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Past Imperfect #2

Present Tension

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A routine away mission to a trading planet turns deadly when Janeway puts herself at risk to protect a former Borg. While Janeway and Lynne cope with the aftermath, Seven of Nine adapts to a newcomer — and the realization that for the first time since her own severance from the Collective, her mind is no longer silent.

77,000 words

285 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2005

1 person is currently reading
95 people want to read

About the author

Fletcher DeLancey

26 books316 followers
Fletcher DeLancey spent her early career as a science educator, which was the perfect combination of her two great loves: language and science. These days she combines them while writing science fiction.

She is an Oregon expatriate who left her beloved state when she met a Portuguese woman and had to choose between home and heart. She chose heart. Now she lives with her wife and son in the beautiful sunny Algarve, where she writes full-time, teaches Pilates, tries to learn the local birds and plants, and samples every regional Portuguese dish she can get her hands on. (There are many. It’s going to take a while.)

She is best known for her science fiction/fantasy series, Chronicles of Alsea, now comprised of four novels and a novella. Among them, the Alsea books have won an Independent Publisher's Award (2017 bronze medal), a Golden Crown Literary Society Award, a Rainbow Award, and been shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award.

Fletcher believes that women need far more representation in science fiction and fantasy, and takes great pleasure in writing complex stories with strong, believable women heading up the action. Her day is made every time another reader says, “I didn’t think I liked science fiction, but then I read yours.”

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5 stars
99 (57%)
4 stars
58 (33%)
3 stars
13 (7%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Joc.
770 reviews198 followers
July 14, 2018
I'm thoroughly enjoying this series. The USS Voyager is travelling through a fairly peaceful quadrant as they go about collecting the supplies and minerals needed to keep the boat afloat. Well, that is until they transgress the laws of a Dakmorian city. Doesn't help that Kathryn and Lynne's relationship is not in a good place at this time.

Their relationship is as dynamic here as it was in the first installment. The constant negotiation around their personalities is engaging to read. The action is riveting. One of the best parts, however, is when Seven of Nine asks Lynne for assistance in dating. Getting to know other members of the crew better was a bonus.

I'm hooked and I will have to read the rest.
551 reviews11 followers
August 12, 2017
Wonderful addition to the Star Trek story of Voyager.

The highlights of the book for me were Seven's dates. I enjoyed them even more the second time I read the book.
Profile Image for Jem.
408 reviews304 followers
April 27, 2014
Capt. Janeway and Lynne, the unwitting hitchhiker she picked up in space, become a couple already at the end of the first book. I wondered how the author would sustain reader interest for the rest of the series. Would she tear them apart? send them on another bizarre space adventure? introduce another couple? Turns out it's a little of everything. And at just the right dose for a perfect balance of action, drama and angst.

Book 1 is a tough act to follow. But Book 2 surpasses it, imho. Think Star Wars vs Empire Strikes Back.

I love how the author developed Janeway and Lynne's characters and relationship. In the first book, it was all about trust. Lynne's Choice at the end of the first book's bizzarro finale settled that once and for all. Now the Captain wants to take their relationship to the next level but its the usual U-haul dilemma--when should she pop the question? Before they can settle their commitment issues, our heroines are dropped into a heart-stopping, life and death situation where they will be forced to 'cross a line that can't be uncrossed'. More drama, ethical dilemmas, and a bonus--a mysterious character with a dark past.

And the freak temporal displacement (time travel thingy) from the end of Book 1 finally makes sense. It sets up an entire chain of events (an alternate timeline or an altered timeline?--me thinks its the latter) that sets the premise for the rest of the series. Superb plotting!

Last but not the least, I can't believe I have more to say about the intimate scenes--it's just this side of risque. Not at all something you'd expect in a serious sci-fi book. Definitely no skipping. :)


P.S. In a nod to the TV series subtext that launched a thousand J/7 fanfics, the author doesn't forget Seven's special place in Janeway's heart.
Profile Image for Jamie (TheRebelliousReader).
6,946 reviews30 followers
January 15, 2022
"Past, present, and future,” Janeway said. “They all run together. And you’re with me in all of them”

5 stars. Even better than book one and I have a feeling book three is going to be better than this one and so on. This series is phenomenal and I want to shout my love for it from the damn rooftops.

This picks up directly after Past Imperfect and while it’s shorter than book one it does not skimp on plot, character development, and action. As much as I absolutely adore all things Janeway and Lynne, Seven was a scene stealer here. I loved her plot so much and it gave some fantastic insight into her character and I couldn’t get enough. Also, I peeped the JanewayxSeven moments in this. Clever.

Janeway and Lynne face some rough patches in this one and while it hurt to see them at odds it was so satisfying when they both sat down and talked it out. Their relationship is so healthy and full of respect and love. Whenever one of them messes up the self reflect and I am all for it.

I’m excited to keep going because this series is so addictive.
Profile Image for Lexxi Kitty.
2,060 reviews478 followers
March 11, 2022
I really wish I knew how many pages these books contained. The first one seemed closer to 400 than 200, but could have been anywhere between 200 and 800 pages in length. This one was rather short. I think it was book length, but I'm not really certain. I just know that I started it, and shortly thereafter I looked down and saw that I was at 47% complete (as opposed to the current book I'm read, the third in the series, which is only at 41% at the moment and feels like it's the size of three of the second books combined).

Of the Voyager crew from the tv show, Janeway still keeps much of the stage for herself. As expected (at least in terms of people from the show). Tuvok's time on the screen, or, um, page, was slightly more than in the fist book. I'd say he continued to act within the characterization that I had come to expect, except he didn't really. There was an incident during a prison break that seemed off. .

Chakatoy's role also was larger in this book. Somewhat barely. And mostly to show how much of a giant ass he is. I never particularly liked the giant pompous ass, so let's not examine too closely into whether or not this is in keeping with his other characterizations - on the show and in official books.

Seven of Nine the largest increase in stage presence. Hmm, no idea why I keep saying 'screen' and 'stage'. After growing deeper in emotional awareness, social ability, and friendship acquiring and keeping, Seven has, in this book, come to the conclusion that she should retry that dating thing she had tried before but failed at. This time she isn't going to use a computer hologram for tips, the Doctor. Gets help from Lynne and Torres. An interesting development.

Everyone else had their roles narrowed or remain at a low level. Harry Kim might have squeaked a couple of times. I'm fairly certain Neelix was actually able to have a couple of lines - "Brownies anyone?". I know Paris finally had something like two lines in the third book (so far), but I'm still not certain he said anything in the second one - this book here.

I mentioned a prison break earlier. After an ion storm, Voyager needs some supplies. So heads to the nearest high tech planet. And into some aliens that seemed really familiar. No idea if they are or not, but they seemed like ones I ran across in the Star Trek Corps of Engineers books, and in one (or three) specific 'missions/episodes' in/on Star Trek Online. Well the prison break part comes in when Janeway finds herself in one. A prison, that is.

While in said prison, Janeway . . . um. hmm. Okay, she got herself into prison because she meet another human on said planet and tried to talk with her. Police erupted and ran towards them with the intention of beating said female human. Janeway, naturally, got in their way. Both were beaten bloody. So then, while in prison, Janeway and the female human get to know each other. The female, Revi Sandovhor(sp?) is an ex-borg ex-Collective ex-Starfleet refugee.

Good solid book. I liked the first book more than the second, but still a high quality book. Professional quality. Quite short. I read it in one go without realizing I'd begin and end it so quickly.

January 11 2016
Profile Image for Betty.
286 reviews8 followers
June 4, 2019
I enjoyed this very much. In some ways more than book one. I think I wasn't too keen on more Lynne/Janeway stuff, but the humour made up for it. Then add in Seven and all is forgiven.

Although I have, and probably will always have reservations about fanfiction, this is a really good storyline.

Do I dare go straight on to the third? I think I must...
Profile Image for Ted.
560 reviews89 followers
July 19, 2017
Kahless on a crutch that was utterly brilliant. Seven. Sigh. Oh Seven. I sure hope things work out for her. Pushing on to book 3.
Profile Image for Alealea.
649 reviews10 followers
April 30, 2019
I still don't like Janeway .... but I'm still a Lynn and Seven fan.

And while Revi, the new character introduced, stress me a lot, because of her emotional bagage which is very heavy, she's also a nice addition to the storyline.

The story was more obvious than the previous book, but it was still enjoyable.

And I enjoyed the focus on Tuvok and Lynne relationship.
Profile Image for Flowerscat.
92 reviews3 followers
September 10, 2016
I would read this just for Seven of Nine. Her character grows in leaps and bounds in this storyline - which is touching, heartwarming and hilarious in parts.
Profile Image for Lisa.
575 reviews7 followers
August 19, 2024
Loved this continuation of the Past Imperfect series. The author's characterization of Janeway, Torres, and Seven is spot on. I really enjoy the developing relationship between all of these characters with each other and Lynne aa well as the addition of Revi. This installment felt a bit like a Voyager episode and that is a very good thing. This has already become one of my favorite FF series. I cannot wait to read the next story.
Profile Image for Bory.
212 reviews9 followers
August 25, 2022
I mean what is there to say? I love these characters and I love this universe. Fletcher Delancey is up there with the best of the best, like Kirsten Beyer and Christie Golden, when it comes to accurately portraying Janeway and co.

I don't typically read romance novels, yet I keep coming back to this particular series. I love Lynne, and I love Janeway with her. The spice between them is top notch.

However, while I love the book (there's a reason why, like Past Imperfect, I've read it multiple times), this is the point in the series where my least favorite Delancey created character is introduced. I'm speaking, of course, of Revi. Revi is fine here, but the foreshadowing of the overwhelming amount of melodrama she brings into the series in the following installments is clear to see.

In any case, great book.
Profile Image for Tessa Barding.
Author 1 book6 followers
December 17, 2015
Wow, that was a good one. The first one was good already but this is even better. Although I still can’t ‘feel’ the Janeway/Lynne relationship, I much enjoyed reading about Seven and her date trainings and I liked how she and Revi connected. Funny enough, I’m finding the blossoming relationship between the two ex Borg easier to comprehend than that between the upright Captain and her headstrong partner – go figure!

The scifi- and adventure part of the story is fantastic as always. Fletcher is such a great scifi writer and she excels at storytelling and world-building. I’m looking forward to reading her other Voyager stories.

As with the other one: it helps to know the Star Trek ‘verse but it’s not a prerequisite.

Four stars and a reading recommendation.
Profile Image for MEC.
390 reviews41 followers
January 17, 2013
Book two of the series - in this one, Delancey adds another new character - Dr. Revi Sandhovar. Revi is one of the Borg who was severed from the Collective and a former member ofthe Borg colony that Voyageur runs across in one of the TV episodes. Now that Lynn and Janeway are relatively solid (of course there's always a crisis to cause them grief), Delancey focuses on both the J/L and the Seven/Revi relationships. With lots of action of course.
Profile Image for Natulka .
33 reviews
February 6, 2017
Absolutely loved it, again, like the first book, I fell for the characters and was caught up in the story. Even though it was pretty soppy at times, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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