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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #7
Warchild
A message left behind by the Kai Opaka gives Commander Benjamin Sisko a fateful mission: find a young Bajoran girl destined to be a great healer who could bring together the warring factions of Bajor. While Lt. Dax tries to find the healer, Dr. Bashir goes planetside to treat a rare disease that is killing the children in Bajor's resettlement camps. Surrounded by thousands of dying children, Bashir goes A.W.O.L. from "Deep Space Nine, " vowing not to return until the plague has been stopped.
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First published September 1, 1994
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About the author
Esther M. Friesner
265 books710 followersEsther M. Friesner was educated at Vassar College, where she completed B.A's in both Spanish and Drama. She went to on to Yale University; within five years she was awarded an M.A. and Ph.D. in Spanish. She taught Spanish at Yale for a number of years before going on to become a full-time author of fantasy and science fiction. She has published twenty-seven novels so far; her most recent titles include Temping Fate from Penguin-Puffin and Nobody's Princess from Random House.
Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Aboriginal SF, Pulphouse Magazine, Amazing, and Fantasy Book, as well as in numerous anthologies. Her story, "Love's Eldritch Ichor," was featured in the 1990 World Fantasy Convention book.
Her first stint as an anthology editor was Alien Pregnant By Elvis, a collection of truly gonzo original tabloid SF for DAW books. Wisely, she undertook this project with the able collaboration of Martin H. Greenberg. Not having learned their lesson, they have also co-edited the Chicks In Chainmail Amazon comedy anthology series for Baen Books, as well as Blood Muse, an anthology of vampire stories for Donald I Fine, Inc.
"Ask Auntie Esther" was her regular etiquette and advice column to the SFlorn in Pulphouse Magazine. Being paid for telling other people how to run their lives sounds like a pretty good deal to her.
Ms. Friesner won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story of 1995 for her work, "Death and the Librarian," and the Nebula for Best Short Story of 1996 for "A Birth Day." (A Birth Day" was also a 1996 Hugo Award finalist.) Her novelette, "Jesus at the Bat" was on the final Nebula ballot in the same year that "Death and the Librarian" won the award. In addition, she has won the Romantic Times award for Best New Fantasy Writer in 1986 and the Skylark Award in 1994. Her short story, "All Vows," took second place in the Asimov's SF Magazine Readers' Poll for 1993 and was a finalist for the Nebula in 1994. Her Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel, Warchild, made the USA TODAY bestseller list.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, two rambunctious cats, and a fluctuating population of hamsters.
Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Aboriginal SF, Pulphouse Magazine, Amazing, and Fantasy Book, as well as in numerous anthologies. Her story, "Love's Eldritch Ichor," was featured in the 1990 World Fantasy Convention book.
Her first stint as an anthology editor was Alien Pregnant By Elvis, a collection of truly gonzo original tabloid SF for DAW books. Wisely, she undertook this project with the able collaboration of Martin H. Greenberg. Not having learned their lesson, they have also co-edited the Chicks In Chainmail Amazon comedy anthology series for Baen Books, as well as Blood Muse, an anthology of vampire stories for Donald I Fine, Inc.
"Ask Auntie Esther" was her regular etiquette and advice column to the SFlorn in Pulphouse Magazine. Being paid for telling other people how to run their lives sounds like a pretty good deal to her.
Ms. Friesner won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story of 1995 for her work, "Death and the Librarian," and the Nebula for Best Short Story of 1996 for "A Birth Day." (A Birth Day" was also a 1996 Hugo Award finalist.) Her novelette, "Jesus at the Bat" was on the final Nebula ballot in the same year that "Death and the Librarian" won the award. In addition, she has won the Romantic Times award for Best New Fantasy Writer in 1986 and the Skylark Award in 1994. Her short story, "All Vows," took second place in the Asimov's SF Magazine Readers' Poll for 1993 and was a finalist for the Nebula in 1994. Her Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel, Warchild, made the USA TODAY bestseller list.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, two rambunctious cats, and a fluctuating population of hamsters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 1, 2023
I do not know how many times you have heard me say that Deep Space Nine is my favorite Star Trek property. (Yes, even better than the original series.) Double bonus for the fact that this story does not involve a murder mystery. (Every other DS9 novel has involved a killer. Ugh!) So, this novel starts off with two major plusses. Another plus, Bashir is going to get to practice frontier medicine while Dax searches for a Bajoran messianic figure. So, Dax and Bashir are going on a mission together! Sign me up! Then we get a prophecy, and the manipulations of the religious leaders and things start to get annoying. Warchild starts off as an attempt to tell a meaningful story, but somewhere along the line becomes preachy dreck. Here we get a chance to see Bashir shine and he needs Dax to concoct a cure? Wait, what? Isn't he the medical specialist? Bitterly disappointing.
