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Star Trek: Enterprise #8
Daedalus's Children
Swept into an alternate universe and a deadly civil war, Archer and the crew of a crippled Enterprise are imprisoned by a brutal warlord and face subtle biochemical differences that will kill them if they remain.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
19 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
About the author
Dave Stern
53 books41 followersDave Stern has written/edited/collaborated on multiple previous works of fiction/non-fiction, including the New York Times-bestselling biography Crosley, the epistolary novel Shadows In The Asylum, and an unauthorized Adam Sandler biography composed with the help of the good people in the Smith College Library. His most recent work is Codename: Blackjack, the second thriller in the Sagas of the Cincinnati series.
His author photo is woefully out of date.
His author photo is woefully out of date.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 1, 2017
3.5 stars.
November 3, 2015
I really enjoyed this two part story. A cool alternate universe adventure.
October 10, 2023
Enterprise: Daedalus #2: Daedalus’s Children by David Stern
Finished my second ever Enterprise book… and it was ok. It wasn’t as good as the first but it was still a decent read. It was great to see what happened to the rest of the crew when they were transported to the other universe. This felt like a classic episode of TOS or TNG when a culture is cominated by accident or intentionally by Starfleet or someone else, but on a much bigger scale.
This book is much more political than the first one, as it primarily focuses on the Denari and preventing their civil war from getting worse. It also doesn’t contain as much action as the first book. However, alt-Archer had a son! And to make matters more complicated, his mother (who is also human) lied to her husband about the birth of her son, claiming he was her husband’s son and not Archer’s! So, it’s a race against the clock for the crew to return home as they can’t physically stay in the universe as subtle chemical differences prevent them from surviving in the alternate universe. But they must also prevent war!
Overall, this book would be a great episode, along with the previous one. It would have provided Enterprise with some much needed opf, it lacked in its two seasons. My biggest criticisms of the book, is that it drags in the middle, Trent is killed off when she didn’t need to be, we didn’t get any dedicated flashback to establish more of the story of the crew of the Daedalus and Ferrik’s issue is magically solved. Also, then going back to their home universe is wrapped in ten pages. But despite this plot holes and issues with the story I had, this was still a fairly enjoyable book. It’s also a good starting place if you want to read Enterprise books.
7.5/10
Finished my second ever Enterprise book… and it was ok. It wasn’t as good as the first but it was still a decent read. It was great to see what happened to the rest of the crew when they were transported to the other universe. This felt like a classic episode of TOS or TNG when a culture is cominated by accident or intentionally by Starfleet or someone else, but on a much bigger scale.
This book is much more political than the first one, as it primarily focuses on the Denari and preventing their civil war from getting worse. It also doesn’t contain as much action as the first book. However, alt-Archer had a son! And to make matters more complicated, his mother (who is also human) lied to her husband about the birth of her son, claiming he was her husband’s son and not Archer’s! So, it’s a race against the clock for the crew to return home as they can’t physically stay in the universe as subtle chemical differences prevent them from surviving in the alternate universe. But they must also prevent war!
Overall, this book would be a great episode, along with the previous one. It would have provided Enterprise with some much needed opf, it lacked in its two seasons. My biggest criticisms of the book, is that it drags in the middle, Trent is killed off when she didn’t need to be, we didn’t get any dedicated flashback to establish more of the story of the crew of the Daedalus and Ferrik’s issue is magically solved. Also, then going back to their home universe is wrapped in ten pages. But despite this plot holes and issues with the story I had, this was still a fairly enjoyable book. It’s also a good starting place if you want to read Enterprise books.
7.5/10
August 7, 2018
This is the second book of a two-part story. As a result, this book moves much faster. All of the set up to the story and important background information was all written in the first book. So, you are thrown straight into the action. Overall, it was a satisfying end to the story and a great fit for the Enterprise lore.
As much as I like Trip, this book gives the other characters more things to do. Archer, of course, plays the biggest role. Dave Stern did a good job giving each cast s much time as is reasonable for his story, though I would personally have loved to see Mayweather, Hoshi, Reed and Phlox do a bit more, as they also seem to be left out in the series and in the books.
