Customer Reviews:
 The Cardassian Occupation of Bajor revealed! October 18, 2008
In 'Day of Vipers' James Swallow is given the task of setting the scene for the two books that follow, and what a scene he sets. Set 50 or so years before the start of DS9, it mostly tells the story of Guls Dukats historical rise to power in the Cardassian Miliatarys occupation of Bajor. It chronicles Keeve Falor, Jas Holza and Kubus Oak's early days in the Bajoran government, and as in any good DS9 story the Obsidian Order are in there as well. Most interestingly though, what i really enjoyed about 'DOV' was the plotline involving the Oralian Way, Craassia's ancient religious sect.
James Swallow has written and exciting narrative that outlines a fresh and inventive plot throughout. not easy to put down, this is a must for any serious DS9 fan or general star trekker.
Good fun all round.
"What's needed here is boldness, temerity, Jagul!" September 3, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Pocket Books continue their series of novels based on Star Trek Deep Space Nine with Terok Nor: Day Of The Vipers by James Swallow - a tale of the lost era, the story of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. Although the show and subsequent novels are littered with references and events of the occupation, this is the first time that the whole thing has been put into novel form and this first book in the trilogy sets the bar very high indeed.
This novel covers events from the year 2318 - 2328 and is broken up into parts in 2318, 2323, 1 month before, Occupation day zero and Occupation day twenty.
The resource poor Cardassian Union plans to return the remains of a Bajoran vessel and its crew to Bajor with the intention of formal first contact. With the intelligence reports gathered on the planet itself, Cardassia hopes that a trade treaty will ease the terrible hardship on Cardassia Prime.
And so begins the tale of contact between these two species and the intricately interweaved plot lines of politics, murder, corruption, intrigue, conspiracy and the struggle for power.
This novel introduces us to a young Dukat, who is a dalin under the command of the rather tactless Gul Danig Kell and how he manoeuvres himself into a better position as he seeks to gain power and make a name for himself in the Union. Dukat also an interesting relationship with a young Kotan Pa'Dar which sets the groundwork for the events in the season two episode `Cardassians'.
There are several prominent Bajorans, some of whom you may recognise from previous episodes and novels and the writer also introduces us to a whole new group of them as well with characters like Darrah Mace, Gar Osen and Syjin through to political figures like Kubus Oak and Jas Holza. We also get a glimpse of a young Jaro Essa and Keeve Falor too.
The book is quite long for a Trek novel at nearly 500 pages and with very small print it's an absorbing read. There are so many plots to keep track of that you find yourself drawn into the worlds of both Cardassia and Bajor and there is a great twist near the end that flips events on their head.
Solid characterisation, sound plotting, a huge canvas and an excellent reference section and glossary at the back, this story is a must. The only bit that jarred was the blatant Star Wars take on page 388 and it seemed so out of place as to be unnecessary. Still, if you're going to borrow then taking from on of the major icons of sci-fi is forgivable just this once.
So fans of DS9, what are you waiting for? I thoroughly recommend this book and the following two parts, Night Of The Wolves and Dawn Of The Eagles and as an added little bonus when you put all three side by side the covers make one fantastic picture.
Enjoy!
The occupation June 23, 2008
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
Finaly we get to know how it al began. This first book gives us a detailed description of the rise of Skrain Dukat as a man who will do anything for the sake of Cardassia. I have been waiting since the beginning of this Star Trek series to learn the story behind the Occupation of Bajor. Once again this first book is a true continuation of the rich storyline of Deep Space Nine. I really look forward to read the sequels.
Suspense, Intrigue, Page turner May 23, 2008
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
Since I started reading the DS9 relaunch books a couple of years ago I found myself more and more fascinated by the culture and politics of Bajor. Throughout the books and the TV series, the story of Cardassia's occupation of Bajor was hinted at but the circumstances surrounding the invasion were only hinted at - and never fully explored - until now.
Day of The Vipers begins a trilogy of stories filling in the gaps and does it perfectly. The characterisations are spot on, we get to learn a great deal about the Cardassians and Bajorans in general, and even the Federation are shown in a different light.
The premise of the story here reminds me of the 80's TV show "V", with the strange aliens visiting Bajor with a seemingly innocent gesture of friendship, followed by the next ten years as their influence on the planet becomes more controlling, culminating in the fully fledged occupation of a planet on it's way to ruin.
The story is told from the points of view of three main characters, Darrah Mace, the policeman who finds himself torn between the needs of his family and the world he must protect; Bennek - one of the spiritual leaders of the Oralian way, whose genuine affection for Bajor and it's spiritual people become Cardassia's Trojan Horse; And Skrain Dukat, the young ambitious Cardassian who is quickly rising through the ranks at Bajor's cost.
So many years after the end of Deep Space Nine I am so pleased the books outshone the TV series. Whereas the Next Generation and Voyager books have just gone silly, Deep Space Nine's story has just gone from strength to strength, and this book carries on that tradition. I'm just gutted that I don't have the next book on the shelf waiting. I'd usually read a book like this is a couple of days but I found myself slowing down so that I could save some for later!!!
Highly recommended. I pray that the next books are as good.
And when on Earth is Fearful Symmetry coming out? I'm sure 2 years is just far too long to be kept waiting...
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