July 14, 2010
Oh how I really wanted to like this book! The story sounds like it will be a Bashir fest. There's a strange fever is sweeping through the Bajoran refugee camps. Super! Unfortunately, at times the book makes it sound like Bashir couldn't diagnose a cold without Dax's help and long sections of the book deal with a Bajoran prophecy, a down on his luck Ferengi, and O'Brien's dislike for Cardassian technology. (Speaking of which, the runabouts are Federation ships, not Cardassians causing a very faulty plot device.)
If the book would have stuck with the idea of Bashir practicing real frontier medicine and fighting his own romanticized ideals this could have been a really good book.
If the book would have stuck with the idea of Bashir practicing real frontier medicine and fighting his own romanticized ideals this could have been a really good book.
August 3, 2015
I really liked the premise of this book, and it had some nice twists and turns. Overall, though, I wasn't too impressed.
I was expecting this book to really delve into the emotional and psychological effects of dealing with epidemics and working in a refugee camp, but I thought it fell and little flat. Julian's reaction at first is understandable, but he then goes on to make some very rash choices without a lot of build up. Then, at the end, those issues are never dealt with, instead using a vision-like epiphany that he can do the most good by staying on DS9.
I thought the dialogue sounded a lot like a soap opera. To be fair, that's not entirely unusual for Star Trek. There was also one scene between Kira and Dax that I really enjoyed reading.
As for Cedra...it was an interesting twist at the end, but it raises more questions than it answers. If Cedra (Cedara) wasn't really the Nekor, then how do we explain her ability to know things without being told, or her almost psychic insight into other people's minds, or her ability (at the very end) to read an ancient Bajoran script she'd never learned? I like that she was smart and resourceful, but this pushed things a bit too far past suspension of disbelief. Also, I had a problem throughout the book with how characters kept referencing "the Nekor" as if she was a thing, instead of a person, and a young child at that. It was a bit dehumanizing.
This book was interesting and did a good job of dropping hints along the way. However, I think the characters all felt a little "off," and that made it hard for me to really get into the story. Characters' motivations either didn't really make sense, or they jumped to conclusions that weren't obvious based on what information they had.
I was expecting this book to really delve into the emotional and psychological effects of dealing with epidemics and working in a refugee camp, but I thought it fell and little flat. Julian's reaction at first is understandable, but he then goes on to make some very rash choices without a lot of build up. Then, at the end, those issues are never dealt with, instead using a vision-like epiphany that he can do the most good by staying on DS9.
I thought the dialogue sounded a lot like a soap opera. To be fair, that's not entirely unusual for Star Trek. There was also one scene between Kira and Dax that I really enjoyed reading.
As for Cedra...it was an interesting twist at the end, but it raises more questions than it answers. If Cedra (Cedara) wasn't really the Nekor, then how do we explain her ability to know things without being told, or her almost psychic insight into other people's minds, or her ability (at the very end) to read an ancient Bajoran script she'd never learned? I like that she was smart and resourceful, but this pushed things a bit too far past suspension of disbelief. Also, I had a problem throughout the book with how characters kept referencing "the Nekor" as if she was a thing, instead of a person, and a young child at that. It was a bit dehumanizing.
This book was interesting and did a good job of dropping hints along the way. However, I think the characters all felt a little "off," and that made it hard for me to really get into the story. Characters' motivations either didn't really make sense, or they jumped to conclusions that weren't obvious based on what information they had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2011
I'm not the biggest fan of DS9, but hey, a ST novel is a ST novel. This one wasn't so badly written as some I've encountered, but the premise was extremely dull. I really have no patience for the whole mystical Bajoran monk thing. So at about 120 pages in I decided just to skim the rest. It got a little more interesting but a lot more silly. Anyway, not a great one by any means. 4/10.
