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Stargate SG-1 #24
Two Roads
The spoils of war
The Goa’uld have been defeated, and the Jaffa are free. In the power vacuum left behind, the dark underbelly of the galaxy is fighting over the spoils.
Among these thieves and rogues is Vala Mal Doran, on the trail of the fabulous treasure left behind by the System Lord Kali.
But Vala is not the only one seeking the hoard. Back at Stargate Command, Dr Daniel Jackson has made a horrifying discovery — a doomsday device designed to exterminate the Jaffa who have dared to defy their gods.
Kali’s treasure might provide SG-1 with the means to disarm the device, but only if they can steal it back from one of the galaxy’s most ruthless criminals. Of course, it’s entirely possible that Vala Mal Doran will get there first...
TWO ROADS
Jack was waiting at the base of the ramp, arms folded casually over his chest, when SG-9 returned. They had radioed ahead to inform him of their findings, and his eyes locked onto Daniel as the Stargate disengaged. Jack raised his eyebrows at Colonel Getty. “I thought I told you not to let him touch anything.”
“My apologies, sir. I turned my back for one minute, suddenly it’s the end of the world.”
“I won’t judge you too harshly. I’ve been on the receiving end of that myself.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Jack glared at Daniel. “First mission after defeating the Goa’uld.”
“I’m aware.”
“A nice leisurely temple to explore, nothing to get excited about except a few dusty carvings.”
“I know.”
Jack thumped the back of his hand against Daniel’s chest.
“First time leaving your office in weeks and you go and find a doomsday weapon.”
The Goa’uld have been defeated, and the Jaffa are free. In the power vacuum left behind, the dark underbelly of the galaxy is fighting over the spoils.
Among these thieves and rogues is Vala Mal Doran, on the trail of the fabulous treasure left behind by the System Lord Kali.
But Vala is not the only one seeking the hoard. Back at Stargate Command, Dr Daniel Jackson has made a horrifying discovery — a doomsday device designed to exterminate the Jaffa who have dared to defy their gods.
Kali’s treasure might provide SG-1 with the means to disarm the device, but only if they can steal it back from one of the galaxy’s most ruthless criminals. Of course, it’s entirely possible that Vala Mal Doran will get there first...
TWO ROADS
Jack was waiting at the base of the ramp, arms folded casually over his chest, when SG-9 returned. They had radioed ahead to inform him of their findings, and his eyes locked onto Daniel as the Stargate disengaged. Jack raised his eyebrows at Colonel Getty. “I thought I told you not to let him touch anything.”
“My apologies, sir. I turned my back for one minute, suddenly it’s the end of the world.”
“I won’t judge you too harshly. I’ve been on the receiving end of that myself.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Jack glared at Daniel. “First mission after defeating the Goa’uld.”
“I’m aware.”
“A nice leisurely temple to explore, nothing to get excited about except a few dusty carvings.”
“I know.”
Jack thumped the back of his hand against Daniel’s chest.
“First time leaving your office in weeks and you go and find a doomsday weapon.”
- GenresScience FictionFiction
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2014
13 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Geonn Cannon
113 books225 followersGeonn Cannon is a male author who grew up in Oklahoma, thousands of miles from the nearest coastline, who found his calling in stories about women who live on an island in the Pacific Northwest. In 2010, Geonn became the first male author to win the prestigious Golden Crown Literary Society Award for his novel "Gemini." In 2015, he won it again for "Dogs of War." He has written two official tie-in novels for Stargate SG-1, and his Riley Parra novels have been turned into an Emmy-nominated webseries by Tello Films. His first name is pronounced just like "John."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 11, 2022
Nice 👌 good pacing, good extra characters, nice plot 👌
June 25, 2014
Captured the voices well. I could hear Jack saying have fun storming the castle, kids! And Daniel, saying, um, you get used to him doing things like quoting The Princess Bride. I laughed out loud, and had to explain...
June 23, 2014
Great, fun Stargate novel with a very Stargate-y feel to it. Jack comes across as especially authentic. The plot is a great mix of fun adventure and serious moral world ending stuff. Minor characters are finally given their due, and in a way, so are the major characters.
May 14, 2017
I'm not usually a fan of books based on television franchises. Over years of filming, TV writers and actors gain a visceral feel for their characters, bringing a nuance and energy that's almost impossible for a novelist to replicate.
ALMOST impossible.
After reading Two Roads, I'm adding Geonn Cannon to the very short list of novelists who get it right. The SG-1 team is pitch perfect in this book. I could hear Claudia Black snapping off her lines, picture the sarcasm on Richard Dean Anderson's face, and detect the subtle warmth in Christopher Judge's otherwise stoic performance.
The story, too, is great. It could easily be a lost multi-part episode, but adds the depth and room to breathe that a novel brings. I loved every part of it, and I can't wait to read more Stargate novels by this author!
ALMOST impossible.
After reading Two Roads, I'm adding Geonn Cannon to the very short list of novelists who get it right. The SG-1 team is pitch perfect in this book. I could hear Claudia Black snapping off her lines, picture the sarcasm on Richard Dean Anderson's face, and detect the subtle warmth in Christopher Judge's otherwise stoic performance.
