Multi-series:
Rating:
   
Reviewed on: 29 March 2005
Reviewed by: Father Robert Lyons, SST
A Novel by Gene DeWeese
March 2005 - $7.99 (US)
ISBN - 0-671-03702-1
Gene DeWeese was one of my favorite authors back in the mid-nineties when I discovered his “Chain of Attack” and “The Final Nexus” Star Trek novels. I found them to be very well written and quite captivating. After a lengthy absence, DeWeese has returned to the world of Trek fiction with “Engines of Destiny”, an alternate universe crossover tale that even I couldn’t resist picking up.
Montgomery Scott, one-time engineer of the starship Enterprise serves as the focal point of this novel that unites Scott with both the crew of the Enterprise-D and some guests from his own era. However, in the story that unfolds, the universe begins to unravel as Scott, burdened by sorrow and guilt, begins retracing his steps to try to once again live up to his reputation as a miracle worker.
DeWeese’s storytelling skills haven’t diminished in the years since his last Trek outing, and DeWeese takes what is, at best, a lukewarm story and elevates it to almost epic proportions. Scott, Sarek, Guinan, and Picard are all written superbly, and help the story move along well. While there are some bogdowns in flow, they are not serious enough to inhibit the reader who seriously wants to finish the novel.
From my perspective, this story investigates some of the more fascinating aspects of Borg history, and delves a touch more deeply into time travel and its effects on the universe. Sadly, however, like almost all alternate-universe stories, this one has to end at some point, returning our heroes to their present with every bit and piece intact. For once I’d love to see them returned to a totally messed up present and be stuck there.
All in all, “Engines of Destiny” is a very good novel. Not the strongest I have read of late, but definitely a good read. You will enjoy taking the time to read it.
Father Rob reviews Star Trek books for ST Universe and Stellarcross.org.
Reviews are © Stellarcross.org and are reprinted here with permission. |