May 1, 2012
A decent story about refugee camps, politics, and prophecy. Just one major problem that stopped this being 4 stars: the runabouts are not Cardassian made. It sounds a small niggle but its not because a lot of the plot depends on the ineffeciency of the runabouts, and in the series they are very efficient.
February 14, 2026
DS9 always did such a great job showing how different religions and backgrounds can find common ground. This book has various themes about refugees, war, religion, and medicine. I thought this was a solid read. I didn’t care for the relationship in this one, but Bashir can be a hard character to write for as most of the show the writers seemed to have a hard time knowing what to do with him.
June 19, 2021
Warchild (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #7) is a Ferris wheel that turns into a loopy roller coaster near the bottom.
July 10, 2015
Some further musings on Deep Space 9
10 April 2012
Well, this seems to be the first DS9 book that does not involve Odo tracking down a murderer that is lose on the station. It seems that the publishers may have realised that this plot device had become so common that people were beginning to get sick of it. Then again, it seemed that the three words of the first and only review I read of this book said 'disappointing at best'. It involves a plague sweeping Bajor and our hero Doctor Bashir has to go and stop it. Unfortunately, despite being this wonderful doctor wanting to practice frontier medicine, he simply cannot do it without the help of Dax.
I am not really sure about these characters in DS9. In a way DS9 is better because we are not seeing the standard goody two shoes Federation starships, but rather a frontier space station which is commanded by some decent people. They do play up the goodness of humanity, and to be honest I must admit that there is a lot of good in humanity which can be explored. However, in some ways they can be too good, almost to the extent of being just plain annoying (such as Commander Ryker).
DS9 tends to have a lot more intrigue, which is probably why they introduced Quark. It is great how through the use of Quark they have not only created a lot of intrigue, they have also created a character that simply can't be trusted. We also begin to see the rules of acquisition. They form the law of the Ferengi, in a similar way that the Ten Commandments form the legal foundation of Western Society (though in many ways they are completely the opposite).
One episode I recently watched had a young leader trying to solve a problem that her people were facing, and she meets up with Nog and Jake, and one of the ways they help her is with Nog teaching her about opportunity and the rules of acquisition. It is also sweet to see Jake teaching Nog how to read, which I still believe will really assist Nog in his life as an adult Ferengi. However, there are some disappointing ideas as well.
In the same episode, we have a Bajoran village that is threatened by a nasty monster once a year and the only person who can control it is dying. We quickly discover that it is all a trick. Apparently the village was being torn about by factionalism, so the village leaders created this monster to unite the village. Personally, this sounds awfully like thought control to me. While it is a nice idea in principle, it really does seem, and is endorsed by the show, to deceive people into being one in mind to prevent hostility. However, in doing that it destroys our individuality and our personality. In a way, differences of opinion make us what we are, and while conflict can be destructive, in another way it helps us grow as individuals.
10 April 2012
Well, this seems to be the first DS9 book that does not involve Odo tracking down a murderer that is lose on the station. It seems that the publishers may have realised that this plot device had become so common that people were beginning to get sick of it. Then again, it seemed that the three words of the first and only review I read of this book said 'disappointing at best'. It involves a plague sweeping Bajor and our hero Doctor Bashir has to go and stop it. Unfortunately, despite being this wonderful doctor wanting to practice frontier medicine, he simply cannot do it without the help of Dax.
I am not really sure about these characters in DS9. In a way DS9 is better because we are not seeing the standard goody two shoes Federation starships, but rather a frontier space station which is commanded by some decent people. They do play up the goodness of humanity, and to be honest I must admit that there is a lot of good in humanity which can be explored. However, in some ways they can be too good, almost to the extent of being just plain annoying (such as Commander Ryker).
DS9 tends to have a lot more intrigue, which is probably why they introduced Quark. It is great how through the use of Quark they have not only created a lot of intrigue, they have also created a character that simply can't be trusted. We also begin to see the rules of acquisition. They form the law of the Ferengi, in a similar way that the Ten Commandments form the legal foundation of Western Society (though in many ways they are completely the opposite).
One episode I recently watched had a young leader trying to solve a problem that her people were facing, and she meets up with Nog and Jake, and one of the ways they help her is with Nog teaching her about opportunity and the rules of acquisition. It is also sweet to see Jake teaching Nog how to read, which I still believe will really assist Nog in his life as an adult Ferengi. However, there are some disappointing ideas as well.
In the same episode, we have a Bajoran village that is threatened by a nasty monster once a year and the only person who can control it is dying. We quickly discover that it is all a trick. Apparently the village was being torn about by factionalism, so the village leaders created this monster to unite the village. Personally, this sounds awfully like thought control to me. While it is a nice idea in principle, it really does seem, and is endorsed by the show, to deceive people into being one in mind to prevent hostility. However, in doing that it destroys our individuality and our personality. In a way, differences of opinion make us what we are, and while conflict can be destructive, in another way it helps us grow as individuals.
September 7, 2015
I had to give this one four stars if only for the fact that I didn't notice the subversion. It took me a hot minute to put the pieces together but it was long before the reveal. This did show more of Bajoran culture but it was sparse, I'm sure I won't be happy unless I read one that is filled with politics and intrigue.
This is the first one that wasn't about a murderer on the station and I think that is the reason I liked this one so much. As they say verity is the spice of life.
Quotes and comments:
" 'It is sad,' the monk said quietly. 'The people of the valley have suffered so much, so long, under so many different hands. The Cardassians' brutal rule was only one burden laid across their shoulders. Then the Bajoran resistance sought to to strike at the Cardassians by destroying their immediate food supplies. They burned crops, destroyed farming implement, and in the end did no great good to the cause.' " Jesus, why not just stab Kira in the gut why don't you Brother Gis? Now this is the kind of guilt that would have made the last book sing.
"Kira's smile was set to disarm. 'Just a request. From a friend who's helped you do your job once or twice. And one who now owes you one.' The smile faded abruptly. 'I'm not asking you to soy for me, Odo. As the first officer, it's my duty and in the best interests of the station for me to be aware of Commander Sisko's whereabouts at all times. It's a matter of security. You do understand that?" 'Ah fantasy politicking at it's best.
" As she left, Odo remarked to himself, 'There goes the only person I know who could out-trade a Ferengi." ' We need to see more of this Kira in my opinion. I'm sure Kira and Quark would both take this as an insult.
This is the first one that wasn't about a murderer on the station and I think that is the reason I liked this one so much. As they say verity is the spice of life.
Quotes and comments:
" 'It is sad,' the monk said quietly. 'The people of the valley have suffered so much, so long, under so many different hands. The Cardassians' brutal rule was only one burden laid across their shoulders. Then the Bajoran resistance sought to to strike at the Cardassians by destroying their immediate food supplies. They burned crops, destroyed farming implement, and in the end did no great good to the cause.' " Jesus, why not just stab Kira in the gut why don't you Brother Gis? Now this is the kind of guilt that would have made the last book sing.
"Kira's smile was set to disarm. 'Just a request. From a friend who's helped you do your job once or twice. And one who now owes you one.' The smile faded abruptly. 'I'm not asking you to soy for me, Odo. As the first officer, it's my duty and in the best interests of the station for me to be aware of Commander Sisko's whereabouts at all times. It's a matter of security. You do understand that?" 'Ah fantasy politicking at it's best.
" As she left, Odo remarked to himself, 'There goes the only person I know who could out-trade a Ferengi." ' We need to see more of this Kira in my opinion. I'm sure Kira and Quark would both take this as an insult.
August 2, 2018
Wanted to give this book a 3...but Bashir is a main focus and god he is just so awful. His character would be good....if he just actually LEARNED that he SHOULDN'T be a disgusting sexist asshole.
The book has a solid plot, it's great to see the realities of the worst off Bajorans, it's always cool seeing the real world Bajoran mysticism in action, and seeing Bashir actually do his job in the face of real challenge is always nice. But Bashir and his ego and his horrible interactions with women are too prevalent, it's actually depressing that a woman wrote this book. Why does that random woman fall in love with Bashir? Why can't he just leave Dax alone? Why is he not reprimanded for putting all of Bajor in danger when instead he could have just talked to Sisko about getting the vaccinations to the population? There's all this effort to make him redeemable and relatable and he just, once again, seems like an creepy manchild. The book is still enjoyable, but to the extent that Bashir could ruin it, he does.
verdict: it should be a 3, but it's Bashir heavy. If Bashir doesn't bother you much, then read it, if he does, it's skippable but not bad.
The book has a solid plot, it's great to see the realities of the worst off Bajorans, it's always cool seeing the real world Bajoran mysticism in action, and seeing Bashir actually do his job in the face of real challenge is always nice. But Bashir and his ego and his horrible interactions with women are too prevalent, it's actually depressing that a woman wrote this book. Why does that random woman fall in love with Bashir? Why can't he just leave Dax alone? Why is he not reprimanded for putting all of Bajor in danger when instead he could have just talked to Sisko about getting the vaccinations to the population? There's all this effort to make him redeemable and relatable and he just, once again, seems like an creepy manchild. The book is still enjoyable, but to the extent that Bashir could ruin it, he does.
verdict: it should be a 3, but it's Bashir heavy. If Bashir doesn't bother you much, then read it, if he does, it's skippable but not bad.
December 26, 2009
I got this out of the Reading library as a teenager because I had a small crush on the guy who played Bashir and he is on the cover of this book. I tried to read it, but several things were working against me. First, I just wasn't as into DS9 as I was TNG. Second, I am not a big Sci Fi reader. Lastly, in this book Bashir's character wasn't the primary focus, if I remember correctly.
September 10, 2020
This was an enjoyable story.
Bashir is obsessed with his work and the rest of the station is trying to maintain peace. It felt like the characters were all fairly comfortable to me. I especially enjoyed the interactions of Jake and Nog.
We see a very familiar and very stubborn old Bajoran in this story, who is seemingly as immovable as ever.
Bashir is obsessed with his work and the rest of the station is trying to maintain peace. It felt like the characters were all fairly comfortable to me. I especially enjoyed the interactions of Jake and Nog.
We see a very familiar and very stubborn old Bajoran in this story, who is seemingly as immovable as ever.
June 22, 2017
How many prophesied children can the Bajorans possibly have? Apparently, a lot. This was a fun read, but the strength was in the cast of characters rather than the plotting. I suppose, though, that that is better than the other way around.
August 14, 2013
Finally a DS9 novel that doesn't involve Odo tracking a murderer on the station. While the whole Bajoran mysticism thing has never been one of my favourite aspects of the series, this was still an enjoyable story.
August 18, 2014
This was okay for a Star Trek book. Jillian's character felt a little strange to me the way he was written, but over all it wasn't bad. The story was interesting. Trying to find a child that would become a great healer for Bajor. Bashir and Dax are too if my favorite characters too!
Read
September 24, 2010It was a descent read, but didn't have enough Garak or Farangi characters moments.
March 31, 2011
DS9 Dr Bashir on Bajor with refugees and mystics
October 19, 2012
Star Trek by the numbers. You read this, if you like Star Trek DS9.
September 1, 2016
3.5 stars
One of the better DS9 novels. Probable re-read.
One of the better DS9 novels. Probable re-read.
April 30, 2015
More like Star Trek: Problem Child. It all tied together in the end but felt very disconnected throughout.
October 7, 2015
Not great. Not terrible. The writing isn't bad and the plot is reasonable though incredibly slow, especially the first half.
November 12, 2015
Hello!
For my review of this book on a podcast no less you can go here:
http://maywood.podbean.com/e/episode-...
Thanks All!
For my review of this book on a podcast no less you can go here:
http://maywood.podbean.com/e/episode-...
Thanks All!
July 4, 2011
A good book for dr bashir fans. An interesting read of ds9 before the dominion war
July 27, 2025
One star is for being well meaning but otherwise it's rather a two-star read. It's...dull. And probably written in a flash since this came out within a year of the show being on the air. It shows in how cruel Nog is in this, showing none of the character growth we know he had.
I think in a way it really wanted to show how the provisional Bajoran government wasn't caring for its people, leaving kids in battle torn encampments suffering from a fever and no one cares. But we never saw in canon this much Bajoran in-fighting. One of the Utopian aspects of ST is how all planets have to be united in order to be in the Federation and if you've ever been in a work meeting you know it's impossible to get 12 people to agree on one thing like alone millions. That aside, Bashir goes to the camps to try and help find a cure for the fever and Dax goes with him though she has a secret mission to find the Nekor, a girl of prophecy that the Kai had written to Sisko about, she's meant to unite the warring factions of Bajor (though we don't much ever see warring factions in canon)
So instead of letting Bashir find the cure, it's given to Dax (way to diminish Bashir's abilities, instead they have him bleating on about how good he was in Star Fleet but again this is written after S1 and Julien was obnoxious then) So when his anti-viral med works, Julien takes off to cure all the kids in every camp he can find.
Meanwhile Dax thinks she has the Nekor in a pair of close siblings Dejana and her sibling Cedra. Dejana is almost a non-entity, existing to be sick and make us wonder will the Nekor die? Cedra is much better drawn.
I guessed the ending. I wasn't sure why they ever bother to give love interests in these books when we know canonically it's not going to work out then they have to find a lame way of ending it (kudos, they nailed it) and what in the world does this whole thing hinge on outdated human gender norms? Did we ever see Ro Laren or Kira Nerys being forced to wear dresses and long hair?!?
I'm not sure I would have finished this if not reading it for a couple of challenges. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't very engaging.
I think in a way it really wanted to show how the provisional Bajoran government wasn't caring for its people, leaving kids in battle torn encampments suffering from a fever and no one cares. But we never saw in canon this much Bajoran in-fighting. One of the Utopian aspects of ST is how all planets have to be united in order to be in the Federation and if you've ever been in a work meeting you know it's impossible to get 12 people to agree on one thing like alone millions. That aside, Bashir goes to the camps to try and help find a cure for the fever and Dax goes with him though she has a secret mission to find the Nekor, a girl of prophecy that the Kai had written to Sisko about, she's meant to unite the warring factions of Bajor (though we don't much ever see warring factions in canon)
So instead of letting Bashir find the cure, it's given to Dax (way to diminish Bashir's abilities, instead they have him bleating on about how good he was in Star Fleet but again this is written after S1 and Julien was obnoxious then) So when his anti-viral med works, Julien takes off to cure all the kids in every camp he can find.
Meanwhile Dax thinks she has the Nekor in a pair of close siblings Dejana and her sibling Cedra. Dejana is almost a non-entity, existing to be sick and make us wonder will the Nekor die? Cedra is much better drawn.
I guessed the ending. I wasn't sure why they ever bother to give love interests in these books when we know canonically it's not going to work out then they have to find a lame way of ending it (kudos, they nailed it) and what in the world does this whole thing hinge on outdated human gender norms? Did we ever see Ro Laren or Kira Nerys being forced to wear dresses and long hair?!?
I'm not sure I would have finished this if not reading it for a couple of challenges. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't very engaging.
October 16, 2025
This is another Trek book I haven't read since it first came out, with this being published in 1994. It was enjoyable.
There are two plots running in this book. The first is that the crew is tasked with finding "the chosen one" that will bring harmony back to Barjor. This child exists somewhere on the planet, but looking for him or her seems impossible. Second is Bashir, who decides to run off and practice medicine on the suffering Bajorans, disregarding orders to return to the DS9. This was a very solid story with the characters coming off closest to their actual television counterparts. There is a major plot twist in the end that came off as cliche, but I enjoyed enough of the book to not have it taint my reading.
This is the first in my DS9 rereads that had the Barjorans and their never-ending issues of bickering between factions actually come off as sounding real. There's a scene finally gets to practice some of his "frontier medicine" that was a hallmark of his character in the first season of the show. How he describes his location and how it makes him feel is the best I've encountered in his book exploits. Also Kira came off particularly well. She didn't come off as crazed or as a harpy unrelenting in her proclaiming of her hatred for Cardassians. The rest of the cast came off as fine, but those two really shined.
I would definitely recommend this for fans of Trek, especially DS9 fans.
There are two plots running in this book. The first is that the crew is tasked with finding "the chosen one" that will bring harmony back to Barjor. This child exists somewhere on the planet, but looking for him or her seems impossible. Second is Bashir, who decides to run off and practice medicine on the suffering Bajorans, disregarding orders to return to the DS9. This was a very solid story with the characters coming off closest to their actual television counterparts. There is a major plot twist in the end that came off as cliche, but I enjoyed enough of the book to not have it taint my reading.
