Section 31: Abyss Bk. 4 ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the Trek novel I've been waiting for. It has wonderful character examinations, a very interesting plot, and best of all, consequences. The Deep Space Nine novels take place after the end of the television series, so things can happen to the characters. You don't necessarily know if everything is going to turn out all right. And even when they do, characters can be irreversibly changed by the events in them. Weddle and Lang have crafted together what I would call a masterpiece of Trek novels.

One major thing I have to mention right off the bat is the use of continuity. If you're familiar with my Trek novel reviews, you know that heavy continuity references are not my favourite thing. So many times, a book has been weighted down with reference after reference, with the explanations of these references taking up way too much room and killing the pace of the book. This time, though, we are completely spared that problem. To my recollection, there is not one continuity reference in this book that slows the pace of the book. Usually, if a reference is made, it's just left there. If you are familiar with the events in question, then you understand it totally. If you're not, then there is just enough information so that you get the feel for what the reference means in the scheme of this plot. I almost screamed in joy when I read my first reference.

This book is mainly a character study of Bashir, and as such it works wonders. Bashir has always been one of the more interesting characters on the show, and I found this analysis of his character very interesting. He's always been on the outside looking in, especially once his enhancement became public and people looked at him differently. None of that seemed to happen in the series itself, but you can understand that people would start treating him differently and that he would start to resent it. In this book, that resentment explodes as Locken tries to convince Bashir that they should work together for the betterment of the entire Federation. They are almost perfect people. Why shouldn't they try to shape the galaxy into what they think is best? But the key word is "almost," and that word becomes very important as Locken starts to go increasingly insane. You do start to wonder, however, whether Bashir will come to his senses in time, and the suspense is palpable.

Dax makes a good sounding board for Bashir in the book, but she also has other things to do that have to do with the series as a whole. Dax is still coming into her own as she is getting used to having the symbiote inside her. She is a Trill, and she is just getting used to being able to access the memories and, at times, skills of her predecessors. She learns some more in this novel, and it's the continuation of character development for her that I'm sure will continue in subsequent novels. It's part of what brings the series closer together, but casual readers who pick up this book will not be mystified by what is going on with her.

The other characters are good as well. Ro and Taran'atar have a lot to do as they try to get access to the base where Bashir and Dax are being held captive. They get some solid character development as well. The characters back at the station get less, and they probably could have been left out of the book entirely, except at the beginning. There is some development that, again, is geared more toward future books. Commander Vaughn, the new first officer of the station, gets some more mystery added on to his past. I find him an interesting character but I wish they would finally do something with him. I think that in the next series of books he does get some character development, so the little teases in this book do their job well. We'll have to see if it continues.

The plot is very tension-filled, with some action in the parts with Ro and Taran'atar, and a lot of philosophical discussion in the parts with Bashir and Locken. Weddle and Lang to a wonderful job of juggling the two plot lines, always leaving one at an interesting turning point when they go to the other. As I said above, though, I could have done without the side-trips to the station. But they weren't too bad and I find those characters interesting, so I didn't mind too much. If you're not a Trek fan, these side-trips might be more annoying. The dialogue between Bashir and Locken is outstanding, with both sides doing their utmost to convince the other of the rightness of his position. Dax is suitably skeptical of Locken's, and the tension in the room is palpable.

This novel is a must-have if you're a DS9 fan. Section 31 is an interesting concept, and you're always wondering about ulterior motives. I haven't read the other Section 31 books, so I don't know if there is an over-arching plot. I do know that this book sits by itself very well. If you like DS9, you owe it to yourself to follow the series of post-television novels. If you don't feel like doing that, you still must check this one out. It's a keeper.

David Roy

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews   Was this review helpful to you?

Report this | Permalink Comment Comment