Ghost of a Chance

Star Trek: Voyager #7

by Mark A. Garland, Charles G. McGraw

Badly damaged in a close encounter with a dwarf star, the "Voyager" TM discovers a planet being torn apart by tremendous volcanic stresses. The planet's primitive inhabitants will surely perish unless the "Voyager" intervenes -- but the Prime Directive forbids them to act. And then the dilemma is increased by the arrival of another starship, a Televek vessel, whose crew offer to help both the "Voyager" and the people of the crumbling planet. But Janeway senses something amiss with their saviors, and she's haunted by ghostly visions warning her of a threat that make her loathe to accept anything from the Televek, even though they may be her only hope.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek Voyager, Fiction, Media Tie In, Ebooks, Science Fiction Fantasy

276 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

Mark (Andrew) Garland

Reviews

[Elizabeth Perez · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a way I hate to give this books a 2*'s because it started out so strong. I mostly enjoyed the writing itself although it really ebbed and flowed in places. I don't normally get annoyed at books but there were a few times it felt like the author just added words to maybe add pages? Then on the other side of the spectrum things would happen so fast I would have to go back to reread how whatever just took place. Another big negative were the very one denominational antagonists.

This author seemed to mostly get the characters until half way in when the Chakotay {just gives up all the ship codes ect... without a fight. I also feel like Tuvok and Janeway weren't really in character. I know these aliens had a mental effect on the crew but to me it still didn't add up.}

Over all I wouldn't recommend this book but mostly because I thought it was going to be a 5*. Really my biggest issue was it went from amazing to just ok. If that sort of thing doesn't bug you then you'll probable like the book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better Star Trek book installments I have read and a nice light quick read in the midst of other, heavier fare. Voyager is my favorite of the television series and this was a lovely chance to spend time with the crew again. Janeway shines as always with her compassion and scientific knowledge and steely resolve. B'Elanna Torres also manages to excel in this story, which I like -- it certainly plays to her strengths. Was a little surprised at how long it took Chakotay to figure out what was going on, but then he was always a bit too trusting. The story line was lovely, with good conflict and a well-crafted alien mindset or two, some mystery, some action, and a few surprises. As I said, one of the better book installments and it would have made a good episode of the show.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some interesting elements in the plot, but the execution was just so dull. This felt like paint-by-numbers Voyager, and none of the characters (especially the regulars) excited me in any way.

[Rob Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely captures the feel of early Voyager episodes including Torres' anger and Neelix's annoying controlling attitude towards Kes.
The book rushes towards the end to tie up loose ends, for example three aliens who were key to the story early on are captured about 3/4 through the book and are transported away at the end as almost an after thought.
Three annoying errors occur with the book - Lieutenant's Carey and Rollins are incorrectly referred to as Ensign on two separate occasions for some random reason and early on in the book Sickbay is referred to as 'Medical'(?!).

[Soph · Rating 3 out of 5]

reread January 2021: Decent plot though it fizzles out at the end. Characterisation is good, though some minor gripes. Tuvok would not have sarcasm directed at him go entirely over his head. And B'elanna having completely reasonable reactions to things and it being brushed off as just her Klingon side, though that is show consistent.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chakotay has visions of a people facing disaster. Janeway finds a planet in need. Only problem is an aggressive race, who are arms runners, that don't want them to help. The aliens are interesting, think ferengi but more dangerous, I looked forward to reading the interactions. All the characters act how you would expect, and it feels like a tv episode. A good read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I put this on a list of books to review when I got the chance. Unfortunately as I look at it, I cannot remember very much about this book. I am pretty sure it was a primitive culture interaction. Which is fine, I vaguely remember some talk about the prime directive, and some volcanic activity.

Certainly not a must-read, and actually quite forgetable.

[Benjamin Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book with "Ghost" in the title, the book had very little to do with ghosts. Sure, they were in there, but it was thin, and poorly explained. This book just seemed to go on and on and very little happened. Apparently the aliens had some psychological effect on the crew, though why or how wasn't very clear, because Chakotay nearly handed the keys to the starship right over to them.

I am trying to be understanding and forgiving, knowing that this was still very early in the Voyager run, but at the very beginning the author said they were 70 million light-years away, rather than 70,000.

There just wasn't a lot here to make this book worth reading.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very generous three star rating as I was going to give it a 2 but I enjoyed the ending. I lost track of how many times B'Elanna comes on to the bridge, glares at everyone and then gets ordered by Chakotay to leave to do some work while they do nothing. I had actually thought I lost my page and was reading the same thing over and over again. It's the novelization of the Cause and Effect episode from TNG! I hated how their biggest problem could have been solved by a replicator and no one figures that out.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was OK. The book was good, actually, except for a section in the middle where, really, I felt like the fight between Voyager and the alien species was a bit drawn out. The idea was solid and interesting. I liked the species that Voyager wanted to help. I liked the idea behind their "problem." I think my biggest issue with this book was, as I said, the fact that the conflict with the "villain" was a bit drawn out with what felt like unnecessary details about the actions and reactions of the "villains." There were definitely pieces of the middle that I skimmed.

