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lori85's review against another edition
3.0
I remember when this came out and being really excited for the story of Seven of Nine's life. Unfortunately it's just another version of the episode "Infinite Regress" (which, to be fair, came out two months after this book was published).
bory's review against another edition
4.0
Rounded up from 3.5 stars.
What can I say, it's Christie Golden. She writes good stories, and she knows the Voyager crew inside and out. When you read one of her books, you can hear the lines being spoken in the character's voices from the show, which doesn't hold true for many of the pre-Kirsten Beyer novels.
My only real complaint is that the story could have used more Janeway, and especially more Janeway/Seven interactions. More minor complaints include some weird plot holes - like why didn't experienced telepaths like Vorik and especially chief-of-security Tuvok detect the Skedan's telepathic manipulation of the crew. But, it's Star Trek. Technobabble and plotholes are part of the charm.
Maybe I'm biased in giving this an above average rating, but I love this universe, and I love these characters, and Golden writes them well enough that I'm willing to overlook problematic elements more so that in other works of fiction.
What can I say, it's Christie Golden. She writes good stories, and she knows the Voyager crew inside and out. When you read one of her books, you can hear the lines being spoken in the character's voices from the show, which doesn't hold true for many of the pre-Kirsten Beyer novels.
My only real complaint is that the story could have used more Janeway, and especially more Janeway/Seven interactions. More minor complaints include some weird plot holes - like why didn't experienced telepaths like Vorik and especially chief-of-security Tuvok detect the Skedan's telepathic manipulation of the crew. But, it's Star Trek. Technobabble and plotholes are part of the charm.
Maybe I'm biased in giving this an above average rating, but I love this universe, and I love these characters, and Golden writes them well enough that I'm willing to overlook problematic elements more so that in other works of fiction.
amyz001's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid story from Christie Golden. The aliens are particularly interesting in their ability to influence the crew to do their bidding. Sevens characterisation is great, and the black bird returning from the TV show to herald a warning to her was a cool idea. An interesting exploration of the Borg and Seven's responsibility for assimilating other individuals and how that plays on her mind. The motives of the aliens are also sympathetic, and it's interesting to see how Seven tries to deal with her humanity by empathising with them but not necessarily going about helping them that is in line with the Federation.
Overall a great story which had me hooked throughout.
Overall a great story which had me hooked throughout.
dreamwanderer's review against another edition
4.0
Seven of Nine had FINALLY joined the Star Trek Voyager Lit-Verse! Tom and B'Elanna are together. I mention that in my reviews not because I'm a shipper but to use it as a way to place it within the TV series. This story would take place sometime after early Season 4.
Christie Golden is one of the better Star Trek writers and does a great job with this story. It is not however Seven of Nine's 'story'. It does not tell the story of little Annika Hansen's journey to the Collective and back again. It is simply another adventure set on Voyager that could have been an episode. I personally think a different title would be more appropriate but since Seven is the focus character I'll let it pass.
Voyager wishes to pass through the Lhiaarian Empire. If they cannot years will be added to their journey. On their way to seek permission from the Emperor they pick the Skedans who are refugees of a Borg Invasion. They wish to seek redress from the Emperor who was supposed to offer them protection that never came.
These Skedans have a hidden agenda. They can not only read minds, they can manipulate them. They mentally torture Seven of Nine because of their anger at the Borg and they subtly use the crew to make decisions they would not otherwise.
Great read and great use of Seven of Nine and a very good resolution. I omit one star simply because Golden uses the same old trope I keep seeing in these books. Tom becomes involved with a alien female. Now this time around it is a case of mind control and it doesn't last long but its still there. I don't know why that was used over and over again in the numbered books and I realize it is probably not the fault of the authors but someone should have caught it.
Christie Golden is one of the better Star Trek writers and does a great job with this story. It is not however Seven of Nine's 'story'. It does not tell the story of little Annika Hansen's journey to the Collective and back again. It is simply another adventure set on Voyager that could have been an episode. I personally think a different title would be more appropriate but since Seven is the focus character I'll let it pass.
Voyager wishes to pass through the Lhiaarian Empire. If they cannot years will be added to their journey. On their way to seek permission from the Emperor they pick the Skedans who are refugees of a Borg Invasion. They wish to seek redress from the Emperor who was supposed to offer them protection that never came.
These Skedans have a hidden agenda. They can not only read minds, they can manipulate them. They mentally torture Seven of Nine because of their anger at the Borg and they subtly use the crew to make decisions they would not otherwise.
Great read and great use of Seven of Nine and a very good resolution. I omit one star simply because Golden uses the same old trope I keep seeing in these books. Tom becomes involved with a alien female. Now this time around it is a case of mind control and it doesn't last long but its still there. I don't know why that was used over and over again in the numbered books and I realize it is probably not the fault of the authors but someone should have caught it.
ensignlesbian's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite trek books. To the point that I sometimes mix up plot points with the book and think they're from episodes.
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