Star Trek: The Brave and the Bold, Book 1

Star Trek: The Brave and the Bold #1

by Keith R.A. DeCandido

AN ALL-NEW ADVENTURE SPANNING THREE GENERATIONS! The Malkus Artifacts: four deadly machines, wielded as weapons of absolute power by an interstellar tyrant thousands of years ago and scattered across the Alpha Quadrant when he was overthrown. After their existence was discovered in 2151 by Captain Jonathan Archer of the "Starship Enterprise"(TM), all Starfleet vessels were warned to keep an eye out for these most dangerous devices...

One hundred years later, Captain James T. Kirk of the "U.S.S. Enterprise" and Commodore Matt Decker of the "U.S.S. Constellation" come across the first artifact on the colony world of Alpha Proxima II -- a world ravaged by a mysterious plague. As the crews of the two mighty vessels work to find a cure and locate the artifact, two brave captains must bring order to Proxima before it's too late!

One hundred years after that, Commander Benjamin Sisko of Station Deep Space 9(TM) enlists the aid of Captain Declan Keogh of the "U.S.S. Odyssey" to help construct a farming colony on Bajor's second moon -- but the colony is placed in jeopardy when the Bajoran terrorist Orta discovers the second artifact and threatens destruction on a massive scale!

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Fiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager, Ebooks

264 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Cool premise for a crossover stretching multiple time periods and crews, primarily TOS and DS9, but with an interesting Enterprise era prologue as well. My major criticism is that the narrative frequently jumps between so many different characters and perspectives that it all goes by in a flash, never generating much suspense or getting the reader all that invested. On the plus side I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about some characters that viewers of the series should recognize but never knew much about, and DeCandido does a good job tying them into Trek history and fleshing out some interesting backstory. I particularly enjoyed the fanatical Bajoran terrorist Orta, a Bond like villain with delusions of grandeur who goes toe to toe with Kira and Dax.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously these books were released quite some time ago, but coming at them now it was rather refreshing to pop into the lives of characters, some familiar and some less so. Any true Trek fan will surely welcome the variety of viewpoints here, and I hope book 2 is going to bring everything to a satisfying conclusion. The author has clearly done his research, there are lots of period details and little gems buried that show us he knows his subject matter, and that’s always great to read.

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic two story book that gives background on famous supporting characters.

The thread holding this book (and the next) are four alien artifacts hidden around that galaxy that were created to kill massive amounts of people. They were hidden because they could not be destroyed.

People are dying on a planet from an odd disease whose source is unknown. Commodore Matt Decker and the crew of the USS Constellation arrive to render aid, as does freshly made captain James T. Kirk and the Enterprise. The leaders have to work together to find the cause of the plague and stop it. Seeing a non-crazy Decker is fun, since that side of him is long gone in the classic episode "The Doomsday Machine." Kirk has a major scene where his words are more important to him force. He also taps into little used backstory to his life living under martial law. A high enjoyable story.

The second tale has Captain Keogh and the crew of the USS Odyssey setting up a farming colony on a Bajoran moon. Sisko, Dax, and Kira are there, as are several colonists, including an infamous Bajoran. Things are alread tense, but things become deadly when a device is discovered. Also a very enjoyable tale, with Keogh and his crew great to read.

The Interludes after each tale tell the reader what happened to the supporting characters on the television series and they are gut punches after reading them as such vibrant individuals.

I strongly recommend this book for Trek fans.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Trek: The Brave and the Bold, Book 1 by Keith R.A. DeCandido

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense

Medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0 Stars

This is an interesting story...which is spanning the Star Trek eras. The first portion of the book (minor, at best) is a story from the Enterprise days, with Captain Jonathon Archer. The next part is with Captain James T. Kirk (and the characters from The Original Series), and then the rest of the book is with Captain Benjamin Sisko (and the characters that were in Deep Space Nine).

This is a story about the Malkus Artifact, and it's power and way that it manipulates people...pushing them to extreme corruption...in their use of its power.

I have to say, that I liked the first two stories better than I did the final, which actually surprised me. I love DS9 and the stories that are wrapped within it, but for some reason this one didn't hit right for me.

I am looking forward to reading book two of this duology, soon.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The TOS section of the book was more than adequate. However, as a DS9 junkie, I loved the second half, complete with the wonderful extra detail and depth given to the captain & crew of the ill-fated USS Odyssey. They sound like just the crew that deserved a spin-off series of their own...which makes their ultimate fate all the more tragic. I wish the entire novel had been entirely about the Odyssey crew...but you can't have everything.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023 Review 74. Star Trek The Brave and The Bold Book 1 by Keith R.A. DeCandido

Page Count : 264

This book has a dedication at the beginning, which the author explains he was writing the 1st part of this book on September 11th 2001 and the book is dedicated to those who lost their lives on that terrible day.

This is the beginning of another crossover series but this one involves a prologue set in Star Trek Enterprise during the early part of the Enterprise NX-01's mission.

The prologue is set slightly before the Enterprise episode Breaking The Ice and involves the Enterprise NX-01 exploring planet Beta Aurigae VII which the ships science officer believes is the homeworld of the Zalkat Union.

Sub Commander T'Pol and Ensign Hoshi Sato find information about a series of 4 deadly artifacts which become known as the Malkus Artifacts. These aren't harmless objects, these are 4 deadly weapons (creating a disease, an energy weapon, a weather controller and a mind controller).

When Captain Archer learns this information, he instructs T'Pol and Hoshi to compile a report for Admiral Forrest and Starfleet Command to create a Starfleet General Order (General Order 16) which will instruct any and all Starfleet vessel to confiscate any Artifact they locate immediately. The information provided with that General Order even includes the energy signatures of the 4 artifacts.

Fast forward to 2266 and the first part of this book takes place shortly before the first series episode of the Original Series "Balance of Terror".

Captain James T. Kirk and the USS Enterprise and Commodore Matt Decker and the USS Constellation are ordered to the planet Alpha Proxima II which is experiencing an unusual medical emergency.

Working together, the crews of the two ships are instructed to work together to find a cure for the disease while keeping the planet's population from rioting.

During their work, the crew of the Constellation discovers the energy signature of one of the artifacts and has to implement General Order 16 during the mission.

Jump forward in time again to 2370 and just before the 2nd season episode of Deep Space Nine, The Jem Hadar.

The Galaxy class starship USS Odyssey and her crew are assigned to work with the crew of Deep Space 9 to prepare a bajoran moon for colonisation.

Bringing a group of former Bajoran terrorists to become farmers on the moon, the Odyssey is given the task of using its phasers to prepare the soil and its crew to help build the colony structures.

During the work to prepare the colony, the chief engineer of the Odyssey once again discovers the energy signature of one of the Malkus artifacts on the moon's surface causing large amounts of trouble.

This was a fantastic book with 2 fantastic individual stories.

I will definitely reread this book in the future and can't recommend it enough.

Well done to Keith R.A. DeCandido.

5*
*****

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple (although technically 3) short stories tied together with a single thread throughout and from the perspective of guest stars or characters outside of the main crew (other than the Enterprise segment which is kind of unavoidable as that show was just starting/being established) is what The Brave and the Bold is. I have to define them by their separate parts as it is what the book does even though it is written by the same guy.

The Enterprise prologue was a surprise to me as I did not expect that part to be included within the narrative but I liked it and it was short and sweet to establish what this duology of books is all about.

The TOS portion is the highlight for me although McCoy seemed a bit too crotchety to start off but mellowed by the end. Here is where we get the outside perspective of the Enterprise and her crew from the Constellation's crew's view and I liked that aspect. The questioning of Kirk's motives for establishing martial law was one part of the story that I liked. The ending of it was anticlimactic but I think that was on purpose.

The DS9 section was good but a little too short and the motives of Orta were a but suspect. It was also too short in my opinion but I guess the resolution had to be quick. It was nice to experience the Odyssey crew a little longer from what we saw of them on DS9.

Is the goal of this giving these doomed crews of the Constellation and Odyssey more "screen time" per se or did the author just want to flesh them out more? Well I liked it, just seemed a little too quick as these crossovers and collaborations often do.

[Andy Stjohn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Star Trek: the Brave and the Bold #1 by Keith R. Dicandino

I was quite hyped to read this book as it was sort of a crossover between the major series including Enterprise! But the final product was mixed. I will say the TOS story was better and it was great to see a story focused on Matt Decker, the commodore from the Doomsday Machine and how it fleshed out the relationship between him and Kirk. I was the most interested to learn about him vs. Captain Keough of the Odyssey. I really hope Decker makes an appearance on SNW as his character was great here.

But the DS9 story felt like an afterthought and the Malkus device doesn’t show up until 40 pages before the finale. This basically made the whole story feel pointless. Keough wasn’t really that interesting of a character vs Decker who was more developed than Keough. I know Keough dies when the Odyssey and New Bajor are destroyed but Decker’s death felt far more impactful because we actually see it.

Anyway, I would rate this book 6/10

[Peter Rydén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemensamt betyg och bedömning av böckerna The Brave and the Bold, Book One och The Brave and the Bold, Book Two:

Om man bortser från den alltför ofta återkomna idén med en antik och gigantisk interstellär företeelse som hotar allt liv som vi känner till, så måste jag säga att denna bok binder samman de olika kaptenernas och TV-seriernas öden på ett mycket bra sätt. DeCandido visar att han är mästare på att berätta historier och böckerna tål att läsas om. Bra personporträtt och bra berättelse.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two books are just amazing! And honestly, I’m not even talking about the main story (which is great on its own). What I really loved were all the connections to Deep Space Nine, both during and after the show, as well as the ties to Voyager before the Delta Quadrant. There’s so much layered in here, and it makes the universe feel even richer. The main story is still a draw, of course, but all those extra connections are what made me fall in love with these books even more!

[Todd R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars from me. A precisely told tale with no filler. A bit simplistic in scope, but not every Star Trek tale needs to be over complicated...a good example of writing without an author drawing attention to themselves.

[Daniel nava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Started a little slow then I got pulled in to the point I couldn’t stop reading until I finished. Looking forward to reading the next one

[Robert Lewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Another great story spanning three generations. It's a page turner and the best part is that this is just book number 1.

[Mike (HistoryBuff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good saga spanning TOS. DS9 and Voyager. I love this author. He did a great job with the I.K.S. series. Looking forward to book 2. A great read for any Star Trek fan.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prologue being Enterprise era was a nice surprise.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://youtu.be/xfHJ83wj7Zk

[Uly Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

awsomf

What a book I can wait for other book2 it bring some of the series 80 and 90s together the characters you remember loved as a intriguing story good vs evil

[Jarrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun series of connected adventures for the Trek Crews. TOS and DS9 in this volume.

[Mirrani · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series is a familiar concept among books; weapons of mass destruction, but the idea of bringing in crews to help the familiar cast was unique in that these crews meet fatal ends later in the show itself. We know this is true because the shows have been televised, so it's not really a surprise to say this here. What is the surprise is being able to catch a glimpse into the lives that were snuffed out by one tragedy or another.

DeCandido's writing is true to the characters and he captures each interaction very well. There are also spurts of humor or the occasional one-liner that you would expect to find within a Star Trek novel or show. Some of the points of history I found a little confusing, however, such as the fact that the new farming colony Kira is helping to build on one of Bajor's moons is called New Bajor, which was actually a colony in the Gamma Quadrant. It didn't put me off from the book, though and would probably only make the more intense fans of DS9 scratch their heads.

I look forward to finishing the second book, which should be easy to do since these books are well written and easy to get lost in. They're also quick reads, good for a few hours of free time spent with your favorite characters.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the concept of giving life to ill-fated characters across 4 different series. The cover image gives the impression that the books would primarily be about the main cast of each series, however, aside from Kirk, Kira and Dax the focus of the 2 main segments of the book revolve mostly around those lesser-known crew members. It's a nice change of pace.

The "ancient weapon" concept is a bit cliche, however the author did a good job of not bogging the novel down with it. Each segment was entertaining, yet fast enough pacing to make the entire series a very quick read. I immediately started the 2nd book in the series, not out of obligation, but out of interest in the story.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keith R. A. DeCandido begins a crossover tale weaving together the adventures of Archer, Kirk, Sisko, Picard, and Janeway. The existence of millenia old weapons is discovered by Archer and his Enterprise crew. Kirk and his Enterprise discover the first of four terrible weapons and one hundred years later, a Bajoran terrorist discovers the second weapon. A nicely told cliffhanger tale.

Published in mass market paperback by Pocket Books.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Enterprise finds an artifact, T'pol works out that it is highly dangerous and that there are 4 others in existence. The story then jumps to Kirk's time, and another captain helping solve a problem. Then jumps to DS9 era. It feels disjointed. The Kirk story is decent and could have been a book on its own. Helping a planet that has been hit by a plague. But the rest just feels rushed and has no depth. An ok read.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of DeCandido's books I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed the alternative viewpoint from the non-main story characters. More than I thought I would. It got to the point where at the end of each section, when the crew who had interfaced with the artifact would die, I felt a momentary loss of their characters. Great job, Keith.

[Matthew Markham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different perspective...

A good start to the duology - all five Star Trek series (by 2002) were represented in a single, era-spanning story.

I liked the focus being on the non-primary characters (Commodore Decker, Captain Keogh, et cetera) rather than the primary Star Trek characters (Captain Kirk, Commander Sisko, et cetera).

Overall, a solid 4-out-of-5 rating!

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actual story framework, a tale of four magical all powerful MacGuffins, is pretty uninspiring stuff. However, the two and a bit tales (1 Enterprise prologue alongside a TOS and DS9 tale each) were actually reasonably interesting taken individually. I actually liked that the stories were told from the perspective of another crew from a different starship from the respective shows, looking in on the regular cast. Doubled up with both crews sad fates this creates a really interesting atmosphere.

Unfortunately, some of the writing feels a bit flat and the characters voices aren't always quite there. Still, it's a promising start and I'm interested to see how things progress in Book 2.