Spoilers S31: Disavowed by David Mack Review Thread

[Sho]

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Just a few short months after reporting in from the Taurus Reach, author David Mack sets out to breathe new life into another corner of the Litverse. More than 13 years after the last Section 31 novel (Abyss by David Weddle and Jeffrey Lang, which Defcon wisely opened a review thread for earlier this year), this month's Disavowed will follow in its footsteps, as well as follow on from Dayton Ward's The Fall: Peacable Kingdoms. Check out the discussion thread for more info, and you will be able to officially pick up the book on October 28th.

Blurb on forward sensors:

The pulse-pounding new Star Trek thriller from David Mack—a direct sequel to the New York Times bestselling series The Fall!

Amoral, shrouded in secrecy, and answerable to no one, Section 31 is the mysterious covert operations division of Starfleet, a rogue shadow group committed to safeguarding the Federation at any cost. Doctor Julian Bashir sacrificed his career for a chance to infiltrate Section 31 and destroy it from within. Now it’s asking him to help it stop the Breen from stealing a dangerous new technology from the Mirror Universe—one that could give the Breen control over the galaxy. It’s a mission Bashir can’t refuse—but is it really the shot he’s been waiting for? Or is it a trap from which even his genetically enhanced intellect can’t escape?

Plus we got an excerpt available at the Simon & Schuster website.

 

[Ronald Held]

Who has the book now?

 

[Kertrats47]

Just a few lucky people who went to the New York Comic Con, as far as I know.

*grumble grumble lucky jerks grumble*

 

[Elias Vaughn]

...was this moved up? I could have sworn it was a December release.

 

[Mage]

I just saw it was available on bol.com, so other retailers might have it as well.

 

[Thrawn]

...was this moved up? I could have sworn it was a December release.

Yeah, that was announced a while ago. The December release is Greg Cox's movie-era TOS novel Foul Deeds Will Rise.

 

[rfmcdpei]

Just got it!

 

[wizkid]

Just got it!

How?

 

[Paris]

Just got mine too. Several of The Chapters around me have their copies. I can't wait to dive in!

 

[Jedi Ben]

Got my copy!

 

[rfmcdpei]

Just got it!

How?

I work at a bookstore.

 

[rfmcdpei]

Just got it!

How?

I work at a bookstore.

Spoiler: It is all nested

It was quite nice to see the Mirror Universe again. Mack did a good job juggling plots, including an odd pairing of a veteran Cardassian agent with her Klingon counterpart that added nice background. Love the Dominion, and the Galactic Commonwealth, too.

The theme of the book seems to be how grand plans turn out to be insufficient. Bashir and Sarina wanted to fool Section 31, but their intent was known by their superiors; Section 31 wanted to steel from Memory Omega, but it got badly p3wned; the Breen hoped to steal Commonwealth technology but ended up creating a temporal loop. Superb!

 

[David Mack]

^ Glad you seem to have enjoyed the book — and that you got what I was going for in terms of theme.

 

[Mage]

David, I haven't read Rise Like Lions yet. Will enough back story be explained in Disavowed, or should I really read Rise Like Lions first?

 

[Jedi Ben]

David, I haven't read Rise Like Lions yet. Will enough back story be explained in Disavowed, or should I really read Rise Like Lions first?

Just go read Rise Like Lions, it's probably the best example I know of getting a new reader not familar with MU developments up to speed easily. I went into it having just read Sorrows of Empire. It's pretty damn epic and well worth a read regardless.

 

[Mage]

David, I haven't read Rise Like Lions yet. Will enough back story be explained in Disavowed, or should I really read Rise Like Lions first?

Just go read Rise Like Lions, it's probably the best example I know of getting a new reader not familar with MU developments up to speed easily. I went into it having just read Sorrows of Empire. It's pretty damn epic and well worth a read regardless.

I've read the MU stories from the DS9-R. But not Sorrow Of Empires, or the short stories.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

It has arrived. I'll go read it.

Ozla Graniv? Good to see her.

Also, great to get a sense of how Bashir's life on Andor is working out. Though of course it was a given that we'd see some of that.

 

[Thrawn]

David, I haven't read Rise Like Lions yet. Will enough back story be explained in Disavowed, or should I really read Rise Like Lions first?

Just go read Rise Like Lions, it's probably the best example I know of getting a new reader not familar with MU developments up to speed easily. I went into it having just read Sorrows of Empire. It's pretty damn epic and well worth a read regardless.

I've read the MU stories from the DS9-R. But not Sorrow Of Empires, or the short stories.

Not because they're necessary, but because they're great, I'd highly recommend reading Mack's two larger MU novels. And if you're going to read a book that follows on from there, you might as well read the earlier stories first, right?

 

[Jedi Ben]

The only dedicated MU books I've got are those two: Sorrows of Empire and Rise Like Lions and they really work well together, can't recommend them enough.

I've read the first 100 pages of S31: Disavowed and can say you don't need to have read either to enjoy this, but if you've seen any of the MU eps and wonder what happened to the Alliance, well, those 2 books of Mack's give an excellent answer.

 

[Mage]

Well, couldn't find Sorrows Of Empire on short notice, so I ordered Rise Like Lions and Disavowed. Should be here in a few days.