[SamB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes a long time to get going, with an awkward first third with poor characterisation among most of the crew (although Chakotay is reliably thick as shit, which is both frustrating and reassuring). The mystery of the Televek is quite engaging and I liked how their true nature was slowly revealed. The second half is much stronger than the first, with reveals happening one after the other and some strong action sequences punctuated by interesting problem-solving. Overall I enjoyed it, but at little more than surface level.

[Skylar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this story - the beginning had promise, but then it just devolved into a series of sci-fi tropes (dreams with meaning! alien archaeology! lying aliens stealing the ship!) without any meaningful development along any plot line.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea why other readers rate this book so poorly. I thought this was a bloody brilliant Voyager novel. I pretty much read it in one sitting. Could not put it down. I totally loved this Star Trek novel!

[Amy Tudor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was very similar to the previous but not nearly as exciting or engaging. Characterisation was fine, was nice to see B'Elanna being a badass engineer and Janeway, Kim and Tuvok was a good combo rarely seen on the away mission.

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

An uninteresting book with a story similar to many we've heard before. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't go out of my way to read it.

[Nathaniel Boan · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series so far. A major plot point was very predictable and the story that should have been forefront (where it got its title from) was mostly subtext.
not terrible overall.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mediocre and thus perfect example of why I don't read a lot of Star Trek novels. A mash-up of a lot of other Star Trek episodes. Utterly forgettable.

[Autodefa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is fine. But the authors do capture quite well the voices which is rare for these early books

[Frank Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooooh, I really liked it. The characters were done quite well. A good old prime directive controversy.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story, it just seems a little too similar to the previous book in the series.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah. This one's not sticking. I just wasn't captivated.

[Willemst · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish this book. Unbearable string of bad decisions by the main cast.

[Lefty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't mind the characterizations in this book as much, they seemed more in line with what I remember from the series. That said, I think that the plot pacing in this one was not ideal. I felt that the story was told in fast-forward with a lot of awkward transitions and dialogue-driven exposes that detracted from the telling of the story. What struck me is that some of the major plot points were so rapid-fire that it was uncomfortable to read. For example, when Janeway is meeting with the representatives from the alien vessel, she suddenly up and leaves the discussion to board a shuttle craft to fly down to the surface, leaving Chakotay to finish the negotiations. It just didn't seem logical.

Another thing that bothered me was the glimpses into the alien's narrative. I think the entire story would have been helped if we did not get to go into the alien commanders' heads. Leave it more mysterious and unknown to heighten the tension.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe this takes place during the First Season of Voyager.

Prime Directive issues, a planet with volcanic difficulties, seemingly helpful aliens, Janeway sees visions telling her not to trust them.

Paris and Chakotay get taken in by beautiful evil aliens. Sigh.

Best part of this book is B'Elanna. If you like her, you'll like how she is basically the smartest person on the crew and how she sees through the evil aliens right away. Really good spotlight for her so yes, if you are a Torres fan read this and enjoy.

Its not a bad book but for whatever reason it didn't stand out to me and by the time I read it I was already tired of the Tom Paris/beautiful female alien cliche.

[James Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voyager finds a planet that is being destroyed by earthquakes. There are Televeks in the area that seem to want to help, but do they really? Captain Janeway has visions of ghosts that prove to be mysterious. I thought the plot and the writing were okay, enough to keep my interest. There is some philosophizing regarding the prime directive. There is enough action to keep things moving. Nothing too awfully creative in the area of technology or science. Light reading.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good VOY book. I read it as an ePub, so I'll assume the large number of typos are not in the actual book. It is definitely a "first season" book with the way Chakotay acts (though I think he cares a little more about the Prime Directive than is shown). I liked the ending but it wasn't written very well. A B- Star Trek book.

[Jacque Hodges (Carter) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't one of my favorites, although the second half was more interesting than the first. It was fun to see B'Lanna coming into her own and developing into the chief engineer we know and love. It's been on my now reading list since January but I lost my reading muse until just a couple of days ago. Welcome back!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another adventure of the Starship Voyager, exploring both their adventures and the early crew relationships. I enjoyed this book and found the actions of the crew consistant with the TV series. However, there were still a couple of questions left unexplained at the end if the book.

[Allisson Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice easy read, nothing special. Kind of predictable, but still worth reading.

[Emilyf11 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book with its daring battles and spiritualism