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Spoilers VOY: Atonement by Kirsten Beyer Review Thread
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Vorik's, Tuvok's and Phoebe's response to Janeway's resurrection is something which needs to be explored further.
Janeway wasn't in touch with Tuvok, only his wife. He seems to avoid her. And Vorik asked for transfer.
Tom finally made his mother privy to a problem. I hope that Julia learns to appreciate that. B'Elanna is another matter altogether. We will see what happens when Owen junior is born.
Janeway wasn't in touch with Tuvok, only his wife. He seems to avoid her. And Vorik asked for transfer.
Tom finally made his mother privy to a problem. I hope that Julia learns to appreciate that. B'Elanna is another matter altogether. We will see what happens when Owen junior is born.
Actually considering Starfleet seemed to only be able to deploy more ships on exploration missions in 2383 aka a year later than the Voyager relaunch is currently at they probably can't spare the ships.
40% of SF was destroyed.
60% of SF remains.
I really doubt that they cannot spare 2 to 4 ships (especially if you push all shipyards throughout Federation on all viable member worlds up for production).
2383 would conclude the Full Circle's 1st year in the DQ (2 more years remain)... so if SF launched exploratory missions, Akaar could easily decide to send a few more ships to the DQ to join the Full Circle fleet in their 2nd and third year.
The Omega Continuum was an unpredictable phenomena for which the fleet really shouldn't be blamed - if anything, the fleet managed to solve a problem that Admiral Janeway (the one from the alternate timeline) couldn't have predicted would turn into an early end of the universe (although current admiral Janeway acknowledges how her actions were not as thorough).
60% of SF remains.
I really doubt that they cannot spare 2 to 4 ships (especially if you push all shipyards throughout Federation on all viable member worlds up for production).
2383 would conclude the Full Circle's 1st year in the DQ (2 more years remain)... so if SF launched exploratory missions, Akaar could easily decide to send a few more ships to the DQ to join the Full Circle fleet in their 2nd and third year.
The Omega Continuum was an unpredictable phenomena for which the fleet really shouldn't be blamed - if anything, the fleet managed to solve a problem that Admiral Janeway (the one from the alternate timeline) couldn't have predicted would turn into an early end of the universe (although current admiral Janeway acknowledges how her actions were not as thorough).
I really enjoyed reading Atonement.
This book wasn't predictable at all. Every time it was a surprise, what would happen next.
I did know that Janeway would somehow survive, but I did not know how, until I read the book.
Looking forward to the next Voyager book.
This book wasn't predictable at all. Every time it was a surprise, what would happen next.
I did know that Janeway would somehow survive, but I did not know how, until I read the book.
Looking forward to the next Voyager book.
Don't underestimate the relief efforts that are still under way in the AQ. The Borg incursion left destruction and hardship in an unprecedented scale. They need the ships there.
The fleet in the DQ - as is - has the proper size. I love it how Kirsten splits the relevant scenes between the ships and AQ and DQ events.
I must agree in relation to the proctors, ancient ones etc. I never understood what was happening here, and the 'giant worm in space' ending, confused the hell out of me.
I think this plot device was the only weak point in otherwise very good book.
The relationship with tom and his mother was very well played out to a satisfying conclusion. It's great to see the continuing growth of toms character.
As for janeway and chakotay, I never really bought into this relationship, so find those scenes a little annoying!
I really agree with this point, though I suppose authors need conflict/guilt/etc to make a story interesting...
However some of the best parts of Voyager the tv series, were the characters just enjoying being friends and developing their relationships with each other. (This was more evident in TNG - data learning to dance, the poker nights, sherlock holmes, work in ten forward to name but a few).
I don't know how this could be brought into a 300 page novel, but then again I'm not an author!
After having read through this thread, and posting a couple of replies, here are some of my own thoughts,
Nobody seems to have mentioned the doctor and what happened to him,
I feel that Kirstens portrayal of the psychological trauma that the doctor suffered, and the way that this was dealt with through counselling sessions, and the doctors pov, was excellently handled.
The Doctor has always been the heart of voyager. Yes janeway is the captain, the driving force, the admiral etc, paris, kim, et all all have their valid points ( and I don't include seven here - as she is worthy of a whole other series ) but it was the doctor that kept me watching the show. At least that's how I feel (ably supported by seven in the final 4 years).
He is however maybe the hardest character to write (and perhaps kirsten could comment on this?) as with the doctor I feel that the author constantly has to check that what they are writing is logical for his character and in place with his holographic nature.
Someone commented earlier in this thread that Garak was spot on with his mannerisms. Well yes he was, but I feel that characters like him are perhaps easy (easier) to write, as they are so outlandish.
The Doctor, whilst not afraid of eccentricity, seems to me to be a much harder task. As such, again, the way in which his story was covered in this novel, and indeed the recent full circle books was very well written.
I also share the same feelings to how sevens plot line was handled.
Its a constant credit to the original writers of voyager that with seven there continues to be so much potential for nuance and development.
Whilst i found it hard at times to grasp what was happening with the catoms, I do very much look forward to see what is in store for seven in the future.
Nobody seems to have mentioned the doctor and what happened to him,
I feel that Kirstens portrayal of the psychological trauma that the doctor suffered, and the way that this was dealt with through counselling sessions, and the doctors pov, was excellently handled.
The Doctor has always been the heart of voyager. Yes janeway is the captain, the driving force, the admiral etc, paris, kim, et all all have their valid points ( and I don't include seven here - as she is worthy of a whole other series ) but it was the doctor that kept me watching the show. At least that's how I feel (ably supported by seven in the final 4 years).
He is however maybe the hardest character to write (and perhaps kirsten could comment on this?) as with the doctor I feel that the author constantly has to check that what they are writing is logical for his character and in place with his holographic nature.
Someone commented earlier in this thread that Garak was spot on with his mannerisms. Well yes he was, but I feel that characters like him are perhaps easy (easier) to write, as they are so outlandish.
The Doctor, whilst not afraid of eccentricity, seems to me to be a much harder task. As such, again, the way in which his story was covered in this novel, and indeed the recent full circle books was very well written.
I also share the same feelings to how sevens plot line was handled.
Its a constant credit to the original writers of voyager that with seven there continues to be so much potential for nuance and development.
Whilst i found it hard at times to grasp what was happening with the catoms, I do very much look forward to see what is in store for seven in the future.
We had a blast with Kirsten on Literary Treks talk about this!
I am in agreement with you. I love the fact that Kirsten makes the characters seems so relatable. During the TV series, Chakotay and Kim were severely underused, in my opinion. Yet in the span of the novels written thus far by Kirsten, these characters have blossomed into people I really care about. Not saying that I didn't like them but there was so much that could have been done with them that wasn't. Captain Chakotay and Lieutenant Kim have grown by leaps and bounds and I am hoping to see more from them as the relaunch novels continue along.
I love the Full Circle Fleet and the idea of why they've returned to the Delta Quadrant. I find myself relieved that Pocket Books has allowed Kirsten to be the sole author of the series thus far. It serves to keep things fluid and this is one of the reasons why I believe the character dynamics and their growth is such as it is. One author has the ability to keep things going in one direction with endpoints in mind to particular storylines. This is something Peter David has done with the New Frontier books exceedingly well.
At any rate, I hope Kirsten is allowed to continue writing this series for the foreseeable future, as I am loving every minute of it!
I feel the same way regarding Starfleet sending reinforcements to the Delta Quadrant to back up the Full Circle fleet. With everything that's happened since their return to that region of space and the importance of their mission, one would hope Admiral Akaar sees the wisdom of seeing one or two ships back to assist with the mission. It's been awhile since I read the prior novels but I believe the Achilles went back to the Alpha Quadrant (someone correct me if I am incorrect there) and I am wondering why this ship cannot be returned to Admiral Janeway for use in their mission. I hope that with Kenneth Montgomery out of the way, Command will see fit to do right by the Delta Quadrant crew.
Not to mention the cold warish thing going on with the Typhon Pact.
Well, if a SF ship in the DQ was able to reconstruct an entire starship from a proverbial scratch, it stands to reason that SF itself can construct new ships fairly fast.
Perhaps its not so much of starship shortage, as much as seasoned officers shortage?
Considering the problems SF is having with people who aren't apparently thinking for themselves or acting in a way that keeps the highest principles of the Federation in mind, it is possible they would be wary of sending such potentially unstable people to the DQ.
We've seen what happened with the first officer on the Demeter and children of the storm who couldn't bare to wait and initiated that barrage (granted, I cannot entirely say I don't understand why he did it, it's just that he would STILL do it regardless of his captain's orders, not to mention that the situation was at the time manageable and that adhering to Federation principles, as opposed to happy trigger fingers was paramount).
I still say the Full Circle fleet could use several other ships.
It might be possible SF will send the ships during their second or third year of exploration.
Perhaps its not so much of starship shortage, as much as seasoned officers shortage?
Considering the problems SF is having with people who aren't apparently thinking for themselves or acting in a way that keeps the highest principles of the Federation in mind, it is possible they would be wary of sending such potentially unstable people to the DQ.
We've seen what happened with the first officer on the Demeter and children of the storm who couldn't bare to wait and initiated that barrage (granted, I cannot entirely say I don't understand why he did it, it's just that he would STILL do it regardless of his captain's orders, not to mention that the situation was at the time manageable and that adhering to Federation principles, as opposed to happy trigger fingers was paramount).
I still say the Full Circle fleet could use several other ships.
It might be possible SF will send the ships during their second or third year of exploration.
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I voted outstanding Atonement is a fantastic novel. I really enjoyed listening to Trek FM's interview with Kirsten Beyer discussing her story ideas for Atonement and her previous Voyager books. This book was certainly full of unexpected suprises for the Voyager characters and I can't wait to see how the story will be continued in A pocket full of lies.
I know I'm late to the party, but I just wanted to chime in with my words of praise.
Wonderful book! My only complaint is that I wanted to read MORE! I would have loved to read in more detail all the bits at the end that were "summarized," even though the book would have ended up three inches thick!
All Trek books should be this entertaining. And almost NO typos!
Really nice work, Kirsten!
-Jason
Wonderful book! My only complaint is that I wanted to read MORE! I would have loved to read in more detail all the bits at the end that were "summarized," even though the book would have ended up three inches thick!
All Trek books should be this entertaining. And almost NO typos!
Really nice work, Kirsten!
-Jason