As much as I like Trip, this book gives the other characters more things to do. Archer, of course, plays the biggest role. Dave Stern did a good job giving each cast s much time as is reasonable for his story, though I would personally have loved to see Mayweather, Hoshi, Reed and Phlox do a bit more, as they also seem to be left out in the series and in the books.
September 8, 2020
The second part of the Daedalus story, this book moves a lot quicker. Instead of being just coming from Trip's point of view, it is spread out to the rest of the crew, especially Archer. It was a really excellent way to conclude the story that was carefully built up in the first book. There was just a lot more depth to this story than the typical Star Trek novel. My biggest complaint continues to be that the alien race is so closely identical to humans. They think the same, they act the same, their culture and society is organized the same. It didn't feel alien, at all. But this was a worthwhile space opera for sure.
August 18, 2022
Great conclusion to the Daedalus story. While the first book is told entirely from Trip's POV, this one bounces around a bit, but is mostly told from Archer's. Stern does the Captain and the Engineer quite well. The plot is a liiiiiitle confusing at times, but that's only mostly because there's a lot of ins, a lot of outs, a lot of what-have-yous.
I did roll my eyes a little when the two characters that made things more complicated die suddenly and unexpectedly. I guess that's one way to simplify things! Aside from that, though, this is a great Trek story told well. Recommended!
Up next: Rosetta AND Last Full Measure!
I did roll my eyes a little when the two characters that made things more complicated die suddenly and unexpectedly. I guess that's one way to simplify things! Aside from that, though, this is a great Trek story told well. Recommended!
Up next: Rosetta AND Last Full Measure!
September 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this one and the conclusion to this two parter although I think it missed out on what made the first book so interesting by expanding it to Archer's story as well. The first book was Trip's story and he was relegated back to a supporting character here or sharing the lead at the most. But I get for the story and ending to work it had to be an Archer one too especially with the Captain Duvall revelation. The book had some great moments and interesting twists but if it stuck with the whole story being told from Trip's point of view then I think I would have been happiest. Still a great book though, more 4.25 or 4.5 stars.
September 5, 2020
A very satisfying conclusion to this epic space opera. Space princesses, evil alien warlords, savior heirs to the throne, jail breaks and harrowing space battles.
It was good to follow what much of the rest of the crew had experienced in this finale. I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
It was good to follow what much of the rest of the crew had experienced in this finale. I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
January 15, 2023
excellent book, best Star I think I have ever read.
Loved this book, the story was interesting and the main characters were not bad people in the other universe. The story line was great and believable.
Loved this book, the story was interesting and the main characters were not bad people in the other universe. The story line was great and believable.
October 11, 2017
This was an excellent mini-series. I am really disappointed that they did not explain why the Daedalus crew was not allergic to the alternate universe. This left a huge lot hole.
September 23, 2022
A soft four. I like the back half better than the first even if it wrapped up perhaps a little too neatly and too quick (though the first half required quite a few contrivances too so....).
October 11, 2024
I don't know why I bothered when I wasn't feeling it with the first book.
March 20, 2022
4.5 stars.
This was a good book, a lot more fast paced than Daedalus and I was glad that Archer was more in it (he's my favourite)
This was a good book, a lot more fast paced than Daedalus and I was glad that Archer was more in it (he's my favourite)
February 7, 2012
"Daedalus's Children" by Dave Stern follows on directly from "Daedalus" which I have previously read and reviewed. As this is a sequel to "Daedalus" then I must warn you that some of this review may include spoilers in relation to that novel. In all honesty though, if you haven't read the first book then reading this one would probably be pointless anyway as this novel jumps straight back into the ongoing story.
As stated above, the story follows on from "Daedalus", in which the Enterprise and her crew are trapped in a parallel Universe. Archer and the majority of his crew are prisoners of the Denari government, whilst Trip and Hoshi are working with an opposition movement to try and track down the Enterprise. However, due to previous actions that left the leader of the Denar government, General Sadir, dead, events are spiraling out of control and the threat of civil war looms. The Enterprise and her crew must now not only try and survive the ongoing crisis; they also need to find a way to return to their own Universe.
Once again, Stern fills the novel with surprises and twists alongside an entertaining and action packed plot. I also found the pacing to be perfect and I found myself really rocketing through the book as it held my attention superbly.
