest or the best story, but I enjoyed it.
The real story is the tale of how Thomas Riker was recruited by the Maquis. It takes place two years after he's found on Nervala IV as a clone of William Riker and it also occurs before the events that began Voyager as a series. Which means that it's the tale of Chakotay, Torres, Tuvok, Seska, and Riker saving a planet in the Demilitarized Zone that has mysteriously contracted the virus.
The details of how they solved the problem aren't necessarily interesting. I was more intrigued by the fleshing out of Thomas Riker's character and the pre-Voyager Maquis members. It wasn't the deepest or the best story, but I enjoyed it.
February 9, 2021
This one sets off at an exciting pace and we are instantly thrown into the highly militarised demilitarised zone.
One of the things this series has done very well is to show us familiar characters during unfamiliar periods of time. This book gets the lion's share of that duty and I think it does a very convincing job.
It's fascinating to see Tuvok in his role as Maquis infiltrator and the story built around Riker is wonderful.
The parallels with covid were highlighted once again, this time with lockdown dodgers spreading disease across virtual borders.
This is my favourite of the series, so far. Onto the next one!
One of the things this series has done very well is to show us familiar characters during unfamiliar periods of time. This book gets the lion's share of that duty and I think it does a very convincing job.
It's fascinating to see Tuvok in his role as Maquis infiltrator and the story built around Riker is wonderful.
The parallels with covid were highlighted once again, this time with lockdown dodgers spreading disease across virtual borders.
This is my favourite of the series, so far. Onto the next one!
March 14, 2020
This book of the series involves the later Voyager crew members from the Maquis. I was quite happy about that because I like Chakotay and Tuvok a lot. Also starring is Tom Riker. I liked the idea to bring this character in as one of the main protagonists.
The plot about the virus and how it was cured was not as good and gripping as in the books before, but this was the forth one of the series, of course the resolution would be easier.
The plot about the virus and how it was cured was not as good and gripping as in the books before, but this was the forth one of the series, of course the resolution would be easier.
July 30, 2020
So, the plot does involve the virus a lot more than book 3. But it could easily have been interchanged with any other reason that would cause conflict. Not too bad, an interesting society on the planet in question but there was no cure sought or found. Not even really attempted. If you're reading this for the science, nope. If you're reading this for the politics and reactions to pandemics and travel restrictions it isn't too bad.
April 12, 2020
Back on track to an epic crossover about an interstellar plague. I like this Chakotay- throwing himself into disasters Starfleet won’t touch and trying to save lives. Thomas Riker is well served by this tale, too, even if his backwash pipe-surfing island escape makes no sense to me. Torres’ whirlwind mid-plague seduction into high society is likewise kind of insane, but are you not entertained?
October 14, 2022
A decent entry in the overall story and a nice circle back to one of the weirder premises of TNG.
3.5/5 Tying this in between the Cardassian occupation and the Dominion War is a nice touch of continuity.
3.5/5 Tying this in between the Cardassian occupation and the Dominion War is a nice touch of continuity.
June 10, 2019
Loved this one!
July 10, 2020
Another great book in this series. I’ve already given all my praise. Let’s hope the last two hold up just as well!
August 24, 2020
This was a good story. I found the character of Thomas Riker interesting.
July 19, 2023
The best Double Helix yet, John Vornholt delivers a real pageturner, and following Thomas Riker's development, culminating with joining the Maquis, was captivating.
March 4, 2010
"Meeting a Maquis captain isn't usually considered a great honor."
This brilliantly written book charts another instance of the dreaded double helix disease from the unlikeliest of viewpoints - Chakotay, during his time with the maquis. Clearly, the bulk of this thing takes place before Voyager's pilot, and all the usual suspects (Torres, Tuvok, Seska etc) are firmly in place. Seeing the Maquis on Humanitarian work not involving themselves is a far cry from their televised portrayal as well as their in-universe depiction from the federation. We also have Tom Riker, the duplicate of the Enterprise's First Officer created in a transporter accident on Nervala IV. chakotay is quick to spot his potential (The DS9 Defiant incident springs to mind), and the whole crew are thrust into a nasty plague situation on a planet where mixed-breeds (such as Torres with her half-Human, half-Klingon physiology are considered almost royalty).
