Interesting.
Huh. Must have been thinking of his magical restoration in the finale and super-imposed it on his change. Like I said, been years since I've seen an episode, so I don't usually nitpick anymore.
Fearful Symmetry Review Thread (spoilers)
- Thread starter Brendan Moody
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Interesting.
Huh. Must have been thinking of his magical restoration in the finale and super-imposed it on his change. Like I said, been years since I've seen an episode, so I don't usually nitpick anymore.
I really enjoyed this book. It was short but ever so sweet. Been a long time coming now hopefully not quite as long a wait for The Soul Key.
I loved the back story for Ghemor, filled quite a nice hole in a brilliant way and explained everything that confused the hell out of me in Warpath
A never ending sacrifice of thumbs up!
I loved the back story for Ghemor, filled quite a nice hole in a brilliant way and explained everything that confused the hell out of me in Warpath
A never ending sacrifice of thumbs up!
Man is THAT a weird mental image.
Finished it in a day and a half and loved it. I read it right after finishing the Terok Nor trilogy and as some have said it reads like a direct sequel (yeah yeah I know the series is basically a sequel to the events of the trilogy) as it touches on subjects that were dealt with in the trilogy. I was hesitate to read the flip side dealing with Iliana (had an ex-girlfriend named Iliana lol) but found it to be just as face paced and interesting as the other side. I loved the scenes dealing with the Mirror Universe, General O'Brien with Keiko as his first officer! Bashir's reaction to finding out he died as well as mirror Ezri's reaction to seeing Quark (nice homage to Emperor's New Clothes!) can't wait to see The Soul Key...all the variations on Sisko were great especially the Terran Empire Fleet Captain Sisko, Governor of Bajor! Calling Diane Carey! We need a sequel to "Dark Mirror"!
It might be better to call on Diane Duane for that. 
Ooops my bad. Yeah for some reason didn't remember it was Duane...damn!
Actually, I think Ben's "betrayal" is him lying about his alternate being alive. I really think the DS9-R's treatment of Vaughn to this point is setting him up to be the Emissary of the Mirror Universe. I also think that Ben realized that for Vaughn to truly be ready to take that job, he would have to figure that out for himself (For fans of Babylon 5, I see this as similar to when Jeffrey Sinclair figured out and accepted his destiny, realizing his entire life lead up to that one moment).
I also think there are a lot of similarities between Ben and Vaughn:
- Both lost loved ones to the Borg
- Both struggle with being a parent (though Ben, arguably, was more successful)
- Both "needed" their post at DS9 to redefine themselves
- Both are somewhat unconventional choices
- Both were eager to explore the Gamma Quadrant
- Both ultimately trusted someone from the Dominion (Sisko trusted Odo, even after finding out his people were the Founders, though, it helped he knew and trusted Odo beforehand and Odo had no desire to be like his people, while Vaughn trusted Taran'atar)
- Both worked well with Kira
Anyway, that's the way I read that scene. I'd be interested to hear other's comments on my theory.
That was where I was thinking concerning Ben's conversation or else why wouldn't he have gone himself? Ben knew that Elias needed to patch things up with Kira and regain her trust and vindicate himself and that the Mirror Universe needed an Emissary...your theory makes pretty good sense Shiv'kala! I was thinking at first it would be cool if the other Sisko did indeed fake his death but then why wouldn't Ben volunteer to go?
Both had 1950s visions, Sisko as Benny Russell and Vaughn as Eli in the asylum
I really liked the story, but I wasn't wild about the Dukat part. I think somehow it was a bit over the top. Story-wise I think it's fine she was thrown in jail for all those years, but being hidden in Dukat's private dungeon?.... That's not really Trek to me. I would have prefered to have the violation of her be more psychological in nature. Or if the 'physical' aspect of it was needed for future plot developments, I think it would have worked just as well simply to have this Bajoran-looking woman spend all those years in a Cardassian prison 'surrounded' by Cardassian (and other) prisoners.
Without having this turn into something about the real nature of Dukat, I see him as more psychopatic than down right perverted (even though he did have a thing with women).
Without having this turn into something about the real nature of Dukat, I see him as more psychopatic than down right perverted (even though he did have a thing with women).
really enjoyed this, though i am disappointed it was a bigger book cut in two, but hey-ho.
good book from a new author. would like to see her do more...
8/10
good book from a new author. would like to see her do more...
8/10
I finally finished this book. Side one was kinda boring and nothing seemed to really happen. Side two was amazing. The life story of Iliana was engaging, happy, sad, good, and evil all rolled into one. Side two on its own was a 10/10 star book. Now being it was a flip book (and yes I understand the various things that may have changed from the time it was announced as a flip book with the different authors) I was disappointed that the two sides didn't tell the exact same story from two different points of view. I was expecting them to both start and stop at the same point in time and side one being primarily from Kira's perspective and side two primarily from Iliana's persepctive. Oh well, side two was greatness as it was so I can forgive my not-quite-met expectations.
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A couple of questions about Dukat: Side Two mentions his last two visits with Iliana and I was a bit confused about when the second last visit takes place in the show's timeframe. When reading it, I got the initial impression that it was just after the Federation retook DS9, but that doesn't work, since he was taken into custody until Waltz. So just after Waltz, then, in the 6th season?
Also, any amateur psychologists want to jump in and comment on the apparent inconsistencies between Dukat's lengthy mistreatment of Iliana versus his evolving/devolving relationship with Kira during the show's run? Dukat repeatedly raping and abusing essentially a copy of Kira throughout the length of the show, though a ret-con, should add a pretty twisted subtext when re-watching any episodes where Dukat and Kira interact.
Anyway, kudos to the creators behind the DS9 relaunch. I've been impressed by the books tackling nagging questions I had that were left unaddressed or inconclusive by the show, like, "What happened to Iliana?", "Why does the wormhole go to wherever it does in the Gamma quadrant?" or "What happened to those parasites from TNG?" But I love when they ask questions that never occurred to me in the first place, like, "Shouldn't Mirror Sisko have been their Emissary?" The alternate Siskos thing was just brilliant...
Looking forward to the next book...
Also, any amateur psychologists want to jump in and comment on the apparent inconsistencies between Dukat's lengthy mistreatment of Iliana versus his evolving/devolving relationship with Kira during the show's run? Dukat repeatedly raping and abusing essentially a copy of Kira throughout the length of the show, though a ret-con, should add a pretty twisted subtext when re-watching any episodes where Dukat and Kira interact.
Anyway, kudos to the creators behind the DS9 relaunch. I've been impressed by the books tackling nagging questions I had that were left unaddressed or inconclusive by the show, like, "What happened to Iliana?", "Why does the wormhole go to wherever it does in the Gamma quadrant?" or "What happened to those parasites from TNG?" But I love when they ask questions that never occurred to me in the first place, like, "Shouldn't Mirror Sisko have been their Emissary?" The alternate Siskos thing was just brilliant...
Looking forward to the next book...
I'm not sure what you're referring to... is it the scene on pages 120-122? I gathered that was right after the Cardassian withdrawal from Bajor at the beginning of the series.
I don't see a serious inconsistency, at least any more than those added by the series' own retcons about Dukat's intense interest in Kira and his relationship with her mother. At least, taking Dukat's own twisted psychology into account, Iliana-as-Kira served as a release valve for him. He'd promised Kira Meru that he'd look after her daughter, and by his odd sense of honor, he felt obliged to keep that promise. But that frustrated him because it kept him from acting on either his physical desire for her as a woman or his desire to harm her as a Bajoran terrorist. Having his own surrogate Kira to cut loose on let him take out those urges, to act out his fantasies about the real Kira while still keeping his promise. Sick, but consistent in its own way.
That was a nice quick read and very enjoyable; I'm glad to see a projected 2009 date for follow-up(s?) as this was quite tantalising.
Kind of annoying having to wait like everyone else; when I started the DS9 relaunch the Worlds of DS9 books had just been published so I had no issues with getting my fix. It is interesting to see the number of story threads raised that have yet to be dealt with; I'm looking forward to more considering the level of quality has been so high overall.
Kind of annoying having to wait like everyone else; when I started the DS9 relaunch the Worlds of DS9 books had just been published so I had no issues with getting my fix. It is interesting to see the number of story threads raised that have yet to be dealt with; I'm looking forward to more considering the level of quality has been so high overall.
I finally gave up attempting to get past the first chapter of Day Of The Vipers to read Fearful Symmetry. And what a read it was!!
I've been waiting for new DS9-R for so long that I was so happy to at last have this book in my hands. Like a good boy, I read Side One first and then Side Two.
So, let's talk about Side One first then... now, it's true that there wasn't really that much progression of plot in this portion. And seeing as we've waited so long for this book, that is a bit disappointing. But I understand that couldn't really be helped and I have a feeling The Soul Key will be more eventful to make up for it. So I'll forgive Olivia Woods on that part.
Putting that disappointment aside then, I have to say I really enjoyed this side of the story. It was very Kira and Ro heavy as to be expected, and that can only be a good thing in my eyes, they're my favourite characters of the relaunch. I was intriuged by the notion of Sisko somehow betraying Vaughn?? I have my theories as to what that might mean but I don't want to think about it too much as I'd like to be surprised in the next book.
My only real niggle with this side was that I didn't buy Kira's attitude to Vaughn. I mean, I know she wasn't herself, given everything that happened, and Vaughn was essentially out of line but it just didn't feel right to me. That scene near the start of the book where she told him to get out of the room just felt very forced. I didn't believe it.
That's only a minor complaint though... the rest of this side was fine. And I immediately loved Olivia Woods' writing style, it was perfect for me.
Now, let's move on to what I think is the real story of the book - Side Two.
Wow is all I can say. I loved every bit of this side, it was a fantastic read. I felt Olivia Woods really came into her own on this side. While I enjoyed Side One, Side Two was just on another level.
Iliana's story is just so tragic. It seems she is completely a victim of circumstance. And although it seems she is taking control of her life when she decides to join the Order, she is of course merely playing into Entek's hands.. as proved when it is revealed that he set up Ataan's death.
And as for what she has to endure from Dukat for 15 years, no less.. it is sick. At first, I wondered if Dukat really would be capable of such acts. Was he really that *evil*? And then when I thought about it, I decided that yes, definitely. He is a bad bad man. It seems the more we learn of Dukat, the more cruel, twisted and sadistic he becomes.
The best thing about this side is how logical and believable Iliana's story is. I could believe everything that happened in her life and her responses to it. It truly is tragic.
And as readers, we can now completely understand why she believes she is Kira. Of course she would. In her mind, she has as much right to be Kira Nerys as the real Kira does. And it's perfectly reasonable for her to think that, given the situation.
Because of Side Two... Iliana's character is really fleshed out. We now know who she is and how she came to be this way. She is now a real villian rather than someone who simply says villianous lines, as she had come across up until that point.
I cannot wait now for The Soul Key to see the inevitable battle of the Kiras. Fantastic.
Much love to Olivia Woods.. she has crafted a brilliant tale. I loved it. And she gets the thumbs up from me not only because of her great writing but also because she spent some of her life in Ireland. Lucky girl. Get her on these boards!! For her first Star Trek book, she did good.
Now, bring on The Soul Key! While I wait, I will try once again to read Day Of The Vipers but I don't fancy my chances. And I have Greater Than The Sum and Destiny to tide me over aswell.
P.S. I noticed the various mentions of The Never Ending Sacrifice throughout the book and it brought my mind to Una McCormack's upcoming book of the same name dealing with Cardassia. So I was wondering is it supposed to be the same book? In other words, will the story be set in Cardassia of the past or Cardassia of the DS9-R present? Or can that question be answered? If someone could help me out, I'd appreciate it.
I've been waiting for new DS9-R for so long that I was so happy to at last have this book in my hands. Like a good boy, I read Side One first and then Side Two.
So, let's talk about Side One first then... now, it's true that there wasn't really that much progression of plot in this portion. And seeing as we've waited so long for this book, that is a bit disappointing. But I understand that couldn't really be helped and I have a feeling The Soul Key will be more eventful to make up for it. So I'll forgive Olivia Woods on that part.
Putting that disappointment aside then, I have to say I really enjoyed this side of the story. It was very Kira and Ro heavy as to be expected, and that can only be a good thing in my eyes, they're my favourite characters of the relaunch. I was intriuged by the notion of Sisko somehow betraying Vaughn?? I have my theories as to what that might mean but I don't want to think about it too much as I'd like to be surprised in the next book.
My only real niggle with this side was that I didn't buy Kira's attitude to Vaughn. I mean, I know she wasn't herself, given everything that happened, and Vaughn was essentially out of line but it just didn't feel right to me. That scene near the start of the book where she told him to get out of the room just felt very forced. I didn't believe it.
That's only a minor complaint though... the rest of this side was fine. And I immediately loved Olivia Woods' writing style, it was perfect for me.
Now, let's move on to what I think is the real story of the book - Side Two.
Wow is all I can say. I loved every bit of this side, it was a fantastic read. I felt Olivia Woods really came into her own on this side. While I enjoyed Side One, Side Two was just on another level.
Iliana's story is just so tragic. It seems she is completely a victim of circumstance. And although it seems she is taking control of her life when she decides to join the Order, she is of course merely playing into Entek's hands.. as proved when it is revealed that he set up Ataan's death.
And as for what she has to endure from Dukat for 15 years, no less.. it is sick. At first, I wondered if Dukat really would be capable of such acts. Was he really that *evil*? And then when I thought about it, I decided that yes, definitely. He is a bad bad man. It seems the more we learn of Dukat, the more cruel, twisted and sadistic he becomes.
The best thing about this side is how logical and believable Iliana's story is. I could believe everything that happened in her life and her responses to it. It truly is tragic.
And as readers, we can now completely understand why she believes she is Kira. Of course she would. In her mind, she has as much right to be Kira Nerys as the real Kira does. And it's perfectly reasonable for her to think that, given the situation.
Because of Side Two... Iliana's character is really fleshed out. We now know who she is and how she came to be this way. She is now a real villian rather than someone who simply says villianous lines, as she had come across up until that point.
I cannot wait now for The Soul Key to see the inevitable battle of the Kiras. Fantastic.
Much love to Olivia Woods.. she has crafted a brilliant tale. I loved it. And she gets the thumbs up from me not only because of her great writing but also because she spent some of her life in Ireland. Lucky girl.
Get her on these boards!! For her first Star Trek book, she did good.Now, bring on The Soul Key! While I wait, I will try once again to read Day Of The Vipers but I don't fancy my chances. And I have Greater Than The Sum and Destiny to tide me over aswell.
P.S. I noticed the various mentions of The Never Ending Sacrifice throughout the book and it brought my mind to Una McCormack's upcoming book of the same name dealing with Cardassia. So I was wondering is it supposed to be the same book? In other words, will the story be set in Cardassia of the past or Cardassia of the DS9-R present? Or can that question be answered? If someone could help me out, I'd appreciate it.
Sick, yes. Consistent... not from where I sit, but I don't have any psychological training.
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