Building on his previous Mirror Universe novel "The Sorrows of Empire", as well as the three MU anthologies ("Glass Empires", "Obsidian Alliances", and "Shards and Shadows" ), David Mack brings an entertaining and captivating story to life for fans of Star Trek’s darker side. Find out how it turns out the TrekMovie review of "Star Trek: Mirror Universe: Rise Like Lions".
REVIEW: Mirror Universe: Rise Like Lions
by David Mack
Massmarket paperback – 416 pages
PocketBooks – October 2011 – $7.98
The Klingon/Cardassian Alliance is on its last legs, and so is the Terran Resistance. In fact, the Mirror Universe seems headed for a complete meltdown as the new Mirror Universe story "Rise Like Lions" takes shape.
As General O’Brien and his cast of rebels maintains a tenious hold over Terok Nor, they sense the need to go on the offensive – recognizing that the rebellion must become far more than a defensive battle if it is to succeed. Of course, he is going to need some allies to accomplish his goals, especially as things begin to tank for the rebellion, and well situated to assist is one M’k’n’zy of Calhoun, whose recent ‘inheritance’ of ex-Praetor Hiren’s fleet makes him a powerful player on the interstellar scene.
At the same time, on opposite sides of the Alliance, the Cardassians and the Klingons are struggling with their own internal organizational and security problems as madness begins to reign on many Alliance worlds. Disgraced ex-regent Worf remains in rebel custody, and may well hold the key that is needed to take advantage of the new state of affairs in the Alliance, but, of course, there is no way he can be trusted… or is there?
While these quandaries are percolating, a quite archaeological prospector, Luc Picard, is contacted by a shadowy agency that has, for a century, been preparing for the day when a better future for the Milky Way might be realized… one involving peace, mutual prosperity, and an end to centuries of unremitting hostility among the civilizations of the galaxy. He may be hard to impress, but Saavik, taking a page from the late Emperor Spock, seems to realize that there are always… possibilities.
Within "Rise Like Lions", the entire 24th century cast of Star Trek characters is on display, and references abound to nearly every Star Trek literary and television series. What you get is a veritable feast of Star Trek storytelling that effortlessly draws together the wide array of the Next Generation and beyond, without the need to know a whole lot about what is going on (aside from having seen the DS9 mirror universe episodes).
While tons of material is derived from Mack’s preceding book and the anthology series, none of it is essential to enjoy this book. I had not previously read any of the material from the series, and I followed every aspect of the story fine. Mack fills you in with enough information to put together your surroundings, without needing to go back to read the preceding stories. (Of course, they will make you want to go back and read the preceding ones if you have not done so before.)
Nothing about "Rise Like Lions" disappoints, except for – perhaps – the deus ex machina solution that saves Calhoun and his crew as the story unfolds; the ultimate explanation leaves one groaning… but aside from this, Mack delivers a compelling tale of a new galactic order that the avid Star Trek fan will not want to miss.
"Star Trek: Mirror Universe: Rise Like Lions" is available in now and can be ordered at Amazon.com.
MORE: new and upcoming Star Trek novels
Other recent Star Trek fiction releases include "Star Trek Vanguard: What Judgments Come" by Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore (see TrekMovie review), Michael A. Martin’s "Star Trek: Enterprise: The Romulan War: To Brave The Storm" (see TrekMovie review) and Christopher L. Bennett’s eBook "Star
Trek: Typhon Pact: The Struggle Within" (TrekMovie review).
Also due out soon is Greg Cox’s TOS novel "Star Trek: The Rings of Time".
Meant to grab this the other day, but thought it needed too much pre reading to get into. Guess I was wrong. Headed back to Barnes and Noble tomorrow to pick it up. Mack is a great writer.
i wish CBS/Paramount would at least consider making some of these books into a tv mini series or direct to dvd movie..
@#2, I totally agree with ya on that.
The Rings of Time is not out yet, at least at stores.
@2 I talked to roddenberrys assisstant at a convention. They wont do a Minni series because the start up cost is about 50 MILLION and paramount isn’t sure of the returns on investment
that makes sense. Considering that it does take a lot of money to produce a Star Trek episode, I can imagine a mini-series. Also, CBS/PARAMOUNT is still doing some of the easy money search, and a mini-series is not easy money.
What? Paramamount is unsure if they can ring in $50 millions, with hordes of fans eagerly waiting for New Trek in TV? Especially when it is a mini series with a compelling story line – have they lost their marbles? $50 million will be made from DVD sales alone…
Sounds like fanboy bliss. Might be fun, though.
Spin up the Nook!
3 – Gene Roddenberry? Rod? Majel? Only one is alive currently and none have assistants with any connection to Star Trek currently?
Love the Mirrior Book. I belive the Terran Empire will rise again.
@5. Actually, no it won’t – Trek’s horde of fans is relatively small. The last movie sold somewhere in the neighborhood on 2MM tickets, For a television broadcast with similar numbers it would be an abject failure, considering the cost involved. I’ve pointed out before that even poorly watched reality broadcasting is much cheaper to produce, has better ratings, and makes much more money. The failure of Caprica showed that scf-fi fans are more dialed into effects heavy action, so it’s questionable that a low budget Trek mini series is even possible.
I wonder if they would even consider doing a new Trek TV series until the economy gets better?