So sets the stage. The writing is very easy on the mind, the story flows very well indeed. With this and the previous we have departed from the medical a little, and it's refreshing to see more action in different fields than just healing people, watching them become reinfected, and so forth. A change for the better, livening up the series and adding back that bit of zest that it didn't quite manage to hold on to thus far.
The nuances are very good, the depth of characterisation incredible and the chance to see familiar faces in an unfamiliar time and place is well worth the read. So many wonderful connections are possible with novels, the whole Tom versus Will Riker thing, for instance. it only got an episode on the show, but here the man is panned out in much more detail and the time between his appearances catalogued with gratifying detail.
The next story is written by Peter David, I note with anticipation. Another miracle worker with supporting characters and an exquisite craftsman in his own right (with New Frontier). Will we find out who "The General" is after all? will the good guys eventually find a way to stop these plagues, once and for ever? Will we ever know why they were started? Time will tell. Time and two more books...
This brilliantly written book charts another instance of the dreaded double helix disease from the unlikeliest of viewpoints - Chakotay, during his time with the maquis. Clearly, the bulk of this thing takes place before Voyager's pilot, and all the usual suspects (Torres, Tuvok, Seska etc) are firmly in place. Seeing the Maquis on Humanitarian work not involving themselves is a far cry from their televised portrayal as well as their in-universe depiction from the federation. We also have Tom Riker, the duplicate of the Enterprise's First Officer created in a transporter accident on Nervala IV. chakotay is quick to spot his potential (The DS9 Defiant incident springs to mind), and the whole crew are thrust into a nasty plague situation on a planet where mixed-breeds (such as Torres with her half-Human, half-Klingon physiology are considered almost royalty).
So sets the stage. The writing is very easy on the mind, the story flows very well indeed. With this and the previous we have departed from the medical a little, and it's refreshing to see more action in different fields than just healing people, watching them become reinfected, and so forth. A change for the better, livening up the series and adding back that bit of zest that it didn't quite manage to hold on to thus far.
The nuances are very good, the depth of characterisation incredible and the chance to see familiar faces in an unfamiliar time and place is well worth the read. So many wonderful connections are possible with novels, the whole Tom versus Will Riker thing, for instance. it only got an episode on the show, but here the man is panned out in much more detail and the time between his appearances catalogued with gratifying detail.
The next story is written by Peter David, I note with anticipation. Another miracle worker with supporting characters and an exquisite craftsman in his own right (with New Frontier). Will we find out who "The General" is after all? will the good guys eventually find a way to stop these plagues, once and for ever? Will we ever know why they were started? Time will tell. Time and two more books...
June 4, 2009
This book was better than I thought it would be. Like I said on the previous book in this series, Star Trek books can be hit or miss and I expected this one to be a miss. It wasn't. Not as good as book 3 in the series, but much better than the first two books. The only downside of this novel is that there really wasn't much focus on the actual plague that was the genesis of the series. It's there, but I didn't see any real advancement of the plague plot, such as who's behind it, or how they're going to battle the plague. In fact, they never really "cured" the plague in this book in any sense, they simply contained it (and even that's not guaranteed, since they shipped people with some of the prions off the planet).
April 2, 2010
Not a bad story, it suffers from the fact that I was getting tired of the series by book 2 of 6. If I had read it as a stand-alone, I would probably have rated it four stars; it's a tolerable genre story telling the beginning of Tom Riker's association with the Maquis; it has action, drama, and characterization, but as book four of six in a series that really has no business being a six-book series, it suffers on the originality front, as well as the predictability front.
June 22, 2017
The Double Helix set was one of the first group of ST novels I read...they must be good, because I've read a couple hundred since.
April 26, 2015
It was ok. I generally liked this series.
April 20, 2017
This is a pretty awful book.So I'm not even going to finish it..But what I did read there is a clone of Will Riker with a chip on his shoulder who decided to change jobs in Starfleet. It might get better but to me if U don't catch my interest in the first chapter well it probably will not ..I went to chapter three and still no better..Tuvok didn't sound like his character, not alot from Chakotay and Torres either just mainly this clone Tom Riker..who to me is not that very interesting in the first place.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews