VOY: Children of the Storm by Kirsten Beyer Review Thread (Spoilers!)

[JoeZhang]

Christopher wrote:

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Okay, that's a ridiculous characterization. First off, we have no proof that Neelix and Kes were actually sexually active together. Second, Kes wasn't human, so it's nonsensically ethnocentric to judge her maturity by human standards. She was a capable adult by the standards of her own species, and nobody who paid any attention could possibly think she was too immature to make responsible choices. Hell, she was the wisest person on the ship. So calling Neelix a sex offender is as insulting to Kes as it is to Neelix, because it's misrepresenting her as a helpless child.

I was actually thinking more about the general creepy nonce vibe the character has, if anyone had horse porn stashed in their cabin or was stealing panties, it was Neelix.

[Christopher]

Well, I don't know where you're getting that impression.

[Shatnertage]

Breaking furniture in Tuvok's room in a wild Klingon sex romp?

[Deranged Nasat]

Shatnertage wrote:

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Breaking furniture in Tuvok's room in a wild Klingon sex romp?

. Hey, Neelix was a live-by-your-wits refugee before he joined the crew. It's an aspect of his character they sadly neglected, in my opinion, and I really liked his fling with Ch'Rega because it seemed in keeping with that idea. Someone offers you a meal, you take it, no matter how iffy, because you don't know when you're getting the next one. And if someone offers you a night of companionship, you take that too, because who knows when you'll get the next opportunity? And it might keep you going for the next however-long without meaningful company. Because you're used to privation, you grab every opportunity. Obviously he didn't have random "sex romps" when he was with Kes, but she was long gone by then. Makes sense to me that the old survival behaviours surface again.

And we know from the Kes relationship that when he finds more meaningful, long-term companionship, he grasps it very, very tightly, hence the jealousy. Neelix values all sorts of close relationships highly - family (a trait apparently common to the mainstream Talaxian culture), friends, lovers - and he's been alone and without those supports too often in his life, due to being a deserter, a refugee, an independent trader. So no wonder he's a bit "creepy" at times - he's both quick to jump on any opportunity for companionship (of any sort) and intensely committed to those bonds that manage to be more than temporary. He's "flighty" by necessity but immensely loyal when he finds someone (No wonder he gave Tuvok headaches). Or that's my basic understanding of him, anyway.

As for collecting panties, only if they can be used to improve the Leola Root stew .

[David Brennon]

MatthiasRussell wrote:

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^LOL, I sited that one a few posts up. Did you read the comments? A lot of haters out there REFUSE to read VOY until Janeway is brought back no matter how good the books are. PD gets a lot of personal hate, too.

I just read over the comments on the linked article. WOW! You made a valiant effort, but the crazies just won't stop. It's amazing to me just how vocal those types are.

[YubYubCommander]

Finished the book and was absolutely blown away by it! One of my favorite reads in a while. On a separate note to either Mrs. Beyer or anyone who knows, what was her role on General Hospital? My cousin is a huge fan of the show and recognized her but couldn't figure out who she was.

[MatthiasRussell]

USS Hartington wrote:

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I just read over the comments on the linked article. WOW! You made a valiant effort, but the crazies just won't stop. It's amazing to me just how vocal those types are.

Thanks. It is amazing how worked up some VOY fans get. Sometimes I think trek gets more hate for killing Janeway than for killing Kirk. Some won't even give Beyer's works a try even though she had nothing to do with Janeway's demise and is working well with the hand she was dealt.

[cal888]

Haven't read the VGR relaunch beyond The Furthest Shore yet(but I have read Before Dishonor, so I know about uh that), but based on the strong reviews of Beyer's work have picked up all of her VGR books. Once I make it through A Time To.. and the pre-Destiny TNG relaunch, I look forward to reading these. I haven't watched VGR since 2001 so I might rewatch season 7 while I'm at it.

I did sneak a peak at the appendix of ships, and a return to the Delta Quadrant with a fleet sounds extremely interesting.

[CaptainDonovin]

I believe the one I ordered through amazon is being shipped from the Delta Quadrant. As for the Janeway issue, I wasn't 100% happy that Janeway died (would have been interresting to see her in Eden's position) but just like DS9 during its relaunch, I think the new characters will add a lot to the stories. So far I've really liked what I've read from the relaunch of Voyager.

[AuntKate]

USS Hartington wrote:

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I just read over the comments on the linked article. WOW! You made a valiant effort, but the crazies just won't stop. It's amazing to me just how vocal those types are.

The nay-sayers said the same thing about the crazies in the 70s who wouldn't stop being vocal about their desire to have Star Trek return in some shape or form. Where there is passion, there is a willingness to be annoying. Is having "those types" lobbying for what they want such a bad thing? They want to buy books!

[Manisphere]

YubYubCommander wrote:

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Finished the book and was absolutely blown away by it! One of my favorite reads in a while. On a separate note to either Mrs. Beyer or anyone who knows, what was her role on General Hospital? My cousin is a huge fan of the show and recognized her but couldn't figure out who she was.

Wow. Weird. My mother watched the show. I totally recognize that face!


Really loved the book. What an excellent entry. I only wish we knew when the next book was coming out.

On a personal note, this book was bought and read while one of my parents was in hospital dying. I just want to say that of all of the ST books currently out there that I could have picked up, this one was one was a perfect choice. An inspired choice. There were more than a handful of times that had me in tears. But really hopeful tears. Just thinking of O' Donnell makes me tear up right here. Thank you Ms. Beyer!

[aelius]

Great book.
I used to hardly buy any Voyager books. Usually when they were part of one of the interconnected event series.
Now I buy all of Kirsten's Voyager books.
Children of the Storm was a top notch Star Trek story and I am looking forward to more Voyager stories from Kirsten.
And, oh yeah, I wold like more details on the "things in the cargo bay"

[MatthiasRussell]

^Yeah. Let's hope Drexler or Rademaker get on that.

[Kirsten Beyer]

Hey folks,

Thanks so much for all of the kind words about the book. I'm glad that the story seems to be satisfying for you and really appreciate you taking the time to come here and say so.

Matthias, I read your comments, and the all of the others in the interview thread and just wanted to express my gratitude for what you tried to do there. I have been aware for some time, however, that the anger and sadness many feel about Janeway is too intense for them to hear anything beyond their own point of view. Of course, their position is valid. They want to read what they want to read, and there is nothing wrong with that. I, too, wish they'd give the new stories a chance, but I'm not holding my breath. Your efforts, however, were much appreciated.

And Manisphere, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I'm honored that my work was there for you through that experience, and wish you the peace that comes to all who endure such losses eventually.

Finally, for those who've been asking about GH, there is almost no way anyone who doesn't know me really well could have seen me in the episode I did for them many years ago. More likely, you might have seen me as a nurse on Passions, where I had a larger role, but that, too, was several years ago. It's odd, though. I often have people think they recognize me from something or other. I think I just have one of those faces.

Anyway...thanks again for all of your thoughts.

Best,
Kirsten

[xortex]

Hey, I know you. Aren't you the one that's gonna go on to write alot more Voyager books?