ST Terok Nor : Night of the Wolves

This Lost Years era story cover events on Bajor, Terok Nor and Cardassia in the years 2345-2357. Written by SD Perry and Britta Dennison, gives us a look into the lives and motivations of many characters, both in the beloved and love to hate categories, before Deep Space 9 became Deep Space 9. How did Dukat become prefect of Bajor? What events led to Natima Lang becoming a dissident? What is the connection between the birth of Tora Ziyal and the death of Kira Meru? What led Ro Laren to leave Bajor and join Starfleet? This book answers many questions, but creates as many mysteries as it solves.

Book:VOY Section 31: Shadow and Episode DS9: Inquisition

Yesterday I was sick ( still am) so I accomplished a rare feat- I read an entire book, from beginning to end, in one day. I had bought the Voyager/Section 31 book "Shadow" for Matthew the day before, of all places at the children's resale store while looking for ballet shoes for Andrew ( got him Capezios for $2.50, by the way!). He read it that evening and I read it in one day, so it's obviously a fast read. However, this novel by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch packs in plenty of depth. It looks at two of the "tough" subjects of the Star Trek universe- How does one apply the Prime Directive to a species that is about to be annihilated by a disaster of some sort? Is it interfering in the natural development so stop their extinction, whether or not First Contact must be established to do so? I have always found the arguments for letting another species or culture die to uphold the PD specious-so I was happy to see the Voyager clue save the pre-warp culture in this book.
The other half of the plot of this book concerns repeated murder attempts against Seven. It is eventually found to be the work of a Section 31 operative ( though if you want to know how, you'll have to read it!)
Which brings me to the DS9 episode- in delicious symmetry, we watched "Inquisition" right after I finished the book ( not by design, but because it was next on the disc). Some of the same issues are paralleled, naturally; How can loyal Starfleet officers live with the knowledge that Section 31 exists. What does it say that a peaceful, advanced culture has people who can kidnap and murder with impunity- all in the name of preserving that peace?

New Frontier: No Limits ed. Peter David.

If you're a fan of Peter David's New Frontier series, this is a must read. Edited by Peter David, this collection of stories loosk at the lives of various USS Excalibur crew members before thet joined Mackenzie Calhoun's ship, and includes the personal stories of some auxilliary charatchers.

Far and way my favorite is Terri Osborne's " Q'andry", in which Dr Selar, during her time on the USS Enterprise, gets kidnapped by Lady Q and lands right in the middle of the Voyager episode "The Q and the Grey". This story is very much in the toungue in cheek tradition that has made me such a fan of Peter David's work.
Keith RA DeCandido's story "Revelations', in which Soleta ( a favorite character of mine) learns the shocking story of her background, is poignantly sad.
Glenn Haumann and Lisa Sullivan's tale of Xant, "Redemption", is a cerebral look at what makes a god a god, obviously influenced by Sullivan's theological studies.
Look also for stories of Shelby's first encounter with the Borg, a look at Xenexian customs through the eyes of Mackenzie's brother, D'ndai of Calhoun, and the long alluded to take of Mackenzie Calhoun and Elizabeth Shelby's honeymoon.

Book: Stargazer: Enigma

Another worthy offering in Michael Jan Freidman's series concerning Jean Luc Picard's command of the USS Stargazer. An alien force is attacking Federation ships- destroying their defenses but leaving ships and crew intact. A crewman is not what he seems. Picard's job is on the line. Matthew notes: "A good book that tried hard but could have been done better". A quick read. Recommended, but buy it used or get it from the library.