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siria's review against another edition
3.0
A solidly entertaining Trek tie-in novel. Una McCormack writes with more subtlety and attention to characterisation than is found in the vast majority of such works. I do tend to find McCormack's Cardassia a little two-dimensional, its intrigues a little bland, but I really enjoy her take on Garak. In light of this novel's ending and oh, I don't know, pretty much every episode of DS9 starring Garak and Bashir, I'm continue to be bemused as to why the Powers That Be won't just let the two of them make out and have a happily ever after. Still, an enjoyable way to while away a plane ride.
reasie's review against another edition
4.0
Structurally it's a bit loose, and the mystery has that problem where the resolution comes so quickly you miss it.
However, of course it was a delight to revisit Garrak and Cardassia as seen by Una McCormack. This book deals particularly with the sensitive issue of half-Bajoran children, which of course we knew existed.
Best parts: serious angsty Garrak-Bashir looooove that made my shipper heart twinge with delighted agony. Dr. Pulaski is a pure delight and a great character for adventure, always willing to dive into action. I adored her. And I adored Garrak having a sweet old husband who was once his torture victim! (Drama there!)
Not giving it full marks, tho, because it just made me angry I hadn't read whatever books came before this one in what is obviously a series.
So... gotta get on that.
However, of course it was a delight to revisit Garrak and Cardassia as seen by Una McCormack. This book deals particularly with the sensitive issue of half-Bajoran children, which of course we knew existed.
Best parts: serious angsty Garrak-Bashir looooove that made my shipper heart twinge with delighted agony. Dr. Pulaski is a pure delight and a great character for adventure, always willing to dive into action. I adored her. And I adored Garrak having a sweet old husband who was once his torture victim! (Drama there!)
Not giving it full marks, tho, because it just made me angry I hadn't read whatever books came before this one in what is obviously a series.
So... gotta get on that.
jecamp86's review against another edition
4.0
Loved Garak
Pretty obvious that Garak remains one of the great Star Trek characters ever created. His story is fascinating and his continued growth is evident. The part of the book I didn't care for was the Pulaski portion. She was never a character I cared for and I don't think she served much purpose other than comic relief.
Pretty obvious that Garak remains one of the great Star Trek characters ever created. His story is fascinating and his continued growth is evident. The part of the book I didn't care for was the Pulaski portion. She was never a character I cared for and I don't think she served much purpose other than comic relief.
kbrsuperstar's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
The Garak plot was fine with one caveat (his constant pining for Bashir got suuuuper boring for me) but I absolutely loved the Pulaski story, like I could read that until my eyeballs fell out
divadiane's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, even if I was missing some background by not having watched more than 2 seasons and random episodes of DS9.
There was something said toward the end of the book that made me think post-war Germany might have been McCormack’s model for a society trying to redeem itself and rebuild. Brilliant.
I don’t buy it that Dr. Polaski would be so reckless with her own health.
More like 3.5 rounded up.
There was something said toward the end of the book that made me think post-war Germany might have been McCormack’s model for a society trying to redeem itself and rebuild. Brilliant.
I don’t buy it that Dr. Polaski would be so reckless with her own health.
More like 3.5 rounded up.
frakalot's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating tale set in post Dominion Cardassia. The style of this one felt like a successful blending of Articles of the Federation with A Stitch in Time.
The characters are all great and the story was dramatic in a very Cardassian sense. Not high action but plenty of intrigue and misdirection.
I haven't read all of the stories that lead up to this point but that didn't seem to affect my reading. The author introduced some of those topics with a delicacy that I appreciated.
I liked the strange way that the author referenced one of her other Cardassian novels. I also liked the respect given to the Cardassian people.
I was expecting a little too much at the end but was none the less pleased with the conclusion of events.
The characters are all great and the story was dramatic in a very Cardassian sense. Not high action but plenty of intrigue and misdirection.
I haven't read all of the stories that lead up to this point but that didn't seem to affect my reading. The author introduced some of those topics with a delicacy that I appreciated.
I liked the strange way that the author referenced one of her other Cardassian novels. I also liked the respect given to the Cardassian people.
I was expecting a little too much at the end but was none the less pleased with the conclusion of events.
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this Novel about Garek and Cardassia. The Enigma Tales are a particular sort of Cardassian crime novel and crimes are committed, both in the past and the present.
Dr Kate Pulaski is visiting Cardassia and gets drawn in to the plot.
Poor Julian Bashir is in a catatonic state, but I don't know how it happened and how he got got there.
Garek himself is as enigmatic as ever, although I wan to believe the best of him.
Dr Kate Pulaski is visiting Cardassia and gets drawn in to the plot.
Poor Julian Bashir is in a catatonic state, but I don't know how it happened and how he got got there.
Garek himself is as enigmatic as ever, although I wan to believe the best of him.
graff_fuller's review against another edition
4.0
I've always liked our disreputable taylor from DS9. He always seemed to have so many plates spinning in the air. Plotting and scheming. That kind of life usually catches up with you, eventually.
I am NOT a fan of Dr. Pulaski, but they used her very well within this story. I have to admit that when I read her name...I groaned, "not her, please not her."
Julian Bashir was ever near, but still so far away.
I loved the political intrigue and the posturing that goes with it. Cardassia has been on the mend, not geologically as it is politically. So many wounded people, along with the wounded land.
I enjoyed also being back in the Deep Space Nine realm, too. Familiar and good natured group.
I will read more novels within this era of Star Trek. Lots of fun.
I am NOT a fan of Dr. Pulaski, but they used her very well within this story. I have to admit that when I read her name...I groaned, "not her, please not her."
Julian Bashir was ever near, but still so far away.
I loved the political intrigue and the posturing that goes with it. Cardassia has been on the mend, not geologically as it is politically. So many wounded people, along with the wounded land.
I enjoyed also being back in the Deep Space Nine realm, too. Familiar and good natured group.
I will read more novels within this era of Star Trek. Lots of fun.