Relativity

Stargate SG-1 #10

by James Swallow

When SG-1 encounter the Pack - a nomadic space-faring people who have fled the Goa'uld domination for generations - it seems as though a trade of technologies will benefit both sides.

But someone is determined to derail the deal. With the SGC under attack, and Vice President Kinsey breathing down their necks, it's up to Colonel Jack O'Neill and his team to uncover the saboteur and save the fledgling alliance. But unbeknownst to SG-1 there are far greater forces at work - a calculated revenge that spans decades, and a desperate gambit to prevent a cataclysm of epic proportions.

When the identity of the saboteur is revealed, O'Neill is faced with a horrifying truth and is forced into an unlikely alliance in order to fight for Earth's future...

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Media Tie In, Ebooks, Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel

326 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 25, 2007

About the author

James Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty-five books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television.

DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.

Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.

For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow

Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.

You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.

Reviews

[Craterdweller · Rating 1 out of 5]

All over the place ...

Poor characterizations, sloppy writing and enough cliches to make Jack O'Neill grind his teeth. It got slightly better towards the end, but It wasn't enough. Makes me wonder if the author actually watched the show or if he based it all from summaries and Wikipedia. Take a pass on this one.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relativity is one of the best books in the Stargate novel series. The author knows how to plot and pace a story, and that made reading this book even more fun. This is a great SG-1 story that gave every character an arc that felt genuine. It is also a great science fiction story that I would have enjoyed even with all original characters.

[Tularia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It's the first Stargate I've read that wasn't pure fanfiction, and even though the first 1/3 of the book seemed slow, it did pick up the rest of the way and I found it very enjoyable. So much so that I've gone out and bought two more, this time in the Atlantis universe!

[BlueRose99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatively entertaining, with a plot twist.

[Linda Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters not quite right for me

Did the author actually watch Stargate? Colonel O'Neill NEVER refers to Daniel Jackson as Jackson , he ALWAYS calls him Daniel without exception

[Brittany]

This book boils down to three plots and without ruining it too much for you, I’ll sum it up like this:

Plot 1: Very pretty girl time traveler keeps failing at given tasks. Has dad issues, as in her dad is a real POS for “the cause.” Weird (though kind of expected for the plot but not for the character himself) when we find out who her dad was. She tries (and succeeds) to get Daniel Jackson to fall for her through manipulation of using the same body language as his dead wife and past memories of him he doesn’t share with her timeline wise. **Spoiler** He’s the equivalent to a family friend uncle she always had the hots for and he is blissfully unaware. But then becomes aware and still pursues her.

Plot 2: Kinsey sucks and Jack has to juggle that among other things. Sam and Teal’c are on security duty. Daniel is just schlinging his opinions around in the meantime.

Plot 3: There is an entire civilization of Goa’uld refuges that live on the universe’s most complex collection of scrap metal ships that would make even the Ancients blush and they don’t think the Taur’i can get their sh** together. Surprise twist, they do get their sh** together.

This peppered in with frequent mid sentence name changes and uncharacteristic statements made it difficult for me to finish. But I did.

Not the worst fanfic I’ve read. Not the best.

[Daniel Gaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, an excellent story. There were some editing errors (missing words such as "the," extra words in a sentence, etc.) as well as mentions of plot devices that were not introduced until Season 8 (zero-point modules, the Trust, the Free Jaffa Nation), but there was plenty of action and intrigue. The opening seemed a bit slow (from my reader's perspective), but seeing the end of the "Aschen trilogy" (in conjunction with the two episodes from seasons 4 and 5) was very much worth it. Colonel O'Neill calling Daniel "Jackson" seemed a bit out of character, given their long friendship over the series. It is not the absolute best Stargate ever, but I would classify this as a worthy read (despite its small flaws).

[Donna Collar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done…

This review contains spoilers!!

I have read a good number of these Stargate SG1 stories and have to say this is one of my favorites. The storyline was creative, the characters likable and I thought the authors characterization of SG1 was spot on. I love stories that include time travel and to learn that the time travelers were Jack and his daughter was so much fun. Loved the interaction between the “Jacks”, far more entertaining and realistic than ever portrayed in the series (at least according to my perception of who jack was). Wont lie, was disappointed to not learn who the mother was…sigh. Anyway…great read. This no doubt will be re-read just as many times as my other favorite “Roswell” (also includes time travel)

[Marissa Paquette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like original fiction...

There was a lot of worldbuilding with future tech and fleshing out the Aschen as well as The Pack, but that made this feel more like original science fiction that had been retrofitted to fulfill a Stargate contract. Also, the first probably three-fourths were a slog to get through. Kinsey came off as less the dangerous foe he can sometimes be and more “I could have done it if it weren’t for you interfering kids” Scooby-Doo villainous. Jack’s internal problems were nothing we haven’t seen before. There were several instances of things very inconsistent with the show as seen on screen. Overall, it was a very meh story, I’m sorry to report.

[Ben Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting Stargate story using alternative timeline/universe as a storytelling device, which is always a hit for me. This is essentially an original idea for what the "lost" third story in the Aschen Trilogy might have been. I thought Jade was an amazing character, the Commander less so (his "mystery" identity is dragged out well beyond the point of usefulness), and it was rad to see the more in-depth characterizations of the unorthodox Reetou and Aschen characters.

[Erik Dreiling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Story has a TV series feel to it…

The book reads almost like an SG1 episode. There were a few minor mistakes in characterization — mostly with dialogue — but it did not detract from its enjoyment. SG1 always told fun and twisty time travel stories, and this one is no less.

[jagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. There is so much going on that you know how it’s going to end but you have no idea how it will get there. Once again it has a time travel trope which is believable and works. Kinsey is here in full Kinsey horror but he does add to the narrative even if you want him to go through the Stargate to a completely inhospitable world with no way back - ever.

