Destiny Omnibus: should I pull the trigger?

[JudgeDredd]

Okay, I was hunting for some beach reading at the local B&N and I saw the Destiny omnibus. I can't tell you how many times I thought about buying those books over the years, but something came up and I either had to read something else or forgot about them and started reading another book or series of books.

So, would it be worth it to get the omnibus? The reviews on Amazon are mostly glowing, as well as the few reviews I've looked up on fan sites/blogs.

To give you some context, I was hunting down some science fiction novels I'd read about recently that were new to me. These books would I guess be in competition with Destiny. They are:

The Lost Fleet Dauntless: I've read great reviews of this novel and the series.

Forge of God: Was mentioned in an article on that weird underwater object found in the Botnia Gulf. I'd never heard of Greg Bear or his work, but I love the premise.

So, can you seasoned TrekLit and science fiction readers in general give me some advice? Much appreciated.

 

[DimesDan]

Yes.

 

[zarkon]

I..wasn't the greatest fan of it to be honest. Had issues with some of the things that transpired that I can't really go into without getting spoilery. But generally speaking it's very popular.

I'll spare you the trekbbs threads since they probably have spoilers in, but they all had polls in, and basically:

Volume 1 : of 141 people, 68% gave it 5/5 & 24% gave it 4/5
Volume 2 : of 116 people, 79% gave it 5/5 & 12% gave it 4/5
Volume 3 : of 166 people, 72% gave it 5/5 & 19% gave it 4/5

So yeah, very well regarded hereabouts. Can't say I've read either of the other series you're weighing up though.

 

[Sho]

^ Mind linking those threads? For some reason my little web app isn't picking them up.

 

[JudgeDredd]

I..wasn't the greatest fan of it to be honest. Had issues with some of the things that transpired that I can't really go into without getting spoilery. But generally speaking it's very popular.

I'll spare you the trekbbs threads since they probably have spoilers in, but they all had polls in, and basically:

Volume 1 : of 166 people, 72% gave it 5/5 & 19% gave it 4/5
Volume 2 : of 116 people, 79% gave it 5/5 & 12% gave it 4/5
Volume 3 : of 141 people, 68% gave it 5/5 & 24% gave it 4/5

So yeah, very well regarded hereabouts. Can't say I've read either of the other series you're weighing up though.

Thanks, zarkon. Good to know it was well received here as well. The reviews for the Lost Fleet novels are also great; it's more realistic yet futuristic space naval combat/war. So I guess it'll come down to what I feel like reading.

 

[David Mack]

^ Well, if this helps at all, you'd save at least $5 and maybe a lot more buying the trilogy as an omnibus rather than as separate volumes. Also, I made a lot of small tweaks to improve the flow of the prose when we prepared the omnibus edition, so I consider it the "definitive" edition of the work.

Whatever you choose, happy reading!

 

[Sho]

BTW, any new signs pointing to an ebook release of the omnibus?

 

[David Mack]

^ Not yet, sorry. I think they might be holding off to avoid cannibalizing eBook sales of the original volumes, which saddens me as I would prefer to have people read the new omnibus version. C'est la vie.

 

[scnj]

I got it off Amazon for what seemed like a ridiculously low price for three books. I haven't got around to it yet, but I've heard good things, and it is three books for the price of a little more than one.

 

[DonIago]

Yes, you should pull the trigger.

On second thought? Double yes!

 

[bfollowell]

Also, I made a lot of small tweaks to improve the flow of the prose when we prepared the omnibus edition, so I consider it the "definitive" edition of the work.

All the more reason I wish they'd release it as an ebook as well. Like the last two Corps of Engineers Omnibus editions though, I doubt we'll ever see an ebook release. Here's hoping I'm wrong.

- Byron

 

[Sho]

I'm pretty sure we'll see an ebook release at some point, unless they manage to lose the revised text somehow, which I guess is unlikely since they probably have a digital intermediary in their archives somewhere.

 

[JudgeDredd]

^ Well, if this helps at all, you'd save at least $5 and maybe a lot more buying the trilogy as an omnibus rather than as separate volumes. Also, I made a lot of small tweaks to improve the flow of the prose when we prepared the omnibus edition, so I consider it the "definitive" edition of the work.

Whatever you choose, happy reading!

Wow...didn't realize you posted here, Mr. Mack!

I found some copies in good condition at a used bookstore, but I'd only be spending about four dollars more for the omnibus, and if you consider it the "definitive" edition, I'd rather read it (conveniently in one big volume) than carry around three books with me on the beach.

I've heard great things about this trilogy...congrats!

 

[CaptainDonovin]

I'm pretty sure we'll see an ebook release at some point, unless they manage to lose the revised text somehow, which I guess is unlikely since they probably have a digital intermediary in their archives somewhere.

Hey, someone lost the digital Norway class model so ya never know.

I really liked the trilogy & would seriously consider an ebook version of the omnibus.

 

[zarkon]

^ Mind linking those threads? For some reason my little web app isn't picking them up.

Sure:

www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=67476
www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=71454
www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=73838
http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=7383

 

[Sho]

Thanks, now polling the board members about adding them: http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?p=6525283#post6525283

 

[Patrick O'Brien]

^I say add it to the thread

Enjoy the Omnibus Star-Hawk

 

[DAYoung]

Look, I'm on the public record as describing much Trek writing as 'delete fiction': I read it, enjoy it, then delete it from my Kindle.

But I've kept Mack's Destiny trilogy. It's bloody good.

 

[TerraUnam]

It's good. David Mack grabs your heartstrings in Gods of Night and refuses to let go. The middle chapters of Mere Mortals are absolutely beautiful writing.

You will not regret spending your money on this book.

 

[Elias Vaughn]

I named my firstborn child Mere Mortals.