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Star Trek: The Lost Era #3
The Art of the Impossible
To the Cardassians, it is a point of pride. To the Klingons, a matter of honour. But the eighteen-year cold war between these two empires -- euphemistically remembered in later years as the Bretaka Nebula Incident -- creates a vortex of politics, diplomacy and counterintelligence that will define an age, and shape the future. What begins as a discovery that would enable the Klingon Empire to reclaim a lost piece of its past becomes a prolonged struggle with the rapidly expanding Cardassian Union, which has claimed dominion over a region of space that the Klingons hold sacred. Enter the Federation, whose desire to preserve interstellar space leads Ambassador Curzon Dax to broker a controversial and tenuous peace -- one that is not without opponents, amongst them Lieutenant Elias Vaughan of Starfleet special ops. But there are wheels within wheels to the drama unfolding in the Betreka Nebula. Within the shadowy rooms of the Cardassian Obsidian Order, Klingon Imperial Intelligence, and even the Romulan Tal Shiar, secret scales are being balanced -- and for every gain made for the sake of peace, there will come a loss.
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
26 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 8, 2016
Ridiculously, gloriously epic. If you're looking for a "Star Trek" novel that is equivalent to a Philippa Gregory historical masterpiece, then this is your book. Entire decades, including famous characters & events from Trek continuity, are explored with beautiful detail, and everyone in the cast of hundreds gets a chance to shine. This is certainly one of the most satisfying Lost Era novels...and that's quite an achievement in a mini-series that has demonstrated so much consistent & superb quality.
January 22, 2016
An entertaining & informative ST read. Cool to see the events that eventually lead to Worf's Starfleet career actually play out. But there's alot more going on in this novel than just that but equally as entertaining. If you love to hate Cardassian's then you'll love this one. Highly recommend.
August 20, 2024
KRAD knocks it out of the park again! This was every bit as good as 'Articles of the Federation' and perhaps even more interesting. It's hard to pick a highlight because there were so many great elements.
The Klingons are at odds with the Cardassians who have discovered the remains of a long lost Klingon vessel. The Cardassians want to colonise the planet, the Klingons want their historic ruin and Curzon Dax has come up with a plan to make sure that neither of those things happen successfully - well he was trying to help but that's the inevitable and unfortunate result.
The story brings us into contact with very many folks of import in Treklore. We meet Ian Troi while he's married to Lwaxana and during Deanna's childhood. There are more than a few sweet moments here.
Old Captain Kang makes an appearance, although probably still relatively young at this point. We also meet Worf's grandfather, (also named Worf) and his father Mogh. Little Worf and Kurn are running around too. The story spans quite a swathe of Trek history and we get a closer look at many key events we've previously heard referenced in the shows... including the spyhunt that Mogh was undertaking before he went to Sto'Vo'Kor, and the fateful day that Worf would meet his adoptive parents.
The characters are all brilliantly written, deep and tangible. Apart from the fan drooling over names and events, the story also cleverly connects what we know with a giant-ass plot featuring much diplomatic fuckery. A definite feature of this series so far, but also a theme which the author seems to do very well. Very interesting connecting the Cardassians in such a big way this early in their interstellar relations with their neighbours in the Alpha Quadrant.
If you loved 'Articles...' then read this next.
The Klingons are at odds with the Cardassians who have discovered the remains of a long lost Klingon vessel. The Cardassians want to colonise the planet, the Klingons want their historic ruin and Curzon Dax has come up with a plan to make sure that neither of those things happen successfully - well he was trying to help but that's the inevitable and unfortunate result.
The story brings us into contact with very many folks of import in Treklore. We meet Ian Troi while he's married to Lwaxana and during Deanna's childhood. There are more than a few sweet moments here.
Old Captain Kang makes an appearance, although probably still relatively young at this point. We also meet Worf's grandfather, (also named Worf) and his father Mogh. Little Worf and Kurn are running around too. The story spans quite a swathe of Trek history and we get a closer look at many key events we've previously heard referenced in the shows... including the spyhunt that Mogh was undertaking before he went to Sto'Vo'Kor, and the fateful day that Worf would meet his adoptive parents.
The characters are all brilliantly written, deep and tangible. Apart from the fan drooling over names and events, the story also cleverly connects what we know with a giant-ass plot featuring much diplomatic fuckery. A definite feature of this series so far, but also a theme which the author seems to do very well. Very interesting connecting the Cardassians in such a big way this early in their interstellar relations with their neighbours in the Alpha Quadrant.
If you loved 'Articles...' then read this next.
March 23, 2016
An excellent novel featuring ancestors of characters whose names we recognize without expectations as to their behaviour (except Curzon Dax). Set just before the building of the space station we eventually know as DS9, the Cardassians are expanding, the Klingons are starting to resent the Federation rescuing them from the destruction of their moon, and the Romulans are looking to once again invade the galaxy. With all 4 intelligence organizations involved in a cold war, a historical find of a Klingon ship, and the negotiations of who gets the planet, there is intrigue, diplomacy, politics, and issues of honor.
May 26, 2012
In spite of the long title, I enjoyed this novel by Keith R. A. DeCandido. Falling loosely under the mantel of the Deep Space Nine relaunch, we meet several familiar characters from the DS9 and TNG sagas, along with Worf’s parents, assorted Klingons, Cardassians, and Romulans. The Lost Era mini-series offers a unique perspective on Trek history. Take a look at it.
Published in paperback by Pocket Books.
Published in paperback by Pocket Books.
July 31, 2014
One of the best Klingon-centric novels. I enjoyed learning more about Khitomer. Khitomer? My father died at Khitomer! Everybody's father died at Khitomer!
April 17, 2025
Star Trek: The Lost Era: The Art of the Impossible by Keith R.A. DeCandido
challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
While reading this story, I was reminded about all the Star Trek novels that I've already read, and how this story fills in a LOT of the blanks that formed and motivate the great characters that we love in the Star Trek universe.
Obviously, a lot of the main characters are not seen in the TV series or the movies, but they do show up in the novels often, and it seems like we DO know them...and have fallen in love with them.
One in particular that I love, is Curzon Dax. I want more from his like. The Lives of Dax was just a taste, and now I want MORE. Ugh.
Another character that this Post-Nemesis part of the Star Trek novels has fleshed out...is Elias Vaughn...and I know that portion of his life, but am now learning how it got started, and how he impacted the "going's on" in the Federation, via the intellegence portion of interacting with the different friends or foes.
It was also great to read about the Khitomer Accords, and later what happened to Worf and his family on Khitomer...and how it shaped his life...the one we love (The Next Generation).
It was also good to see it played out (that which happened in Khitomer), and who was actually involved...and how the Klingon Empire proceeded from this important mark in their history.
The other portion of the story, the dealing with the Romulans. Oof. Such a "tangled web" they wrought. Ugh.
Lastly, the more I get to understand the Cardassians. I know them mostly from Deep Space Nine, but seeing them as an expanding race in the galaxy, and how they view the world (especially in the time I'm reading it, as our own government is changing...reminds me of this culture, and I want this NOT to happen). I feared this administration coming to POWER, but now that they are in POWER, I am seeing how they are treating others, but also how they treat their own citizens. We are not far from falling into the same puffed up view of themselves, while losing all the rights of their own citizens. The Cardassians should be warning of things to come.
Overall, I loved this novel, and am super excited to continue on this path setup on the Flowchart on the Star Trek Lit-verse.
The next Star Trek novel that I'm going to pick up is...The Battle of Batazed by Charlotte Douglas and Susan Kearney. Let's go!
challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
While reading this story, I was reminded about all the Star Trek novels that I've already read, and how this story fills in a LOT of the blanks that formed and motivate the great characters that we love in the Star Trek universe.
Obviously, a lot of the main characters are not seen in the TV series or the movies, but they do show up in the novels often, and it seems like we DO know them...and have fallen in love with them.
One in particular that I love, is Curzon Dax. I want more from his like. The Lives of Dax was just a taste, and now I want MORE. Ugh.
Another character that this Post-Nemesis part of the Star Trek novels has fleshed out...is Elias Vaughn...and I know that portion of his life, but am now learning how it got started, and how he impacted the "going's on" in the Federation, via the intellegence portion of interacting with the different friends or foes.