The story, too, is great. It could easily be a lost multi-part episode, but adds the depth and room to breathe that a novel brings. I loved every part of it, and I can't wait to read more Stargate novels by this author!
January 23, 2020
This was an interesting idea - bringing back a one-episode character from season 6 and pairing her with Vala. But I could have done without Vala and Tanis altogether. SG1's side of the dual narrative was more interesting and it was annoying to have the storyline interrupted by Vala so often - and their paths never even crossed. So I guess this is half the book it could have been.
August 22, 2014
I've been a fan of Geonn's writing for a really long time now. He has an intuitive grasp of the SG-1 universe and characters that makes it possible both to take them far outside the canon of the show and to add new characters and locations without breaking the believability of the dialogue or settings.
In 'Two Roads', he has given us an excellent, riproaring story filled with all of the elements we have come to expect from an episode. He also neatly fits it into the canon of the show, using deft referential touches which leave us both in no doubt of the time frame and also offer a quiet homage to his love of the show.
SG-1 and Vala are easily true to their on-screen characters, and I could often hear the voices as I read the dialogue.
The new characters - Tannis and Captain Morello - are a good fit for the world, and I would be happy to see more of either of them.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to all fans of the show.
In 'Two Roads', he has given us an excellent, riproaring story filled with all of the elements we have come to expect from an episode. He also neatly fits it into the canon of the show, using deft referential touches which leave us both in no doubt of the time frame and also offer a quiet homage to his love of the show.
SG-1 and Vala are easily true to their on-screen characters, and I could often hear the voices as I read the dialogue.
The new characters - Tannis and Captain Morello - are a good fit for the world, and I would be happy to see more of either of them.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to all fans of the show.
October 7, 2014
I am a huge fan of the SG1 series so whenever the newest books are published I am right there buying them. This book was a very entertaining installment detailing an adventure that SG1 and Vala unknowingly undertook together just after the Replicators and System Lords fell and before the whole Ori events kicked into gear.
August 15, 2014
This was such a fun read. You can tell the author is a fan of the show. There were little references from throughout the show thrown in and the characters' personalities were wonderfully captured. I would highly recommend this book to any Stargate fan.
January 3, 2020
A solid entry in the Stargate series. Characters were spot on and the plot was interesting. Takes place immediately after the Season 8 episode Threads.
November 29, 2017
Enjoyable but uneven (spoilers)
I'm glad I read the book, but like anything else it has stronger and weaker points. As often happens in novels of sci-fi series, nothing that changes the canonical status quo can happen. Because of this, fans of the show who read this book knew instantly that the Jaffa would not be wiped out. Also, because of when this book takes place during the series, we knew that Vala could have at best only indirect interaction with SG-1; otherwise, everything we saw on screen would have been thrown off.
I've always liked Vala, but a lot of the book focused on her or her partnership with Tanis, and these sections didn't hold my interest long. By contrast, I enjoyed the parts about SG-1 (especially Daniel's readjustment to life on the mortal plane). The book offers nice anchors to the events in the series, and even the invented SG-1 personnel seemed real.
The book's end comes rather quickly, and everything is back to how we would expect it to be so that the events to come in the show can happen as they should've.
I'm glad I read the book, but like anything else it has stronger and weaker points. As often happens in novels of sci-fi series, nothing that changes the canonical status quo can happen. Because of this, fans of the show who read this book knew instantly that the Jaffa would not be wiped out. Also, because of when this book takes place during the series, we knew that Vala could have at best only indirect interaction with SG-1; otherwise, everything we saw on screen would have been thrown off.
I've always liked Vala, but a lot of the book focused on her or her partnership with Tanis, and these sections didn't hold my interest long. By contrast, I enjoyed the parts about SG-1 (especially Daniel's readjustment to life on the mortal plane). The book offers nice anchors to the events in the series, and even the invented SG-1 personnel seemed real.
The book's end comes rather quickly, and everything is back to how we would expect it to be so that the events to come in the show can happen as they should've.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2025
It was interesting but not exactly stellar. It was nice to see Vala in her element (pre-Season 9), and seeing Kali return after Season 5 held/piqued my interest. However, I feel that there could have been a couple of additions that might have improved the story - for instance, if Daniel and Vala had seen/recognized each other at some point. It was also interesting to see Tanis reappear after her one episode in Season 6, but the author wrote something unexpected into her character that isn't what I'd call necessary (or enriching) for the storyline. I would call this one a "fair read," but not one of the better SG-1 novels in the series.
August 18, 2018
A very enjoyable heist story. Very heartwarming, well written, and generally, fun time all around. I might have liked there being a bit of an encounter between two teams, that would have transitioned into season 9 just a tad better, but it is a fairly minor qib.
Although, I don't know what to do with the information that Goa'ult all hired the same interior decorator.
Although, I don't know what to do with the information that Goa'ult all hired the same interior decorator.
