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Star Trek: Voyager: Spirit Walk #1
Old Wounds
The eagerly awaited continuation of "HOMECOMING" and "THE FARTHER SHORE!"
Captain Chakotay is ready to prove himself as the new commanding officer of the "Starship Voyager" -- but skeptics back at Starfleet Command are watching him closely for any sign that he will revert to his renegade Maquis ways. His first mission as captain, to transport a group of displaced colonists back to their home planet of Loran II, seems easy enough: make sure the planet is safe for colonization, unload the settlers, and head back to Earth. He even has an extra reason to enjoy the trip -- his sister, Sekaya, has joined the mission as a spiritual advisor to the gentle, peace-loving colonists.
But when the crew arrives at Loran II, they discover a mysterious storm, an ominously deserted settlement -- and a hidden threat from Chakotay's past that could destroy them all. Will Chakotay's first mission as captain of "Voyager" also be his last?
Captain Chakotay is ready to prove himself as the new commanding officer of the "Starship Voyager" -- but skeptics back at Starfleet Command are watching him closely for any sign that he will revert to his renegade Maquis ways. His first mission as captain, to transport a group of displaced colonists back to their home planet of Loran II, seems easy enough: make sure the planet is safe for colonization, unload the settlers, and head back to Earth. He even has an extra reason to enjoy the trip -- his sister, Sekaya, has joined the mission as a spiritual advisor to the gentle, peace-loving colonists.
But when the crew arrives at Loran II, they discover a mysterious storm, an ominously deserted settlement -- and a hidden threat from Chakotay's past that could destroy them all. Will Chakotay's first mission as captain of "Voyager" also be his last?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
46 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
Christie Golden
171 books1,878 followersAward-winning author Christie Golden has written over thirty novels and several short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy and horror. She has over a million books in print.
2009 will see no fewer than three novels published. First out in late April will be a World of Warcraft novel, Athas: Rise of the Lich King. This is the first Warcraft novel to appear in hardcover. Fans of the young paladin who fell so far from grace will get to read his definitive story.
In June, Golden’s first Star Wars novel, also a hardcover, sees print. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi—Omen is the second in a nine-book series she is co-authoring with Aaron Allston and Troy Denning. Also in June comes the conclusion of Golden’s StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga with the release of Twlight, the third book in the series. The first two are Firstborn and Shadow Hunters.
2004 saw the launch of an original fantasy series called The Final Dance, from LUNA Books. The first novel in the series, On Fire's Wings, was published in July of that year. The second, In Stone’s Clasp , came out in September of 2005. With In Stone’s Clasp, Golden won the Colorado Author’s League Top Hand Award for Best Genre Novel for the second time. The third book, Under Sea’s Shadow, is available only as an e-book
Golden is also the author of two original fantasy novels from Ace Books, King's Man and Thief and Instrument of Fate, which made the 1996 Nebula Preliminary Ballot. Under the pen name of Jadrien Bell, she wrote a historical fantasy thriller entitled A.D. 999, which won the Colorado Author's League Top Hand Award for Best Genre Novel of 1999.
Golden launched the TSR Ravenloft line in 1991 with her first novel, the highly successful Vampire of the Mists , which introduced elven vampire Jander Sunstar. Golden followed up Vampire with Dance of the Dead and The Enemy Within . In September of 2006, fifteen years to the month, The Ravenloft Covenant: Vampire of the Mists enabled Jander Sunstar to reach a whole new audience.
Other projects include a slew of Star Trek novels, among them The Murdered Sun , Marooned , and Seven of Nine , and "The Dark Matters Trilogy," Cloak and Dagger , Ghost Dance and Shadow of Heaven .
The Voyager novel relaunch, which includes Homecoming and The Farther Shore , were bestsellers and were the fastest-selling Trek novels of 2003. Golden continued writing VOYAGER novels even though the show went off the air, and enjoyed exploring the creative freedom that gave her in the two-parter called Spirit Walk, which includes Old Wounds and Enemy of my Enemy .
Golden has also written the novelization of Steven Spielberg's Invasion America and an original "prequel," On The Run , both of which received high praise from producer Harve Bennett. On The Run, a combination medical thriller and science fiction adventure, even prompted Bennett to invite Golden to assist in crafting the second season of the show, if it was renewed.
Golden lives in Loveland, Colorado, with her artist husband and their two cats.
2009 will see no fewer than three novels published. First out in late April will be a World of Warcraft novel, Athas: Rise of the Lich King. This is the first Warcraft novel to appear in hardcover. Fans of the young paladin who fell so far from grace will get to read his definitive story.
In June, Golden’s first Star Wars novel, also a hardcover, sees print. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi—Omen is the second in a nine-book series she is co-authoring with Aaron Allston and Troy Denning. Also in June comes the conclusion of Golden’s StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga with the release of Twlight, the third book in the series. The first two are Firstborn and Shadow Hunters.
2004 saw the launch of an original fantasy series called The Final Dance, from LUNA Books. The first novel in the series, On Fire's Wings, was published in July of that year. The second, In Stone’s Clasp , came out in September of 2005. With In Stone’s Clasp, Golden won the Colorado Author’s League Top Hand Award for Best Genre Novel for the second time. The third book, Under Sea’s Shadow, is available only as an e-book
Golden is also the author of two original fantasy novels from Ace Books, King's Man and Thief and Instrument of Fate, which made the 1996 Nebula Preliminary Ballot. Under the pen name of Jadrien Bell, she wrote a historical fantasy thriller entitled A.D. 999, which won the Colorado Author's League Top Hand Award for Best Genre Novel of 1999.
Golden launched the TSR Ravenloft line in 1991 with her first novel, the highly successful Vampire of the Mists , which introduced elven vampire Jander Sunstar. Golden followed up Vampire with Dance of the Dead and The Enemy Within . In September of 2006, fifteen years to the month, The Ravenloft Covenant: Vampire of the Mists enabled Jander Sunstar to reach a whole new audience.
Other projects include a slew of Star Trek novels, among them The Murdered Sun , Marooned , and Seven of Nine , and "The Dark Matters Trilogy," Cloak and Dagger , Ghost Dance and Shadow of Heaven .
The Voyager novel relaunch, which includes Homecoming and The Farther Shore , were bestsellers and were the fastest-selling Trek novels of 2003. Golden continued writing VOYAGER novels even though the show went off the air, and enjoyed exploring the creative freedom that gave her in the two-parter called Spirit Walk, which includes Old Wounds and Enemy of my Enemy .
Golden has also written the novelization of Steven Spielberg's Invasion America and an original "prequel," On The Run , both of which received high praise from producer Harve Bennett. On The Run, a combination medical thriller and science fiction adventure, even prompted Bennett to invite Golden to assist in crafting the second season of the show, if it was renewed.
Golden lives in Loveland, Colorado, with her artist husband and their two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 10, 2016
"Oh, come on," sputtered Kaz as Janeway prepared to sink yet another ball.
The outburst was perfectly timed. Janeway laughed and her shot went wild. Still laughing, she yielded to Chakotay.
"I pass it to you, my old friend," she said, and he knew she referred to more than the table.
Tomorrow would mark his first official day as captain of the U.S.S. Voyager. The ship would be relaunched, with its new captain, new crew, and new missions.
I really like this book, and I feel that I got a very good impression of it from the very beginning. It feels so emotional and so right for this book to start off in this fashion with Janeway passing the torch on to Chakotay as the new captain. And, as always, I love how Christie Golden writes these characters. She knows them so very well and I believe this to be something that shines through very vividly in her writing. It's not without a reason that Golden is one of my favorite writers for Voyager.
But, okay, I do have to admit that it takes some getting used to having Chakotay as captain. Not that I don't think he's amazing and very deserving of the position, because I do. But it's a big change for Voyager and I'm just saying that it is just that. We got Harry Kim in Tuvok's old position as head of security, for example. I did not see that one coming. And a lot of new faces in the crew as well. Doctor Kaz that we got to know in Homecoming and The Farther Shore being one of them. Speaking of him I really like that Golden brought him on board. I like his character, and find it interesting to have a Trill as part of the crew. Not to mention a Huanni as the counselor assigned to Voyager. I guess, in part, that's one of the things about Star Trek that's so amazing; all the different species we get to know and love.
Story wise I wonder if it might be getting a little too much with the whole idea of there - once again - being a mole or a traitor within the Federation. It feels a little too much like a repeat performance of what we got in Golden's last duology. Here there isn't as much focus on that particular story line, of course, but still. I like having Libby Webber as part of the story, but I just hope Golden doesn't overdo it with all of this.
