Trimmed DS9 relaunch reading

[Cicero]

Cardassia: The Lotus Flower
Andor: Paradigm
The Dominion: Olympus Descending

Interesting...

This is subjective, of course, but if I were to pick just three of the six Worlds of Deep Space Nine stories as being critical to the overall narrative, I'd select Unjoined and Fragments and Omens before The Lotus Flower or Paradigm.

But really, you need to read them all.

You may be right, but I'd been waiting for the resolution to the plots concluded in 'Paradigm' (I loved the story as well), and found 'The Lotus Flower' an interesting study in some of the characters (Yevir Linjaren, for instance, whom I now feel I understand much better) important to the relaunch. At the same time . . . well, I never finished 'Fragments and Omens,' not because it was poorly written - the writing was quite good - but because I always lose interest when a story is about the Bajorans (it's can't be essential if I've effectively skipped it, I figure ), and I wondered even at the time why 'Unjoined' was necessary (it's not particularly good, either, nor can I remember its details without some effort, which doesn't speak well to its necessity).

KRAD's 'Satisfaction Is Not Guaranteed' is fun, btw, but hasn't seemed essential so far.

 

[Cicero]

Demons of Air & Darkness and Horn and Ivory I'd have to say are not terribly "skippable" in the scope of things at all. As stated above, Kira's definitely on a large character arc and I'd think those stories are clearly large parts of it. Not to mention the interesting questions it raises in regards to the Iconian/Prophet relationship. On top of that, great stories with good character moments and development. Rising Son is important for a variety of reasons for the continuing story and the direction the Relaunch seems to be heading, and is an excellent piece of literature.

In the end, this whole conversation is slightly absurd. Bored by stories about the Bajorans? Why are you reading Ds9 fiction? Geez.

I never liked them on the show, either, actually. I read (and watched) DS9 for the other elements of the series: Starfleet, the Cardassians, the Gamma Quadrant - sometimes even the Bajoran interaction with these things (especially with Cardassia and with the Federation when at odds with it for non-religious reasons; religion may be a fair part of my short patience for Bajor). My favorite episodes (Trials and Tribble-ations, In The Pale Moonlight, It's Only A Paper Moon, The Die Is Cast, By Inferno's Light, etc.) had nothing to do with Bajor at all.

With the relaunch, I've loved the additional dimensions brought by Vaughn, Tenmei, and Shar and have enjoyed the further exploration of Ezri and Bashir. Even Jake has become interesting to me.

The Bajorans have not.

If you're skipping forward to every 5th chapter in a book, yeah. You're gonna miss the point, and likely most of the good stuff.

That's not the best analogy. While skipping every fifth chapter is a poor policy, you can skip chapters in many books (to the improvement of your enjoyment, even), so long as you know which ones to skip. I'd recommend, for instance, that much of the first of the six books of The Lord of the Rings is easily skipped without any harm to the greater story.

(Actually, convenient to the well above, I don't really care for Hobbits, but I love The Lord of the Rings for the rest of Middle Earth.)

 

[JeremyW]

So... mind if I contribute something to the discussion?

I see people talking about what can be 'skipped' in reading DS9...I wouldn't skip any of it, but that's just me. You can have this conversation and run around and around in circles, and we're never going to come to a general concensus about what can stay and what can go. That's part of the beauty of DS9's storytelling...there are SO many stories to follow that any of them can be relevant, and they're all going somewhere...it just takes a little while. And I don't know why people didn't like Demons that much...I thought it was a great story, and in terms of developing characters, it does wonders for Kira and Taran'atar, who have to work together. It gives them both a chance to grow, and after having read the later stories, it makes what happened to Taran'atar a lot more tragic than what it may appear superficially. As for Kira...she came into her own as the CO of DS9 in this story, and she further magnified that growth during Mission: Gamma.

