Want to hear my thoughts on this book? Listen to Literary Treks episode 385.
The start of a big Star Trek crossover series of novels always has a big lift. In this case, the author has to take a concept created by two other people, create an original Star Trek story, end on a big cliffhanger, and set the stage for six additional original novels (plus a short story collection). This book does some of it well and other parts… just okay.
If you’re familiar with Pandora’s Box, then you know this Greek myth is about Pandora, the first woman created by the gods, who was given a box by Zeus, with strict instructions never to open it. Apparently all religions see women as complete morons, so of course out of sheer curiosity, she opens it. Hey, you would have done the same! Anyway, she releases all the evils of the world (sickness, death, and suffering), but quickly closes the jar. However, what didn’t escape, what was left in the jar, was hope. I had hope this book would be good. When I opened it, it wasn’t evil that escaped; but what did escape was… a LOT!
A new Star Trek novel by Una McCormack? Sweet! And the main character of the novel is [checks notes] Una?! I’m in! Now the question is, where does Garak fit into this story?
Do you miss the days when the Batman movies were kinda campy but not overly campy. When they were dark but not overly dark? Do you wish you could dive back into the Michael Keaton days as Batman – between Batman and Batman Returns? Do you wish there was more connective tissue between those two movies? Are you getting as tired as I am with all these questions? Well, I’ve just got one thing to say to you:
Stop what you’re doing and read this book!
Is it called “No Man’s Land” because the two main characters are women? I mean, I guess there are parts that take place in Romulan territory. But still… I think the title should have been “When Seven Met Raffi” or “The Taming of the Seven” or something like that.
In the world of Star Trek books, this is not one you hear talked about a lot. But I’m here to tell you that that is a mistake. People should be reading this book and talking about it.
A low-key sequel to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and told in a series of flashback starring Admiral Uhura, Lieutenant Benjamin Sisko, Lieutenant Tuvok, and Dr. Selar.
You had me at “a low-key sequel to Star Trek VI.”
Cadet Babyface, reporting for duty!
This book has everything you want from a Star Trek story – true-crime podcasting, terms like “ghosting” and “Googling,” and of course Skype. Wait a minute…