Destiny: Gods of Night by David Mack Review Thread (Spoilers!)

[David Mack]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

Now I have to wait another month before discussing the big happenings in Mere Mortals.

This is where my Troi issues magnified (from my recent review). I wonder if men will have similar reactions, or at least fathers.

However, there's no reason not to share your new review of Mere Mortals — again, the first of its kind online or in print. Brava!

Its money quote (in my opinion):

"Mere Mortals ends on a major cliffhanger that left me on the edge of my seat. I'm eagerly awaiting the conclusion — Lost Souls, set to release in late November. Again, Star Trek fans, don't miss this crossover trilogy!"​

 

[SciFiChick]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

Oops. I guess I could have linked to it. Thanks, David!
I may not be good at a lot of things, but I am a fast reader.

 

[Baerbel Haddrell]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

The Troi subplot had me riled up a bit.

Ree's diagnosis of the underlying genetic problems is fine. However, there's not reason why the problems should be insurmountable in creating a viable ovum. And I'm calling bullshit on his final diagnosis.

First, okay, Troi has mitochondrial DNA damage. Are there no other Betazoids aboard the Titan that a mitochondria could be borrowed from? Or does the Titan's shipboard computer not have a sequencing of Betazoid mitochondrial DNA? Given that mitochondrial DNA is the most stable across populations, using another Betazoid's mitochondria (or rebuilding it from an established baseline, since Ree says that he can, in fact, rebuild DNA) should be feasible.

Second, the corruption of Deanna's ova DNA. Ree says that he can't rebuild that, because he doesn't know what to rebuild it to. The problem is that Deanna has a fuckload of cells in her body with the standard template. (Use the DNA out of the intestine, like "Up the Long Ladder.") I find it impossible to believe that by the 24th-century Federation medical science can't take a cell and induce meiosis upon its genetic material.

So, I'm forced to draw one or two conclusions. Either it's the Voyager problem -- technobabble for technobabble's sake to confuse the issue with nonsense -- or Dr. Ree is simply unwilling to help Deanna Troi. Given the conversation Ree and Vale have later, the latter is entirely possible, but I can't dismiss the former.

I have read about two thirds of the book and I will say much more in a few days. (My review is already 5 pages long and I am not sure how much longer it will get)

I do like Dr. Ree but his treatment and attitude towards Deanna leaves a lot to be desired. I had to remember what Dax told Bashir in an episode, it is arrogant to believe that because he can`t find a cure that there isn`t any.

Even assuming that Deanna will really never be able to use her eggs, her womb is perfectly fine. Suggesting that she should have a hysterectomy is even worse than trying to force her to have an abortion. Even today, in the real world, women who can`t use their eggs can become pregnant. Dr. Ree has no right whatsoever to take that away from Deanna

 

[Daddy Todd]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

I cracked open "Gods of Night" yesterday, planning to read a couple chapters to pass the time while I was home with a cold. Instead, I was immediately captured by the narrative and the great writing.

I only stopped reading because it was nearly midnight and I was falling asleep over page 307 (remember, I have a cold -- rest assured I wasn't nodding off from boredom!)

This is awesome stuff... I want to try and ration out the rest so I don't have a big wait until Book II shows up, but I know that the next time I open it, I won't put it down until I'm done. Thanks, Mr Mack, for a great read!

 

[JD]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

I haven't had a chance to read the book yet, so I was curious if we have seen any of the major changes, or huge impact the books are supposed to have yet? I'm not looking for specifics, just a general yes or no.

 

[Enterpriserules]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

You can feel the setup and foundation that has been laid, but the mystery of what the impact will be is still there. There are some smaller things that have happened though.

Spoiler: press here

Like the death of Admiral Paris

.

 

[Daddy Todd]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

I have a question, which may be a spoiler for another book...

Spoiler: Spoiler

Namely, Kobayashi Maru: does Columbia's storyline pick up directly from her disappearance in KM, or does it start sometime later? I just read KM a week or so ago, butit isn't clear to me that the mission during which the Columbia disappeared in KM is the same mission we see her undertaking in Gods of Night.

 

[tenmei]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

About one hundred pages into it, this is blooming magnificent. I love the Aventine crew and would love to see a story about their adventures, assuming they survive the next two books, or even a prequel that sees Dax take command at the end, unless that'll be featured in the DS9 Relaunch eventually.

 

[Sto-Vo-Kory]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

I'm about half-way through the book and I'm spent. SO much is going on: the tension keeps ratcheting up, the mysteries keep deepening, the Borg keep coming...
I don't know if I'll be able to survive this book, but I'd rather die than not finish it.
I've not read ANY of the TNG, VGR or DS9 relaunch books but I'm still enjoying the hell out of this book. Kudos, Mr. Mack, for making a thoroughly entrenched crossover novel that is still accessible to new readers (like me). No easy feat.

I have a few questions:

Worf remembers an encounter with Spock -- where did this happen?

I assume that the bridge of the Ent-E looks like it did in "Nemesis" -- what do the bridges of the Titan and the Aventine look like?

Loved the brief mention of the Excalibur -- will we ever read a more detailed account of what happened with Calhoun's crew and that cube?

 

[Christopher]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

I have a question, which may be a spoiler for another book...

Spoiler: Spoiler

Namely, Kobayashi Maru: does Columbia's storyline pick up directly from her disappearance in KM, or does it start sometime later? I just read KM a week or so ago, butit isn't clear to me that the mission during which the Columbia disappeared in KM is the same mission we see her undertaking in Gods of Night.

Spoiler: Kobayashi Maru/Gods of Night

It isn't the same mission. KM takes place in July 2155, just at the start of the Earth-Romulan War, and Columbia is last seen at Alpha Centauri. The NX-02 scenes in GoN take place in the more distant Onias sector sometime in 2156, during the war.