[Puddle Jumper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Jacks, lots of hockey references, a time travel plot I could follow and even an orca! :D

[bree jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and well written

Very good integration into existing SG1 story line.
Well written and a pleasure to read.
Highly recommended for all Stargate fans

[Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t the worse Stargate book I’ve read -- that honor is reserved for Alliances – but it’s nowhere close to the best. The Aschen are back in Stargate SG-1 Relativity, trying to decimate the earth population through a convoluted plan that depends on Earth signing a treaty with a group of nomadic people called the Pack. In an effort to stop this disastrous deal, parties unknown try to sabotage the treaty signing. It’s an interesting premise, nothing really new for this series, but it should have provided an enjoyable read.

I didn’t like Jade from the start of this book, everything from her name to her hair, she can change the color at will, reminds me of bad fanfiction -- learning her origins did not help. She’s Jack’s daughter from the future. What really annoyed me is the way Sg-1 seemed to lose all common sense when dealing with her. SG-1 has had multiple experiences with the Aschen, nanites, and people probing their minds – most of them not good. So why would they ever agree to enter a known saboteurs mind so she could prove to them that she was telling the truth. They took Jade’s word that she could not lie when they enter her mind and trusted her not use the connection to take control of them or steal codes and classified information from their minds. That last point was never brought up as a possible outcome of the connection. I know over the series SG-1 has taken their share of risks, but this struck me as monumentally stupid. Also Jade never satisfactorily answered the question why she couldn’t send a note back from the future to warn the SGC. It worked before and the SGC isn’t full of idiots; just write down the planet designation and Aschen – problem solved.

I found the characterization of SG-1 to be a little off -- not as bad as it was in Alliances, but off enough to be annoying. Also the author couldn’t seem to make up his mind whether to refer to Dr. Jackson as Jackson or Daniel, this was highly annoying. For the most part SG-1 is pretty consistent in how they refer to each other and what they call each other. I can’t remember a single time Teal’c has called Daniel just Jackson or Major Carter just Major it was off putting seeing that.

For all its flaws the book did have its good parts. Like I said before it was an interesting premise and the battle at the end of the book was well done. The discussions about changing events in the past and how that would affect the future timeline were, as always, interesting. I gave this book three stars.

[Jonathan Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set toward the end of the seventh season of the TV show, this story features the Aschen (seasons 4-5) - the technologically advanced but emotionally stunted humans, still seeking to conquer the galaxy with their silent but deadly means. The ever-irritating Kinsey returns to oversee a potential alliance for trade between SG-1 and a band of space gypsies; with no home planet they travel through space in a giant rotating ship complete with vegetation and villages (similar to the 2013 movie Elysium). There's some good continuity, with connections and references to characters and events from the TV show. There's also a surprising twist involving Jack. Although there is a bad-ass antagonist in the form of the Aschen woman Mirris, I did miss the Goa'uld with their ego-driven pomp and connections to ancient earth cultures. It's clearly been well researched in terms of science and technology but it may not be to everyone's taste. All-round, a decent little SG-1 team-driven story.

[Nakaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whereas it was an amusing enough read, there were things that got on my nerves. I find the switching of first and surnames in the narration rather irritating. 'Daniel' in one line, 'Jackson' in the next. Just pick one. I also found O'Neill to be out of character - way too over the top. Yes, he's got a big mouth at inopportune moments sometimes, but there's not a sarcastic remark around literally every corner with him.
Furthermore, the "main character's future child"-plot device has been done to death, for example, and if not done well ends up being a bit of a bore. I'm afraid I found that to be the case here as it didn't really bring anything new to the table.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great novel, I enjoyed it most out of the Stargate novels so far. I'll try and do this without giving too much away: While the premise is nothing new to the franchise it handled it in a new way, while also continuing storylines that were left open in the series. The characterisation was perfect for the main SG-1 characters, while introducing some new characters that were really well thought out and interesting.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is how you do it. Original characters you don't automatically hate, characters acting in character, It loses some points for using Kinsey, but makes them back by not making him the primary plot driver. Following up on a lose plot thread from an episode of the show without becoming ham-fisted. Is it the best thing I've ever read? No, but it's easily better than most of the SG-1 novels I've read so far, and I can give this a solid recommend for fans of the show.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Or is it?

I bought this book awhile back and forgot to read it. Glad I did find it. Not the best SG1 book I have read but still a good read. Enough spoilers are out there already so I won't add to them. Read and enjoy. Worth your time. He!PS if you know about the SGC universe, but not critical. Enjoy.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first SG1 fandam book I read. My only complaint about it, is that Mr. Swallow didn't take the plunge and tell us exactly who Jade's mother was. It was hinted that it was Sam, but nothing concrete. That being said, it is a fantastic AU/AT book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Two Jack O'Neill's and a daughter - yes this one has time travel in it. But who is her mother? I know who everyone hopes it is but of course we are not told. Add an old enemy to the mix and we have a pretty good SG-1 story.

[Wanda Seet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohh, this was really good although all the time traveling thingy can get a bit confusing at the beginning. Too bad we never found out who the mother was. Was dying to know... I guess it's up to our imaginations :)

[Miss Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish, pure and simple. He had the characters way off base and out of character. Didn't enjoy it at all.

[Gumnut · Rating 3 out of 5]

haven't finished reading, but it didn't hold my attention well enough to stop me from moving onto the next SG-1 book.

[Shianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love, love, love!!

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Worth for the line "It's bigger on the inside". I was not at all surprised to learn that the author has written Doctor Who novels as well.

[Idamus · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgia man, goddamn nostalgia.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the worst one I read in the Stargate series, but not the best.