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A review by sailsgoboom
The Lives of Dax by Marco Palmieri
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.