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willia4's review against another edition
3.0
If 90% of everything is crap*, licensed sci-fi novels are the exception that push that law close to 95%. There are a lot of poorly written cookie-cutter novels on whose covers publishers slap a couple logos and sell it to folks like me who'll buy things because they're fans. Indeed, I've largely moved past the licensed books that so completely dominated my youth because the quality tended so far towards the crappier end of the curve.
But, my spouse and I had recently finished watching the full series of Deep Space Nine and I wanted more. What better place to start than with the DS9 relaunch, of which this book has been retroactively named the first? So I grabbed it, excited to read more about one of the more compelling characters Trek has ever produced.
And I find myself fortunate that it's not bad. It's no great work of literature. It won't stand the touch of time. But it's a collection of decent stories that all add a little more flavor to the Star Trek universe. If I had any complaints, it was that a couple of the stories had a bit too much fan service. Sure, it was inevitable that Curzon's story would involve a young Ben Sisko. And I suppose it was already canon that Emony Dax had met an even young Leonard McCoy. But did they have to drink a Picard wine on their date? That's just ridiculous.
That aside, this was a fun bit of Star Trek. If you like that sort of thing, you should pick it up.
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon's_Law
But, my spouse and I had recently finished watching the full series of Deep Space Nine and I wanted more. What better place to start than with the DS9 relaunch, of which this book has been retroactively named the first? So I grabbed it, excited to read more about one of the more compelling characters Trek has ever produced.
And I find myself fortunate that it's not bad. It's no great work of literature. It won't stand the touch of time. But it's a collection of decent stories that all add a little more flavor to the Star Trek universe. If I had any complaints, it was that a couple of the stories had a bit too much fan service. Sure, it was inevitable that Curzon's story would involve a young Ben Sisko. And I suppose it was already canon that Emony Dax had met an even young Leonard McCoy. But did they have to drink a Picard wine on their date? That's just ridiculous.
That aside, this was a fun bit of Star Trek. If you like that sort of thing, you should pick it up.
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon's_Law
kilcannon's review against another edition
1.0
The angsty story where Sisko was all horny was annoying enough that I deducted a star.
jazzypizzaz's review against another edition
3.0
While I love the idea of telling Dax's story through an anthology-- with different authors and voices and perspectives-- the main failing of this book was not adequately tying all these stories into *one life*. "How can Ezri Dax be more than the sum of her parts?" is presented as the most important question framing the book, but more could have been done to attempt to answer this. Who, exactly, is Dax separate of the hosts?
That said, many of the individual pieces were fascinating character and/or world-building pieces, answering and raising other questions about Trill, symbionts, and identity. The biggest running theme was the progression of Trill society from being isolationist and guarded to joining Starfleet; and throughout this, Dax is at the forefront of embracing new alien culture and pushing towards more openness.
Ezri-- I like the framing of her telling this to Vic Fontaine. Some interesting perspective of her as Ezri Tigan before the joining, extra detail on how the joining took place, and is unique in showing a negative perspective from a Trill regarding the symbionts.
Lela-- Shows what early Trill politics were like. Good story, could have been more richly told, but sufficient.
Tobin-- Exciting fun story with Romulans capturing his ship, some cool thoughts on how his weaknesses are also his strengths.
Emony-- Barely about Emony herself, but instead focuses on a poorly characterized Bones and a half-baked plot about community-building at alien Olympics. Not worth reading at all. I really wish the conflict with the gymnast aliens that hate the Trill was better developed-- it would have better explained why the Trill were so secretive and careful about opening up with such fundamental parts of their culture with alien species generally.
Audrid-- FANTASTIC. Richly textured, emotionally driven, and raises fascinating questions about the role of family for joined Trill as well as the origins of Trill/symbiont joinings.
Torias-- Nothing particularly wrong with it, other than that the only dramatic tension is his wife's anxiety test flight, which as we know from the show she's right and he dies. Doesn't really add much.
Joran-- Excellent, suspenseful chapter. Perspectives on Trill culture regarding joined vs unjoined within society, crime w/i Trill society, and a pretty okay crime mystery.