As for the Parasites/Eav'Oq/Mirror Universe story arcs someone was mentioning earlier? The earlier books do a great job setting these things up. The first hints we see of the Parasite story is in Abyss, where Kira notices that Shakaar has changed, and not the way she was used to. Then Mission: Gamma grew on that. Book Three, Cathedral, links back to the Audrid story in "The Lives Of Dax", and foreshadows what's to come. Then we learn Shakaar's fate in same novel, and then the narrative continues in "Lesser Evil", "Unity" and "Unjoined". The Eav'Oq? Their introduction in "Rising Son" made that book really good IMO. It was a hard read at first, but subsequent readings of the novel made it better and better. Then looking at the Mirror Universe? Well, that's where "Fragments And Omens" comes into play, and then the story's built on in "Olympus Descending" and "Warpath"...but the idea of Kira being tempered and prepared links back to "Horn and Ivory" from the Gateways Epilogue. Heck, when giving credit in "Warpath", Dave even said that KRAD's manuscript of "Horn And Ivory" was the foundation he used for Kira's vision of Parek Tonn in "Warpath".

So, now that I said the above, and people are going, "we already knewthat...why say it again?" I say it because it helps clarifying things, and allowing people to think newly about things they've already read. And, these stories are only a sampling of what other narratives are out there in the DS9-R. Do yourself a favor, and make the time to read the entire series. It's well worth it. And, I caution: I think the next few narratives will be Bajoran heavy, and involving the Prophets, Sisko, Kira etc...might be advised for those who don't find this facet of the story that interesting...try and gain at least a tolerance for it...that way you won't jip yourself on anything.

Happy Reading! Can't wait for the rest of "Terok Nor", and of course, "Fearful Symmetry"

 

[William Leisner]

Guess we need another one of these...

 

[LightningStorm]

I apologize, I simply meant that while they do move the story forward they don't deal with specifically the

Spoiler: future plotlines

Parasites, Ascendants/Eav'oq, or the current Mirror Universe plot

which at this point at least, seem to be the major arcs of the series. Again, I apologize if I offended anyone.

I think therein lies the problem. As the things listed in your spoiler code are not the only things going on in the DS9-R. Actually by that logic one could just as easily skip Avatar because it doesn't deal with any of those either. I'm of the opinion that an arc based series not only deals with situational arcs but also character arcs. And thinking about it in this respect for character arcs all of the books people are saying are skippable are actually absolutely necessary especially Horn & Ivory, and Satisfaction is not Guaranteed, and All 4 Mission Gamma books (not just some random two of them).

 

[Steve Roby]

So will I be missing too much by just reading Avatar, Rising Son and Unity?

Yes, you will. Unlike most Trek books, the current DS9 books have a lot of ongoing story arcs that develop from book to book, and things that don't seem to be too important in one book may turn out to be very significant a few books later.

And come on, it's not like there are all that many books in the DS9 relaunch. When I started reading Doctor Who books, there were already 61 books in the Seventh Doctor New Adventures series, and 30+ books in the Eighth Doctor Adventures series (and 30 or 40 more came out over the next few years). With DS9, you've got fewer than 20 books to read.

(Boy, it's been a while since we had one of these "I love the DS9 relaunch! I don't have to read all of them, do I?" threads.)

 

[Trent Roman]

And come on, it's not like there are all that many books in the DS9 relaunch.

And for that matter, it's not like you're under any kind of deadline to get all those books read, either. If you blow through the DS9-R in the space of months, great. But if it takes you two years or more, then that's perfectly fine too. The books aren't going anywhere (well, some are out of print, but a lot of the DS9-R has been reprinted in ombibus form already).

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[JD]

You know, the more I read this thread, and think about it, the more I realize that the people who say not to skip anything are right. It's been ages since I actually read the earlier books in the series, the last time I read DS9R books was before Warpath and even then I only read Unity and the WoDS9 books, so I was going only by the books and events that immediately stood out in my memory. But now as more of the stuff comes back to me I'm starting to remember that part of what makes the series so great are all of the different character developments and events that slowly add up to make the big picture. And I realize now that it is actually this big picture that makes the series so good, not just the two or three of the pieces of that picture.

 

[foravalon]

Am I correct in guessing that "Horn and Ivory" is included within Twist of Faith ?

 

[Geoff]

^^^
Your guess is spot-on.

 

[foravalon]

Well. There you go, just get "Twist of Faith" $1.92 people! The first 3rd of the epic saga!

 

[Sci]

Cardassia: The Lotus Flower
Andor: Paradigm
The Dominion: Olympus Descending

Interesting...

This is subjective, of course, but if I were to pick just three of the six Worlds of Deep Space Nine stories as being critical to the overall narrative, I'd select Unjoined and Fragments and Omens before The Lotus Flower or Paradigm.

But really, you need to read them all.

You may be right, but I'd been waiting for the resolution to the plots concluded in 'Paradigm' (I loved the story as well), and found 'The Lotus Flower' an interesting study in some of the characters (Yevir Linjaren, for instance, whom I now feel I understand much better) important to the relaunch. At the same time . . . well, I never finished 'Fragments and Omens,' not because it was poorly written - the writing was quite good - but because I always lose interest when a story is about the Bajorans (it's can't be essential if I've effectively skipped it, I figure ), and I wondered even at the time why 'Unjoined' was necessary (it's not particularly good, either, nor can I remember its details without some effort, which doesn't speak well to its necessity).

KRAD's 'Satisfaction Is Not Guaranteed' is fun, btw, but hasn't seemed essential so far.

I don't know how you can argue that Unjoined was in any way unnecessary. I mean, it was the thing that finally wrapped up the Parasite arc and explored a domestic political crisis on a Federation world. Kind of a big deal.

 

[JeremyW]

KRAD's 'Satisfaction Is Not Guaranteed' is fun, btw, but hasn't seemed essential so far.

This above mentioned story's relevant in that it further extrapolates on the relationship Ro and Quark have been having since the beginning of the post-finale literature. All of the stories in "Worlds Of Deep Space Nine" focus on relationships, one way or another, and in the case of most of them, the relationships seem to end, or transform in a way you didn't expect (the latter is true for all the stories). As well, you see growth in Nog as a character, especially when he learns of his mother's involvement in what's happening to Rom, you see growth in Quark, and for me, despite the fact that Rom gave him the job as 'Ambassador' as a way to keep the bar afloat, Quark's stepped into the role nicely, seeing his own take on things. Gone is the scheming Ferengi we knew...here's a Ferengi who still worries about a balance sheet at the end of the month, but sees a larger picture, and who's grown beyond petty greed. (Well, evolved somewhat...Quark is Quark)

You also get that even though this was to signal an 'end' to Quark and Ro, in 'Warpath", you get there's unfinished business. I doubt we've seen the be all and end all with these two, especially if Quark would hold a vigil and drop everything to be at Ro's side, like Sisko was at Kira's.

 

[Saxman1]

As with any of the Trek books, you can always find out of print items at Amazon used or your local library system if it's a good one.

 

[Divine]

I should get my copy of Twist of Faith this week so I will continue on with the Section 31 story which brings up some questions. Why is the DS9 relaunch intertwined with the Section 31 series and Gateways series? Do I need to read the entire series to fully appreciate and understand the DS9 sections? I'm really confused with the Gateways series. I'm suppose to read the entire Demon of Air and Darkness book but only read the DS9 part of the What Lay Beyond book?

 

[Steve Roby]

Why is the DS9 relaunch intertwined with the Section 31 series and Gateways series?

Actually, Section 31 isn't really a series as such, just four standalone novels, one in each series, that happen to involve Section 31. If you're really interested in Section 31, read them all; if you aren't, read the ones that look interesting. The DS9 is very much part of the relaunch, though, so don't skip it. Just don't worry that you're missing anything important to the DS9 relaunch if you don't read the other Section 31 books.

I'm really confused with the Gateways series. I'm suppose to read the entire Demon of Air and Darkness book but only read the DS9 part of the What Lay Beyond book?

Well, that's up to you. Gateways was the biggest and most cynical of the crossover events that were popular for a few years, with six books that tied into the same galactic events and each told a more or less complete story, but ended with a cliffhanger resolved in a story in the seventh book, which at the time of first publication was a hardcover. Many of us fans were not amused.

