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alihashemah's review
4.0
Unexpected Gem. A great DS9 story and would have loved to see it as an extended episode, I mean they made movie with worse story lines. Tbh I wasnt expecting much and it does start slow. Yet glad I read it, a must for Trekkies and DS9ers
k_winchester's review
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I stumbled upon this more recently - and conveniently not long after I'd finished watching DS9 for the first time (*10/10 loved it, btw). A lot of tie in novels are pretty meh at best, but this one was pretty great actually!
I will say that I found - without getting spoilery - the antagonist/villain's plans, purpose, reasons, etc either really convoluted or just not actually clear at all in the end. Between Dax and the crew untangling the mysteries and plots, and both thier wrong and right guesses, the Actual Plan/motives was so lost and muddied in the end that it made the ending not satisfying at all in that respect. It kinda felt like there would be a really good, clear "aHA" moment coming in that last few chapters, but instead the story just kinda...continued then ended?
That being said, it was otherwise a really cool ride. It was great to see Trill culture, Jadzia content - she was written really well, and the way her Trill/Dax lives were integrated, mentioned, or utilized felt so natural and real to what it would be like for her. Bashir and Worf were pitch perfect. 👌 The way thier dynamics and relationships were written also fit really perfectly into what we saw on the show (before and after where this book takes place). Also LOVED the Kira and Dax team up for the first half of the book. As well, I really liked how this delved a bit into the stuff with Joran, more than the show really had time for.
Overall (major lack of antagonist's Ultimate Goal aside), it felt like a DS9 movie/spinoff, which was awesome (could've used some more of the DS9 crew, like Sisko and Quark and Miles BUT the crew that did make appearances were there fittingly so and not just because). Although I doubt older DS9 books will be as good as this one, it makes me want to seek some out nonetheless. 😅
I will say that I found - without getting spoilery - the antagonist/villain's plans, purpose, reasons, etc either really convoluted or just not actually clear at all in the end. Between Dax and the crew untangling the mysteries and plots, and both thier wrong and right guesses, the Actual Plan/motives was so lost and muddied in the end that it made the ending not satisfying at all in that respect. It kinda felt like there would be a really good, clear "aHA" moment coming in that last few chapters, but instead the story just kinda...continued then ended?
That being said, it was otherwise a really cool ride. It was great to see Trill culture, Jadzia content - she was written really well, and the way her Trill/Dax lives were integrated, mentioned, or utilized felt so natural and real to what it would be like for her. Bashir and Worf were pitch perfect. 👌 The way thier dynamics and relationships were written also fit really perfectly into what we saw on the show (before and after where this book takes place). Also LOVED the Kira and Dax team up for the first half of the book. As well, I really liked how this delved a bit into the stuff with Joran, more than the show really had time for.
Overall (major lack of antagonist's Ultimate Goal aside), it felt like a DS9 movie/spinoff, which was awesome (could've used some more of the DS9 crew, like Sisko and Quark and Miles BUT the crew that did make appearances were there fittingly so and not just because). Although I doubt older DS9 books will be as good as this one, it makes me want to seek some out nonetheless. 😅
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
moholub's review
5.0
Gods, do I miss Jadzia Dax. White delivers a high stakes, Star-Trek-worthy plot with solid characterization, and the deep dive into Trill culture is a great avenue for the philosophical debate on free will and individuality.
lydaalexander's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sdpersaud89's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mxsallybend's review
4.0
As much as I generally dislike stories that take characters out of their element - in this case, Jadzia Dax and Deep Space 9 - I enjoyed this. Revenant delves deep into the lives of Dax and the culture of the Trill, and while it's almost completely removed from DS9, we do get Kira, Bashir, and Worf along for the adventure.
The novel works as both science fiction and horror, with a monstrous element that I really can't say much about without getting into spoilers. Alex White tells a story that feels original, while remaining true to the characters and their continuity. The world-building in regards to the Trill is fantastic, successfully building upon the darker aspects introduced during the series run.
In many ways this is a crime novel in a science fiction setting and, to their credit, White does justice to both aspects of the story. There's plenty of suspense here with questions we're anxious to see answered, drama with the conspiracy and conflict between Starfleet and local authorities, and action with the monstrous aspect I mentioned earlier. For a story that takes place mid-series, where we know the main characters will survive, there's still a palatable sense of dread that brings the story to life.
Maybe not the best Star Trek novel I've read, Revenant is still a welcome addition to Deep Space 9 lore.
https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2022/02/scifi-book-review-revenant-by-alex-white.html
The novel works as both science fiction and horror, with a monstrous element that I really can't say much about without getting into spoilers. Alex White tells a story that feels original, while remaining true to the characters and their continuity. The world-building in regards to the Trill is fantastic, successfully building upon the darker aspects introduced during the series run.
In many ways this is a crime novel in a science fiction setting and, to their credit, White does justice to both aspects of the story. There's plenty of suspense here with questions we're anxious to see answered, drama with the conspiracy and conflict between Starfleet and local authorities, and action with the monstrous aspect I mentioned earlier. For a story that takes place mid-series, where we know the main characters will survive, there's still a palatable sense of dread that brings the story to life.
Maybe not the best Star Trek novel I've read, Revenant is still a welcome addition to Deep Space 9 lore.
https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2022/02/scifi-book-review-revenant-by-alex-white.html
bicoastallibrarian's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It felt like a long extra DS9 episode in the best way.
leovinas's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0