This is the first in my DS9 rereads that had the Barjorans and their never-ending issues of bickering between factions actually come off as sounding real. There's a scene finally gets to practice some of his "frontier medicine" that was a hallmark of his character in the first season of the show. How he describes his location and how it makes him feel is the best I've encountered in his book exploits. Also Kira came off particularly well. She didn't come off as crazed or as a harpy unrelenting in her proclaiming of her hatred for Cardassians. The rest of the cast came off as fine, but those two really shined.
I would definitely recommend this for fans of Trek, especially DS9 fans.
February 19, 2024
22 November 2007 - A message left behind by the Kai Opaka gives Commander Sisko a mission to find a young Bajoran girl prophesized to be a great healer, and to bring together the warring factions of Bajor. While Lt. Dax searches for the healer, Dr. Bashir goes to Bajor to research and treat a strange disease that is killing the children in Bajor's resettlement camps. The best part of this book is probably the explorations of Dr. Bashir's background and motivations, as he is moved by the suffering to misinterpret his orders, and slips out of the camp before he can be forced to return to DS9. This plot delved more into Bajoran religion and culture than you might expect from a Star Trek book, but by normal sf standards it was still pretty lightweight. The young Bajoran Nekor is supposed to bring healing and peace. How? We don't know. But she is somehow mystically special, and must be presented at the Temple on schedule, even though she's been kidnapped. Unfortunately, I was able to guess who kidnapped the Nekor, and Cedra and Dejana's secret, long, long before any of the characters.
October 13, 2020
This wasn’t very good. The plot was a bit meandering, the A plot especially, which was predominantly pushed toward the background until the last several chapters. I found myself struggling to get through those pages, and the surprise reveal this book thrust upon us was less than exciting. I’ve seen it far too many times, and Mickey Spillane did it better in the 50s.
However, there were some redeeming points. The book is primarily a Dr. Bashir book, who is usually simply written to be arrogant and brash, and perhaps a bit naive. All of that was in full force here, but the author really went the extra mile to show us Bashir’s sheer determination, especially in the early refugee camp scenes, which I found to be enjoyable and the strongest scenes in the book.
Unfortunately, they didn’t redeem the overall boring plot about the special child chosen by the Prophets. Hopefully the next book is a bit better.
However, there were some redeeming points. The book is primarily a Dr. Bashir book, who is usually simply written to be arrogant and brash, and perhaps a bit naive. All of that was in full force here, but the author really went the extra mile to show us Bashir’s sheer determination, especially in the early refugee camp scenes, which I found to be enjoyable and the strongest scenes in the book.
Unfortunately, they didn’t redeem the overall boring plot about the special child chosen by the Prophets. Hopefully the next book is a bit better.
August 15, 2021
When Deep Space Nine got under way, I vaguely remember resenting the "Bajoran" episodes because they were atypical of Star Trek. But as I really got into the series, they became my favorite episodes of the pre-Dominion seasons. Warchild is definitely in that vein, with a nice wink at the Circle arc and throwing even more complications in the political and religious structure of Bajor. Friesner drives most scenes using dialogue, which makes it more of a piece with the television show, though interior monologues are also used to good effect. This is a rare instance where I am totally convinced Bashir is a mutant, confident beyond measure and uncannily able to partition different sides of his mind. Certainly a strong story for his character - in which he even gets a brief romance - and the guest characters are well drawn too, especially the sibling Nekors.
May 31, 2021
Författaren har ett skrivsätt som tilltalade mig jättemycket. Storyn höll ihop bra och även om Bashirs uppsnäsighet (som ofta visas även i serien) är irriterande så känns den förståelig och välplacerad här. Boken andades, jag kan inte förklara det bättre, så att man kände hur karaktärerna var del av ett mycket större sammanhang och detta gillade jag skarpt. Det var som om det fanns två berättelser, en uppenbar och en mer svåråtkomlig på en slags metanivå.
Man tilltalas av boken oavsett om man hänger med på metasnacket ovan, och boken rekommenderas.
Man tilltalas av boken oavsett om man hänger med på metasnacket ovan, och boken rekommenderas.
October 24, 2018
There's a lot of potential goodness here about life in early post-occupation Bajor, but it's all sent askew by the problem that blights most of the first generation of DS9 novels: an inability to capture the characters of the crew & the details of the era. It really feels as if the early DS9 authors couldn't get a grip on the series, as opposed to the TNG authors who figured it out by the release of the third novelization. I forced myself to finish this...and I shouldn't have to.
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