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kappafrog's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I had high hopes for this book and came to the end feeling mixed.
Pros: Robinson's insights into Garak were satisfying and at times very poignant. I enjoyed the deeper exploration of Cardassian culture and history, Garak's relationships with Tolan and Palandine, and Garak's early life. The best parts were those set in his childhood and adolescence and those set after the events of DS9.
Cons: The spy plots were sometimes difficult to follow, particularly Garak's first assignment. Garak was also almost relentlessly heterosexual in this book, though I've seen it said this was more down to the editors than Robinson. I was definitely disappointed that none of Garak's relationships with men went beyond friendship.The plot with the Bajoran assassin was tedious and went nowhere in the end. After we think we have an eyewitness account to the reason Garak got exiled (the scene alluded to in the show), we're later meant to infer that Garak was exiled for killing Barkan, completely unrelated to the Bajoran children.
In the end, too many details of Garak's life and the political machinations of his exile were left unclear for me. The book ended with some cliffhanger details that would have been better resolved. However, as far as Star Trek novels go, this was a uniquely compelling character study, and I enjoyed many parts of it.
Pros: Robinson's insights into Garak were satisfying and at times very poignant. I enjoyed the deeper exploration of Cardassian culture and history, Garak's relationships with Tolan and Palandine, and Garak's early life. The best parts were those set in his childhood and adolescence and those set after the events of DS9.
Cons: The spy plots were sometimes difficult to follow, particularly Garak's first assignment. Garak was also almost relentlessly heterosexual in this book, though I've seen it said this was more down to the editors than Robinson. I was definitely disappointed that none of Garak's relationships with men went beyond friendship.
In the end, too many details of Garak's life and the political machinations of his exile were left unclear for me. The book ended with some cliffhanger details that would have been better resolved. However, as far as Star Trek novels go, this was a uniquely compelling character study, and I enjoyed many parts of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Genocide, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Blood, and Alcohol