I know that I have only read two of her books (and technically, they were two parts of the same story, so it was really just one BIG book), but I’m going to have to say that I think S.D. Perry might have actually given Peter David a run for his money as being the author I would trust the most with my precious Star Trek characters. She’s definitely now among my top Trek authors, to be sure, after pulling off an amazing debut for the “eighth season” of Deep Space Nine with the conclusion of Avatar, Book Two of Two.

I was highly impressed by both of these books, and not simply because of the various storylines taking place and intersecting and combining oh so beautifully. It was also how Perry handled each of these characters, both established and new, with a care and precision that in many ways surpassed the attention lavished upon them by the show’s writers. Most impressive was her handling of the character Ezri Dax. I had a huge problem with the fact that Ezri Dax was stationed to DS9 after Jadzia Dax was killed. It just felt wrong. But since it was going to happen regardless of what I thought, I decided that what I’d like most is to see a deeper exploration of the whole concept of being a Trill, especially for a host who never really planned on being a host.

Needless to say, the show never really met my expectations in this regard. They only had one season to work with Ezri, so I guess they did as best as they could. Still, I wanted more. And Perry delivered in this book. She deftly explores the inner intricacies of what it’s like to carry around so many memories and lives in ways that provided amazing insight into both the Dax symbiont and the latest host to carry it within her.

This alone made these two books enjoyable. Add onto this the fact that Perry also actually pulls off the reintroduction of Ro Laren to the Trek universe in a wonderful way (minus my complaint regarding the somewhat of a stretch in storyline from the first book). Indeed, there was a bit of an “encounter” between the TNG crew and DS9’s new chief of security, but only in regard to two brief interactions between Picard and Ro, which were contained and well-played. It is Jean-Luc Picard, after all. Plus, Perry gives us glimpses of the TNG crew interacting with DS9 crew in ways that I had always wanted to see during crossover episodes of the shows. There’s even a great scene in which Dr. Crusher is called upon to temporarily take over as DS9’s CMO. It’s a short snippet in the book, but it’s wonderfully executed and a delight to read.

I think that’s a perfect summary for both of these books: They were a delight to read. I haven’t been this happy with a Trek book in a very long time. Avatar kicks off the continuation of the DS9 saga in high style. Perry shows Colonel Kira to be a competent and pragmatic commander of the station. She also takes Kira down a path that leads to quite a change for the normally spiritual Nerys. The end result is one that I have to admit left me with a profound sadness for Kira. Another sign of an excellent writer. I can only hope that the path that Colonel Kira now finds herself on is one that she is prepared to walk, but I can say this: I’m prepared to follow her, Lieutenant Ro, Dr. Bashir, Commander Dax, and all the others wherever their journeys take them next. I only hope that the next author responsible for continuing this story arc can live up to the high standards that S.D. Perry has now set.

Final score: 5/5. The law of averages has demanded that I give this entire two-parter a solid 5. Highly enjoyable, and totally believable continuation of the DS9 saga. I can’t wait to read the next book!

FINALLY! Oh thank the Prophets, I have found a Star Trek book worth reading! I’ve temporarily abandoned hope regarding finding a decent TNG novel from the post-Nemesis flotsam, and I’ve now switched over to the “eighth season” DS9 books. First on the agenda is Avatar, Book One of Two, by S.D. Perry.

This was a brilliant way to continue the DS9 story. I take special joy in this idea since I was so disappointed in how the writers ended DS9 by scattering all those characters across the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants so unceremoniously. I get the fact that life often behaves in such a fashion, pulling apart friends and lovers in similar ways, but the fact that they did it to so many characters all at once…it was just too painful an ending for a show that I daresay often gave TNG a run for being my favorite series.

Plus, the added bonus to this book (and I’m assuming the second part, which I have already started reading) is that it brings in the TNG cast as well. So far, there’s a parallel story taking place on the Enterprise-E that is going to end up bringing the crew to DS9. I suspect the doo will hit the fan in some way then, since the new security chief on DS9 is none other than Ro Laren.

Okay, here’s where my biggest complaint about this book comes into play: Ro Laren? Really? I get that Ro was originally supposed to be the liaison between the Bajorans and the Federation on DS9, but Michelle Forbes kaboshed that idea because she didn’t want to be shackled to a television show. So what better way to finally put Ro where she belongs than in the books! But…she was Maquis. According to Voyager, the Dominion killed all the remaining Maquis in the Alpha Quadrant. But Ro Laren survived…to become DS9’s security chief.

Yeah. Perry does an admirable job of trying to make this make sense, but it’s about as much of a stretch as the elastic in Rush Limbaugh’s Fruit of the Looms after Thanksgiving dinner. Still, it’s so great to have Ro Laren back in the fold…even though Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, and Robert Greenberger already brought Ro and Kira together once before, in their DS9 novel collaboration, The Wrath of the Prophets. Of course, we all know that the novels are not considered canon at all…if they were, Peter David’s Vendetta would have been a prime argument against Seven of Nine ever being more post-Borg than full-blown catatonic.

Oh noes, I’ve gone hardcore geek now, eh? Needless to say, even with as “coincidental” as Ro Laren’s resurfacing is, Perry does an admirable job of making it as believable as possible. Plus, Perry juggles several major plot lines beautifully, including a murder on the space station that becomes Ro’s first major way to prove herself to Kira, the surfacing of an ancient Bajoran text that speaks of frightful events to transpire, the discovery of the Orb of Memory, the plight of Jake Sisko, plus a boatload of new characters to help round out the story and push it along. She does a beautiful job of keeping everything racing along at a wonderfully engaging pace, and I can’t wait to keep plowing through the second half of the story.

Final score: 4.5/5. I’m deducting half a point because the Ro Laren stretch is still something that I found difficult to completely believe…but not quite as bad as who is currently wooing the good lieutenant. I won’t say who, but I’m sure there’s a Rule of Acquisition somewhere that might be able to explain it to you a bit better than I could.

Here’s hoping that the second half is even half as good as the first!

That last book riled me up so much that it took me a bit longer before I was ready to wade back into the literary waters. Well, that and the fact that this whole month has left me feeling like I’ve gone 10 rounds of Velocity with a former Borg drone (come on, you know you’ve got to keep up with my geek references…or at the very least, tolerate them).

I know that I’ve mentioned Paul Auster before and how I discovered him by way of one of his books having a dog on its cover. Thank goodness I’m a softie like that. I believe Paul Auster is a brilliant writer, one of the best in the modern literary game today. Every time I read one of his novels, I’m transported to places and ideas and imaginings of the most wonderful varieties.

Man In the Dark is no exception to this rule. In fact, I daresay that this particular novel might be one of my favorite Auster offerings so far, as it resonates with me on a particularly intimate level. The main character, August Brill, weaves a tale for us through reality and imagination, seeking truth and comfort in the small hours of night, as he lies awake in the darkness of his room…lost in the stories he constructs within his mind (sounds familiar, no?).

A large portion of this book, in fact, takes place in these stories that Brill creates to keep himself entertained and distracted as he awaits sleep’s arrival. I love how deftly Auster is able to craft this scenario, shifting us from Brill’s imagination to his reality with effortless certitude. That’s what it means to be a master of your craft.

If you have never read Paul Auster before, I urge you to give him a try. His works are surreal, but not complicatedly so. This is an excellent place to start. So is Timbuktu…you know, the book with the dog on the cover.

Final score: 5/5. More than likely I’m biased, but there wasn’t one part of this book that failed to hold me rapt and ready for more. I may even have to add this one to my personal collection.