What you get in Twist of Faith is the DS9 novel and the DS9 section from the seventh book. You don't need to read the other Gateways novels to understand what you need to know; it's all there in Demons. If you find yourself interested in the Gateways storyline you can go back and read some or all of the other books, but again you don't need to read the non-DS9 Gateways books to follow the DS9 relaunch saga.

 

[Geoff]

Why is the DS9 relaunch intertwined with the Section 31 series and Gateways series? Do I need to read the entire series to fully appreciate and understand the DS9 sections?

No.

As others have mentioned, the four Section 31 books have almost no common threads between them. While some of the other books in the series are quite good (particularly Rogue), you're not gaining any additional insight into the DS9 storyline by reading them.

Regarding the Gateways series... Certainly there are story threads that are running throughout the other books in the series, and your experience might well be enriched by reading the other novels, but they are by no means imperative to your understanding of the DS9 storyline.

I'm really confused with the Gateways series. I'm suppose to read the entire Demon of Air and Darkness book but only read the DS9 part of the What Lay Beyond book?

Each of the first six novels in the Gateways series ends with a cliffhanger. The seventh book, What Lay Beyond, is a collection of six separate novellas, each one resolving one of the storylines from the previous six novels. So yes, for the purpose of the DS9 storyline, you would read Gateways: Demons of Air and Darkness followed by the novella Horn and Ivory from Gateways: What Lay Beyond. (And both are included in Twist of Faith.)

Clear as mud?

 

[Cicero]

I don't know how you can argue that Unjoined was in any way unnecessary. I mean, it was the thing that finally wrapped up the Parasite arc and explored a domestic political crisis on a Federation world. Kind of a big deal.

By the time 'Unjoined' was released, I was tired of the parasites (besides, the arc had been more or less wrapped up so far as DS9 was concerned, anyway). And the domestic political crisis came and went (insipidly) in the space of half of a paperback.

KRAD's 'Satisfaction Is Not Guaranteed' is fun, btw, but hasn't seemed essential so far.

This above mentioned story's relevant in that it further extrapolates on the relationship Ro and Quark have been having since the beginning of the post-finale literature. All of the stories in "Worlds Of Deep Space Nine" focus on relationships, one way or another, and in the case of most of them, the relationships seem to end, or transform in a way you didn't expect (the latter is true for all the stories). As well, you see growth in Nog as a character, especially when he learns of his mother's involvement in what's happening to Rom, you see growth in Quark, and for me, despite the fact that Rom gave him the job as 'Ambassador' as a way to keep the bar afloat, Quark's stepped into the role nicely, seeing his own take on things. Gone is the scheming Ferengi we knew...here's a Ferengi who still worries about a balance sheet at the end of the month, but sees a larger picture, and who's grown beyond petty greed. (Well, evolved somewhat...Quark is Quark)

You also get that even though this was to signal an 'end' to Quark and Ro, in 'Warpath", you get there's unfinished business. I doubt we've seen the be all and end all with these two, especially if Quark would hold a vigil and drop everything to be at Ro's side, like Sisko was at Kira's.

Certainly, there's good material in 'Satisfaction Is Not Guaranteed' (unlike 'Unjoined,' it was enjoyable to read) but none of it is essential. You can pick up (in the next volume) on the plots carried through this book without any significant loss of understanding. It's possible that it might become important in the future, but that's not especially likely considering the history of the import of Ferengi stories.

 

[BaloksPuppet]

It's funny, I just asked a very similar question about the Gateways series. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who finds the reading order of that one a bit messy, but I think I've got a handle on it now. It looks like everything since then is pretty easy to figure out.

 

[Ktrek]

Hey...If you guys really want to get technical about it I would suggest skipping everything mentioned and begin by reading the Terok Nor series. Granted only the first book (DAY OF VIPERS) has been issued thus far but book two comes out shortly followed by book three in a month. Then you will have the back story for DS9. Once you have the back story you can watch the entire series on DVD again and then pick up Avatar part's one and two. Once you have done that then you can decide if you love DS9 enough to want to know all the details or skip to Rising Son and Unity. However, if you do so you must be aware that you will be skipping some very good and well written stories.

Kevin