It was also great to read about the Khitomer Accords, and later what happened to Worf and his family on Khitomer...and how it shaped his life...the one we love (The Next Generation).
It was also good to see it played out (that which happened in Khitomer), and who was actually involved...and how the Klingon Empire proceeded from this important mark in their history.
The other portion of the story, the dealing with the Romulans. Oof. Such a "tangled web" they wrought. Ugh.
Lastly, the more I get to understand the Cardassians. I know them mostly from Deep Space Nine, but seeing them as an expanding race in the galaxy, and how they view the world (especially in the time I'm reading it, as our own government is changing...reminds me of this culture, and I want this NOT to happen). I feared this administration coming to POWER, but now that they are in POWER, I am seeing how they are treating others, but also how they treat their own citizens. We are not far from falling into the same puffed up view of themselves, while losing all the rights of their own citizens. The Cardassians should be warning of things to come.
Overall, I loved this novel, and am super excited to continue on this path setup on the Flowchart on the Star Trek Lit-verse.
The next Star Trek novel that I'm going to pick up is...The Battle of Batazed by Charlotte Douglas and Susan Kearney. Let's go!
August 14, 2017
This 'Lost Era' novel tells the story of the Betreka Nebula incident between the Klingons and Cardassians, and leads up to the Khitomer massacre which so defined Worf's life throughout 'The Next Generation'.
It starts out well but I can't help but feel that it petered out as it went on. It attempts to deal with a large cast of characters and in doing so doesn't really service any of them very well. There's very little chance to dig in as we flit around from planet to planet, character to character. The Cardassians are all just Cardassians, Klingons are Klingons and there's very little to differentiate each of them into separate people. For all that, DeCandido is pretty great with dialogue and manages to capture the actor's voices in your head.
It handles the human characters far better. I enjoyed seeing a younger Elias Vaughn - who will play a large role in later DS9 novels - and the story of Deanna Troi's father was quite a joy to read. Similarly, I liked seeing Curzon Dax in his prime. There are guest appearances from a large number of background characters who appeared throughout the film and TV franchise and it does an admirable job of tying everything together.
It starts out well but I can't help but feel that it petered out as it went on. It attempts to deal with a large cast of characters and in doing so doesn't really service any of them very well. There's very little chance to dig in as we flit around from planet to planet, character to character. The Cardassians are all just Cardassians, Klingons are Klingons and there's very little to differentiate each of them into separate people. For all that, DeCandido is pretty great with dialogue and manages to capture the actor's voices in your head.
It handles the human characters far better. I enjoyed seeing a younger Elias Vaughn - who will play a large role in later DS9 novels - and the story of Deanna Troi's father was quite a joy to read. Similarly, I liked seeing Curzon Dax in his prime. There are guest appearances from a large number of background characters who appeared throughout the film and TV franchise and it does an admirable job of tying everything together.
January 27, 2024
This book has some interesting ideas. It serves as a connecting piece in the Star Trek history between the TOS and TNG eras. The book largely follows the Klingon and Cardassian attempts to claim Raknal V.
Unfortunately, this book tries to do too much. It tries to cover the federation, Romulans, Klingons, Cardassians, and some other players. The book should have been almost exclusively from the Klingon perspective, with a few others sprinkled in throughout. As a result, a book that should have been 280-290 pages becomes a 350 page book that is harder to get through.
I did like the many connections this book has, including General Worf (no, not that Worf), Vaughn, and Curzon Dax, among others. My favorite banquet sequence was when the Federation was mediating between the Klingons and the Cardassians.
Now, the there is a bit of a mystery to the book, but unfortunately it isn't as exciting a reveal as I'd hoped.
I have more thoughts, but I'll save them for the podcast I'll be doing on this soon. I'll give this one a 6 out of 10.
Unfortunately, this book tries to do too much. It tries to cover the federation, Romulans, Klingons, Cardassians, and some other players. The book should have been almost exclusively from the Klingon perspective, with a few others sprinkled in throughout. As a result, a book that should have been 280-290 pages becomes a 350 page book that is harder to get through.
I did like the many connections this book has, including General Worf (no, not that Worf), Vaughn, and Curzon Dax, among others. My favorite banquet sequence was when the Federation was mediating between the Klingons and the Cardassians.