The aspect of this novel that I really appreciated was that unlike "Daedalus" which mainly focused on Trip, this novel centered on the entire crew. I felt that Stern really brought out the characters well and I enjoyed being able to witness events from multiple viewpoints. I did feel that some of the ways in which some of the crew members stumbled upon each other as the story progressed were a little bit too coincidental but this is a minor quibble really.
Stern's minor characters from the parallel Universe also continued to play an important part in the novel. There were superbly portrayed, the relationships between themselves and the Enterprise crew were interesting to follow and added a little bit of emotion to the story. I will admit that the number of characters can get a little bit much at times for you to follow easily. However, overall I think these characters added to the story so I wouldn't really fault the novel much for this.
In summary, this was an entertaining and enjoyable conclusion to the story initiated in "Daedalus". It is fast paced, action packed and a real page turner that anyone who enjoyed reading "Daedalus" will struggle to put down.
As stated above, the story follows on from "Daedalus", in which the Enterprise and her crew are trapped in a parallel Universe. Archer and the majority of his crew are prisoners of the Denari government, whilst Trip and Hoshi are working with an opposition movement to try and track down the Enterprise. However, due to previous actions that left the leader of the Denar government, General Sadir, dead, events are spiraling out of control and the threat of civil war looms. The Enterprise and her crew must now not only try and survive the ongoing crisis; they also need to find a way to return to their own Universe.
Once again, Stern fills the novel with surprises and twists alongside an entertaining and action packed plot. I also found the pacing to be perfect and I found myself really rocketing through the book as it held my attention superbly.
The aspect of this novel that I really appreciated was that unlike "Daedalus" which mainly focused on Trip, this novel centered on the entire crew. I felt that Stern really brought out the characters well and I enjoyed being able to witness events from multiple viewpoints. I did feel that some of the ways in which some of the crew members stumbled upon each other as the story progressed were a little bit too coincidental but this is a minor quibble really.
Stern's minor characters from the parallel Universe also continued to play an important part in the novel. There were superbly portrayed, the relationships between themselves and the Enterprise crew were interesting to follow and added a little bit of emotion to the story. I will admit that the number of characters can get a little bit much at times for you to follow easily. However, overall I think these characters added to the story so I wouldn't really fault the novel much for this.
In summary, this was an entertaining and enjoyable conclusion to the story initiated in "Daedalus". It is fast paced, action packed and a real page turner that anyone who enjoyed reading "Daedalus" will struggle to put down.
November 16, 2019
The Enterprise and her crew are trapped in an alternate universe and in the middle of a civil war. While the proteins in this reality don't agree with the crew and are threatening their lives, the ship has been captured by the ruling faction and Trip and Hoshi have been taken in by the rebels. In order to get back home and stay alive, the crew must be united, the ship liberated, and a safe path home must be devised.
This is the second book of two in this storyline. While not strictly focused on Trip, he still gets a majority of the "screen time." We are finally clued into what's been happening with the rest of the crew and we get to the crux of the war. There is less character building this time and more of a straight-forward storyline. It would have been kind of interesting to have focused on a point of view of another crew member who had an opposing viewpoint to Trip's so we could have seen things from the other side.
After two books of build-up, I felt the actual ending of the story was kind of lack-luster and anticlimactic. There was a spark of action, but mostly it was just wrapped up in a bow and you turned the page and it was over. What could have been the biggest moments of drama were kind of glossed over and solutions spelled out in just a few pages. Honestly, kind of like episodes of many Star Trek series.
While I enjoyed the story and the character arcs, it wasn't mind-blowing and the ending kind of fell flat. A decent read, but nothing outstanding.
This is the second book of two in this storyline. While not strictly focused on Trip, he still gets a majority of the "screen time." We are finally clued into what's been happening with the rest of the crew and we get to the crux of the war. There is less character building this time and more of a straight-forward storyline. It would have been kind of interesting to have focused on a point of view of another crew member who had an opposing viewpoint to Trip's so we could have seen things from the other side.
After two books of build-up, I felt the actual ending of the story was kind of lack-luster and anticlimactic. There was a spark of action, but mostly it was just wrapped up in a bow and you turned the page and it was over. What could have been the biggest moments of drama were kind of glossed over and solutions spelled out in just a few pages. Honestly, kind of like episodes of many Star Trek series.
