[.ca] Unity (ISBN 0743448405)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Unity:
This book provided something that so many serial books do not: a sense of closure. At last we see the end of an episode. The rollercoaster ride, sudden twists and turns finally resolve themselves and leaves a feeling of satisfaction. However, as exciting as it was to read the book, a couple of things nagged at me. Firstly, I was a bit annoyed by the "Benny" connection with Vaughn. Perhaps it works for some, but to me the connection is so tenuous that it could break at any moment. I don't buy it. Secondly, talk about "deus ex machina;" Wex is Odo! Come on ,now! I have never seen such a weak and obvious plot device to wrap up a story. I suppose it works ok, but the character of Wex added a potential dimension that could have been developed into a more dynamic character for future episodes; a new direction for Jake, perhaps. Odo has no need to travel for weeks to return to the Alpha Quad. It also does not jive that the Jem Hadar ship in the Delta Quad that returned Jake, Opaka, and Wex to the Defiant could not have identified Odo as a Changeling. They after all did get a reading of the lost Founder aboard the Defiant. It works, but my goodness how overtly manufactured and contrived. However, overall, I did enjoy the series. Isn't that the point? and I got a good sense of closure from the book, and was left with a sense that the "saga continues." Well done!

I suppose you want the office!:
Those were the first words out of Kira mouth when she first met Ben Sisko, and it seemed only fitting that she say the same ones to him when Ben returned from the Temple. Perry not only wrote a wonderful story about DS9, she made all the characters real. I couldn't put Unity down. It was like I was watching an entire season of DS9 in my head. For all those trekkies out there who miss DS9, do yourself a favor and read Unity and all the other previous books detailing DS9 after the episode "what you leave behind". You will not regret it. I can't wait to see what else is waiting for us with the upcoming worlds of DS9 novels. If it is half as good as Unity was, I will have a blast!

EXCELLENT BOOK:
I finished reading STAR TREK DS9:UNITY two days ago and it was great. It was good to see the old crew back in action. And was great to have Captain Sisko return. And it was definately great to have Odo return, even if for a visit. I just wish that they ended the Television Series differently Kira & Odo were definately made for each other and they both deserve some happiness, even if Odo is not a solid. But they didn't. I was hoping though that Odo was coming back to stay in the book. I was also glad to see Bajor finally join the Federation, even though it should have happened at the end of the series even if they needed a few more episodes to do it. And I am very pleased that Starfleet has rewarded Kira for her Loyalty by making her a Starfleet Captain. But from what I understand, if it doesn't happen the T.V. shows or in the movies then it doesn't happen in the Star Trek Universe. Which I think is stupid, but all I can hope is that Paramount makes at least one STAR TREK DS9 MOVIE to fix all the mistakes it make at the end of series.

A wonderful continuation of the DS9 saga!:
I waited a very long time for this book, and I must say it was worthy of the wait. S.D. Perry began the relaunch of DS9 with the "Avatar" duet, and since then, I've been avidly watching the series unfold. First off, the book captured the ensemble feel of the show excellently - the main characters - including the new characters written into the storyline to replace characters gone or lost at the show's end - all shine in their own way with their own interesting stories. The new plot-arc of the invading parasitic aliens - as we've seen on screen in TNG, and read about in the superb "Lives of Dax," short story collection - continues with a great deal of suspense and solid prose work. Best of all, the internal minds and emotional states of the characters are both valid and consistant. Shar, especially, gets a lot of work in this book, as does Lieutenant Ro, who is definitely at a loss as to what she should choose, now that Bajor might merge with the Federation and her job would become a Starfleet one. Granted, the purchase of a Star Trek hardcover often makes me flinch (it's quite expensive), but this one was worth it - even if I did tear through it in a single evening. The only part of the book I have a caveat for is the 'Benny' storyline - I never quite liked Sisko's insane asylum plotline in the series, and having Elias Vaughn go through something similar grated on me a little - though, if you enjoyed the various visions Sisko had at the hands of the prophets in the show, you'll likely enjoy this also. Very well done. 'Nathan

"Unity" has give me reason to like DS9:
Although I never liked the DS9 television series and leaned more toward the other Star Trek incarnations (having first been a huge fan of the Original Series, then and now), I have to admit that this book was genuinely exciting and made for great sci-fi in general. I now proudly add it to my collection of sci-fi and space opera that includes: "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Puppet Masters", "Foundation", "2001", "2010", "Rendezvous with Rama", "Ringworld", all the "Star Wars" books and, of course, "Star Trek" books, as well as books as new to the genre as "Advent of the Corps" and others.