Curzon-- BY FAR MY FAVORITE HOLY SHIT. Goes above and beyond in depicting truly *alien* species. Nuanced and emotionally driven (Sisko is chewing the scenery a bit over the top at the end, but he does that in the show so I guess it works??), and raises FASCINATING philosophical questions about the nature of identity w/r/t individuals vs greater society, very relevant to joined Trill!! It's told through Sisko's perspective, but the story is driven by the complexity of Curzon's characterization, with his contradictions (boisterous but diplomatic, etc).
Jadzia-- Depicts her relationship with her sister!! and more about joined vs unjoined Trill in their society, through a kidnapping/theft investigation w/ Verad. Interesting details on physical/mental medical facts about Trill/symbionts.
That said, many of the individual pieces were fascinating character and/or world-building pieces, answering and raising other questions about Trill, symbionts, and identity. The biggest running theme was the progression of Trill society from being isolationist and guarded to joining Starfleet; and throughout this, Dax is at the forefront of embracing new alien culture and pushing towards more openness.
Ezri-- I like the framing of her telling this to Vic Fontaine. Some interesting perspective of her as Ezri Tigan before the joining, extra detail on how the joining took place, and is unique in showing a negative perspective from a Trill regarding the symbionts.
Lela-- Shows what early Trill politics were like. Good story, could have been more richly told, but sufficient.
Tobin-- Exciting fun story with Romulans capturing his ship, some cool thoughts on how his weaknesses are also his strengths.
Emony-- Barely about Emony herself, but instead focuses on a poorly characterized Bones and a half-baked plot about community-building at alien Olympics. Not worth reading at all. I really wish the conflict with the gymnast aliens that hate the Trill was better developed-- it would have better explained why the Trill were so secretive and careful about opening up with such fundamental parts of their culture with alien species generally.
Audrid-- FANTASTIC. Richly textured, emotionally driven, and raises fascinating questions about the role of family for joined Trill as well as the origins of Trill/symbiont joinings.
Torias-- Nothing particularly wrong with it, other than that the only dramatic tension is his wife's anxiety test flight, which as we know from the show she's right and he dies. Doesn't really add much.
Joran-- Excellent, suspenseful chapter. Perspectives on Trill culture regarding joined vs unjoined within society, crime w/i Trill society, and a pretty okay crime mystery.
Curzon-- BY FAR MY FAVORITE HOLY SHIT. Goes above and beyond in depicting truly *alien* species. Nuanced and emotionally driven (Sisko is chewing the scenery a bit over the top at the end, but he does that in the show so I guess it works??), and raises FASCINATING philosophical questions about the nature of identity w/r/t individuals vs greater society, very relevant to joined Trill!! It's told through Sisko's perspective, but the story is driven by the complexity of Curzon's characterization, with his contradictions (boisterous but diplomatic, etc).
Jadzia-- Depicts her relationship with her sister!! and more about joined vs unjoined Trill in their society, through a kidnapping/theft investigation w/ Verad. Interesting details on physical/mental medical facts about Trill/symbionts.
fretsandflour's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, and Violence
jonathan_lee_b's review against another edition
4.0
The Lives of Dax is walking through a museum with a different artist exhibit every few feet.
navithefairy's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
amethyst_hearts_books's review against another edition
4.0
I devoured this book. Great for Dax/Trill in general fans.
jeansbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
em_being's review against another edition
3.0
Dax is a mess of a character. Trill episodes in DS9 are often borderline to actually embarrassing because Trill society is a weird thing to handle around the edges of an already over-stuffed show. So you'd think short stories about the various Dax hosts would be a great vehicle for expanding these ideas. And you'd be right, assuming the author is good.
Ezri: the Ezri wrapper is terrible, not because of Ezri but because the Reeves-Stevenses seem to think that Vic Fontaine is vaguely supernatural? Bad. It's bad.
Lela: Lela is cool, this is actually a great story about what politics look like after first contact but before you join galactic civilization. One of the best stories in this book.
Tobin: some Earth-Romulan war adventures. Fun but disposable.
