Spoilers DS9: Enigma Tales by Una McCormack Review Thread

[JD]

Wow, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say something like that about an Una McCormack book.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

To be honest, the first 40% of her books tend to be a bit slow, but when the story gets passed that and everything comes together, the second half usually more than makes up for the first. Her build up just plain works. With her books, her 'a bit slow' was never boring or 'below average', in my opinion.

 

[JWolf]

If I was unable to finish a book, I would give it a 1-star rating because it was that bad that I had to stop reading it.

But this book I found was outstanding.

 

[DEWLine]

Well, something like that

Although how did the Dominion thus skip the border to attack the Fed from Cardassia as in "In the Pale Moonlight"? Or is that a journey under/over the plane of this 2d map?

I suspect strongly that it would be an "under/over the plane of (the) 2D map" scenario. We're definitely looking "down" through the Galactic disc here. How many lightyears along the Z axis, I can't say with certainty at the moment.

By including those maps here, though, you've reminded me of a few things:

The Cardassian Union is not Cardassia Prime alone, but a collection of worlds whose homestars are scattered across parts great and small of at least ten vertical "stacks" of sectors. The current government cannot and should not confine its attentions to the capital city of the homeworld. (The Cardassian measuring system standards will, of course, define things differently, especially given their focus on multiples of three. That "sectors as triangles" conceit of the Stellar Cartography map reinforces my thinking.)

I find myself wondering how the University of the Union operates. Would they prefer to have a campus on every member world of the Union that meets a minimum population requirement? Certainly, Starfleet Academy has to operate multiple campuses.

What signature event does Cardassia focus its most-commonly-used calendar system around? Klingons use the birth of Kahless, and Romulans would use the founding of the settlement of "Romulus".

 

[Christopher]

What signature event does Cardassia focus its most-commonly-used calendar system around? Klingons use the birth of Kahless, and Romulans would use the founding of the settlement of "Romulus".

The Cardassian calendar I came up with for Watching the Clock is dated from the founding of the Cardassian Union.

 

[DEWLine]

Thank you for the refresher. So they're probably in their late 740's (Union Era) by now...

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

One thing that struck me as interesting from Enigma Tales was Garak's plan for the Cardassians to eventually join the Federation. Obviously we shouldn't discuss details of how that might manifest or the effects - as that would cross into forbidden territory - but does it make sense given what we already know - that he be considering this, or is it an example of his (claimed) pro-Federation bias?

Personally, I think it makes sense that Garak would feel that way, as Cardassia is still greatly weakened by past events and the Federation are the 'best fit' as allies/protectors given the Cardassia he wants to (continue to) build.

 

[Kilana2]

Just finished it. It was slightly better than the Picard novel The Last Best Hope, also written by Una.

Garak was great . This book wasn't a match to The Neverending Sacrifice, but still good. I liked Pulaski's appearance.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

On re-reading this opus, I found a couple of major flaws that left me wishing I hadn't given it an "Outstanding."

First, the Vulcans don't talk like any Vulcans I've encountered in canon or in any incarnation of the Novelverse. Too much use of Human colloquialisms.

Second, the ending,

Spoiler: with the framer/kidnapper/murderer turning out to be . . .

the same person, an unnamed Human SFI agent gone rogue,

was unsatisfying.

 

[Reanok]

This book is okay but not one of my favorites by Una McCormack .I agree with hbquikcokjamesl when I reread this a few years ago the Vulcans seemed out of character.

Spoiler: Enigma tales spoilers

I didn't like the Starfleet spy who was planning on being a traitor and the Cardassian spy either on Tzenkethi I got bored with the story it was too repeative about them being janitors and scrubbing floors and offices continually trying to get information for their spy agencies [/SPOILER

 

[CaptChris42]

I suspect strongly that it would be an "under/over the plane of (the) 2D map" scenario. We're definitely looking "down" through the Galactic disc here. How many lightyears along the Z axis, I can't say with certainty at the moment.

By including those maps here, though, you've reminded me of a few things:

The Cardassian Union is not Cardassia Prime alone, but a collection of worlds whose homestars are scattered across parts great and small of at least ten vertical "stacks" of sectors. The current government cannot and should not confine its attentions to the capital city of the homeworld. (The Cardassian measuring system standards will, of course, define things differently, especially given their focus on multiples of three. That "sectors as triangles" conceit of the Stellar Cartography map reinforces my thinking.)

I find myself wondering how the University of the Union operates. Would they prefer to have a campus on every member world of the Union that meets a minimum population requirement? Certainly, Starfleet Academy has to operate multiple campuses.

What signature event does Cardassia focus its most-commonly-used calendar system around? Klingons use the birth of Kahless, and Romulans would use the founding of the settlement of "Romulus".

Sorry to butt in - but I just noticed something there: 'Sectors as triangles'? Could you clarify? Not sure I got the context. Mind you, I never actually purchased the Cartography book (rather expensive, so far)

(plus I assume 10 sector stacks is based on real star data markers)

 

[DEWLine]

An excerpt from the Stellar Cartography collection:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mRt4EDJ4RWvaXmi38