Hollow Men

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

by Una McCormack

At the turning point of the Dominion War, Captain Benjamin Sisko, facing certain defeat by the overwhelming and relentless forces of the Dominion, initiated a secret plan to secure the aid of the Romulans, the Federation's longtime adversaries. What began as a desperate attempt to save lives became a descent into an abyss of deception, moral compromise and outright criminal acts, as Sisko became compelled to sacrifice every ideal he believed in - in order to preserve those same ideals. In HOLLOW MEN the aftermath of those events is explored as Sisko returns to Earth to answer for his actions. But to his surprise, no one intends to punish him. The course he took is viewed instead as a necessary and lesser evil which may yet prove to be the salvation of the Federation way of life. But Sisko's own conscience haunts him, and as he continues to seek some kind of penance for what he has done, opportunists within Starfleet itself set in motion a scheme which uses his actions as a springboard from which the Federation will emerge from the war as an imperial power.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Fiction, Space, Novels, Science Fiction Fantasy

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2005

About the author

Una McCormack is a British writer and the author of several Star Trek novels and stories.

Ms. McCormack is a New York Times bestselling author. She has written four Doctor Who novels: The King's Dragon and The Way through the Woods (featuring the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory); Royal Blood (featuring the Twelfth Doctor and Clara), and Molten Heart (featuring the Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Ryan and Graham). She is also the author of numerous audio dramas for Big Finish Productions.

Reviews

[Nicky2910 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Hollow Men by Una McCormack This novel is set after "In the Pale Moonlight".
 
Sisko and Garak travel to Earth for a conference of the allied forces. While Sisko's struggling with his role in bringing the Romulans into the war, Garak is debriefed by apparent Intelligence officers and tasked with making a former Starfleet officer and colleague of Sisko's, now turned into prime fighter for the peace/isolationist movement, disappear. Meanwhile, the station is lending help to a ship transporting liquid latinum while a former acquaintance of Odo's, whom he sent to prison, surprisingly reappears just at that moment. But Odo doesn't believe in coincidences and, at Dax's request, enlists Bashir's help, who's quite moody after his return from a "medical" conference, in trying to solve the puzzle.
 
While this novel shows the aftermath of one of my favourite DS9 episodes with Sisko looking for absolution at every corner (and not getting it until he reconciles himself with his actions and rediscovering his limits), this novel isn't quite as engaging as I would have hoped for. The conference part is more or less skimmed over, which is a shame, as I would have loved to see more of that. The focus, though, firmly lies on Garak - which isn't a bad thing necessarily. And his confronting Earth's democracy, hearing contrary opinions voiced right outside the conference site, learning that the lists of war-victims are published uncensored, himself being allowed to roam more or less freely on Earth (albeit with an escort), facing SI's attempts at interrogation etc. is frankly hilarious, the best way to get a glimpse at Cardassian society, I guess. Until it's not all fun anymore, and he's confronted with an organization that might be rather similar to his own Obsidian Order.
 
And that leads us to Tomas Roeder, the leader of the peace movement and Garak's target. That's perhaps the second point of criticism that his motivations remain in the dark. He's a tool to advance the plot, nothing more. Any mention of a prior relationship with Sisko is unnecessary - because it's a non-issue in the end.
 
And honestly, I'd have wished for less of the plot on the station: Granted, it gave us a glimpse into Bashir after his first confrontation with Section 31, and Odo who's close to being obsessed, but never crossing the line (which makes for an interesting discussion between those two, especially in regards to "Inquisition"). And everyone's trying to get Kira and Odo together. So, it fits nicely into continuity, but I'd rather have had the focus on Sisko and Garak and Earth.
 
The plotthreads only come together in the final pages, hinting at what is to befall the Founders, and I realize of course that there can't be a solution then and there - because then season 7 likely would never have happened... And while I truely appreciate all the little hints and realizations, especially Garak and Odo's who perhaps are the only ones to smell something bigger going on, something hidden and sinister (with Odo going through a repeat performance of the transformation-inhibitor-debacle Garak's put him through in "Improbable Cause"/"The Die Is Cast"), the path to getting to those realizations is a bit rocky and lacking in surprises and suspense.
 
Overall, good novel, first-class characterization (especially Garak, Sisko and Odo), little moments that would have been well worth exploring, but ultimately nothing really outstanding.

[Mayaj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent Garak content. Acceptable Quark and Bashir characterization. Questionable Odo rendering. 404 Kira and Worf Not Found. Utter betrayal of the underlying nuance which makes Sisko the best Starfleet Captain.

Dax is also there.

It's fun to see Garak react to Earth (swans are weird) and the Federation (where are the adults?) but Sisko looking for absolution was unrealistically self-indulgent.

Also, everyone needs to stop punching Garak. Like stat.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best DS9 novel I have ever read...and one of the best Star Trek novels in general. Una McCormack manages to weave a story into the very heart of the Dominion War...a story that hangs astonishing character development onto a serviceable plot. I have rarely read such exquisite examinations of any of Star Trek's main characters as I have in this novel...particularly Sisko. As for Garak...this could be the best prose voice ever given to the plain-and-simple tailor. A sequel to a powerful episode, a psychological study of searing intensity...and a heist caper that will have your mouth hanging open. A thoroughly fabulous book.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Hollow Men by Una McCormack

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense

Medium-paced

Plot or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes

4.5 Stars

I am SO impressed with the Star Trek novels, recently. Obviously, I've loved them on a nostalgic level (for they allow me to live in this world for a while), but these last couple (DS9, and those regarding Elim Garak) have been extra.

I love spy thrillers. I love Star Trek. I love the struggle between morality and duty. The places that characters go (in service of good, either supposed or in actual reality). These struggles make for great tension, but as we see in this story, to result of the thousand cuts, and how they effect the characters (and us).

I have mentioned numerous times that Elim Garak is not a favourite character, but I think...that is changing. 

I think I'm worried about liking him, but he is SO Cardassian. That VERY fact makes me nervous to like him, for the game, behind the game, and even behind that game. Who is the real one, verses the plant (or the feint).

In this regard, I think that THIS is why I (by nature or by growth) could never be a spy. I need the RULES to be defined and lived within.

I think this is also why I love this franchise SO much.

I think Captain Benjamin Sisko is the EXACT person that is needed in this time, at that post, doing that thing...which lesser men/women/other could not do...at least still having a conscience.

I need to look up a couple of things about this story...that when the names came up, I was not able to place them. One of them is what are the Brixhta? I especially need to see what they are.

The other is a person. The name sound familiar, but for some reason...it is not coming to mind...Luther Sloan.

I think this novel, and its plot will stick with me...for a bit. It will have ramifications (within my mind), and how I see things going forward. Very thought provoking, for sure.

Okay, the next Star Trek novel on the docket is...The Never Ending Sacrifice by this same author, Una McCormack.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This intriguing tale takes place almost directly after the infamous DS9 episode 'In The Pale Moonlight', and deals with the aftermath. Despite being written many years later, it fits in perfectly with the show's storylines at that point.

While the story could perhaps be accused of being a bit slow, it's an extremely enticing read. What struck me most of all is how well the author captured the characters; it's easy to imagine every line of dialogue being delivered by the cast of the show, and the depictions are all very true to the characters on the show.

It's a very internal story, dealing largely with Sisko's state of mind as he comes to terms with what he did in the the episode the story is based around. I found the ending to be a bit of a let down with a few too many unexplained things and a lack of genuine closure, but I found myself engrossed all along the way. I also kind of appreciate that the book allows you to piece things together yourself rather than explaining.

I'm really looking forward to reading the other stories by this author, especially if they feature Garak.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characterization in the book was superb. Garak's dialogue especially was spot on, and often had me laughing at his quick and subtle wit.

One thing this book did really well was show characters dealing with things that happened in episodes set prior in a more fleshed out way than the series did. The main plot was fantastic, but I also really liked the subplot with Bashir.

As I said above, Garak really shines in this book. He's smart and savvy, and working towards his own ends as usual. This book is worth reading for that alone, though I also like the focus on Sisko's guilt after In the Pale Moonlight, and Bashir's feelings after Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges (especially showing his friends' attempts to cheer him up.)

Setting the book on Earth also leads to some interesting (and hilarious) insights at what an outsider would think of commonplace things here. Garak's response to Sisko's suggestion of feeding the birds, for example.

