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Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Warpath by David Mack
01/01/2007 . Source: Eamonn Murphy 
Pub: Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster. 344 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK), $ 7.99 (US), $10.99 (CAN). ISBN: 0-4165-0775-2. Buy Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Warpath in the USA - or Buy Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Warpath in the UK  check out website: www.simonsays.co.uk and www.startrekbooks.com
'Warpath' is an action packed adventure novel set in the world of 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'. The chief villain is a Jem'Hadar. To quote the cover blurb: 'a species engineered for war and programmed at the genetic level for one purpose: to fight until death as soldiers of the sprawling stellar empire known as the Dominion.'
Taran'atar is a Jem'Hadar who was appointed by Odo to learn peaceful co-existence aboard Deep Space Nine. It hasn't worked out. He stabbed Captain Kira in the chest, severely wounded Lieutenant Ro and ran away in a stolen ship, with a hostage to boot. The U.S.S. Defiant sets off in hot pursuit.
Meanwhile, a Cardassian woman is being hotly pursued by assorted bad guys. The Kira who has been stabbed in the chest lies in surgery, under the care of the medical staff, struggling for life. An alternative Zhom riding Kira in another universe is locked out of her fortress. Intendant Kira in another universe is planning conquest of something, maybe everything. Lieutenant Dax and the crew of Deep Space Nine are investigating what caused Taran'atar to go loopy. Warpath uses the time honoured technique of cutting between several different sub-plots every chapter to maintain suspense. There's an awful lot going on.
It is a Star Trek book. These have an advantage for the reader in that we already have an image in our heads of the main characters looks and mannerisms. From Mister Spock (cool, logical) to Lieutenant Dax (slim, sexy) we know them. The disadvantage is that if you are not especially familiar with a series, the books can be a bit confusing. The author may take it as read that you know certain things which you don't. I watched 'Deep Space Nine' at the start to give it a chance and because Dax is easy on the male eye but I got bored with it. The rumour is that it got better later. This seems to be part of a post finale series of books. While it is probably more fun for those familiar with the background, the lay person may enjoy it, too. I can't say for sure because I am somewhat acquainted with the setting. A reader who knows nothing at all about 'Deep Space Nine' could be utterly lost.
There is lots of combat. Everyone seems able to fight on with broken arms, broken legs, cracked ribs and deep wounds. I'm not sure if this is possible outside novels but the scenes are well-written. The science is skilfully done, too. All in all, a good read especially for fans but the story is not finished. There is a follow-up book to come called 'Fearful Symmetry'. It might be good.
Eamonn Murphy
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