The main story with the colonists being taken back to their planet Loran II is interesting enough, though. Especially considering the special meaning this has for Chakotay, and also how it's affecting Kaz. This gives us a great opportunity to get to know him and the counselor Astall better, not to mention Chakotay's sister Sekaya that tags along as a spiritual advisor. It's going to be interesting to see where this goes in the following book...
June 19, 2023
This is only part one of a duology, and it's very obviously meant to be read together based off of the design of it, since none of the plotlines are resolved here. So while I will give this one a high rating, I'll reserve judgement on the duology until I finish part 2 tomorrow.
When discussing Voyager books, everyone always goes to the Homecoming duology and the Full Circle series. Those are my favorites, so I can understand why that's the case for others. Homecoming tells the story we wanted to see from right after "Endgame", and Full Circle served as a rejuvination of the brand after Voyager had been stagnant for a couple of years.
This book serves as the last bastion of Voyager novels from Christie Golden before she left to go to other projects (including Star Wars!). This book always gets a bad rap from fans, but I personally loved it!
Golden balances the entire crew well, and she does a great job of nailing the voice and character of each member of the crew. Janeway of course is great at Starfleet Academy, Tuvok is with her and as deadpanned as ever. Tom and B'Elanna get some pagetime as they try to determine Miral's importance in the prophecies they heard. Kim, who was finally, thankfully, promoted in Homecoming gets to serve in a new and fresh capacity on Voyager. The Doctor and Seven of Nine don't get much pagetime, but what little time they have is fantastic and on point.
This book is about Chakotay and the new crew of Voyager. In another universe, this duology could have served as the starting point for a series direction that Voyager books could have taken post Endgame/Homecoming. Christie Golden could have stayed on board or another writer could have taken the reigns and continued with Voyager in the Alpha Quadrant. The Full Circle series is fantastic, but Kirsten obviously didn't want to take the characters in this direciton (which I totally understand and respect). Still, I think this design of storytelling would have worked perfectly.
There is so much "Trek" to this book. The sequence of leaving spacedock, the discussions on board the ship, the way the mystery unfolds all just feels quintessentially Star Trek. I've said it before, but Christie Golden just gets Tie-In Properties, and she does a fantastic job of nailing the feel of this book.
One complaint I do have is that because there is so much to cover, everything feels rushed. Certain plotlines like Sekaya and Chakotay get plenty of time, as does the Astall/Kaz plotline, but the rest needed a lot more work. There is a part two, and I'm sure a lot will get resolved there, but this book should have been longer. This was around the time Star Trek had entered the "Post-Nemesis" era and was busy filling out the universe and expanding novels to be 350-400 pages. However, Christie Golden comes from an era where Star Trek books were shorter, and as such usually were 230-300 pages (which both books in this duology fit into). Had Christie Golden expanded about 100 pages per book (and I'm projecting this for book 2 based on how I know things go down), I think this duology would have been much better.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It just "felt" like great Star Trek, and it was so good to be back with the Voyager crew in a story that was fun to read. I am excited to read book 2 tomorrow and see how everything resolves. 7.5 out of 10.
When discussing Voyager books, everyone always goes to the Homecoming duology and the Full Circle series. Those are my favorites, so I can understand why that's the case for others. Homecoming tells the story we wanted to see from right after "Endgame", and Full Circle served as a rejuvination of the brand after Voyager had been stagnant for a couple of years.
This book serves as the last bastion of Voyager novels from Christie Golden before she left to go to other projects (including Star Wars!). This book always gets a bad rap from fans, but I personally loved it!
Golden balances the entire crew well, and she does a great job of nailing the voice and character of each member of the crew. Janeway of course is great at Starfleet Academy, Tuvok is with her and as deadpanned as ever. Tom and B'Elanna get some pagetime as they try to determine Miral's importance in the prophecies they heard. Kim, who was finally, thankfully, promoted in Homecoming gets to serve in a new and fresh capacity on Voyager. The Doctor and Seven of Nine don't get much pagetime, but what little time they have is fantastic and on point.
This book is about Chakotay and the new crew of Voyager. In another universe, this duology could have served as the starting point for a series direction that Voyager books could have taken post Endgame/Homecoming. Christie Golden could have stayed on board or another writer could have taken the reigns and continued with Voyager in the Alpha Quadrant. The Full Circle series is fantastic, but Kirsten obviously didn't want to take the characters in this direciton (which I totally understand and respect). Still, I think this design of storytelling would have worked perfectly.
There is so much "Trek" to this book. The sequence of leaving spacedock, the discussions on board the ship, the way the mystery unfolds all just feels quintessentially Star Trek. I've said it before, but Christie Golden just gets Tie-In Properties, and she does a fantastic job of nailing the feel of this book.
One complaint I do have is that because there is so much to cover, everything feels rushed. Certain plotlines like Sekaya and Chakotay get plenty of time, as does the Astall/Kaz plotline, but the rest needed a lot more work. There is a part two, and I'm sure a lot will get resolved there, but this book should have been longer. This was around the time Star Trek had entered the "Post-Nemesis" era and was busy filling out the universe and expanding novels to be 350-400 pages. However, Christie Golden comes from an era where Star Trek books were shorter, and as such usually were 230-300 pages (which both books in this duology fit into). Had Christie Golden expanded about 100 pages per book (and I'm projecting this for book 2 based on how I know things go down), I think this duology would have been much better.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It just "felt" like great Star Trek, and it was so good to be back with the Voyager crew in a story that was fun to read. I am excited to read book 2 tomorrow and see how everything resolves. 7.5 out of 10.
May 31, 2019
Although I found myself frustrated with the slow pace of the novel and how everything plot-wise piles up at the very end, I still enjoyed this new look at Voyager. However, there simply isn't enough here to make this a novel that stands up well on its own. Far too much setup with not enough payoff is sort of to be expected for part one of two, but when there is so little plot that nothing really "happens" until past the halfway point, it gets very frustrating to try to get into the story. Hopefully the payoff in book two will be worth it!
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2019/05/old-w...
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2019/05/old-w...
September 26, 2017
I feel almost *guilty* reviewing this one one star, because it seems to me that Golden put such heart and effort into writing this novel -- I think she really cares about these characters and the story she's telling.
But oh, it drove me nuts.
Biggest pet peeve: continuing and worsening a trend began in the first two books of the series, this book is hardly about the crew of Voyager. This is especially frustrating because what the crew of Voyager is up to -- Janeway and Tuvok teaching at Starfleet, Seven of Nine and the Doctor at a think tank, B'Elanna and Tom plunging into Klingon lifestyles, and especially Janeway attempting to hold together the Federation -- offer some fascinating storyline possibilities. But with the exception of checking in with B'Elanna and Tom for a few chapters, the novel ignores the rest of the crew.
Now, to Golden's credit, the main character of this book is Chakotay. But the plotline he's given (the plotline which carries the story) is not one of particularly fascinating interest. I like the idea of Voyager's crew confronting the fallout of the Dominion War -- a war that they missed -- but so much time and effort is put into setting up this fallout as personal for Chakotay that not a whole lot really happens in this novel. (Indeed, I don't think there's enough story to justify splitting this into two books -- but I suspect Golden's publishers are to blame for that.)
There were other issues. We're back to exploring the concept of
Also, considering most of Trek focuses on intense friendships over romances, I could've done without multiple romantic threads throughout this book. It's often mostly in the background, but I just grew tired of every meet-cute and tragic-backstory centering on romances. (I also don't need lines like, "The color rose in her face. She looked even more attractive" when characters are having a heated, complex, philosophical argument; such moments make me want to toss the book across the room."
All of this is such a shame. Golden is not a bad writer, and she seems to really *get* all of the characters:
"Voyager was special because of her crew, and what we underwent together," said Chakotay. "Now that there's a different crew, she'll still be special and unique, but in a new way."
"It would have assisted this special and unique crew if the ship had been permitted to keep its special and unique technology," Vorik replied.
"Vorik," Chakotay said, grinning, "if you don't watch out, you'll develop a sense of humor one of these days."
Vorik looked slightly taken aback. "I sincerely hope not, sir."
But these books are just *so* not for me. I'll read the last one, but I must admit it's only because I've got Beyer's novels waiting for me on the other side. Sorry, Ms. Golden.
But oh, it drove me nuts.
Biggest pet peeve: continuing and worsening a trend began in the first two books of the series, this book is hardly about the crew of Voyager. This is especially frustrating because what the crew of Voyager is up to -- Janeway and Tuvok teaching at Starfleet, Seven of Nine and the Doctor at a think tank, B'Elanna and Tom plunging into Klingon lifestyles, and especially Janeway attempting to hold together the Federation -- offer some fascinating storyline possibilities. But with the exception of checking in with B'Elanna and Tom for a few chapters, the novel ignores the rest of the crew.
Now, to Golden's credit, the main character of this book is Chakotay. But the plotline he's given (the plotline which carries the story) is not one of particularly fascinating interest. I like the idea of Voyager's crew confronting the fallout of the Dominion War -- a war that they missed -- but so much time and effort is put into setting up this fallout as personal for Chakotay that not a whole lot really happens in this novel. (Indeed, I don't think there's enough story to justify splitting this into two books -- but I suspect Golden's publishers are to blame for that.)
There were other issues. We're back to exploring the concept of
Also, considering most of Trek focuses on intense friendships over romances, I could've done without multiple romantic threads throughout this book. It's often mostly in the background, but I just grew tired of every meet-cute and tragic-backstory centering on romances. (I also don't need lines like, "The color rose in her face. She looked even more attractive" when characters are having a heated, complex, philosophical argument; such moments make me want to toss the book across the room."
All of this is such a shame. Golden is not a bad writer, and she seems to really *get* all of the characters:
"Voyager was special because of her crew, and what we underwent together," said Chakotay. "Now that there's a different crew, she'll still be special and unique, but in a new way."
"It would have assisted this special and unique crew if the ship had been permitted to keep its special and unique technology," Vorik replied.
"Vorik," Chakotay said, grinning, "if you don't watch out, you'll develop a sense of humor one of these days."
Vorik looked slightly taken aback. "I sincerely hope not, sir."
But these books are just *so* not for me. I'll read the last one, but I must admit it's only because I've got Beyer's novels waiting for me on the other side. Sorry, Ms. Golden.
January 6, 2026
A solid start to the Voyager re-launch of the time...although Ms Golden's storytelling doesn't have the intensity of Kirsten Beyer's latter books, so it feels a touch...simplistic at times. I do like the character of Chakotay's sister and the story surrounding the secret she is keeping from him...let's see how it plays out in book two.
August 11, 2021
It's like watching the show, I am loving season 8!
May 15, 2024
Summary:
Prologue: 2375, following the Battle of Betazed. The Enterprise transfers their Cardassian POW, Crell Moset, over to the starship Adventure. Not long afterwards, they receive a distress call from the Adventure saying that their warp core is about to blow. Enterprise tries to get there in time to help, but when they drop out of warp, only debris remains.
2378: Admiral Janeway, Captain Chakotay, and Dr. Kaz play a round of pool at the real Sandrine's in Marseille. Chakotay offered Kaz the Doctor's position on Voyager, and he readily accepted. While Janeway moved heaven and Earth to get Chakotay his captaincy, she couldn't get his request for Tom Paris as first officer approved; instead, the higher-ups assigned Commander Andrew Ellis, who is notoriously by-the-book. Voyager's first mission will be to take passengers to repopulate Loran II, a planet that had been given over to the Cardassians in Chakotay's Maquis days.
There's a send-off party for Voyager at McKinley Station. Chakotay says goodbye to Tuvok; Harry Kim will be replacing him as security officer. Seven and the Doctor won't are part of a Federation think tank that does research in myriad fields, and also won't be aboard. Likewise, B'Elanna (with Tom and Miral) is still on Boreth. Janeway toasts Chakotay, then he disembarks.
Aboard Voyager, Chakotay meets with XO Ellis first, and already gets off on a contentious foot when Ellis says their guests have been confined to quarters. He meets with Vorik next, the chief engineer; pilot Lt. Akolo Tare, whose file says she's been acting erratically since she was abducted by Oliver Baines's holograms; Lt. Devi Patel, science officer; Huanni counselor Lt. Astall; Lt. Lyssa Campbell; et al. Shortly thereafter, they depart for Deep Space 6.
Chakotay meets with Marius Fortier, the leader of the colonists, in his quarters. He recounts that Loran II was ceded to the Cardassians in the Federation-Cardassian treaty of 2370. They've lost contact with the colonists who elected to stay, including Fortier's brother, and have no idea why. Fortier complains that they're restricted to quarters, and Chakotay apologizes for Ellis, saying he's a stickler for regulations. Chakotay also says they'll be picking up Fortier's requested spiritual counselor on DS6.
Tom Paris is sick of the lava caves' heat-induced delusions and is ready to to get back on a ship. He tells B'Elanna that she should get permission to visit the scroll room, as he is intrigued at how closely Miral fits the prophecies of the Kuvah'Magh, the Savior.
A few weeks before Harry had to leave for Voyager, he proposed to Libby, but she turned him down; she's not ready to settle down, since half her life is a secret. New Director of Covert Operations Aidan Fletcher gives Libby a long list of names to follow up on; she's again searching for a mole who has been accessing classified information for unknown purposes.
Dr. Kaz has a recurring dream of the Cardassian attack on the hidden Maquis base on Tevlik's moon, from back when he was Gradak Kaz.
Chakotay meets with Ellis. He says that while the veteran Voyager crew may be a bit irreverent, their laid-back attitude doesn't indicate incompetence. Ellis surprises him and says he respects what they went through, and respects the former Maquis too. Chakotay shakes his hand and says together they can set an example for the old and new crew, and Ellis says he'd be honored.
Janeway finds that she actually enjoys her new desk job, especially teaching. She contacts the female leader of Kerovi, Amar Merin Kol, who is planning to secede from the Federation; they are a pacifist planet, and the Dominion War was a bridge too far. Despite Janeway's appeals, Kol says they will be seceding at the upcoming conference.
Amar Kol's top advisor, Sul Alamys, says he knows of a least 3 other Federation members considering secession; of the hundreds of species in the UFP, the founding members have a majority, leaving the minority without a voice.
Lyssa Campbell, a Voyager veteran, joins Ensign David Chittenden for lunch. He makes a gaffe by implying Voyager had it easier in the Delta Quadrant, and Campbell takes offense. By the end of the fight, Campbell starts to believe he was right, and he sees other Alpha Quadrant veterans smiling at him.
Voyager stops to pick up the spiritual advisor that Janeway had kept secret from Chakotay, and he's floored when it's his younger sister Sekaya. She says that after training with the shamans, she decided to take her knowledge outside Dorvan V, though she's not part of Starfleet.
After a tour of the ship, Chakotay tells Sekaya that he can tells she's holding something back from him; she says the Federation failed to protect their people from the Cardassians, but she's not ready to talk about it yet.
Akolo Tare comes to sickbay for her medical exam. Aside from being abused by holographic captors, there is also evidence she may have been sexually assaulted as well, but she refuses to confirm, and storms out of sickbay when confronted.
Chittenden runs into Lyssa in a turbolift, but just as they're both about to apologize, some others get in. After Lyssa gets off, the others say they liked what he said the other day, and invite David to a seedy holodeck bar. He wishes he would've followed Lyssa instead.
Given the high-level access that the Mole has, in conjunction with the seemingly random bits of data that they're accessing, Libby starts to wonder if there are perhaps multiple Moles.
The Doctor's speech on holographic rights was not well received. Seven beams over when she hears, and says she's there to "drown her sorrows" with him.
Dr. Kaz reluctantly goes to Counselor Astall and admits that he's been having terrible nightmares. She says with his history, the Maquis passengers and their course into Cardassian space are probably triggering Gradak, his prior Maquis host who was killed by the Cardassians. She says he needs to sit with Gradak and listen to the story of his life and death, or things are only going to get worse. He agrees.
Janeway contacts Paris and says that she and Tuvok will be attending a conference on the planet Vaan regarding a number of species that wish to leave the Federation. She tells Tom that she still wants to see him as a first officer, and wants him along to work on his diplomatic chops. He's more than happy to get off Boreth for a while.
B'Elanna finds a passage that says the Kuvah'Magh is "a Voyager", chilling her to the core. She decides not to tell Tom since he's so excited to leave.
Chakotay plays a game of tennis with Ellis to get to know him better.
Sekaya is torn on telling Chakotay her secret, so she communes with her animal spirit, the Stag. It tells her that Chakotay talks with the spirits frequently, surprising her, and that she already knows what to do. Then she sees a Lakota boy she calls Blue Water Boy, who she and Chakotay loved like a brother. He gifts them both river stones, and she realizes that she needs to give Chakotay something too.
Kaz nervously meets with Astall to perform a simplified version of the zhian'tara, which will allow Gradak to symbolically step into Kaz's body so he can say what's bothering him. Kaz relaxes on the couch, and Astall guides him to somewhere peaceful in his mind, where Gradak is waiting. He sees Gradak, but he's burnt and bloody, dying of his wounds, his mouth moving wordlessly.
Voyager detects debris and Kim drops out of warp to investigate. He summons Chakotay and Ellis to the bridge when he determines it's the remains of dozens of vessels.
Astall tells Kaz to imagine his memories as a stone, and to swap stones with Gradak, which he reluctantly does. As he's flooded with the horror of Gradak's memories, Chakotay calls for Kaz and Astall to report to the bridge. Astall tells Jarem to take back control, and he does, though Gradak is still at the forefront of his mind.
Though no recorded battles took place near Loran II, the debris consists of the remains of Cardassian, Maquis, and stolen Federation ships. Chakotay decides to hasten to the planet, and Sekaya says they can talk later.
Janeway and Tuvok take the Delta Flyer to pick up Tom from Boreth.
Sekaya dreams of the day Chakotay announced he was joining Starfleet. She and Blue Water Boy had grieved together, then eventually shared their first kiss. Chakotay awakens her to say they're in orbit around Loran II.
At Loran II, they find an enormous cyclone raging above the colony, and detect no life signs--though something is interfering with sensors. They're not sure if the storm is artificial, and Sekaya says the Cardassians are capable of this. Chakotay orders Ellis to take down an away team, surprising him.
Astall tells Kaz that he's likely going to be sent on the away team, and insists that he tell Chakotay what they did; he reluctantly agrees. They tell Chakotay together, and Kaz says he'll relieve himself from duty if there's a problem; Chakotay agrees, but asks Astall to keep an eye on him. They're shocked to learn that Ellis's away team already left on a shuttle.
The away team of Ellis, Kim, Science Officer Patel, and a security team lose contact with Voyager when they enter the storm. They land roughly, and when Kim tries to scan Ellis for injuries, he slaps the tricorder away and says "he's fine." They exit the shuttle to find that the storm has dissipated, and they're able to report to Voyager that there are still no life signs. To Harry's chagrin, Ellis is a stickler for regulations and tells them to split up and hike to the settlement.
After Libby's performance, she has an afterparty to attend, where she intends to spy on Admiral Jorgensen and Captain Skhaa.
Chakotay is racking his brain to remember when he encountered a storm like this before when Ellis contacts him. He transmits a scan of a symbol chalked on a rock, and Chakotay recognizes it from his childhood: it's a chamozi, a blessing of the land.
At the party, Libby clears Jorgensen, but Captain Skhaa says she was at one of Libby's concerts on the night Voyager's logs were accessed.
Chakotay shows Sekaya the chamozi and he remembers where he encountered the storm before: when Voyager met the Sky Spirits, the aliens that gave his people a generic inheritance 45,000 years ago. Chakotay tells Ellis that he and Sekaya are coming down.
On the shuttle ride down to the planet, Chakotay finally convinces Sekaya to tell him what happened. She says the Cardassians came to Dorvan V, made all the tribes move back to the original settlement, and demanded that everyone be scanned and tested.
Blue Water Boy, now known as Blue Water Dreamer, returns per the Cardassians' demands. His wife died 2 years prior, and he and Sekaya again become inseparable. The Cardassians subject them to more tests, including tests of telekinesis and mind-reading. Afterwards, Dreamer says he intends to ask Sekaya's father for her hand, to her delight, but the Cardassians take him for testing and he never returns.
Sekaya says that in the end, many of their tribe, including their father and Blue Water Dreamer, joined the Maquis. Dozens were killed, and Sekaya shows him the scars she still bears from the Cardassians' tests and interrogations. She says when the Dominion War broke out, the Cardassians simply left. She and her mother decided not to tell Chakotay because he's an outsider, but she decided he deserves to know.
Astall goes to meet Kaz and finds him hallucinating one of Gradak's memories; she says she's going to relieve him of duty. He says his isoboromine levels are just low, and increasing them should help him maintain better control over the symbiont. He says if that doesn't work, he'll pull out the big guns.
Chakotay and Sekaya meet up with Ellis, and he explains about the chamozi and the Sky Spirits. Chakotay touches the symbol; there's a bright and shocking pain, then nothing.
Chakotay awakens in restraints. He sees Ellis and the other officers in stasis chambers, his sister unconscious beside him. She wakes up and asks where they are, and Crell Moset enters. Sekaya screams at him and Chakotay realizes that Moset was the one who experimented on his people. Then Commander Ellis stands beside him briefly, before shape-shifting into the Bajoran traitor Arak Katal.
Review: 3 stars. Chakotay getting his first command is somewhat interesting, but the Tom/B'Elanna/Janeway/Tuvok stuff is not; Seven and the Doctor are basically not even in the book; and the Libby Webber stuff didn't go anywhere at all. What a strange choice to put so much focus on new characters that weren't even in the Voyager show (e.g. Kaz, Sekaya, Astall, etc).
It's hard to judge a story by only the first half, but Chakotay spirit quest episodes were always my least favorite to begin with. Hopefully the second half is better.
Prologue: 2375, following the Battle of Betazed. The Enterprise transfers their Cardassian POW, Crell Moset, over to the starship Adventure. Not long afterwards, they receive a distress call from the Adventure saying that their warp core is about to blow. Enterprise tries to get there in time to help, but when they drop out of warp, only debris remains.
2378: Admiral Janeway, Captain Chakotay, and Dr. Kaz play a round of pool at the real Sandrine's in Marseille. Chakotay offered Kaz the Doctor's position on Voyager, and he readily accepted. While Janeway moved heaven and Earth to get Chakotay his captaincy, she couldn't get his request for Tom Paris as first officer approved; instead, the higher-ups assigned Commander Andrew Ellis, who is notoriously by-the-book. Voyager's first mission will be to take passengers to repopulate Loran II, a planet that had been given over to the Cardassians in Chakotay's Maquis days.
There's a send-off party for Voyager at McKinley Station. Chakotay says goodbye to Tuvok; Harry Kim will be replacing him as security officer. Seven and the Doctor won't are part of a Federation think tank that does research in myriad fields, and also won't be aboard. Likewise, B'Elanna (with Tom and Miral) is still on Boreth. Janeway toasts Chakotay, then he disembarks.
Aboard Voyager, Chakotay meets with XO Ellis first, and already gets off on a contentious foot when Ellis says their guests have been confined to quarters. He meets with Vorik next, the chief engineer; pilot Lt. Akolo Tare, whose file says she's been acting erratically since she was abducted by Oliver Baines's holograms; Lt. Devi Patel, science officer; Huanni counselor Lt. Astall; Lt. Lyssa Campbell; et al. Shortly thereafter, they depart for Deep Space 6.
Chakotay meets with Marius Fortier, the leader of the colonists, in his quarters. He recounts that Loran II was ceded to the Cardassians in the Federation-Cardassian treaty of 2370. They've lost contact with the colonists who elected to stay, including Fortier's brother, and have no idea why. Fortier complains that they're restricted to quarters, and Chakotay apologizes for Ellis, saying he's a stickler for regulations. Chakotay also says they'll be picking up Fortier's requested spiritual counselor on DS6.
Tom Paris is sick of the lava caves' heat-induced delusions and is ready to to get back on a ship. He tells B'Elanna that she should get permission to visit the scroll room, as he is intrigued at how closely Miral fits the prophecies of the Kuvah'Magh, the Savior.
A few weeks before Harry had to leave for Voyager, he proposed to Libby, but she turned him down; she's not ready to settle down, since half her life is a secret. New Director of Covert Operations Aidan Fletcher gives Libby a long list of names to follow up on; she's again searching for a mole who has been accessing classified information for unknown purposes.
Dr. Kaz has a recurring dream of the Cardassian attack on the hidden Maquis base on Tevlik's moon, from back when he was Gradak Kaz.
Chakotay meets with Ellis. He says that while the veteran Voyager crew may be a bit irreverent, their laid-back attitude doesn't indicate incompetence. Ellis surprises him and says he respects what they went through, and respects the former Maquis too. Chakotay shakes his hand and says together they can set an example for the old and new crew, and Ellis says he'd be honored.
Janeway finds that she actually enjoys her new desk job, especially teaching. She contacts the female leader of Kerovi, Amar Merin Kol, who is planning to secede from the Federation; they are a pacifist planet, and the Dominion War was a bridge too far. Despite Janeway's appeals, Kol says they will be seceding at the upcoming conference.
Amar Kol's top advisor, Sul Alamys, says he knows of a least 3 other Federation members considering secession; of the hundreds of species in the UFP, the founding members have a majority, leaving the minority without a voice.
Lyssa Campbell, a Voyager veteran, joins Ensign David Chittenden for lunch. He makes a gaffe by implying Voyager had it easier in the Delta Quadrant, and Campbell takes offense. By the end of the fight, Campbell starts to believe he was right, and he sees other Alpha Quadrant veterans smiling at him.