I definitely want to read more by this author, if this is the quality of work I can expect!

[Nabil Hussain · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unimpressive tale with few sci fi dramatic elements worth reading

This book had only just one interesting sub-plot, this of the Hamexi. The rest of the book seemed to be boring, unappealing and downright tedious to follow. I was just able to finish the book as is my habit in reading but it wasn't a supremely pleasurable experience that I was expecting. I think, more could have been done with the story of this book,. This is one book I won't be rereading in the future. I have read better stuff aside with this book from Una McCormack.

[Excel Lifestyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good Garak and Sisko content in this. There is a compelling mystery going with the rest of the crew but it kind of goes nowhere. They build up the tension with lots of cloak and dagger and hints at shocking reveals but it doesn’t quite stick the landing. Still, worth a read for Deep Space Nine fans especially those that’s favorite episode is, “In the pale moonlight”

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of DS9 and/or Garak, you're really going to like this. If this is your introduction to DS9, I don't think you'd really get the importance of what's going on. This book follows up a week or two after the episode "In the Pale Moonlight", and Sisko and Garak are called to Earth to contribute to a conference between the Klingons, Romulans, and Federation, as well as two member of the Cardassian government who escaped before their world was taken over by the Dominion. Author Una McCormack has got Garak's dialogue and point of view down to a tee! You could hear Andrew Robinson's voice every time Garak spoke. The other half of the book deals with a supposed theft on the station and Odo is having problems figuring out who is going to do it and how. This part of the novel was very rote for me, and I didn't care for it. When this plot line was resolved I REALLY didn't care, as the mastermind behind the crime was one of the worst things/characters about DS9. Still, the Garak/Sisko scenes are so good, they more than made up for the mystery on the station. Worth reading.

[Mikael Kuoppala · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely well written and thought provoking book that reminds me in a very good way of Pat Barker's masterful Regeneration-trilogy. The novel's political ambiquity works most of the time, but at times I expected sharper commentary.

[lucien alexander “sasha” · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'll read anything garak-centric. he is my number one dude.

[E J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Melodramatic blurb. In the TV episode, Sisko says, "I can live with it." So he's pretty much settled his inner turmoil but this book dredges up his conflict with "the finer points of morality" I think unnecessarily as he seeks validation from his peers and allies. Everyone basically says to him, "nah, you're good, bro", but he's not satisfied with their support and seems like he wants to go through some sort of spiritual flagellation. Again, hadn't he settled his demons already when he got sick of posting up those weekly casualty reports?

The second plotline was... I don't know... overextended with an unsatisfying payoff. Probably would be more satisfying for fans who had more than a vague recollection of specific episodes, like, amongst other references when DS9 got shutdown by the Cardassian alarm system, or when Odo had that shapeshifting suppression device activated around him while he was being interrogated by Garak. Fan wanky stuff. Also, I would've liked a stronger impression of the changeling virus and Section 31's knowledge of it. As such, I had to go to Memory Beta to find out in the end what the second plotline was really about.

So, yeah. The book's story seems to be about as hollow as its namesake.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this to learn more about Sisko's famous plot to get the Romulans involved in the Dominion War. It was informative in that regard.

The book's format is pretty similar to watching an episode of DS9, but in book form. This includes having multiple parallel storylines going on at once.

What this book lacks in visuals it makes up for in attention to detail. The book draws attention to details that I might not have been shown or that I might have missed if this had been a TV episode. It's little things such as Odo noticing a Klingon striding purposefully down the Promenade and then reflecting "when does a Klingon not stride purposefully?" There's also things such as the reaction on Worf's face in response to some things happened. Because it's in book form, it's easy to reflect and take in these little details. For me, these little details add a lot of depth the story and characters.

Overall, I found it both enjoyable and informative.

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A direct follow-up to DS9 episode "In the Pale Moonlight", which itself may be the best episode in that series, or perhaps even in the franchise as a whole. Despite having that act to follow, it absolutely delivers. I was previously unfamiliar with McCormack's writing, but now look forward to checking out more of her work as this is one of the best ST books I have read. The A story follows captain Sisko and Garak at an allied conference on Earth, while the B story deals with the happenings on the station while they are away. The only thing keeping this review from a 5 star rating is that the B story drags a bit. Otherwise it's fantastic - the characters' voices are pitch perfect, the story kept me guessing and I had a hard time putting it down.