Worf remembers an encounter with Spock -- where did this happen?

In the duology The Brave and the Bold.

I assume that the bridge of the Ent-E looks like it did in "Nemesis" -- what do the bridges of the Titan and the Aventine look like?

The latter hasn't been established, but I think the Titan bridge has been described in terms that suggest a hybrid of the E-D and E-E bridges, or something like that. I think Sean Tourangeau has done some conjectural artwork of Titan's bridge along those lines.

 

[Reanok]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

I just finished reading the Mere Mortals reviews. Interesting to see how the story continues where book 1 leaves off. I'm only halfway through the first book and like the story with Titan and Will and Deanna.And I hope that Deanna's baby can be saved.

 

[LutherSloan]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

Loved the brief mention of the Excalibur -- will we ever read a more detailed account of what happened with Calhoun's crew and that cube?

There was a brief mention of essentially what happened with the Excalibur. They tried to execute the same kamikaze tactic that the Ranger did against the Borg which destroyed the cube headed for Khitomer. However, the Borg had adapted already to that, so they executed another attack that I can't quite remember, which worked.

 

[Trippy]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

Just got my copy tonight...hope to read it this weekend, but I've had a killer sinus headache all week

It sure looks good though!

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

One of the small complaints I've had since picking this book up is -- the small universe syndrome. While it is nice to have recognizable characters and such, I find it difficult to believe that unless there was a major blemish on Bowers' record, why isn't he a captain or at least a commanding officer on a smaller ship? He has a longer track record than Ezri and from what I understand there was a pressing need for capable officers after what has happened in the Federation.

And then you have Simon Tarses as the chief medical officer. Seems like there are a few characters people are familiar with, even in passing, and with how large and diverse the Federation is?

I know you want to populate it with characters known to fans and casual people but it sort of feels kind of small univerish.

Unless there is an explanation for this in an upcoming novel. Even Titan didn't have a lot of familiar characters. I believe a minor and then Vale. Well Tuvok when they found him. Even Keru is sort of a new character. But for the most part they were new crew and new people, making it even a more diverse place.

I think that it would have helped Ezri too, because as a councilor or someone that was a councilor, she would have to deal with people she doesn't know including her XO.

 

[KRAD]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

^ Except it's specifically stated in Gods of Night that Dax chose Bowers, Leishman, and Tarses because they were familiar faces and people whom she'd served with, whom she knew, and on whom she could rely.

 

[Cobalt Frost]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

My only complaint is that the Sovereign-class has 24 decks, NOT 29 as erroneously stated in "Nemesis".

Unfortunately, once they established it in Nemesis, I and the other writers were obliged to adhere to that detail going forward. It simply required a retcon that explains that a lower-decks refit in the years between Insurrection and Nemesis subdivided several large decks, changing the total number of decks without altering the exterior hull configuration.

OK, I can buy that. Pretty much how I figured it, anyway, some half-sized "decks" for machinery etc.

Oh, and B'Elanna leaving Tom? Not cool. Hopefully will be explained more fully why she left and they'd better work it out, dang it!!

All will be explained in the forthcoming Full Circle by Kirsten Beyer.

Looking forward to it, then!

 

[fleetcaptain]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

I have to say I got the book back on thursday and I have been enjoying this book so far. I'm already in the middle of Ch. 12 and know already I'm going to have it finished here soon. Just going to have to wait for book 2 in 3 weeks or so.
I do like the jumping from one ship and crew to the next. Just gives a certain depth to the storytelling on in this series. Feels like if this was seen on tv or a movie, well I'm sure it would have been in the same format. Still trying to get use to Dax being a Captain already but that was going to come eventually.
I also like how Mack did use the calendar image as a jumping off point as he said for the Columbia's crash and I also am glad that it was told from before the start of the Dominion War. With so much happening, that I don't think the Borg is going to let up til the last book.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

^ Except it's specifically stated in Gods of Night that Dax chose Bowers, Leishman, and Tarses because they were familiar faces and people whom she'd served with, whom she knew, and on whom she could rely.

I know that BUT it still doesn't make sense that Bowers isn't a commanding officer on his own ship.

Tarses doesn't bother me as much because he hasn't had a long career. But Bowers, Bowers just doesn't many any sense if the Federation is looking for capable officers since they are losing so many.

 

[William Leisner]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

^ Except it's specifically stated in Gods of Night that Dax chose Bowers, Leishman, and Tarses because they were familiar faces and people whom she'd served with, whom she knew, and on whom she could rely.

I know that BUT it still doesn't make sense that Bowers isn't a commanding officer on his own ship.

Tarses doesn't bother me as much because he hasn't had a long career. But Bowers, Bowers just doesn't many any sense if the Federation is looking for capable officers since they are losing so many.

Well, after that scandal with the Orion twins and the Horta, he's lucky to still be in Starfleet.

Oops, sorry... DS9-R spoiler alert!

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Re: Star Trek: Destiny: Gods of Night - SPOILER Thread

^ Except it's specifically stated in Gods of Night that Dax chose Bowers, Leishman, and Tarses because they were familiar faces and people whom she'd served with, whom she knew, and on whom she could rely.

I know that BUT it still doesn't make sense that Bowers isn't a commanding officer on his own ship.

Tarses doesn't bother me as much because he hasn't had a long career. But Bowers, Bowers just doesn't many any sense if the Federation is looking for capable officers since they are losing so many.

Well, after that scandal with the Orion twins and the Horta, he's lucky to still be in Starfleet.

Oops, sorry... DS9-R spoiler alert!

See, that's what I'm thinking is that Bowers got into a problem like Worf and he can't be in command.