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Title: Well of Souls (Star Trek: The Lost Era, 2336) by Ilsa J. Bick ISBN: 0-7434-6375-7 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.33 (18 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: ST - The Lost Era: Well of Souls 2336
Comment: Star Trek - The Lost Era "Well of Souls" 2336 written by Ilsa J. Bick is a wonderfully written introspective of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-C and a few other very interesting characters. The year is 2336, forty-three years after the presumed death of Captain James T. Kirk aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise-B in Star Trek "Generations," and twenty-eight years before the launch of the Enterprise-D in "Encounter at Farpoint." The stories of "The Lost Era" are from snipits of infromation that have come out in the movies and episodic television. In this case from Star Trek - The Next Generation episode we get introduced to Captain Rachel Gareett of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-C in "Yesterday's Enterprise."
"Well of Souls" is a difficult book to get into but it is worderfully written. It took me much longer to read this book than what is normal for me, not from it's length (465 pages), but from the wealth of information that the author gives the reader about each character. I've divided this book into thirds as I describe it to you. The first third of the book is the setting of the plot and getting introducted to the cast of characters and the crew. This is a slow process and therefore a slow introduction, but not void of a thorough introspection of each character as we find out that they are human an suffer from second guessing of their actions.
The second third of the book we get to read more complex scenes and get into character interaction. This is where we see the author play the characters out into different plots Commander Samir al-Halak the EXO of Captain Garrett's Enterprise. Ven Kaldaaren, Captain Rachel Garrett's ex-husband and xeno-arhaelogist and we get a plot with Rachel Garrett's son Jason along with his pal Pahl.
The last third of the book the author pulls the storyline together and the characters that we are introducted to eariler really come to life and depth. The overall tenor of the book is darker than the other "The Lost Era" books, but it doesn't mean that it is less of a book, not in the least. I did enjoy the book but it was a difficult read.
The depth of this book was greater than the other books of this series and this book was more character-driven making for more internal action rather than external action. The main characters in this book are as follows Captain Rachel Garrett, Ven Kaldarren, Jason, Commander Samir al-Halak, Bat-Levi EXO in Charge, Jo Stern CMO and Naxeran tactical officer G'Dok Ghemour, Kodell, and Batra. There is a power struggle between the Orion Syndicate and a priveteer Qatala and Starfleet Intelligence.
There is an ancient race called the Dithparu and their main character called Uramtali. These are mind spirits and must inhabit a living soul in order to keep the planet they are found upon alive. There are some space battles and there is a lot of twists and turns in this book to keep you on your toes.
I gave this book a solid 4 stars for its complexity and its a difficult book to finish, Not that I didn't enjoy it, I did. Ilsa J. Bick wrote a brilliant and delicately conceived story, but I found it hard to stay with and finish.
Rating: 5
Summary: FINALLY! WAY TO GO, BICK!
Comment: Finally, someone gives us Trek characters with real problems, real emotions, and real foibles. I loved this book, not just because I love Trek but because Bick's written some terrific short fiction including "A Ribbon for Rosie" (a prize-winner which always makes me cry), "Shadows, in the Dark" (another prize-winner that thought of putting Seven of Nine together with Chakotay before they became an "item"). She just did a great story in NO LIMITS, a New Frontier anthology, and she's got stories on SCIFICTION. Bick really knows how to put dialogue in the mouths of her characters so they sound like real people. I don't think I've ever read a Trek book where people were in real anguish and didn't always make the right choices, or like the ones they made. I loved that Bick was brave enough to make Garrett less than perfect, and have her know it, too. Yet Garrett was a hero, too. All Bick's characters were terrific, and it's hard to pick my favorite because I wanted to see more of just about all of them. In particular, I wanted to see what happened to Kodell and Bat-Levy. The way Bick handled their love affair was terrific and had me in tears. And, wow, the way she showed the psychiatrist character was super. Usually, counselors sound too canned, or silly, and personally I hated Deanna Troi because she always said things that were so obvious. But Tyvan was right on. He made mistakes, too, and in a way that made him human and not just a talking head.
I've loved all the Lost Era books. But I hope this is the beginning of a series of Enterprise C books, with Bick at the helm. She's a great writer.
Rating: 2
Summary: What a downer for women in lead roles
Comment: I would have thought that the rare opportunity to put a female in a leading, respectable role would be a treat. However, Captain Rachel Garrett comes accross as so incredibly immature, and so totally dependant on men (her pining for her ex, taking out her frustrations on her new XO) that it made me wonder how this woman would possibly be able to graduate from the academy - she would be a cartoonish caricature even in today's world. There is no way anyone of either gender would be able to look up to her, and to trust her judgement in tense situations. Snappy, childish, immature. Ugh!
Overall, I thought the book opened really nicely, the prologue was great but then it was kind of dropped. A little more detail there would have been great.
I have read the first 4 books in hte "lost era" series. This may be the one that prevents me from reading the last 2. It was that bad.
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Title: Catalyst of Sorrows (Star Trek: The Lost Era, 2360) by Margaret Wander Bonanno ISBN: 0743464079 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Sundered (Star Trek: The Lost Era, 2298) by Michael A. Martin, Andy Mangels ISBN: 074346401X Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: A Good Day to Die (Star Trek: I.K.S. Gorkon, Book 1) by Keith R.A. DeCandido ISBN: 0743457145 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Honor Bound (Star Trek: I.K.S. Gorkon, Book 2) by Keith R.A. DeCandido ISBN: 0743457161 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: A Time to Be Born (Star Trek The Next Generation) by John Vornholt ISBN: 0743467655 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 February, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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