Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin contribute a tale about Ezri Dax and the secrets of Trill, while J. Noah Kim provides a story about Kira, the Sisko family, and Bajor. Both are intimate and fascinating. A must read if you have been following the DS9 relaunch.
Published in mass market paperback by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743483529
The comic book adaptation of the movie Revenge of the Sith was adapted by Miles Lane and drawn by Doug Wheatley, with cover art by Tsuneo Sanda, and additional artwork by Dave Dorman. I read the comic before seeing the movie. It couldn’t hurt to read the novelization either. Now what?
Published in trade paperback by Dark Horse Books. ISBN 1593073097
This book of ten tales by concept artists who worked on the film Revenge of the Sith ranges from fabulous art without dialogue, to weird art and unreadable dialogue, to run-of-the-mill art and dialogue. In terms of the Star Wars saga, several stories are interesting preludes to the film.
Published in trade paperback by Dark Horse Books. ISBN 1593073119
Another entertaining volume of Cartoon Network’s Clone Wars stories and art with scripts by Haden Blackman, Ryan Kaufman, the Fillbach brothers, and Tom Mucci; and art by the Fillbach brothers. Anyone interested in the complete Clone Wars saga should view the cartoons and these adventures, even if you aren’t six years old.
Published in trade paperback by Dark Horse Books. ISBN 1593073070
I’m familiar with Stephen Barnes from his novelization of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode Far beyond the stars. His contribution to the Star Wars Clone Wars saga exhibits the same attention to character and dialogue, making for a compelling read. I’ll have to take a look at his other books.
Published in mass market paperback by Del Rey. ISBN 0345458982
It’s a little off season to be reading this book, but I actually read it right after the holidays. I just haven’t been posting any of these nano-reviews lately for a variety of reasons that no one would find interesting.
Steve Brewer is one of four contributors to this collection of novellas with a holiday theme. The other writers are Catherine Dain, Mat Coward, and Linda Berry, whose stories, I’m sorry to say, I didn’t read. Brewer’s leadoff tale, Sanity Clause, features Albuquerque PI Bubba Mabry, his wife, reporter Felicia Quattlebaum, his Dodge Ram, and Santa, very dead, at a local mall. Brewer is always good for a fast, fun read. I’ll read the other stories someday.
Published in mass market paperback by Worldwide Library. ISBN 0373265093
A rookie with a 110 mile per hour fastball takes the Red Sox to the World Series and, oh, by the way, he might be a serial killer. David Ferrell wrote this sports noir novel. The back cover says “it’s as if Carl Hiaasen moved to Boston”. I don’t agree. Hiaasen’s characters, even the bad guys, are more appealing. This book was mildly entertaining, but the Sox didn’t need a serial killer to win a Series title.
Published in trade paperback by HarperCollins. ISBN 0060726008
It’s three years later and nearly everyone associated with Excalibur and Trident has moved on in some way or another, except their creator, writer of stuff Peter David. He continues to crank out entertaining books like the world is ending tomorrow. Does he know something we don’t? If only he didn’t write so many stories that end with the words to be continued …
Published in hardcover by Pocket Books. ISBN 074349184X
Greg Cox concludes, or maybe just continues, the story of Khan with this account of his years on Ceti Alpha V. Cox has written a series of fascinating books detailing late twentieth century according to Trek. This is an exceptional addition.
Published in hardcover by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743457110
This is another lean mean Parker novel by Richard Stark. All of the Parker tales are quick and entertaining reads. Neither Parker nor Stark disappoint, but this time around, Parker runs. This doesn’t happen often.
Published in hardcover by Mysterious Press. ISBN 0892967986