Now, the there is a bit of a mystery to the book, but unfortunately it isn't as exciting a reveal as I'd hoped.
I have more thoughts, but I'll save them for the podcast I'll be doing on this soon. I'll give this one a 6 out of 10.
August 22, 2024
The Lost Era #3: 2328-2346: the Art of the Impossible by Keith R.A Decandido
This was a good book. There wasn’t really much of a hook to get me interested in the book but Keith managed to keep my interest in it. He did an excellent job tying in many of the loose threads from TNG and DS9 such as the death of Deanna’s father, Rachel Garrett, the attack on Khimoter that lead Worf to being adopted by humans, Curzon Dax, Elias Vaughan and so on. I read the first and second volume of the Romulan War books recently and both those books struggled with too many POVs. Keith did a really job of balancing many POVs and tying it more cohesively together and it was short, snappy and sweet.
He conveyed character development really well in short chapters and writing. He’s very economical in a sense. Overall, this was a good read and probably the second best Lost Era book I’ve read after the Sundered.
7.5/10
This was a good book. There wasn’t really much of a hook to get me interested in the book but Keith managed to keep my interest in it. He did an excellent job tying in many of the loose threads from TNG and DS9 such as the death of Deanna’s father, Rachel Garrett, the attack on Khimoter that lead Worf to being adopted by humans, Curzon Dax, Elias Vaughan and so on. I read the first and second volume of the Romulan War books recently and both those books struggled with too many POVs. Keith did a really job of balancing many POVs and tying it more cohesively together and it was short, snappy and sweet.
He conveyed character development really well in short chapters and writing. He’s very economical in a sense. Overall, this was a good read and probably the second best Lost Era book I’ve read after the Sundered.
7.5/10
March 28, 2024
Another grand tale of interspecies conflict
While written before the Terok Nor Trilogy, The Art of the Impossible serves as a fantastic sequel to Day of the Vipers, continuing the story of the Cardassians. This book continues a lot of plot threads from other Lost Era books, like the Klingons, Enterprise, and Romulans. Again, the characters were well written and distinct. Some returning characters were Curzon Dax and Elias Vaughn. This book is actually their first meeting, a fact I found surprising.
The Art of the Impossible is an important book for both Klingons and Cardassians, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two people. The Klingons pride themselves on honor, but Cardassians are willing to stab anyone in the back to get what they want. However, we also see a more personal perspective on the two people. This shows that they are both cultures just fighting for their own people. The prologue and epilogue of this book are quite impactful, driving this personal message home.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about Klingon and Cardassian culture.
While written before the Terok Nor Trilogy, The Art of the Impossible serves as a fantastic sequel to Day of the Vipers, continuing the story of the Cardassians. This book continues a lot of plot threads from other Lost Era books, like the Klingons, Enterprise, and Romulans. Again, the characters were well written and distinct. Some returning characters were Curzon Dax and Elias Vaughn. This book is actually their first meeting, a fact I found surprising.
The Art of the Impossible is an important book for both Klingons and Cardassians, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two people. The Klingons pride themselves on honor, but Cardassians are willing to stab anyone in the back to get what they want. However, we also see a more personal perspective on the two people. This shows that they are both cultures just fighting for their own people. The prologue and epilogue of this book are quite impactful, driving this personal message home.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about Klingon and Cardassian culture.
December 28, 2021
Not a bad book per se, but not really anything to elevate it beyond meerly okay. The book is short but reads like something much longer. The plot meanders and seems more interested in fitting in a requisite amount of plot details from the history of TNG-era Trek than in telling a concise story. This book would have been much better served as a couple of books telling parts of this, reducing the characters and plots to keep track of.
January 4, 2024
I kind of liked the novel for its focus on the politics of the Star Trek universe. Unfortunately, there are way too many characters (nearly all alien, with weird names making them hard to keep track of). In addition, the novel unites too many plot points from TNG (among others, the Narendra attack seen in "Yesterday's Enterprise" and the deaths of the fathers of Troi and Worf) and the novel sags under this weight.
March 19, 2025
This is so lore heavy it puts into perspective how much of what happens in TNG and DS9 came to be. A TON of characters to keep track of, but for the most part they are mentioned in the shows at one point or another.
