Matthew’s Reviews > The Lives of Dax > Status Update

Curzon: honestly, I have no idea what happened in this one. It seems like all Star Trek short story collections will inevitably have a story involving insane aliens that use organic technology and just make no sense. Plus, why is Ben Sisko narrating a story in a book of stories that are supposed to be about Dax telling HER own stories?

Joran: the least enjoyable story for me so far, given how full of clichés it is. It's trying to do a Star Trek version of a Hannibal Lector sort of tale, a tortured creative soul and the obsessed detective who's the only one who can understand how he's thinking. It ends very abruptly and is mercifully short.

Torias: a very short and direct story about how Torias dies. It sets up the DS9 episode 'Rejoined' and is well written, although doesn't really give us much character or detail. It's set shortly before Wrath of Khan and features Saavik. An exciting little story but a bit plain.

Audrid: this tale is a bit more grim than anything else so far. It's presented in the form of a letter that Audrid has written to her daughter, attempting to explain the circumstances around her father's death. It ties into the early (and notoriously gruesome) TNG episode 'Conspiracy'. The fact that the story is presented with all the text in italics makes it a bit hard on the eyes, but it's mostly gripping.

Emony: the story of Dax's third host is a charming little tale, and I think the reason I enjoyed it so much was due to its simplicity. There's no sci-fi here, it's just a little romantic story against the backdrop of some simmering racial tensions. Interestingly, much of the story is told through the eyes of a very young Leonard McCoy.

Tobin: He is a nervous and fidgety scientific engineer, serving on a research vessel when the Romulans attack. It's quite a humorous story, made all the more so by having him teamed up with a Vulcan.

Ezri: The framing story is set after the end of the TV show and shows Ezri finally beginning to come to terms with her unwanted joining. It involves Vic, who was never my favourite character, but he's on the sidelines. It's a strong opening and good insight into Ezri's feelings.