Star Trek - The Fall Book Series Review

If you read my review about the Secret History of Star Wars then you are fully aware that I’m a full-fledged, card-carrying nerd. But did you know that the card I hold is trimmed in Gold Pressed Latinum? Yes, it’s true; I do not squabble between my love for Star Wars and my love for Star Trek. Both “universes” are completely amazing to me.

Like any fan of either Star Wars or Star Trek, I became obsessed with the continuing adventures stored within the confines of, at first, a select few books. A trilogy here, a stand-alone book there but then something happened. It just became too much. I’m not sure but I’m willing to bet there are thousands of books now that continue the adventures of Luke, Han and Leia, Picard, Kirk, Janeway, etc., etc. Books that came between the trilogies, books that came after Kirk but before Picard, books that explored what would have happened if they failed to blow up the first Death Star or if Spock had not come back alive, books, books, books, books, books. And I finally threw my hands up in the air and cried out with a mighty Klingon roar: YAP VLGHAJ! Which is Klingon for, “I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!”

With the exception of certain types of Star Wars / Star Trek fan-fiction that

mostly involved elaborate lesbian scenarios between 7of9 and Padme, I was 10 years “sober” and thought very little when I read an article about a new Star Trek series called “The Fall”. An interconnected, five-book series by five different authors, with one coming out each month for five months. Hey I’m just reading the article right? What harm is there in that? (Hey I’m just hanging out in the bar, what harm could come of that). And hey, it looked interesting and worse-case it’s only 5 books and then I’m done again. (Hey, just a shot or two of whiskey, then I’ll quit again, no problem). So I bought book 1 – Revelation and Dust by David R. George III.

This one takes place onboard the new and about to open for business, Deep Space Nine station. Apparently the old original one from the TV series had been blown up 2 years previously (I told you there were a lot of books). I must admit I was not a huge fan of Deep Space Nine (DS9). Mostly because it focused so much on the religious beliefs of the planet Bajor (the planet that DS9 was positioned near). It was nauseating and having Chief Obrien as a cross over character from The Next Generation (TNG) just wasn’t enough. Even bringing Worf over to the station did little to save the show in my opinion. Worst Star Trek Series ever!!!

So it was little surprise that I hated this book also. “Celestial Temples” and “Orbs of the Prophets” and blah, blah, blah. Enough. More than anything I hate repetitive words, or phrases in a novel.  This book, unlike any other Sci-Fi book I've ever read, refers to something called "The Refresher" or in some cases "The 'Fresher" 15 times in a 280 page book.  It took 3 times for me to realize it's a outer spacey way of saying "Shitter".  A word search of the two proceeding books shows that it is not referred to at all in either of them.   Me thinks Mr. George the Turd Third has an irritable bowel issue.  But there were good parts to it. It was like a high school reunion for me. I got to see old friends and see what they’re up to now, but then you start to remember that what was a slight oddity in their teen years has turned into a full-fledged mental disorder in adulthood and I started checking for the exit doors. I finished the book and thought to myself, “OK, that was probably a mistake. I’m done.”

A few weeks later book 2 – The Crimson Shadow by Una McCormack came out and I couldn’t find any other book to read, and hey that last shot was horrible but this second one is looking pretty good, what’s the harm in “just one more”. So I bought it and read it. This one takes place on the planet of Cardassia Prime and although the Enterprise and Captain Picard are in this one, the main characters are almost all Cardassians (No – not the Kardashians). I’m afraid to say that I loved this book. The change in the Cardassians since tragedy nearly destroyed their planet rang true in my ears. The book was gripping and exciting and considering the characters and locations, extremely realistic. Also, the only good thing to come out of DS9 was a Cardassian named Elim Garak who was the main protagonist of this book.  This book suffered from repetitive items as well.  It compulsively talks about Coffee, which again is not mentioned in either the first or third book (tea maybe but not coffee).

I’m now 7 chapters into book 3 – A Ceremony of Losses by David Mack. This book focuses on the Andorians.  Which of course you all know where founding members (along with Earth and Vulcan) of the United Federation of Planets.  My name is Just Jim and I’m an alcoholic! I’m not sure how die hard trek fans (Trekkies? Trekkers? What do they like to be called now?) think of “Star Trek – The Fall” but I give it 2 stars. All three books focus on political intrigue rather than warp core coils or transporter mishaps.  And I like that.  The series is bitter and delicious, painful and delightful but it’s going to be … well it’s going to be my “Fall”.