Enigma Tales (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

(Crossposted from Goodreads)
Oh, my gosh, Julian! Poor Julian! What the heck happened?

As with "Without You, there is no Us", I hardly know how to rate this. Una McCormack is rapidly becoming one of my favorite SF authors, and this detailed look at Cardassia during the reconstruction should thrill all DS9 fans. I was initially disappointed because most of my favorite characters from the show and from "The Never-Ending Sacrifice" did not make an appearance. Thus, we never find out what happened to Rugal, Penelya, and Hulya. Nor do we learn more about the O'Brien's. And Julian Bahsir scarcely appears at all. The book seems, at first, to focus on Katherine Pulaski, the blunt doctor from "Next Generation". As Cardassia tries to find its feet after generations of tyranny and years of devastating losses, there are elements that would destabilize it. The main plot features a threat against a young Cardassian historian, a kidnapping, and the possibility that one of Cardassia's most admired figures, the freedom fighter and Professor Natima Lang, is actually a war criminal.

Elim Garak tries to negotiate all this, with help from a terrific young Cardassian policewoman and his trusted doctor, Kelas Parmak. Garak himself is in a position of power now, after years of exile, and this has its challenges for him.

McCormack does a wonderful job of presenting a healing society and rather complex characters. On reading "The Crimson Shadow" , the prequel to this book, I had to knock "Enigma Tales" down to four stars. As good as this book is, that one is even better. Still, this is well worth reading for all fans of thoughtful SF, and all fans of Garak. I am going to leave you with some of his words. (Both this book and "Crimson Shadow" frame their chapters with letters from Garak to his friend, Dr. Bashir):

(Garak is telling Bashir about his experiences as an ambassador to earth:)
"...in Berlin, I saw a city that had redeemed itself, I walked through a district that had at one point been the administrative center of a vile regime, and which had been laid low at the end of a great and bitter war.

I loved Paris, doctor, but I knew Berlin. I pass through a city like that every day."

Yet another genius offering from Una McCormack. She captures Garak's voice so perfectly. The other characters are all so well fleshed out, it's like watching a movie in my mind.

I get the impression that the writer has assumed that her audience knows the entire backstory to this tale. This reader does NOT and I don't have the budget to hunt for and purchase the books that might, MIGHT fill in the plot holes! Big Question: WHAT HAPPENED to Doctor Julian Bashir?!?!

I do NOT like plot holes!!!

Why is Garek on the cover when he isn’t the main character? Because no one would buy a Dr. Pulaski book! My husband’s least favorite character branded by his favorite of all Star Trek. Betrayed!

This is seriously one of the best Star Trek books I've read. I've only seen a few episodes of DS9 so far, so pretty much my entire view of these characters was formed from this book, and I loved them. Garak comes across as complex and fully formed. The letters he writes are absolutely killer, and frame the story so nicely. And the whole things is heart wrenching. The author really made me care about these characters. I'm now watching the show, so I can get to know them better. Highly recommended.

Very interesting take on post-Dominion War Cardassian Union involving a self-professed grumpy (but don't dare call her old) doctor named Katherine Pulaski.

Absolutely loved this installment in Una McCormack's series focusing on Cardassia (and Garak)! I'll admit, I thought the book might take another direction, but I loved everything about this story and the direction it *did* go in.

A terrific tale of Garak and Cardassia post DS9 tv series

I loved this novel.

I always enjoy the Star Trek books