While I enjoyed the story and the character arcs, it wasn't mind-blowing and the ending kind of fell flat. A decent read, but nothing outstanding.
July 30, 2013
Daedalus's Children is the second of a two-part book series taking place between the second and third seasons of Star Trek Enterprise. This novel follows the events of the previous book and fills in quite a few of the narrative gaps that arose. When compared to the previous book, this one seems more involved in terms of character development. The first book was largely focused on Trip, whereas this one follows the standard multi-character arc's that most Star Trek books adopt.
If you read the first book, you will find many of the answers to some of your questions easily answered in this book, such as what happened to the remaining crew. In short, what most readers assumed happened to crew of Enterprise actually did happen and about a third of the book is spent recapping their adventure. I am still a bit confused as to why this wasn't included in the previous book, but it was badly needed. Unlike the first installment, this one has no flashbacks and Hoshi and Trip are largely not the focus. The conclusion of the book seems a bit hasty, especially in getting back to their own universe. Essentially, returning home is resolved in about two or three pages in the epilogue.
I liked this book, it really didn't do anything too groundbreaking, but it really is a solid effort. As mentioned earlier, it takes place before the relaunch of Enterprise and can be read at any time, so long as the first novel is read.
If you read the first book, you will find many of the answers to some of your questions easily answered in this book, such as what happened to the remaining crew. In short, what most readers assumed happened to crew of Enterprise actually did happen and about a third of the book is spent recapping their adventure. I am still a bit confused as to why this wasn't included in the previous book, but it was badly needed. Unlike the first installment, this one has no flashbacks and Hoshi and Trip are largely not the focus. The conclusion of the book seems a bit hasty, especially in getting back to their own universe. Essentially, returning home is resolved in about two or three pages in the epilogue.
I liked this book, it really didn't do anything too groundbreaking, but it really is a solid effort. As mentioned earlier, it takes place before the relaunch of Enterprise and can be read at any time, so long as the first novel is read.
December 13, 2016
I enjoyed both books the entire way through, though I thought this one was a bit better than the first. While the first book seemed a bit too centered around Trip, at the expense of all the other characters, this one remedied that, and it was very refreshing to have multiple POVs in this book.
There were some faults, however, that were readily apparent. On several instances both Trip and Archer seemed out of character . But, primarily, I had fault with many of the plot points, as many seemed rather ridiculous .
However, I enjoyed the book as a whole, and I think the author did a good job at keeping me entertained, though in a way that made absolutely no sense on occasion.
There were some faults, however, that were readily apparent. On several instances both Trip and Archer seemed out of character . But, primarily, I had fault with many of the plot points, as many seemed rather ridiculous .
However, I enjoyed the book as a whole, and I think the author did a good job at keeping me entertained, though in a way that made absolutely no sense on occasion.
April 22, 2012
onderful book....This is a 2 parter that was never used on the t.v. show but I wish it had been. The books are mostly from the viewpoint of Tucker and Hoshie. If your a fan of Enterprise you should enjoy this book. Wish I had seen this storyline on the show because in my opinion the early demise of the show was because of the lack of original GOOD stories.
September 23, 2013
The second part of a story, it is necessary to read the first to really enjoy this book. Enterprise is in an alternative universe and is embroiled with a civil war. The crew has been taken prisoner, and their captors want to use Enterprise in the war. Unlike the first novel, this one uses the whole crew and feels more like a traditional story. A good read.
May 27, 2012
Dave Stern ends his Daedalus duology quite nicely. Some very good storytelling in this one.
April 7, 2012
Not bad as far these Star Trek books go I suppose. Kept me awake on a lonely Sunday with my son.
June 21, 2017
This was better than the first part of the story. It seems like the author got a little more comfortable with his characters - both the existing crew fromt he show and his own creations.
January 15, 2014
This is an excellent follow-up to the first book in this series of two, which reside in the larger Enterprise book series. I really enjoyed this book and found myself never tiring of it.
Read
August 25, 2015Based on a season two episode
March 6, 2019
Was good
May 16, 2010
Decent idea, but characters' voices were off and the author used illogical plot devices. Bleah.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews