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Truth and lies…

With Earth’s Ancient weapons chair at the center of an international dispute, Dr. Daniel Jackson is sent to Antarctica to sooth diplomatic tensions. Meanwhile, General Jack O’Neill reluctantly takes charge of a radical new weapons chair training program.

But when a natural disaster hits Antarctica, the future of the Ancient outpost – and of Earth itself – is thrown into jeopardy. Yet again, Earth’s fate lies in the hands of SG-1, but this time the team are lost and powerless to help.

Trapped within a strange reality, SG-1 encounter old friends and enemies as they struggle to escape and stop the Ancient cataclysm that’s threatening to destroy the planet.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2012

19 people are currently reading
235 people want to read

About the author

Diana Dru Botsford

7 books15 followers
Diana Dru Botsford writes for television, novels, web series, the stage, and graphic novels. Her most recent contribution was to the new short story anthology, "Double Trouble." She's the author of the Stargate SG-1 novels, "The Drift" and "Four Dragons," and the short story "Perceptions" in the Stargate anthology 'Far Horizons.'

Botsford created and executive produced the award-winning science fiction web series, "Epilogue." She's served as Executive Producer on various science fiction short films which have won international awards, including "Apollo," "Mara," and the animated adaptation of Isaac Asimov's "The Last Question." Her television credits include "Rascals" for 'Star Trek: The Next Generation.' Botsford has crossed the globe from Japan to Africa to Antarctica -- always in pursuit of great stories.

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5 stars
57 (29%)
4 stars
54 (28%)
3 stars
61 (31%)
2 stars
13 (6%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
3 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2022
Just finished reading Stargate SG-1: The Drift on my kindle fire. Not bad, but you definitely need to be fan and know the series to get all the small references the author has subtly woven into the story.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
February 8, 2015
Disclaimer: The author is a friend of mine. However, I purchased this book at full price.

While Botsford's first full-length Stargate story, FOUR DRAGONS, works very well as a stand-alone story, most people would probably prefer to read that one before THE DRIFT. THE DRIFT builds upon the events in that book and ties up many loose character threads.

Our favorite SG team is back and doing what the do best! However, Botsford does very well at exploring how the team dynamics are starting to shift now that Jack is the general in charge of the entire SGC. Hammond and Major Davis also have their own threads winding through this tale to good effect.

One of my favorite aspects of all of Botsford's Stargate tales has been how she delves deeper into what we can see in the show itself. FOUR DRAGONS made one of the Goa'uld System Lords a three-dimensional character, while THE DRIFT

Finally, I know Botsford visited Antarctica in her research for this novel, and it shows through the level of detail and atmosphere imparted in this book. It would have been so easy to just get away with, "It was really cold," but Botsford brings the entire continent alive.

I can't wait to see where Botsford brings the Stargate mythos next.
Profile Image for Rhonda Mason.
Author 5 books87 followers
October 11, 2014
I fell in love with Diana Dru Botsford’s storytelling style after reading her first SG-1 novel, “Four Dragons,” and “The Drift” did not disappoint! She shows her complete mastery of the SG-1 voice in this novel, weaving a story that’s so true to the SG-1 experience that you’ll feel like you’re watching the show. The characters are perfect, from O’Neill’s irreverent attitude and snarky quips to Jackson’s earnestness and Sam’s mix of “I’m a good soldier, but I sometimes want to kosh you on the head, Jack.”

Botsford’s tale is tightly written from top to bottom. She excels at creating tension on multiple fronts, escalating the action with each new chapter. This plot has all the political wrangling we’ve come to expect from an episode involving the Antarctic weapons platform, and Botsford handles that deftly. I was really impressed by the way she told the story from multiple POVs in multiple locations, yet managed to weave it all together into a unified whole. It makes for an enjoyable 3D novel that loses none of the action I’ve come to expect in an SG-1 book.

A MUST read for SG-1 fans. And I recommend reading her “Four Dragons” novel first, though it’s not necessary.
Profile Image for Katie.
173 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2022
Didn’t realise it was a sequel. Start was promising but overall a little dull and didn’t follow through. Side characters were more annoying than anything. Also had a habit of repeating the same information over and over again and literally nothing happened for 70% of the book.
Profile Image for Alyce Caswell.
Author 18 books20 followers
May 8, 2019
This book literally sent me to sleep. And I mean literally.

It started with so much promise. I was keen to see what the author would do with an Antarctic setting, especially since there were hints that we'd see Daniel and Jack have some good character moments. But things fell apart quickly once the plot started.

A full third of it was just SG1 standing around and going "it doesn't make sense!" - but with a side order of a 50-page flashback of events from a previous book (I have never, in my life, encountered a flashback that long). I also don't understand why the author was (once again) hellbent on trying to convince us that a canonically evil character isn't evil.

Frankly, I don't think that Botsford's books mesh well with the original canon. And for me, that's an issue that can't be overlooked.
43 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2019
This book is more convoluted than various "proofs" of illuminati. Too many ultra-special and equally boring OCs. The author is just so thirsty for Lord Yu that made me want to roll my eyes every page. Plot that is half left over from Four Dragons that hadn't been made any more palatable or enjoyable. And there is a big case of You Keep Using That Word, It Doesn't Mean What You Think It Means.

It didn't make me as angry as Four Dragons, probably because my expectations were already as low as they could possibly get, and little could outrage me any more. I just was tired reading it. Very tired.
Profile Image for Craterdweller.
56 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2020
Good but ...

Would have been helpful to know that some of the backstory is based on one of the author's earlier novels STARGATE SG1-16 Four Dragons. Set just after the season 8 episode Avatar, Jack is s bit broody throughout as he struggles to come to terms with his recent promotion and change in responsibilities. Overall a good read.
Profile Image for Linda Kaban.
349 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2021
Those darned ascended. Meddling again. Not only Oma but Skaara as well. The story was convoluted and downright weird at times. And that's saying a lot when you're talking about Stargate. But overall, a satisfying conclusion.
Profile Image for Cash'Lion Elud'Ox.
34 reviews38 followers
December 21, 2016
Stargate SG-1 The Drift (Stargate SG-1, #21) by Diana Dru Botsford Diana Dru BotsfordThis book is amazing, to say the least! Jack is opted to be Ascended, Teal'c lost a good friend. Daniel is still flustered at Jack's jockiness. Sam shakes off the dust off her shoulders and eager to get to dissecting new piece of technology. Its just like watching the SG-1, but in my head more like a movie than an hour show. Great journey, Diana! I know what kind of ending to expect, but in a great book like this, that isn't the point. Like life, it isn't the destination but the journey/exploration of it as you get to he destination. A definite Five Star read.

I truly recommend this to all sci-fi, Stargate SG-1 fans, military, explorative readers out there, as well as to the Chinese lovers out there. Its a great book! Fantastic even!
Profile Image for Jen Brooks.
Author 1 book79 followers
October 13, 2014
Jack has a mid-life crisis in this story, and I really felt for him. His journey parallels another interesting character introduced by the author in this novel. There's plenty to think about in here, long after you finish reading, and the many possible meanings of the title is just one of them. Great read!
Profile Image for Jen Brooks.
Author 1 book79 followers
October 13, 2014
Jack has a mid-life crisis in this story, and I really felt for him. His journey parallels another interesting character introduced by the author in this novel. There's plenty to think about in here, long after you finish reading, and the many possible meanings of the title is just one of them. Great read!
Profile Image for Daniel Gaul.
277 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2025
Overall, a good story; it was interesting to learn Ambassador Huang's backstory, and better understand how the members of SG-1 are adjusting to a new present/future reality. There were some noticeable editing errors (misspelled words, missing parts of speech) as well as a couple of continuity mistakes (a) this is Season 8, aligned with Atlantis Season 1, yet Major Sheppard is referred to in this book as "Colonel;" b) the X-301 Interceptor from the Season 4 episode "Tangent" is referred to as the X-302 (not seen until Season 6)). If you've read "Four Dragons," I would definitely recommend this as a follow-up; it clears up many of the behind-the-scenes details.
Profile Image for Idamus.
1,355 reviews26 followers
July 25, 2020
It would possibly have worked better if I had read book 1 first. Oh well, it was good, I just had some holes here and there.
Profile Image for Chance.
1,107 reviews21 followers
October 3, 2022
The author really want the book to be liked but just over used surprised cameos to ruin it.
Profile Image for jagle.
522 reviews
August 13, 2024
Really good story but you definitely need to be a fan to continue with this!
539 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2024
Set in Antarticia, an international dispute breaks out over the Ancients chair. However, a terraform device is activated, and Earth may rip apart.

Not one of the best of the series.
4 reviews
September 5, 2025
A little disappointed

I thought the story was a little odd and the middle of the book just rambled on forever, not as good as the other Stargate books
Profile Image for Mike Seiber.
38 reviews
March 5, 2014
This was a very entertaining book and would be five stars other than the fact it got confusing at times. This is due to it being a sequel to Four Dragons. Some of what happens in the book was referencing things that happened in that book and my memory struggled to remember what happened in it since it has been a while since I read the book. Other than that, was a good team book and saw some of the struggles going through Jack's head as he takes over the SGC.
Profile Image for Heather.
211 reviews40 followers
July 20, 2024
I’m not sure why this book isn’t listed as a sequel because it directly follows the events of Four Dragons. Unfortunately, I only vaguely remember what happened in that book since I read it a few years ago.

A lot of this plot felt like nonsense. Stargate loved to introduce crazy powerful Ancient technology. That’s fine. But a "continental drift machine" is pretty out there, even for Stargate. It's hard to suspend belief and enjoy the story when the premise feels so implausible.
416 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2016
This one was ok, probably give it an extra half star. I didn't realize it was a sequel to Four dragons at first, I'd just grabbed it and started reading. It had very little action,and was kind of slow in the middle, but overall it was an interesting story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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