Reviews

This book is absolutely the best Star Trek extended universe novel that I've read. Andrew J. Robinson's writing and audiobook narration are fantastic. This book does an amazing job recontextualizing Garak and exploring the culture of Cardassians both before and after the Dominion war.

emeraldreverie's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have read the prose of this before. This time I opted to listen to AJR's audiobook and legit cried when it finished. Thank you AJR for such a deeply felt book. My absolute favorite trek book.

sunfishe's review against another edition

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5.0

This is my favorite trek novel I've ever read. Andrew Robinson's narration is superb. Simultaneously it clears up many mysteries DS9 left over the simple tailor Garak, while also posing many more questions -- including the question of whether the entire book is a lie. It left me wanting to go back and rewatch every DS9 episode Garak ever appeared in.

theciz's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad medium-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

4.5

A great backstory of my favourite character from Deep Space Nine, Garak, written by the actor. I was very impressed that this was both not written with a ghost writer, and also actually good. God knows any Extended Universe book is going to be a coin toss on readability, but this one was worth it.

Our favourite unreliable narrator Garak writes a confessional letter to his dear Doctor Bashir, detailing his life before DS9, just before the invasion of Cardassia, and his new life rebuilding after the Dominion have left. The first half, which goes over Garak's childhood and "schooling" is the better part, and Robinson has some very intriguing ideas when it comes to fleshing out Cardassian culture and spirituality.

If I have a pet peeve, it’s that there’s no retreads from anything featured in an episode - which not only means you have to have a decent recollection of most episodes featuring Garak, as well as the finale of the series in general, but I also felt robbed of an alternate POV from Robinson’s excellently crafted narration. It can also make the book feel a little choppy in parts.

Although the book is well written enough that Garak’s voice shines through authentically, the newly released audiobook read by Robinson really enhances the experience, and I definitely recommend that version.

anigoose's review

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2.0

I absolutely listened just for the newly recorded audiobook by andrew robinson.

theramblingreader's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

mamareadstuff's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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