Emony: from the point of view of young Leonard McCoy, based on an offhanded remark Jadzia made in that one episode of DS9. Some lore nonsense but not unpleasant.
Audrid: a blatant tie in to the DS9 relaunch books, and absolutely worthless past that.
Torias: We knew Torias died in a shuttlecraft accident, what we didn't know was that it was actually about the development of transwarp engines. Again, some lore nonsense. Worse than Emony, imo.
Joran: perhaps the best story in the book? It's basically Red Dragon but on Trill, with a joined Trill detective who has been tasked through their various lives to hunt down any joined trill serial killers, by understand how they work. Joran is one such person.
Curzon: absolute garbage, a mess of racially problematic tropes and lazy Star Trek cliches wrapped in Curzon dragging a young Ben Sisko (who has no character other than being oblivious and horny) by the nose through a negotiation with some Intensely Alien Aliens. The worst story of the bunch.
Jadzia: a sequel of sorts to the episode where a guy briefly steals the Dax symbiont. It seems to be table-setting for future stories about life on Trill in upcoming books but it's hard to say. The core concept is interesting but the way it ties into Jadzia's pre-joining family is heavy-handed and unnecessary.
All in all, the ultimate mixed bag. Worth it for the two great stories, but honestly I'd recommend just skipping that Curzon one.
Ezri: the Ezri wrapper is terrible, not because of Ezri but because the Reeves-Stevenses seem to think that Vic Fontaine is vaguely supernatural? Bad. It's bad.
Lela: Lela is cool, this is actually a great story about what politics look like after first contact but before you join galactic civilization. One of the best stories in this book.
Tobin: some Earth-Romulan war adventures. Fun but disposable.
Emony: from the point of view of young Leonard McCoy, based on an offhanded remark Jadzia made in that one episode of DS9. Some lore nonsense but not unpleasant.
Audrid: a blatant tie in to the DS9 relaunch books, and absolutely worthless past that.
Torias: We knew Torias died in a shuttlecraft accident, what we didn't know was that it was actually about the development of transwarp engines. Again, some lore nonsense. Worse than Emony, imo.
Joran: perhaps the best story in the book? It's basically Red Dragon but on Trill, with a joined Trill detective who has been tasked through their various lives to hunt down any joined trill serial killers, by understand how they work. Joran is one such person.
Curzon: absolute garbage, a mess of racially problematic tropes and lazy Star Trek cliches wrapped in Curzon dragging a young Ben Sisko (who has no character other than being oblivious and horny) by the nose through a negotiation with some Intensely Alien Aliens. The worst story of the bunch.
Jadzia: a sequel of sorts to the episode where a guy briefly steals the Dax symbiont. It seems to be table-setting for future stories about life on Trill in upcoming books but it's hard to say. The core concept is interesting but the way it ties into Jadzia's pre-joining family is heavy-handed and unnecessary.
All in all, the ultimate mixed bag. Worth it for the two great stories, but honestly I'd recommend just skipping that Curzon one.
eyan_birt's review against another edition
3.0
Jadzia Dax is one of my favorite fandom characters of all time, and her death in the Season 6 finale of Deep Space 9 (which I watched for the first time two days ago) has devastated me worse than nearly any other media death (I think the end of Peter Capaldi's run with Doctor Who is up there). So of course I seized the chance to read this collection of short stories, one from each of the lives of the Trill symbiont Dax.
Because each chapter was written independently, there are highs and lows. Some chapters I skimmed or skipped pages, but Audrina's chapter captivated me through the entire letter. It's also clear this novel was complied in the '90's, because some of the terms and phrases, and some of the ways we as a culture discuss gender/bodies/etc. has changed a lot in the past 20+ years. Overall enjoyable, but dated.
Because each chapter was written independently, there are highs and lows. Some chapters I skimmed or skipped pages, but Audrina's chapter captivated me through the entire letter. It's also clear this novel was complied in the '90's, because some of the terms and phrases, and some of the ways we as a culture discuss gender/bodies/etc. has changed a lot in the past 20+ years. Overall enjoyable, but dated.