December 13, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable read
While not exactly action packed, this was well-written, canon-compliant, engaging and fun. There is just not enough Vala in the Gateverse in general, and I thank the author for bringing a little more to life.
While not exactly action packed, this was well-written, canon-compliant, engaging and fun. There is just not enough Vala in the Gateverse in general, and I thank the author for bringing a little more to life.
April 8, 2018
My one annoyance with the writing of this book is off-world aliens using American TV slang, or responding to it as if they understand the meaning without explanation. To me, that's poor writing.
November 5, 2021
It was fun to see Vala before she joined the SGC, and having her teamed with Tanis was a good decision. The banter of the show was included in the SGC side of this story.
July 4, 2025
A really good story in the Stargate universe - and who doesn’t like Vala!
December 7, 2015
Okay, let me start by saying I am a big time Stargate fan. So much so, that when Geonn came to me and told me that he wrote these books, I was totally in disbelief. And when he showed me all of us his work, and what all he had written, and the fact that he had sought me out, I was totally honored.
As a big time Stargate fan, this was and always will be one of the biggest honors I have ever had. And not to play favorites, this will always be one of my favorite reviews too.
I will tell you, as I read this book, knowing the characters as I do, Geonn can and does represent them just as they are on the TV Series. Jack is just as corny, and Daniel Jackson is just as nerdy and into the relics as ever.
And bringing back Vala, also another one of my favorite characters, is another great choice. She is so sexy and silly.
The Goa’uld as we all know, have been defeated, and the Jaffa are free. But fortunately Daniel Jackson, while on another planet makes a discovery and finds a device designed to exterminate the Jaffa who have dared to defy their gods.
And as we all know, Vala is a common thief, and this device could be a prize to her…I mean if you know Vala the goal is money and who can get the best prize, so to speak.
I also like the fact that Geonn wasn’t afraid to bring two new characters into the fold. Artifacts and investigations, and the team of SG1 all tight knit. I could see everything as if I was literally watching the show on the television. Only without the annoying commercials, but the best part was, I felt like I was right there!
The writing was amazing, and I felt like MGM made the right choice in choosing Geonn to carry on their wonderful saga. Even though MGM decided it wasn’t worthy of airing any further.
If, like me, you are a stargate fan, you will need and want to read this. It is an excellent book. It’s well written and follows along completely, and the characters are exactly as they are on screen, when put into print.
I give Geonn Cannon five stars, more if my scale went beyond five stars, but it doesn’t. He is an amazing writer, and a true artist. I suggest buying this book, and joining the Geonn fan club, as I have! He has true talent!
As a big time Stargate fan, this was and always will be one of the biggest honors I have ever had. And not to play favorites, this will always be one of my favorite reviews too.
I will tell you, as I read this book, knowing the characters as I do, Geonn can and does represent them just as they are on the TV Series. Jack is just as corny, and Daniel Jackson is just as nerdy and into the relics as ever.
And bringing back Vala, also another one of my favorite characters, is another great choice. She is so sexy and silly.
The Goa’uld as we all know, have been defeated, and the Jaffa are free. But fortunately Daniel Jackson, while on another planet makes a discovery and finds a device designed to exterminate the Jaffa who have dared to defy their gods.
And as we all know, Vala is a common thief, and this device could be a prize to her…I mean if you know Vala the goal is money and who can get the best prize, so to speak.
I also like the fact that Geonn wasn’t afraid to bring two new characters into the fold. Artifacts and investigations, and the team of SG1 all tight knit. I could see everything as if I was literally watching the show on the television. Only without the annoying commercials, but the best part was, I felt like I was right there!
The writing was amazing, and I felt like MGM made the right choice in choosing Geonn to carry on their wonderful saga. Even though MGM decided it wasn’t worthy of airing any further.
If, like me, you are a stargate fan, you will need and want to read this. It is an excellent book. It’s well written and follows along completely, and the characters are exactly as they are on screen, when put into print.
I give Geonn Cannon five stars, more if my scale went beyond five stars, but it doesn’t. He is an amazing writer, and a true artist. I suggest buying this book, and joining the Geonn fan club, as I have! He has true talent!
November 12, 2014
Though I liked the sections of the book with Vala and I liked her development, overall this was my least favorite of the SG-1 or SGA books so far. Maybe it was because it takes place in the transition between Jack and Mitchell... But something was missing... The Carter, Daniel, & Teal'c were all well written - I could hear their voices. However, there was no chemistry - no magic. These novels usually do a good job of filling the void left by the franchise's cancellation - but this one missed the mark.
April 6, 2016
Not bad, would have made a fun episode. Looks like it takes place in the summer between seasons 8 and 9. Vala features heavily in it, but she and SG1 never really meet. Author has a really good grasp of the source materiel and did very well with the characters.
July 21, 2024
I enjoyed this book a lot! Vala is a fantastic anti-hero, and I always enjoy reading about space pirates. I wondered how the story was going to stay canon because SG-1 and Vala aren’t supposed to meet during the time the book is set. The dual plotlines and near misses were delightful, though.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews