Book Review

Here There Be Monsters (Star Trek: S.C.E. #10: Gateways Epilogue)

Casey

Star Trek: S.C.E. #10: Here There Be Monsters by Keith R.A. DeCandido is billed as the epilogue to the Gateways saga, and while it works fine in that context, it shines even more as a standalone S.C.E. story. The crew of the da Vinci is dispatched to a planet overrun by bizarre, monstrous creatures that have crossed over from another universe through one of the Gateways. As the team scrambles to contain the chaos, the story balances action, teamwork, and a bit of the series’ trademark weirdness.

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Book Review

What Lay Beyond (Star Trek: Gateways #7)

Casey

As the conclusion to the Gateways saga, What Lay Beyond should have brought everything together with a satisfying, cohesive finale. Instead, it felt like six disconnected short stories — some more engaging than others — cobbled together without a solid narrative through-line. The overarching problem with the Gateways series is even more apparent here: a strong concept poorly executed.

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Book Review

Invincible, Part Two (Star Trek: S.C.E. #8)

Casey

Star Trek: S.C.E. #7-8: Invincible by David Mack and Keith R.A. DeCandido is an ambitious two-parter that stands out thanks to its unique storytelling format. Told largely through a series of log entries, personal reflections, and internal communications from Lieutenant Commander Sonia Gomez, the story offers a real-time, first-person immediacy that’s rare in Trek fiction. It’s a refreshing shift in perspective that deepens Gomez’s character and gives the narrative a strong sense of urgency.

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Book Review

Invincible, Part One (Star Trek: S.C.E. #7)

Casey

Star Trek: S.C.E. #7-8: Invincible by David Mack and Keith R.A. DeCandido is an ambitious two-parter that stands out thanks to its unique storytelling format. Told largely through a series of log entries, personal reflections, and internal communications from Lieutenant Commander Sonia Gomez, the story offers a real-time, first-person immediacy that’s rare in Trek fiction. It’s a refreshing shift in perspective that deepens Gomez’s character and gives the narrative a strong sense of urgency.

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Book Review

Cold Fusion (Star Trek: S.C.E. #6)

Casey

Star Trek: S.C.E. #6: Cold Fusion by Keith R.A. DeCandido ties nicely into the post-Deep Space Nine continuity, serving as a fun “side quest” of sorts for Nog as he seeks help from the da Vinci crew to repair DS9. That broader connection is one of the novella’s strengths. Unfortunately, the danger never quite lands — the outcome feels predetermined, and the stakes never seem high enough to create real tension.

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Book Review

Fatal Error (Star Trek: S.C.E. #2)

Casey

This book continues to develop the da Vinci crew as the series finds its footing. Like a traditional Trek episode, we start to see certain characters steep into the spotlight, though at times it feels like too many are vying for attention. The story is classic Star Trek, full of problem-solving and moral dilemmas, but I found myself not especially invested in the planet’s inhabitants.

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Book Review

The Art of the Impossible (Star Trek: The Lost Era, 2328-2346)

Casey

We covered this book on the podcast, Literary Treks. It’s part of the “Lost Era” series (mini-series?) and takes place between the apparent death of James T. Kirk (Star Trek Generations) and the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Who is that on the cover, you ask? Could that be Worf? Could it? I mean, it sure as heck look like him, but can it really be him? Read on and find out.

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