Voyager stops to pick up the spiritual advisor that Janeway had kept secret from Chakotay, and he's floored when it's his younger sister Sekaya. She says that after training with the shamans, she decided to take her knowledge outside Dorvan V, though she's not part of Starfleet.
After a tour of the ship, Chakotay tells Sekaya that he can tells she's holding something back from him; she says the Federation failed to protect their people from the Cardassians, but she's not ready to talk about it yet.
Akolo Tare comes to sickbay for her medical exam. Aside from being abused by holographic captors, there is also evidence she may have been sexually assaulted as well, but she refuses to confirm, and storms out of sickbay when confronted.
Chittenden runs into Lyssa in a turbolift, but just as they're both about to apologize, some others get in. After Lyssa gets off, the others say they liked what he said the other day, and invite David to a seedy holodeck bar. He wishes he would've followed Lyssa instead.
Given the high-level access that the Mole has, in conjunction with the seemingly random bits of data that they're accessing, Libby starts to wonder if there are perhaps multiple Moles.
The Doctor's speech on holographic rights was not well received. Seven beams over when she hears, and says she's there to "drown her sorrows" with him.
Dr. Kaz reluctantly goes to Counselor Astall and admits that he's been having terrible nightmares. She says with his history, the Maquis passengers and their course into Cardassian space are probably triggering Gradak, his prior Maquis host who was killed by the Cardassians. She says he needs to sit with Gradak and listen to the story of his life and death, or things are only going to get worse. He agrees.
Janeway contacts Paris and says that she and Tuvok will be attending a conference on the planet Vaan regarding a number of species that wish to leave the Federation. She tells Tom that she still wants to see him as a first officer, and wants him along to work on his diplomatic chops. He's more than happy to get off Boreth for a while.
B'Elanna finds a passage that says the Kuvah'Magh is "a Voyager", chilling her to the core. She decides not to tell Tom since he's so excited to leave.
Chakotay plays a game of tennis with Ellis to get to know him better.
Sekaya is torn on telling Chakotay her secret, so she communes with her animal spirit, the Stag. It tells her that Chakotay talks with the spirits frequently, surprising her, and that she already knows what to do. Then she sees a Lakota boy she calls Blue Water Boy, who she and Chakotay loved like a brother. He gifts them both river stones, and she realizes that she needs to give Chakotay something too.
Kaz nervously meets with Astall to perform a simplified version of the zhian'tara, which will allow Gradak to symbolically step into Kaz's body so he can say what's bothering him. Kaz relaxes on the couch, and Astall guides him to somewhere peaceful in his mind, where Gradak is waiting. He sees Gradak, but he's burnt and bloody, dying of his wounds, his mouth moving wordlessly.
Voyager detects debris and Kim drops out of warp to investigate. He summons Chakotay and Ellis to the bridge when he determines it's the remains of dozens of vessels.
Astall tells Kaz to imagine his memories as a stone, and to swap stones with Gradak, which he reluctantly does. As he's flooded with the horror of Gradak's memories, Chakotay calls for Kaz and Astall to report to the bridge. Astall tells Jarem to take back control, and he does, though Gradak is still at the forefront of his mind.
Though no recorded battles took place near Loran II, the debris consists of the remains of Cardassian, Maquis, and stolen Federation ships. Chakotay decides to hasten to the planet, and Sekaya says they can talk later.
Janeway and Tuvok take the Delta Flyer to pick up Tom from Boreth.
Sekaya dreams of the day Chakotay announced he was joining Starfleet. She and Blue Water Boy had grieved together, then eventually shared their first kiss. Chakotay awakens her to say they're in orbit around Loran II.
At Loran II, they find an enormous cyclone raging above the colony, and detect no life signs--though something is interfering with sensors. They're not sure if the storm is artificial, and Sekaya says the Cardassians are capable of this. Chakotay orders Ellis to take down an away team, surprising him.
Astall tells Kaz that he's likely going to be sent on the away team, and insists that he tell Chakotay what they did; he reluctantly agrees. They tell Chakotay together, and Kaz says he'll relieve himself from duty if there's a problem; Chakotay agrees, but asks Astall to keep an eye on him. They're shocked to learn that Ellis's away team already left on a shuttle.
The away team of Ellis, Kim, Science Officer Patel, and a security team lose contact with Voyager when they enter the storm. They land roughly, and when Kim tries to scan Ellis for injuries, he slaps the tricorder away and says "he's fine." They exit the shuttle to find that the storm has dissipated, and they're able to report to Voyager that there are still no life signs. To Harry's chagrin, Ellis is a stickler for regulations and tells them to split up and hike to the settlement.
After Libby's performance, she has an afterparty to attend, where she intends to spy on Admiral Jorgensen and Captain Skhaa.
Chakotay is racking his brain to remember when he encountered a storm like this before when Ellis contacts him. He transmits a scan of a symbol chalked on a rock, and Chakotay recognizes it from his childhood: it's a chamozi, a blessing of the land.
At the party, Libby clears Jorgensen, but Captain Skhaa says she was at one of Libby's concerts on the night Voyager's logs were accessed.
Chakotay shows Sekaya the chamozi and he remembers where he encountered the storm before: when Voyager met the Sky Spirits, the aliens that gave his people a generic inheritance 45,000 years ago. Chakotay tells Ellis that he and Sekaya are coming down.
On the shuttle ride down to the planet, Chakotay finally convinces Sekaya to tell him what happened. She says the Cardassians came to Dorvan V, made all the tribes move back to the original settlement, and demanded that everyone be scanned and tested.
Blue Water Boy, now known as Blue Water Dreamer, returns per the Cardassians' demands. His wife died 2 years prior, and he and Sekaya again become inseparable. The Cardassians subject them to more tests, including tests of telekinesis and mind-reading. Afterwards, Dreamer says he intends to ask Sekaya's father for her hand, to her delight, but the Cardassians take him for testing and he never returns.
Sekaya says that in the end, many of their tribe, including their father and Blue Water Dreamer, joined the Maquis. Dozens were killed, and Sekaya shows him the scars she still bears from the Cardassians' tests and interrogations. She says when the Dominion War broke out, the Cardassians simply left. She and her mother decided not to tell Chakotay because he's an outsider, but she decided he deserves to know.
Astall goes to meet Kaz and finds him hallucinating one of Gradak's memories; she says she's going to relieve him of duty. He says his isoboromine levels are just low, and increasing them should help him maintain better control over the symbiont. He says if that doesn't work, he'll pull out the big guns.
Chakotay and Sekaya meet up with Ellis, and he explains about the chamozi and the Sky Spirits. Chakotay touches the symbol; there's a bright and shocking pain, then nothing.
Chakotay awakens in restraints. He sees Ellis and the other officers in stasis chambers, his sister unconscious beside him. She wakes up and asks where they are, and Crell Moset enters. Sekaya screams at him and Chakotay realizes that Moset was the one who experimented on his people. Then Commander Ellis stands beside him briefly, before shape-shifting into the Bajoran traitor Arak Katal.
Review: 3 stars. Chakotay getting his first command is somewhat interesting, but the Tom/B'Elanna/Janeway/Tuvok stuff is not; Seven and the Doctor are basically not even in the book; and the Libby Webber stuff didn't go anywhere at all. What a strange choice to put so much focus on new characters that weren't even in the Voyager show (e.g. Kaz, Sekaya, Astall, etc).
It's hard to judge a story by only the first half, but Chakotay spirit quest episodes were always my least favorite to begin with. Hopefully the second half is better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2021
Chakotay gets the Captain's seat, new crew members mix with Voyager's old crew, and we're off to see Capt. Chakotay's first adventure as Captain of the Voyager. This book is part 1 of 2, so it ends on a "to be continued" but the first part was rather interesting. Lots of callbacks to past Voyager and DS9 plots and devices.
May 5, 2022
Very slow, a lot of set up and explanation with the excitement only happening at the very end. I struggled to get through this one. Some intriguing ideas I hope get answered in the second part but doesn’t work at all as a stand-alone novel.
July 20, 2022
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På det hela taget en bra bok, men lika mycket som jag uppskattar att storyn får bre ut sig så kan jag inte låta bli att tycka att det händer lite för lite. Mycket tid går åt att spendera ihop med utvalda enskilda medlemmar i berättningen, samtidigt som eventuella begynnande slitningar mellan de gamla medlemmarna och de nya bara berörs helt kort. Chakotay är en lovande kapten, om än att jag saknar Janeway. Faktum är att den delen kanske jag har svårast med: Janeway, B’Elanna och Seven of Nine är alla mer eller mindre bortplockade från storyn, även om vi får en del nya karaktärer som är intressanta, inte minst Chakotays syster Sekaya och Jarem Kaz. Den sistnämnda vars problem med den tidigare värden och marguisen Gradak lär bli instrumentala till nästa bok.
Och där är bokens andra problem. Den berättar inte en historia, utan spenderar den mesta av tiden till att bygga upp inför nästa bok. Trots en intressant bok med en lovande premiss, känns det lite för mycket som en transportsträcka. Men det här äventyret lär fundera som en katalysator och svetsa ihop besättningen ombord på Voyager.
*
Overall, a good book, but as much as I appreciate the story allowed to spread out, I can't help but think it's happening a little too little. A lot of time is spent spending with chosen individual members of the storytelling, while any incipient friction between the old members and the new ones is only briefly touched upon. Chakotay is a promising captain, albeit I miss Janeway. In fact, that may be the hardest part: Janeway, B'Elanna, and Seven of Nine are all removed (more or less) from the story, although we do get some new characters that are interesting, not least Chakotay's sister Sekaya and Jarem Kaz. The latter, whose problems with the former host and Marguis Gradak will be instrumental to the next book.
And there's the book's other problem. It doesn't tell a story but spends most of the time building up for the next book. Despite an interesting book with a promising premise, it feels a little too much like a transport route. But this adventure will most likely be a catalyst and weld the crew together on board the voyager.
På det hela taget en bra bok, men lika mycket som jag uppskattar att storyn får bre ut sig så kan jag inte låta bli att tycka att det händer lite för lite. Mycket tid går åt att spendera ihop med utvalda enskilda medlemmar i berättningen, samtidigt som eventuella begynnande slitningar mellan de gamla medlemmarna och de nya bara berörs helt kort. Chakotay är en lovande kapten, om än att jag saknar Janeway. Faktum är att den delen kanske jag har svårast med: Janeway, B’Elanna och Seven of Nine är alla mer eller mindre bortplockade från storyn, även om vi får en del nya karaktärer som är intressanta, inte minst Chakotays syster Sekaya och Jarem Kaz. Den sistnämnda vars problem med den tidigare värden och marguisen Gradak lär bli instrumentala till nästa bok.
Och där är bokens andra problem. Den berättar inte en historia, utan spenderar den mesta av tiden till att bygga upp inför nästa bok. Trots en intressant bok med en lovande premiss, känns det lite för mycket som en transportsträcka. Men det här äventyret lär fundera som en katalysator och svetsa ihop besättningen ombord på Voyager.
*
Overall, a good book, but as much as I appreciate the story allowed to spread out, I can't help but think it's happening a little too little. A lot of time is spent spending with chosen individual members of the storytelling, while any incipient friction between the old members and the new ones is only briefly touched upon. Chakotay is a promising captain, albeit I miss Janeway. In fact, that may be the hardest part: Janeway, B'Elanna, and Seven of Nine are all removed (more or less) from the story, although we do get some new characters that are interesting, not least Chakotay's sister Sekaya and Jarem Kaz. The latter, whose problems with the former host and Marguis Gradak will be instrumental to the next book.
And there's the book's other problem. It doesn't tell a story but spends most of the time building up for the next book. Despite an interesting book with a promising premise, it feels a little too much like a transport route. But this adventure will most likely be a catalyst and weld the crew together on board the voyager.
October 26, 2012
Not exactly Voyager as you remembered. In the first of a two-part book series, Spirit Walk sends Voyager out with Chakotay as Captain and Kim at security. Apparently, Janeway and Tuvok have a desk job, Seven and the Doctor are in a think tank, and Tom and B'Elanna are connecting with her roots. The beginning of the book is a bit unusual, I wonder why Starfleet decided to send Voyager out stripped of all Borg and future tech. According to the book, it is to preserve the timeline but ALL of the tech gone? Besides, after all that ship went through and its noteriety, I would have expected a U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656-A.
Voyager's first mission is a rather boring one, transporting displaced colonists to their original homes in the Cardassian DMZ. But, naturally, things take a turn for the worst given the new crew not exactly working together and the new doctor Kaz having a form of PTSD due to the symbiont, there is also the strage debris field and storm at their destination to say nothing about Chakotay's sister being on board. Needless to say, things are going to heat up quickly.
Overall, this was a decent, though unexciting book. The multiple threads attempt to pull you in emotionally, and do, but not very deeply which is needed for a multi-part series. It's a good book, but not as good as some of the Deep Space Nine relaunch novels.
Voyager's first mission is a rather boring one, transporting displaced colonists to their original homes in the Cardassian DMZ. But, naturally, things take a turn for the worst given the new crew not exactly working together and the new doctor Kaz having a form of PTSD due to the symbiont, there is also the strage debris field and storm at their destination to say nothing about Chakotay's sister being on board. Needless to say, things are going to heat up quickly.
Overall, this was a decent, though unexciting book. The multiple threads attempt to pull you in emotionally, and do, but not very deeply which is needed for a multi-part series. It's a good book, but not as good as some of the Deep Space Nine relaunch novels.
March 23, 2020
I liked this book. I liked it better than the two previous books in the series (Homecoming and THe Farther Shore). It is probably because I prefer stories that focus on the characters and the Federation as a whole rather than the action packed stories (which feel to always follow the same pattern, to me anyway).
I am also happy to learn more about Chakotay and his family. I love the introduction of therapists and the idea of dealing with traumatic memories. Too often, stories focus on the action and the characters are just supposed to be happy after the final explosions have gotten rid of the bad guys. This story is different and deals with the aftermath, and I was really pleased.
I am a bit worried for the second book of the "duology" (Enemy of my Enemy) as I noticed that after a first nice book that establishes the story and the setting, the second book of all Star Trek "duologies" always seem to be rushed and action focused (It was the case for the two previous books and also for almost all the duologies in the Next Generation "A Time to..." series). We'll see. But in the meantime, Old Wounds get a 4 stars from me.
I am also happy to learn more about Chakotay and his family. I love the introduction of therapists and the idea of dealing with traumatic memories. Too often, stories focus on the action and the characters are just supposed to be happy after the final explosions have gotten rid of the bad guys. This story is different and deals with the aftermath, and I was really pleased.
I am a bit worried for the second book of the "duology" (Enemy of my Enemy) as I noticed that after a first nice book that establishes the story and the setting, the second book of all Star Trek "duologies" always seem to be rushed and action focused (It was the case for the two previous books and also for almost all the duologies in the Next Generation "A Time to..." series). We'll see. But in the meantime, Old Wounds get a 4 stars from me.
December 14, 2016
Yes!
I have read a number of Star Trek voyager novels. Some good, some not so good. This book definitely triumphs.
One of the main issues with tv programmes being used for novels is that authors take a poetic license and write things that characters would never say. There were one or two instances of this here (B'lanna using the word 'honey') but mostly, it was excellent. The interactions between the characters were realistic and I found the concept of a new voyager kept my attention.
The story could easily have been a two-part episode. There was not a lot of action but there didn't need to be. My favourite kind of Star Trek stories are philosophical with underlying moral issues, so this one really appealed to me.
Fantastic read. Thank you.
I have read a number of Star Trek voyager novels. Some good, some not so good. This book definitely triumphs.
One of the main issues with tv programmes being used for novels is that authors take a poetic license and write things that characters would never say. There were one or two instances of this here (B'lanna using the word 'honey') but mostly, it was excellent. The interactions between the characters were realistic and I found the concept of a new voyager kept my attention.
The story could easily have been a two-part episode. There was not a lot of action but there didn't need to be. My favourite kind of Star Trek stories are philosophical with underlying moral issues, so this one really appealed to me.
Fantastic read. Thank you.
February 22, 2019
I'm determined to read all the relaunch books in order. Started with DS9 and the story lead to the Voyager books according to a couple of sites. I can't wait to get past these. The DS9 books were just as good as the show. The Voyager books so far have been a mess and this one is no exception. Still I'll move on to the next one because I guess I've set a goal.
July 24, 2023
Solid setup to both furthering the story of the (now scattered) Voyager Crew & for the sequel novel.
Hard to give it more than a 3 solely due to it only being half a story, I'd give it 3.5 if that was an option.
Otherwise, well written & a good read!
Hard to give it more than a 3 solely due to it only being half a story, I'd give it 3.5 if that was an option.
Otherwise, well written & a good read!
March 2, 2025
The USS Voyager is back on duty again!
This book is a tie-in original prose novel of “Star Trek: Voyager”. The third in the Expanded Universe line of this spin-off series. And it’s the first part of a duology arch known as “Spirit Walk”.
VOYAGER’S NEW CREW
Some old, some new, the USS Voyager was stripped from its Future Borg enhancements and now is back on duty with a new captain and command crew…
Commanding Officer: Captain Chakotay, promoted by request of Admiral Janeway and assigned to command the Starship Voyager.
First Officer: Cmdr. Andrew Ellis, nicknamed “Priggy”, is an uptight by-the-book officer that Starfleet Command assigned to “supervise” the work of Chakotay, because he was a fomer Maquis, the Starfleet Command isn’t totally convinced that Chakotay would do a good job. Chakotay wanted Tom Paris as his First Officer but Starfleet Command wasn’t thrilled at all to have two former Maquis as captain and first officer in the same starship.
Chief Security Officer: Lt. Harry Kim, promoted from his previous position as Operations Manager, now he’s the head of security onboard. I’m not much convinced of that decision but he’s always the ship’s wild card, doing anything that anybody else wasn’t the proper choice to do it. It’s not clear who is Second Officer now, but I guess due seniority and being a veteran of Voyager’s original 7-year trip, that Harry should be the next in command after Chakotay and Ellis, but’s it’s my personal assumption.
Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Jarem Kaz, a joined Trill, but he hadn’t the proper preparation to receive the Trill symbiote, and now he’s having some adjustment troubles with his previous host personality that was a Maquis killed by Cardassians during the Dominion War. Jarem treated and to avoid the death of the Trill symbiote, with the assistance of an EMH, he joined with the symbiote. Jarem appeared in the previous two novels and became a trusted ally of Janeway and Chakotay. He’s civilian, not Starfleet Officer.
Operations Manager: Lt. Lyssa Campbell, a veteran of original Voyager´s trip but she wasn’t part of the main cast (so far I know she was created for prose novels).
Chief Engineering Officer: Lt. Vorik, a male Vulcan and also veteran of original Voyager´s, he was part of the main cast but he did appeared as recurrent character on the TV show.
Ship’s Counselor: Astall, she’s a female Huanni, that it’s an alien race with great skills to deal with other’s emotions and also she’s having eidetic memory. She’s civilian, not Starfleet officer.
Chief Science Officer: Lt. Devi Patel, a female being from Earth, India.
Helmswoman: Lt. Akolo Tare, a female being from Earth, Polynesia.
Along with them, you have…
Sekaya, she’s Chakotay younger sister, she’s civilian but assigned temporarily to USS Voyager as “Spiritual Advisor” for helping in their current mission of transporting a group of people to the planet Loran II, in the middle of Cardassian territory and where they left their families and friends there.
Ensign David Chittenden, fresh from Starfleet Academy, he’s named as an engineering Prodigy, but he’s not that skillful in matter of personal interactions.
Ensign Thomas Stefaniak, one of the transporters’ chiefs.
SO MUCH TRAVELING, NOT THAT MUCH ACTION
The USS Voyager is assigned to serve as transportation of a group of colonizers that they had to escape from Loran II, a planet that was in the middle of Cardassian territory, but since the Dominion War is over, they are returning to meet again their families and friends, but they lost communications with them and it’s unknown how they might been now.
The book is adequate to make character developing with the “veteran” characters along with new characters, but besides that, you don’t have much action in this first entry of the duology, it’s pretty clear that all the “good stuff” was left for the second (and final) book of the duology. Therefore, while I enjoyed well enough the reading, I couldn’t rate it with a better qualification, since there wasn’t much happening of susbstance here.
And it's not because Janeway isn't Voyager's captain anymore, since I think that Chakotay is doing a pretty good job as the new captain, but the lack of action in this first part made quite hard to rate it better the book.
This book is a tie-in original prose novel of “Star Trek: Voyager”. The third in the Expanded Universe line of this spin-off series. And it’s the first part of a duology arch known as “Spirit Walk”.
VOYAGER’S NEW CREW
Some old, some new, the USS Voyager was stripped from its Future Borg enhancements and now is back on duty with a new captain and command crew…
Commanding Officer: Captain Chakotay, promoted by request of Admiral Janeway and assigned to command the Starship Voyager.
First Officer: Cmdr. Andrew Ellis, nicknamed “Priggy”, is an uptight by-the-book officer that Starfleet Command assigned to “supervise” the work of Chakotay, because he was a fomer Maquis, the Starfleet Command isn’t totally convinced that Chakotay would do a good job. Chakotay wanted Tom Paris as his First Officer but Starfleet Command wasn’t thrilled at all to have two former Maquis as captain and first officer in the same starship.
Chief Security Officer: Lt. Harry Kim, promoted from his previous position as Operations Manager, now he’s the head of security onboard. I’m not much convinced of that decision but he’s always the ship’s wild card, doing anything that anybody else wasn’t the proper choice to do it. It’s not clear who is Second Officer now, but I guess due seniority and being a veteran of Voyager’s original 7-year trip, that Harry should be the next in command after Chakotay and Ellis, but’s it’s my personal assumption.
Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Jarem Kaz, a joined Trill, but he hadn’t the proper preparation to receive the Trill symbiote, and now he’s having some adjustment troubles with his previous host personality that was a Maquis killed by Cardassians during the Dominion War. Jarem treated and to avoid the death of the Trill symbiote, with the assistance of an EMH, he joined with the symbiote. Jarem appeared in the previous two novels and became a trusted ally of Janeway and Chakotay. He’s civilian, not Starfleet Officer.
Operations Manager: Lt. Lyssa Campbell, a veteran of original Voyager´s trip but she wasn’t part of the main cast (so far I know she was created for prose novels).
Chief Engineering Officer: Lt. Vorik, a male Vulcan and also veteran of original Voyager´s, he was part of the main cast but he did appeared as recurrent character on the TV show.
Ship’s Counselor: Astall, she’s a female Huanni, that it’s an alien race with great skills to deal with other’s emotions and also she’s having eidetic memory. She’s civilian, not Starfleet officer.
Chief Science Officer: Lt. Devi Patel, a female being from Earth, India.
Helmswoman: Lt. Akolo Tare, a female being from Earth, Polynesia.
Along with them, you have…
Sekaya, she’s Chakotay younger sister, she’s civilian but assigned temporarily to USS Voyager as “Spiritual Advisor” for helping in their current mission of transporting a group of people to the planet Loran II, in the middle of Cardassian territory and where they left their families and friends there.
Ensign David Chittenden, fresh from Starfleet Academy, he’s named as an engineering Prodigy, but he’s not that skillful in matter of personal interactions.
Ensign Thomas Stefaniak, one of the transporters’ chiefs.
SO MUCH TRAVELING, NOT THAT MUCH ACTION
The USS Voyager is assigned to serve as transportation of a group of colonizers that they had to escape from Loran II, a planet that was in the middle of Cardassian territory, but since the Dominion War is over, they are returning to meet again their families and friends, but they lost communications with them and it’s unknown how they might been now.
The book is adequate to make character developing with the “veteran” characters along with new characters, but besides that, you don’t have much action in this first entry of the duology, it’s pretty clear that all the “good stuff” was left for the second (and final) book of the duology. Therefore, while I enjoyed well enough the reading, I couldn’t rate it with a better qualification, since there wasn’t much happening of susbstance here.
And it's not because Janeway isn't Voyager's captain anymore, since I think that Chakotay is doing a pretty good job as the new captain, but the lack of action in this first part made quite hard to rate it better the book.
November 13, 2025
I don't know when I became such a fan of Ms. Golden's work, but at this point I can say without hesitation that a book written by her is always synonymous of a story with a good standard of quality.
On the positive side of the story, I'd say that we finally found the correct story that follows the Voyager crew, and I love that it's about the wounds left by the Dominion War in the Federation. For a novel where I was only expecting the first mission as captain of Chakotay, it does a wonderful job setting up a few pretty interesting things, like some planets within the Federation dissatisfied with the treatment given to them over other species (a very interesting topic that other authors will touch on the future); or the abuse committed against some during the holographic strike (perhaps the only interesting aspect to deep into). Similarly, the members of Voyager's new crew are quite interesting. Jarem Kaz, a character who helped the crew in the previous two novels and the new doctor is a very interesting character and I love his conflict with his previous host. Chakotay as captain is okay, I like some moments he had in command and his relationship with Sekaya, his sister, is lovely.
As for areas for improvement, I must admit that, while I generally enjoyed the novel (and obviously can't judge it as a complete story since it's only the first part), I expected more to happen. 80% of the story is jus Voyager traveling to Loran II, just that. There are a few things that deep within the mystery behind the mission, but it became important near to the end. This wouldn't be a negative point if we got to know more of the crew, but unfortunately, with the exception of Jarem and perhaps Astall, the new counselor, we barely spend any time with them. There's this minor conflict between some war veterans and the original Voyager crew members, but it's not explored in much depth. I hope this is followed up on in the next novel.
Overall, this was an interesting and fun read, and (thanks to Prodigy) as a Chakotay fan, I'm hoping for a big resolution.
On the positive side of the story, I'd say that we finally found the correct story that follows the Voyager crew, and I love that it's about the wounds left by the Dominion War in the Federation. For a novel where I was only expecting the first mission as captain of Chakotay, it does a wonderful job setting up a few pretty interesting things, like some planets within the Federation dissatisfied with the treatment given to them over other species (a very interesting topic that other authors will touch on the future); or the abuse committed against some during the holographic strike (perhaps the only interesting aspect to deep into). Similarly, the members of Voyager's new crew are quite interesting. Jarem Kaz, a character who helped the crew in the previous two novels and the new doctor is a very interesting character and I love his conflict with his previous host. Chakotay as captain is okay, I like some moments he had in command and his relationship with Sekaya, his sister, is lovely.
As for areas for improvement, I must admit that, while I generally enjoyed the novel (and obviously can't judge it as a complete story since it's only the first part), I expected more to happen. 80% of the story is jus Voyager traveling to Loran II, just that. There are a few things that deep within the mystery behind the mission, but it became important near to the end. This wouldn't be a negative point if we got to know more of the crew, but unfortunately, with the exception of Jarem and perhaps Astall, the new counselor, we barely spend any time with them. There's this minor conflict between some war veterans and the original Voyager crew members, but it's not explored in much depth. I hope this is followed up on in the next novel.
Overall, this was an interesting and fun read, and (thanks to Prodigy) as a Chakotay fan, I'm hoping for a big resolution.
November 29, 2020
This book picks up more or less where the previous one ended. And Christie Golden does something the writers of the TV show forgot how to do, she makes Chakotay interesting.
Now the Captain of Voyager he leads a mission of returning some colonists to their home they abandoned during the war with The Dominion.
It's a fairly standard mission that allows for some character development between Chakotay and his sister Sekaya who is acting as spiritual adviser to the colonists.
We also see how the crew of the ship are re-integrating into the Federation and Starfleet. There's a real schism forming between those who were lost in the Delta Quadrant and those who fought the war in the Alpha Quadrant. It's obviously a parallel to the original concept of the TV show with Starfleet and the Maquis working together, but it makes sense in context and doesn't feel at all forced.
There's also a subplot involving Admiral Janeway trying to persuade a group of planets not to leave the Federation and her attempts to make Tom Paris into First Officer material. Based on previous experience I assume that those plot threads are tied up in the following books.
The one part I really don't like involves Libby and her storyline. I think it makes sense the way she's been written but I just have no interest in her as a character. It's clever to bring back characters who appeared on the show even for an episode or two, but I just don't care for her or the storyline.
The holographic rights issue makes a brief appearance, but I suspect that's another plot thread that'll be continued in future books.
Overall a good first half of this duology.
Now the Captain of Voyager he leads a mission of returning some colonists to their home they abandoned during the war with The Dominion.
It's a fairly standard mission that allows for some character development between Chakotay and his sister Sekaya who is acting as spiritual adviser to the colonists.
We also see how the crew of the ship are re-integrating into the Federation and Starfleet. There's a real schism forming between those who were lost in the Delta Quadrant and those who fought the war in the Alpha Quadrant. It's obviously a parallel to the original concept of the TV show with Starfleet and the Maquis working together, but it makes sense in context and doesn't feel at all forced.
There's also a subplot involving Admiral Janeway trying to persuade a group of planets not to leave the Federation and her attempts to make Tom Paris into First Officer material. Based on previous experience I assume that those plot threads are tied up in the following books.
The one part I really don't like involves Libby and her storyline. I think it makes sense the way she's been written but I just have no interest in her as a character. It's clever to bring back characters who appeared on the show even for an episode or two, but I just don't care for her or the storyline.
The holographic rights issue makes a brief appearance, but I suspect that's another plot thread that'll be continued in future books.
Overall a good first half of this duology.
April 30, 2021
This is the first of a two-part series about Captain Chakotay's first mission as the commanding officer of Voyager. I really did enjoy this book. It was nice & refreshing to see a book firmly from Chakotay's point of view. Now, there are other Voyager crew members, past & present, who appear in the book but this is primarily a Chakotay & Sekaya story as brother & sister aboard Voyager. I found a particular line that stood out to me & sums up my feelings about our modern society & the society of the future Federation: "Lists and data are always impressive to those who worship technology instead of the spirits." Take whatever meaning you can from that statement. The ending of book 1 was very good. Looking forward to starting the 2nd book, Enemy Of My Enemy, today.
October 19, 2020
I really enjoyed Homecoming (read it in one night), then sputtered through the sequel over nearly a month. This one took somewhere in-between, and it was **fine**.
It's a lot of fun to revisit these characters and see what happens next on their journey. I love seeing Chakotay in the captain's chair, and Janeway being in a position of more power.
But my 'lanta, the plot of this book meanders so so slowly. I think that's the intent/purpose, but it feels like this was forced by the production of the book to be multiple books rather than one.
It's a lot of fun to revisit these characters and see what happens next on their journey. I love seeing Chakotay in the captain's chair, and Janeway being in a position of more power.
But my 'lanta, the plot of this book meanders so so slowly. I think that's the intent/purpose, but it feels like this was forced by the production of the book to be multiple books rather than one.
November 4, 2019
Christie Golden obviously understand the Voyager characters and has a good grasp on writing them, but the story she is telling is just not interesting. This is incredibly slow paced and it takes the unfortunate route of focusing more on new characters rather than the original crew. It's also clear that, just like Homecoming/The Farther Shore, this is intended as one book that was unnecessarily split into two.
At any rate, nobody wants a story about Chakotay and vision quests.
At any rate, nobody wants a story about Chakotay and vision quests.
May 27, 2021
Lite avvaktande, men med tiden byggs spänningen upp. Vi får också se en del av vad som händer Tom och B'Elanna i det klingonska klostret dit de tagit sig för att upptäcka klingonska traditioner. Tidigare fiender dyker upp, liksom helt nya, så boken avslutas i ett crescendo som gjorde att jag direkt fortsatte med att läsa den avslutande delen, Enemy of My Enemy. Christie Golden är som vanligt rätt så trygg att läsa, och det är just Voyager som hon är bäst på.
November 21, 2023
Decided to circle back to this duology I (knowingly) skilled past. This one takes place six months after “Endgame.” I liked the glimpses we got of Tom and B’Elanna’s situation. And it’s interesting seeing Chakotay’s evolution, but I’m not sure that this story for him was the best. Might also be an uncomfortable read due to a couple mentions of assault.
April 12, 2024
Christie Golden writes the Voyager characters very well which made this book an enjoyable read. It’s definitely a ‘first instalment’ and takes a long while to rev up into anything much happening but the well written characters meant that I didn’t mind this too much. It isn’t incredible but it held my interest.
March 24, 2018
Advances the story, but...
While this novel brings the Voyager saga into the era of Chakotay assuming his captaincy, I’m not a fan these Part 1/Part 2 novels and would prefer a single, longer story.
While this novel brings the Voyager saga into the era of Chakotay assuming his captaincy, I’m not a fan these Part 1/Part 2 novels and would prefer a single, longer story.
March 30, 2019
The biggest problem I've had with all these new Voyager books so far is that I really don't feel like the author understands the Star Trek universe and particularly the Federation. The book isn't bad, and it's certainly closer to the TV series than the first two.
June 25, 2019
Whilst Kim and Chakoty are the remaining old crew on the new Voyager, Ms. Golden keeps our other Voyager characters busy off-ship. A solid entry but essentially a long pre-lude to the second half of the two-book mini-series.
April 22, 2020
I really enjoy Christie Golden Star Trek novels. This one was a bit confusing to read in scenes regarding Trills, and I was hoping would focus more on Chakotay. Nearing the end it seems it would. I'm looking forward to reading the second book and seeing if Chakotay is developed more.
January 8, 2023
Interesting direction—I like the concept of Chakotay as a captain. I didn’t think character voice was quite grasped in a lot of cases, though. I don’t think Harry Kim would ever say, “More’s the pity,” for instance. Really pulled me out of it in some cases.
March 15, 2017
Scifi at its best!
Another good scifi novel in the Voyager series
carrying on from where the original TV series left off good story all round but a little short!
Another good scifi novel in the Voyager series
carrying on from where the original TV series left off good story all round but a little short!
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