Book review
Written by David R George, Heather Jarman
Pocket Books paperback
Release date Out now

The first half of the Mission Gamma quartet of novels sees the Defiant explore a far reach of the galaxy, and political intrigue surrounds Bajor's proposed entry to the Federation...

This is the point where DS9 fans have their cake and eat it. Not only does the DS9 relaunch series maintain the parent show's blend of character development, religious and political intrigue, and out and out skulduggery, but they also get to go exploring "where no man has gone before." By doing this, and devoting literally hundreds of pages to the various tales, the DS9 story answers many of the criticisms of the TV show.

By this stage in "season eight," we know the new characters created for the relaunch well enough that we are as invested in their trials and tribulations as we are in those of characters who were around for 172 hours of television. We can see the inherent problems in the crew that Elias Vaughn takes with him to the Gamma Quadrant, with some relationships buckling under the stress of the mission.

George and Jarman have differing prose styles, and it was a wise choice to assign George the opening novel of the quartet as he sets up many of the problems and conflicts that run through the series. Jarman displays a similar talent for her craft, which means that there's not a clash of styles as you move from one author to the other. Patrick Holm

VERDICT: 8/10
You come to the end – and want to start the next book immediately!

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