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rachelbz's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
franciso's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't make it through this. Lackluster and mediocre.
1outside's review against another edition
4.0
The book was a bit too exhaustive in the descriptions of the character's inner life, and the dialogue bordered on "people don't talk that way" sometimes, but other than that it served well developing Prime Lorca and Georgiou's characters. Lorca, we of course, never got to meet, Georgiou only shortly (but for long enough that I became a fan of her...as amusing and well acted as the emperor is, I still hands down prefer the captain).
I suppose I could have done without Kodos's being involved in the inner thoughts narrative, don't think it really brought too much light to WTF he was on about - though I admit it did fit with the shifting perspective method of the book, which helped move the story along. But I definitely don't think the epilogue was needed, it only spelled out what the reader figured out on their own anyway.
And yes, there was no need to tie in Lorca and Georgiou into TOS stories, but other than my caveats above, I think the book did well what it set out to do, and I for one am glad I got to meet and understand Prime Lorca and spend some more time with Prime Georgiou.
I suppose I could have done without Kodos's being involved in the inner thoughts narrative, don't think it really brought too much light to WTF he was on about - though I admit it did fit with the shifting perspective method of the book, which helped move the story along. But I definitely don't think the epilogue was needed, it only spelled out what the reader figured out on their own anyway.
And yes, there was no need to tie in Lorca and Georgiou into TOS stories, but other than my caveats above, I think the book did well what it set out to do, and I for one am glad I got to meet and understand Prime Lorca and spend some more time with Prime Georgiou.
kbrsuperstar's review against another edition
realized I was not in a state of mind to handle a 12-hour Tarsus IV story but I'll come back to this eventually
sleepey's review
3.0
I've been reading the Disco novels out of order & I've enjoyed all the others so far but this one was kind of a slog, frankly.
Nothing against Georgiou as a character but her half of the story felt totally aimless. Lots of little distractions putting out fires around the colony, lots of time spent introducing side characters who disappear after a chapter or two. I appreciate that the author was probably going for scale & detail here - it's a big place with a lot going on at once - but I just didn't find it very compelling. At times it was downright repetitive, like with one character pontificating on what was happening, then handing off to another character who had basically the same thoughts on the same thing.
As much as I'm complaining here, it's not like a total disaster of a book or anything. There are some good moments scattered throughout, it wraps up pretty well. But overall, compared to the rest of the series, it was a miss for me.
Nothing against Georgiou as a character but her half of the story felt totally aimless. Lots of little distractions putting out fires around the colony, lots of time spent introducing side characters who disappear after a chapter or two. I appreciate that the author was probably going for scale & detail here - it's a big place with a lot going on at once - but I just didn't find it very compelling. At times it was downright repetitive, like with one character pontificating on what was happening, then handing off to another character who had basically the same thoughts on the same thing.
As much as I'm complaining here, it's not like a total disaster of a book or anything. There are some good moments scattered throughout, it wraps up pretty well. But overall, compared to the rest of the series, it was a miss for me.
gingerreader99's review against another edition
3.0
I can't help but feel the most exciting and shocking part of the novel happens right away and the rest is just clean up. The character work is solid and getting to see Prime Lorca was fun (though he shares many similarities to mirror Lorca), as well as the Kirk cameo. Beyond that however it just didn't suck me in as much as I'd hoped. This is probably 3 downgraded to 2.5 for me.
thomwallacern's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun piece of Trek history to read! Kodos the Executioner was one of the more sinister villains of the original Star Trek series. His orchestrated massacre of 4000 civilians is now expanded and detailed in this novel. I highly recommend this read if you want to really hate a guy. (Also, spoiler, kiddo Kirk shows up!)
trumfer's review
5.0
The second one is a charm!
Great prequel to TOS episode "The Conscience of the King" and Gabriel Lorca character from Discovery. The manner in which story is told deserves an additional praise - it's a journalistic investigation, complete with eyewitness interviewees and some background info. The story itself is pretty relevant for our day and age, so extra bonus points for that.
Thanks mr. Ward, I hope to read another DCS novel from you :)
Great prequel to TOS episode "The Conscience of the King" and Gabriel Lorca character from Discovery. The manner in which story is told deserves an additional praise - it's a journalistic investigation, complete with eyewitness interviewees and some background info. The story itself is pretty relevant for our day and age, so extra bonus points for that.
Thanks mr. Ward, I hope to read another DCS novel from you :)
markmtz's review
5.0
Yet another good read from Mr. Ward, with an astonishing coda. Looking forward to what comes.
judenoseinabook's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A good solid trip to the Trek universe of pre Discovery Lorca and Georgiou; even a very young Jim Kirk makes an appearance. The story ties into the Tarsus lV Kodo the Executioner Original Series story by telling what happened there and the aftermath. It follows several main characters, is action packed and well plotted.