Entanglement

Stargate Atlantis #6

by Martha Wells

When Dr. Rodney McKay unlocks an Ancient mystery on a distant moon, he discovers a terrifying threat to the Pegasus galaxy. Determined to disable the device before it's discovered by the Wraith, Colonel John Sheppard and his team navigate the treacherous ruins of an Ancient outpost. But attempts to destroy the technology are complicated by the arrival of a stranger.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Media Tie In, Fantasy, Adventure, Ebooks, Science Fiction Fantasy

290 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 23, 2007

About the author

Martha Wells has been an SF/F writer since her first fantasy novel was published in 1993, and her work includes The Books of the Raksura series, the Ile-Rien series, The Murderbot Diaries series, and other fantasy novels, most recently Witch King (Tordotcom, 2023). She has also written media tie-in fiction for Star Wars, Stargate: Atlantis, and Magic: the Gathering, as well as short fiction, YA novels, and non-fiction. She has won Nebula Awards, Hugo Awards, Locus Awards, and a Dragon Award, and her work has appeared on the Philip K. Dick Award ballot, the British Science Fiction Association Award ballot, the USA Today Bestseller List, the Sunday Times Bestseller List, and the New York Times Bestseller List. She is a member of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, and her books have been published in twenty-five languages.

She is also a consulting producer on The Murderbot Diaries series for Apple TV+.

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stargate Atlantis crew find the ruins of an Ancient city on a moon. But there’s something weird going on. McKay notices some strange energy readings, which they hope is from a ZPM. But they can’t seem to find the source inside the city. They quickly broaden their search and find something they could never have imagined. There’s a gigantic quantum mirror, reminiscent of the one that was introduced in the very first season of Stargate SG-1. And someone just came through it.


I’m very impressed with the concept. The theory that some of the Ancients fled from the Wraith to an alternate reality speaks to the imagination, fits the series like a glove and provides us with so much fun material for a really cool adventure. I also love the part the Wraith play in this story as I feel they still have a lot of untapped potential, as both a villain and an alien race. Much more than we ever got to see in the original series.


The trend I’ve noticed so far is that there seem to be two types of people writing these Stargate books. The first kind of writer is a true fan of the show. They know the characters through and through. But they’re not professional novel writers. And this can be noticeable. The second kind of writer is a professional novel writer. They know how to tell a good story. But they’re not fans of the show. Or have probably never even seen an episode of the show. And this can also be quite noticeable.


There’s one writer who stands out in these Stargate tie in novels for me though, who combines the best of both worlds. I’m talking about Martha Wells. She’s a professional novel writer, a master at her craft. And she’s quite clearly a fan of the show. Much like in her previous Stargate Atlantis book Reliquary, the characterizations of the main characters are just absolutely spot on. They’re the characters we know and love. Sheppard and McKay in particular leap from the pages here.


In her first Stargate Atlantis book, Martha Wells had a really good concept in her hands. And it made for a really strong and gripping read. But it felt like she was trying to find the right balance between executing this concept in her own way or staying true to the show. And in the second part, she started leaning more towards her own style in my opinion. The story simply felt a little bit too dark in tone to match the series. Her second Stargate Atlantis book tries to fix this and then some. This book genuinely feels like a proper Stargate Atlantis adventure that would have done great on TV.


If you’re a fan of the show, this one’s for you. By far the best of the Stargate books.

[Shane Amazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want to bore you with a long resume of my Stargate credentials, but I have seen every episode of all three series', collect the action figures, have the gate coasters for SG-1 and Universe, have nearly every book for the three series', and have the books for the movie storyline as well. So needless to say I know my gate. And so, too, does the author of this book. But beyond that, we also have a very experienced author, and one that has an amazing ability to use her imagination to create a compelling tale.

The book starts off during a time where Ronan has recently joined the team, and Col. Caldwell has expressed his disapproval of Sheppard. Not long after Weir successfully keeps John as the military leader of the expedition, the team of heroes sets out to discover a piece of technology that SG-1 fans will be very familiar with. As always, the Wraith are not far behind and of course they bring their threat of feeding with them. As time goes on the teams individual strengths will be called upon to save both the day and their lives from the Wraith threat.

This book contains a surprising amount of action, and lacks any real filler to up the page numbers. The author knows the characters well and spends little time rehashing them to the fan reading the book. Fans of the main team, John, Rodney, Tayla, and Ronan will enjoy this book. Even fans of Raddick and the lesser-known Miko will have a lot of fun, too.

For me this book really pushed the limits of imagination - in a good way. The author has an undeniable grasp on the franchise and uses that knowledge to propel the story. The writing is superb and bares little error. I did note two mistakes in that a Wraith Cruiser does not actually have shields and the Daedalus does not have a tractor beam, at least that I know of, but given this book was written very early in the series the author should not have this held against her.

Great book, great author.

[Punk · Rating 4 out of 5]

SF. Another great SGA tie-in novel from Wells. This one's set in season two and has a quantum mirror, alternate realities, and all kinds of Wraith. The story mostly focuses on Sheppard and McKay, and their voices are spot on, with plenty of banter and snark between them. Also starring Miko (who Wells gives some much needed spunk) and Zelenka (who already has plenty, canonically). Ronon's probably just joined Atlantis because he's treated more like an unknown (primitive) quantity than a team member, which can be a little uncomfortable, but is also canon. Teyla's also there, competent and occasionally irritated, which is great; I always love it when she's less than perfect.

Four stars. Good story and good writing. Recommended for Stargate Atlantis fans, especially for fans of John and Rodney.

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good for the Stargate Atlantis tie in novels. The beginning was pretty slow as it mainly just consisted of banter and exploration, but once the team + scientists meet Trishen, the plot really kicks in and it’s pretty un-put-down-able.

I loved the idea of the Eidolon, the alternate universe’s main population. Though billed as alternate Wraith, they aren’t the same. This isn’t quite fully explored in the novel, which I found disappointing and the team lumps the Eidolon and the Wraith together almost immediately which further limited the option to learn more. I did like the idea that the early humans of the alternate universe died out, not due to a plague as the Ancients did in the Milky Way, but due to the primitive Eidolon. I also really liked how it was tied into Beckett’s retrovirus research.

I thought that the characters themselves were in character and written well. I loved Ronon’s protectiveness, especially as he’s just joined the team during this novel.

[Ada · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? A bit of a slow start but after that I couldn't stop reading. Which is why I now need to get ready in 13 minutes.

*Sigh* this is a story that can truly calm my mind. Fun, with a plot that makes sense, and all my favourite characters.

I do wish they had a bit more interactions with each other but hey saving the world is important!

[Beenee Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I always wanted!!! A book where the Wraith are more center stage and not just as villains! The Eidolon are GREAT and I love the entire idea of them. Epic job Martha Wells! Thank you SO much for this incredibly wonderful story!

[Chrystopher’s Archive · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do I have ARCs I should be reading? Yes. Did I let that stop me from enjoying the hell out of this excellently written tie-in? Absolutely not.

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set after Atlantis lost Ford and gained Ronon, which is actually my favourite time period for SGA, as I never warmed to Ford like I did Ronon.

Again this book portrays John Sheppard's team as one that trusts and protects each other, which I love, but that isn't why I gave the book five stars, that was all down to the Trishen storyline. I'll try not to give too much away but the idea of a combined wraith/human species created by the Ancients in a different reality was fascinating, and the reaction from John's team, which was coloured by their dealings with the wraith in their dimension, understandable.

A very enjoyable read!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first and favorite novel in the Stargate tie-in book series was written by Martha Wells. It's no surprise that I also love her second book in the series. Every character sounds and behaves like themselves. The banter between the characters is funny and endearing. Introducing the quantum mirror (an SG-1 discovery) worked really well. I easily believed the Ancients would have created it and behaved as they did on the other side. The world-building with the Eidolon had depth and significance. Their origins and culture impressed me, and I wish I could have read more about them.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Media tie-in novels are truly a mixed bag, because they are authorized fanfiction and the author's ability to capture the personalities and character traits we love on tv can vary in success.

Martha Wells does an amazing job in this book - she writes with humor and grace and creates an intriguing story that I think would appeal even to non-viewers of SGA. Great book!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up a physical copy of this in a small bookstore in Portland, so I had to re-read it. It's not the greatest, but it was still entertaining, very similar to what you would expect from an episode of Stargate Atlantis on TV. Also Martha Wells is always a good writer.

[Graisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

John's characterization seems off; too snappy, so I'm taking off one star. Also, it ends a bit abruptly, though at least the story is finished.

Kusanagi holding a scared Zelenkas hands was really cute. The banter between everyone seems natural and fun. Overall this is a solid book that would have made a good episode.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so freaking fun and I love how interesting the lore in this was. It was a great take on the established lore of Stargate and made something new and slightly terrifying. I really loved the alien race and how the team reacts to them. The dynamics of the team were perfection and I just loved the mission. I wish Martha Wells had written more of the SGA books!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The characters were in character, it was well written, and the events of the book felt as if they could have come straight from the show.
I loved the new characters the author introduced, especially Trishen.
This book is definitely worth a read.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little surprised and disappointed. This book was almost color by numbers, lacking much of an original plot or any deep emotional connection to the characters. Wells's other series, Murderbot, I would follow anywhere because I can no longer live without that cranky cyborg. But this book, while not bad, I will forget about quickly.

[Kasey Minnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I neither loved nor hated this

This book was neither great, nor poor. I enjoyed it to a reasonable degree, but little about it was particularly memorable. If you are a completionist, it's worth reading as part of the series, but I can't recommend it on its own merits.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still miss Stargate Atlantis so its good to read a book that brings the characters back. Martha Wells does a great job with each character, I can actually picture the characters from the show playing the parts.

[Uly Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific horrible thrilling

Hi again yes mi again I just loved it was thrilling a lot of great adventure and crazier like better

[Stephanie Jo Hanauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one with a unique world! Fun read. (Please see extended review of this series under my "read" book, Stargate Atlantis #2, Reliquary.)

[Linda Kaban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Stargate Atlantis adventure. The writers of these novels based on the series really have the voices of the characters down.

[SuperPiggy5000 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent Stargate book. A few canonical errors, but still enjoyable!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent story and character voices.

[Shadowsword · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Series-Tie-In with a lot of nods to the episodes shortly before. Best one yet.

[Scott Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best one i have read so far in this series , very good plot lines , good steady pace

[Irrlicht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, even if it's a little "slow going" in the beginning. I liked the interaction between the characters, even if and especially when split up in Sheppard/McKay/Teyla and Ronon/Zelenka/Miko.

The book has a lot of the usual Sheppard/McKay banter and it felt "right" from start to end. I also liked the few bits with Major Lorne, Carson and Colonel Caldwell.

I liked the Eidolon and wished they had explored this particular kind of Wraith more thoroughly. I mean, I totally understand the issues on that matter of our "Atlantis crew", but still. I would've liked to know... I don't know, just MORE of them. For me it wasn't enough. And again, as much as I understand the inhibitions of "Team Sheppard", I also think they were pretty quick in lumping the Eidolon and the Wraith together.

Anyway. I can't say much about the physics or mathmatics used in that one, because, really, it's all the same to me, so there.

All in all I liked that book a lot and can recommend it without it gnawing on my conscience.

[Joshua Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to have a love hate relationship with the Stargate books. Either I really enjoy them, or I don't like them. And this was one of those ones which I didn't like that much.

I did enjoy the plot, it worked great with what was in the series and it had some interesting ideas , some plot twists were well done, and the author created a great Alternate Universe, that meshed well with the rest of the story. Unfortunately the characterization was off, which began to annoy me. The author didn't write the characters out of character, but instead focused on certain characteristics, and wrote using those characteristics to the extreme. Rodney's annoying egoism was tenfold what it normally is, and John was at his worst - while he can be judgemental and stick with it, he came off as an arrogant ass, and not the leader you would normally see. Because of how the characters were handled, the entire book felt off balance. I do appreciate the characters being written properly, I just didn't like that they were over exaggerated in their personalities.

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the second novel of stargate I read and the second of Martha Wells. On this one she continues her well-crafted characters and it was undoubtaly the best part of the novel. The plot itself is not complictated... Our special team founds a mirror that it's more than it seems. This "mirror" as they found out is a portal of some sorts to another universe, a paralel universe. When they are researching more of this mirror they find a strangler that believes that she is from the other side. But this person is more than it seems... Then the wraith appears and all hell is loose.

What I thought it was a good plot but the nature of this stranger is too big for not being presented in the series... I think the discover of another universe where the ancient and the wraits co-existed and this half being is as I said to big not to be mention in a serie. Well apart from this the novel was a good one and I read it quite fast.

[Amy (I'd Rather Be Sleeping)]

You know, it wasn't until I was looking through some of Martha Wells other books that I realized that this was the Atlantis book I'd read. (The only one, in fact.)

I really don't remember a lot about the story - hence the three star rating because it was good but apparently forgettable. I will say though, the characters of McKay and Sheppard were spot on. That I remember. Also, I felt like the story focused too much on those two to the exclusion of the rest of the crew. Though that is coming from a person who doesn't list either of those two guys as her favorite characters from the show.

I am very curious though... I wonder if I'd realized I'd already read a book by Wells if that would have changed how quickly I read one of her original fantasy novels.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best SGA tie-in novel so far! It shows Martha Wells' growth as an author - this book is much more balanced than her "Reliquary" - and it proves that she's one of the best, if not the best SGA author out there. Her grasp of the characters is amazing and her stories are always about the team working together, being all team-y! I loved the banter between John and Rodney in this book, Teyla's wise assessment, Ronon's protectiveness, Lorne's leadership qualities and Carson's deep care for his friends. Zelenka and Kusanagi were an added bonus. And the story itself was amazing too. The book turned out to be a real page-turner for me. Simply awesome!

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit disappointing after a run of very good Stargate books so far. It took a while to get going and didn't feel like much had been accomplished at the end. However the characterisation and dialogue was perfect for the familiar protagonists from the series and stuck to the mythology and kept within the canon of the show. Also a very interesting concept in regards to an alternate reality not yet visited and hadn't been done before.

It's a nice easy read and Stargate story by numbers that any die-hard fan will enjoy, but left me wanting a lot more and thinking that there were a lot of missed opportunities in the plot.