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Past Imperfect #5
Forward Motion
After seven long years, Voyager is finally home — yet Lynne is still the target of an unknown assassin. As she deals with the ongoing cost of her old decision, Kathryn adapts to life on the ground, Revi faces old demons, and Alison Necheyev finds herself swept up in events beyond her imagining.
281,700 words
281,700 words
892 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Fletcher DeLancey
26 books315 followersFletcher 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.”
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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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 25, 2018
4.5 stars. What an incredible journey this series was. Not only these books are the best sci-fi lesfic I've ever read they are also one of the best romance books I've had the pleasure to read. The character growth throughout the series is astounding. And while there're a lot of sci-fi'ish things going on, the books are mainly focused on the relationships of the crew. I'll be remembering the series for a long time and I'll definitely revisit the books for a reread.
Note that you don't need any previous knowledge of the Star Trek universe
Note that you don't need any previous knowledge of the Star Trek universe
May 23, 2014
This review is for the entire Past Imperfect series of books 1 to 5. I've known about this series for years, but just never got around to reading it, because...well, its fan fiction, and in a fandom I'm not particularly into. Add to that the epic length--according to Calibre, it all comes out to about 5000+ pages--about 20 lesfic books long. I don't think I'd have started it if I knew that figure beforehand, lol. It took me over 3 weeks to finish the series but what a ride it was.
For those who are unfamiliar with the series, Voyager is a spaceship from 24th century earth on a routine mission that was flung halfway across the universe by an energy wave (actually its just around 70,000 light years but it might as well be considering our puny human lifespans). The crew have been trying to get home to earth ever since. The five books chronicle the second half of their journey home.
Despite being set in space and involving futuristic technology and time travel, this isn't a hardcore sci-fi tale. It is, at its heart, a lesbian romance, or three. A good portion of the books are devoted to the development of the romances, the inevitable drama, misunderstandings, talking it over and making-up...lots of making-up! :) And of course where can one find such a thorough demonstration of a futuristic pleasure device that takes up an entire chapter--only in a lesfic romance!
The most impressive aspect of the books is that even with the romantic focus, the author managed to come up with such a coherent and well-thought out overall plot that for me, was much better than the TV series on which it was based on. Most lesfic suffer from plot holes huge enough to swallow entire worlds, but here the author painstakingly crafted very credible scenarios where actions in the first books impact events that occur books later. The action scenes are very well paced and executed. Many times, the crew and our heroines teeter on the brink of death and once, even topple over entirely--resulting in one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in lesfic. The whole diverse cast of characters is excellently and consistently drawn. The author also has the uncanny ability to delve deep into the psyche of her heroines and dig up some wonderful angst, guilt, or whatever emotions they'd kept buried deep inside. I could have sworn she's a psychologist/psychiatrist on the side. Granted, there were a few instances where she got carried away and the exchanges were excessively long winded, and sometimes there was just a little too much hand-wringing, but overall, the dialogue is some of the best I've ever read.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the author, Ms. Fletcher Delancey, for such an amazing work of fiction. I've been totally immersed in the world you've created this past month, and what a wonderful world to be lost in. Not many writers would care to spend so much attention and forethought on what is ultimately free fiction, and I hope you get to publish your own original epic some day!
For those who are unfamiliar with the series, Voyager is a spaceship from 24th century earth on a routine mission that was flung halfway across the universe by an energy wave (actually its just around 70,000 light years but it might as well be considering our puny human lifespans). The crew have been trying to get home to earth ever since. The five books chronicle the second half of their journey home.
Despite being set in space and involving futuristic technology and time travel, this isn't a hardcore sci-fi tale. It is, at its heart, a lesbian romance, or three. A good portion of the books are devoted to the development of the romances, the inevitable drama, misunderstandings, talking it over and making-up...lots of making-up! :) And of course where can one find such a thorough demonstration of a futuristic pleasure device that takes up an entire chapter--only in a lesfic romance!
The most impressive aspect of the books is that even with the romantic focus, the author managed to come up with such a coherent and well-thought out overall plot that for me, was much better than the TV series on which it was based on. Most lesfic suffer from plot holes huge enough to swallow entire worlds, but here the author painstakingly crafted very credible scenarios where actions in the first books impact events that occur books later. The action scenes are very well paced and executed. Many times, the crew and our heroines teeter on the brink of death and once, even topple over entirely--resulting in one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in lesfic. The whole diverse cast of characters is excellently and consistently drawn. The author also has the uncanny ability to delve deep into the psyche of her heroines and dig up some wonderful angst, guilt, or whatever emotions they'd kept buried deep inside. I could have sworn she's a psychologist/psychiatrist on the side. Granted, there were a few instances where she got carried away and the exchanges were excessively long winded, and sometimes there was just a little too much hand-wringing, but overall, the dialogue is some of the best I've ever read.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the author, Ms. Fletcher Delancey, for such an amazing work of fiction. I've been totally immersed in the world you've created this past month, and what a wonderful world to be lost in. Not many writers would care to spend so much attention and forethought on what is ultimately free fiction, and I hope you get to publish your own original epic some day!
April 30, 2019
This is definitely my favorite.
Watching the characters going back home is bittersweet. Lynne brings with her the familiar of our century, Katheryn the home and family, Revi and Seven the friendship, Alison and a certain someone the spice.
It's a very great story, full of bumps and interesting exchange.
I hope Lynne and Janeway will have some psychological help because they sure need it.
But surviving political plots, military manipulations and assassinations attempts while adapting to their new environment and saving Earth, this is really not bad for their first two months on the ground. ;)
I have to confess, I shared my enthusiasm with my better half, and so we are going to watch some Voyager episodes and see if we are hooked.
While I know it will be bittersweet without Lynne and Revi, the background exploration, it may be a nice ride.
Watching the characters going back home is bittersweet. Lynne brings with her the familiar of our century, Katheryn the home and family, Revi and Seven the friendship, Alison and a certain someone the spice.
It's a very great story, full of bumps and interesting exchange.
I hope Lynne and Janeway will have some psychological help because they sure need it.
But surviving political plots, military manipulations and assassinations attempts while adapting to their new environment and saving Earth, this is really not bad for their first two months on the ground. ;)
I have to confess, I shared my enthusiasm with my better half, and so we are going to watch some Voyager episodes and see if we are hooked.
While I know it will be bittersweet without Lynne and Revi, the background exploration, it may be a nice ride.
March 20, 2018
I give it ten stars. A few times in my life just the right book has come to me at just the right time. This is one of those times and some of those books. Thank you, Fletcher DeLancey.
Update: Second time around - it's even better than the first. The best (and longest) epilogue ever.
Update: Second time around - it's even better than the first. The best (and longest) epilogue ever.
May 24, 2019
An exceptionally good series! Highly recommended!
(FYI word count for the series: 893,968 — according to Marvin eReader for iPad)
(FYI word count for the series: 893,968 — according to Marvin eReader for iPad)
April 14, 2022
I was somewhat reluctant to read this book for two specific reasons. This be a really really long book, and, secondly, I'd already read an 'after return' series of books through the official canon. I figured any need to learn more about the 'after stuff' had been satisfied both by the official books and by the previous book in this here series. Since they did 'get back' at the end of the last book. Well, no, just reading that tells me that it didn't include 'after stuff'.
Right, so. This really long book involves family, assassins/terrorists, couples, briefings/parades, and business. This book was jammed packed with stuff. All of which was handled quite well.
On the family side – I guess anyone who wanted something more, longer, more in depth involving Seven of Nine and her human relatives will have to read the official books. Because that is something tackled relatively deeply there. But only lightly here. Well, more than lightly. The aunt and Annika meet. The ‘after’ versions of 7 are vaguely interesting in their two different interpretations. The official version has 7 actually using her real name (and dating Chakotay, which was really gross on many many levels; more than just because I despise Chakotay). While the fan fiction has 7 still using 7 of Nine. Yet, 7 seemed to have grown more as a character, filled out more, in the fan fiction than in the official version.
More family – the Janeway family, as might be expected, was an important feature in this book. With mother Gretchen, sister Phoebe, Kathryn herself, and Lynne. Plus the motherly-ness Gretchen brings, in certain scenes with Revi.
Even more family – it was only touched on very briefly, but B’Elanna’s mother turns up in this book, along with Tom’s father. B’Elanna’s father wasn’t involved, and I don’t recall if Tom’s mother was mentioned. In the official canon, B’Elanna's father and mother turn up, however briefly.
I suppose I should mention that Alison’s aunt plays a role as well, but then she always did, what with being Admiral Necheyev, Janeway’s direct boss. Their dynamic of being aunt/niece played a part in this book, but not as importantly, on one level, as some other families.
Revi Sandovhar’s mother and father also popped up. Good/bad. Those who actually read this series in order, probably already recall that there is something like bad blood between Revi and her family. Mostly between Revi and father. Well, that gets addressed in this book here.
One last family to mention (though I’m sure I’m missing others). And that would be the Hamilton family. Both the living (Elise, Brian, Melanie (Elise’s mother, Brian’s sister), and . . um, Adele and . . Stephen is mentioned, he’s Elise’s brother; and, of course, Lynne Hamilton), and the dead (Lynne’s parents via messages).
That whole family dynamic was handled quite well.
In terms of coupling/Romance. The main couples continued living their lives – Revi & Seven, Lynne & Kathryn Janeway, but they also had to share the spotlight this time around with a third main couple. Alison and Elise.
Well, darn. My ability to write stuff is sadly lacking. Failing. I’m failing!
Well, I liked everything that occurred in this book, despite my reluctance to read it. Quite enjoyable time spent by me reading this here book.
February 8 2016
Right, so. This really long book involves family, assassins/terrorists, couples, briefings/parades, and business. This book was jammed packed with stuff. All of which was handled quite well.
On the family side – I guess anyone who wanted something more, longer, more in depth involving Seven of Nine and her human relatives will have to read the official books. Because that is something tackled relatively deeply there. But only lightly here. Well, more than lightly. The aunt and Annika meet. The ‘after’ versions of 7 are vaguely interesting in their two different interpretations. The official version has 7 actually using her real name (and dating Chakotay, which was really gross on many many levels; more than just because I despise Chakotay). While the fan fiction has 7 still using 7 of Nine. Yet, 7 seemed to have grown more as a character, filled out more, in the fan fiction than in the official version.
More family – the Janeway family, as might be expected, was an important feature in this book. With mother Gretchen, sister Phoebe, Kathryn herself, and Lynne. Plus the motherly-ness Gretchen brings, in certain scenes with Revi.
Even more family – it was only touched on very briefly, but B’Elanna’s mother turns up in this book, along with Tom’s father. B’Elanna’s father wasn’t involved, and I don’t recall if Tom’s mother was mentioned. In the official canon, B’Elanna's father and mother turn up, however briefly.
I suppose I should mention that Alison’s aunt plays a role as well, but then she always did, what with being Admiral Necheyev, Janeway’s direct boss. Their dynamic of being aunt/niece played a part in this book, but not as importantly, on one level, as some other families.
Revi Sandovhar’s mother and father also popped up. Good/bad. Those who actually read this series in order, probably already recall that there is something like bad blood between Revi and her family. Mostly between Revi and father. Well, that gets addressed in this book here.
One last family to mention (though I’m sure I’m missing others). And that would be the Hamilton family. Both the living (Elise, Brian, Melanie (Elise’s mother, Brian’s sister), and . . um, Adele and . . Stephen is mentioned, he’s Elise’s brother; and, of course, Lynne Hamilton), and the dead (Lynne’s parents via messages).
That whole family dynamic was handled quite well.
In terms of coupling/Romance. The main couples continued living their lives – Revi & Seven, Lynne & Kathryn Janeway, but they also had to share the spotlight this time around with a third main couple. Alison and Elise.
Well, darn. My ability to write stuff is sadly lacking. Failing. I’m failing!
Well, I liked everything that occurred in this book, despite my reluctance to read it. Quite enjoyable time spent by me reading this here book.
February 8 2016
July 26, 2017
Ok that took a minute to read. Ok more like 4 days. I used the word 'Epic' on book 4 so I need to come up with another superlative. Taken by itself and not the series as a whole this is an amazing work of fanfic. The series overall though had a lot of bumps and bruises. And when it bruised, it freaking bruised hard. Janeway pulled some crap in book 3 and I literally tossed my kindle down with a growl that caused my puppies to alert and run to the window in search of the threat. However overall the series is definitely worth it. The series comes in at close to 900,000 words over all 5 books with the last 2 being gigantic in and of themselves. So worth it.
September 19, 2025
After reading all this series I have the urge to read them all over again.
February 9, 2018
Every time I read Fletcher's stories,they get better.
May 24, 2014
As much as this series is science fiction (it is Star Trek after all), underneath it is really a story about relationships and emotions and how the past molds people into what they become in the future. There are so many lessons that can be taken away from these books: learning from past mistakes, being honest with loved ones and friends, looking beyond the surface, finding the strength inside oneself, the list goes on and on. I can't remember the last time I read a book that took me through so many emotions. I laughed, I became angry and yes, there was a spot I even cried. I'm really going to miss these characters. Maybe I'll just start reading the first book again!
August 28, 2015
Stunning piece of work! Sci-fi with romance, drama, adventure, intrigue, suspense that got me hooked. Now that I reached the last page of the 5th and last book of the Past Imperfect series, it is bittersweet but then again, all good things must come to an end. I am happy though that Ms. Delancey has the forthcoming Chronicles of Alsea trilogy and I am looking forward to that!
September 8, 2024
How is it possible for each new book in this series, to be better than the last? You are cruising along happily engrossed in the ST:V universe, waxing nostalgic for the series you loved so much, and each of these books just gets better and better. These stories made me laugh, cry (a lot), get annoyed, worry, even roll my eyes. It is bittersweet to come to the final pages of this book. I LOVE this series but I hated to see it end. Thank you Fletcher DeLancey, for a joyous ride!
January 17, 2013
3.5- 4 stars. I read the series back to back to back, so by this one I was getting a bit overwhelmed with some of the fanfic-isms. Take a break between the books and you'll enjoy each one.
This is the final book in Delancey's Voyageur fanfic. A satisfying end to a looooong, but good, series. In addition to Jane/Lynne and Seven/Revi, Delancey introduces two new characters to help propel the plot along. The crew of Voyageur is home but not safe quite yet as Janeway has to face Starfleet and Lynn is the target of an assasin's cell. Lots of introspection, angst, kick-ass action, witty banter and declarations of love. Sometimes I just love fanfic. :) Everything gets tied up nicely (better than it was in the actual show) with a HEA for everyone (except the assassins).
This is the final book in Delancey's Voyageur fanfic. A satisfying end to a looooong, but good, series. In addition to Jane/Lynne and Seven/Revi, Delancey introduces two new characters to help propel the plot along. The crew of Voyageur is home but not safe quite yet as Janeway has to face Starfleet and Lynn is the target of an assasin's cell. Lots of introspection, angst, kick-ass action, witty banter and declarations of love. Sometimes I just love fanfic. :) Everything gets tied up nicely (better than it was in the actual show) with a HEA for everyone (except the assassins).
June 3, 2014
Welcome to the 24th century, where the incidence of lesbianism has skyrocketed - much to my delight.
This whole series was fabulous. A friend had been trying to get me to read it for months and I was apprehensive even though I did have familiarity with the Voyager series. It was time well spent. I believe I would have enjoyed these books with no background on the show. The author was that good.
It was wonderful and at times heart wrenching to watch each of the three main love stories unfold.
Now, someone needs to start working on inventing that Risan joystick...
This whole series was fabulous. A friend had been trying to get me to read it for months and I was apprehensive even though I did have familiarity with the Voyager series. It was time well spent. I believe I would have enjoyed these books with no background on the show. The author was that good.
It was wonderful and at times heart wrenching to watch each of the three main love stories unfold.
Now, someone needs to start working on inventing that Risan joystick...
June 12, 2013
A great ending to a wonderful series. It did leave room for new adventures to be added...hint hint.
June 23, 2014
An absolutely amazing series. I am sad that I have finished it... At least I could always reread it.
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