[Peter Rydén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinnets svängar kan vara våldsamma och oväntade. Därav tog Sisko ett beslut som visserligen gav hjälp till att rädda kvadranten från det krig som pågick men som också var ett mycket tveksamt val utifrån de värderingar som han anser sig stå för. Boken går verkligen in i alla dessa efterfunderingar. Boken ger också en inblick i Jordens och Federationens politiska affärer och status, vilket är intressant och i överensstämmande med en annan mycket bra bok jag läst, Articles of the Federation. Garaks funderingar kunde ha beskrivits bättre och skulle då troligen ha gett ytterligare inblick i en tidigare Obisian Order-agents huvud.

Boken var sammantaget mycket bra och minuset var då det här med Garak.

[Neema · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book suffered from being bizarrely put together and horribly unfocused. There are two plots happening simultaneously that end up coming together in a really unsatisfying way, and neither of the plots are really about what the description of the book says the book is going to be about.

Maybe McCormack initially set out to write what the description says: Sisko and Garak facing the consequences of their actions in the DS9 episode. If they did that in this book, it was only one or two pages. And they didn't "face" anything. Utterly out of character for Sisko and Starfleet as a whole.

The B-plot was even worse.

Did not enjoy this book. I give it 2 stars for Quark and Garak, because they are awesome.

[Todd R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this one.
The episode that this follows, "In the Pale Moonlight", was a turning point in the series and for the character of Captain Sisko.
The machinations of Garak and Sisko in that episode are summarily ignored and belittled in this novel - it's a complete waste of time if you are looking for Sisko to be reflective of what he unleashed and heavy with the burden of his choice.
This novel gives you a predictable episode about Quark and Odo, and nothing interesting concerning Sisko or Garak.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the pale Moonlight was of course one of DS9’s best, best episodes. I loved its moral ambiguity, the acting, and the whole idea behind the teleplay was just electrifying. This follow-up to that is … intriguing, although it lacks a certain flair: the action is quite muted and there’s a lot of tautology. Worth a read if you’re a fan and have the time, but don’t go in expecting a great deal of action.

[Joel Hacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a direct continuation of what is widely considered one of the best DS9 episodes, "In the Pale Moonlight"
As such, and as its widely considered one of the really great DS9 novels, I may have had my expectations set a bit too high. I felt like a lot of the plot elements really undermined the emotional significance and character development of the episode it continued from.

[Han-Ching Joyce Chiu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out really well, but ended somewhat disappointingly. It was contemplative and a nice interlude in the middle of the saga, but that was also its problem, it was so clear that there’s something bigger going on but our heroes were running around doing war adjacent stuff. It’s just felt very small fry considering what we know of DS9.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended for DS9 fans and especially for fans of Garrick. Una McCormack captures his voice so well. At times it seemed to meandor but proved to be a perfect novel in the end. It has a lot of great Star Trek preachy speeches about Democracy and Liberty.

[Crystal C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Garak and Sisko visit Earth. Garak gets the stuffing beaten out of him for being too cool and Sisko is haunted by his part in the death of Senator "It's a Fake" Vreenak. Meanwhile, a poorly described blob tries to pull a heist on the station.

[Nicholas Katers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow-up to one of the best DS9 episodes, "In the Pale Moonlight."

[Nick Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just could not connect to this book as much as I wanted to, and as much as I love the Garak/Sisko dynamic. It just didn’t hit for me.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucked out on finding this book.
It filled in some gaps in the series
And it reminded me that a win is not always overt

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of Garak, but not quite as compelling to me as I expected.

[Angela Rambolosik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read! I love how the author pegged each character's personality perfectly, Especially Sisko's father.

I miss this show.

[Uly Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome wonderful

Hello again ds 9 are the best. I filled like I am back ds 9i would recommend this book especially the story was interesting and mysterious

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel fleshes out the aftermath of one of my favorite episodes of DS9. Anything that features Garak is bound to be interesting!

[Jonathan Lee B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow Men is 3-D sudoku.