This is the first Trek novel I've read that's got Klingons in it and I was really pleased with how the author handled them.
I think the next time I do a watch through of DS9, I'll read this again.
This is the first Trek novel I've read that's got Klingons in it and I was really pleased with how the author handled them.
I think the next time I do a watch through of DS9, I'll read this again.
July 22, 2020
Continue to be impressed on how they weave these stories into this time frame. I found myself reading it and saying Oh that's where that came from. Well worth your time....Look forward to the next volume.....
June 25, 2023
An excellent political thriller covering an 18 year period.
The book is occasionally padded out with chapters containing short stories of one time only characters affected by the ongoing events in the book.
The book is occasionally padded out with chapters containing short stories of one time only characters affected by the ongoing events in the book.
July 6, 2024
Another excellent story filling in the lost ear of Star Trek. Good characters, and a surprising origin introduction to a few known characters. Would read again as I'm very interested in the Cardassian aspect of this era.
June 6, 2018
Another fantastic novel and worthy addition to the Lost Era saga.
February 7, 2019
Just me screaming about Ian Troi being the best dad/husband for 350 pages while rolling my eyes at the writing style.
July 27, 2020
Filling in the blanks
It is always a joy to have the whole story. This book fills in a lot of how thing came to be in the Star Trek Universe. Go Boldly!
It is always a joy to have the whole story. This book fills in a lot of how thing came to be in the Star Trek Universe. Go Boldly!
July 27, 2020
Great story from interesting part of missing history with many well known characters. It was a real pleasure to read.
February 2, 2016
Star Trek: The Lost Era: The Art of the Impossible by Keith R. A. DeCandido This novel explores the Klingon-Cardassian relations when a Klingon ship discovers an ancient artifact on a planet in a region of space claimed by the Cardassians. The Federation is called in to mediate in the conflict, and Ambassador Curzon Dax proposes a rather unconventional approach to a solution.
I have read quite a few of DeCandido's books so far, but this one is certainly his masterpiece. Despite for once not focusing on the Federation and only sparingly offering known characters to relate to (such as Vaughn, Dax, and Ian Troi), this is one compelling read that manages to draw a lively picture of both cultures, Cardassian and Klingon. Not only must DeCandido be an expert on everything Star Trek, judging by all the little details he crammed into this story, but his writing style and tongue in cheek kind of humour, which never crosses the fine line to the ridiculous, turn this novel into a feast for every Star Trek-afficionado.
~~
review originally written in 2007.
I have read quite a few of DeCandido's books so far, but this one is certainly his masterpiece. Despite for once not focusing on the Federation and only sparingly offering known characters to relate to (such as Vaughn, Dax, and Ian Troi), this is one compelling read that manages to draw a lively picture of both cultures, Cardassian and Klingon. Not only must DeCandido be an expert on everything Star Trek, judging by all the little details he crammed into this story, but his writing style and tongue in cheek kind of humour, which never crosses the fine line to the ridiculous, turn this novel into a feast for every Star Trek-afficionado.
~~
review originally written in 2007.
June 17, 2012
Not a bad Trek novel. You get to learn about all of the political intrigue and espionage that ended up making a Klingon boy with Human parents, an eventual counselor with only an eccentric mother to rely on and some very interesting operatives in various covert organizations. :-) My one gripe had nothing to do with the story. It had to do with them using what was obviously Avery Brooks' Capt. Sisko done up in Klingon mode on the cover when Sisko isn't even in the book. Did they really think actual Trek fans wouldn't catch that bit of cheap rehash cheating on the cover?
January 18, 2010
Different cast then what I am use too, I am new to reading star trek but love NG, so this was a bit of a leap of faith. This author came recommended to me, and I must say he wove an excellent tale, that even through it jumped around among several races, and planets was easy to follow and highly enjoyable. I also like the glimmers into the past of the regular NG crew that I got to see in the story.
May 27, 2012
One of the most colorful, epic and analytical books I have ever read "The Art of the Impossible contains some wise insights into diplomacy, politics and the way a society works. Masterful work from DeCandido.
September 3, 2015
This book really sucks you in as the moves and counter moves are made. The only thing the author did not depict was the loss of the USS Enterprise 1701C. That was discussed after the fact.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews