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jelliclejules's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, and War
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
kappafrog's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
kirkspockreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was good but sometimes I wasn’t quite sure what Robinson was talking about or what he meant with some of Garak’s inner monologue.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Blood, Excrement, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Medical trauma and Alcohol