Space Camp

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Young Adult #10

by Ted Pedersen, Todd Cameron Hamilton (Interior Illustrations)

Commander Sisko has made Jake an offer he can't refuse -- the chance to attend Starfleet Academy Summer Space Camp on Rijar, once home to an ancient civilization, now an archaeologist's dream. Jake's father has even agreed to send Nog. Jake is looking forward to the adventure and maybe finding something in the ruins to write a story about. But from the day they arrive it's a disaster!
The best friends are on their way to becoming worst enemies -- until an accident triggers the countdown of a megabomb that threatens the entire planet! Jake and Nog lead an expedition into the catacombs under the base in a desperate race against time. Their only hope is a terrifying voyage into cyberspace to gain control of the ticking bomb that is about to explode...

Genres: Star Trek, Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Childrens

116 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Starfleet Candidate Camp sees Jake and Nog testing their mettle against other Federation teens in a series of tests. But when they stumble across an archaeological site, the nature of the planet changes and all the candidates must work together to stay alive.

Pederson's novelette is important because it shows how the young characters react to the challenges of the adult world and it indicates for the first time Nog's interest in joining Starfleet.

[Scott Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be in the minority but this is not one of my favourites in the series. I like what Pedersen is trying to do with Jake and Nog — foreshadowing some of their future choices — I’m just not sure the plot realistically gets them where he wants them to go.

[Crystal Bensley · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better books in this series.

[Alvaro Zinos-Amaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favs in the series so far. Good balance of off-planet adventure with solid characterization & classic Trek values/ideals, plus this adventure nicely sets up major arcs for both Jake and Nog. Well done.

[Leland · Rating 1 out of 5]

I probably would have liked this thin little book more when I was a pre-teen. On the other hand, I don't know if I was ever in an age group where I expected to be able to identify with my fiction. This isn't a spoiler because the back of the book tells us that Jake and Nog trigger an ancient bomb that threatens to destroy Space Camp. I found it really well and truly hard to believe that a Starfleet instructor would ever allow teen-agers to attempt to disarm a bomb. But there you go. I also found the 'Meanwhile back at the ranch' (Deep Space Nine)story line to be worse than unnecessay.

In a world where there is truly good young adult fiction...I find this one sorely lacking.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story with a fun, entertaining plot. However, the author could have benefited by having a well-versed fan (or two) do a final read-through before submitting it for publishing, as there were numerous small errors that were a bit distracting.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, fun read.