A Time to Kill.

An explosive situation is brewing on the planet Tezwa. An unhinged leader in control of devastating weapons which were covertly provided by the Federation wants to seize a nearby Klingon planet, throwing the sector into chaos. The origin of the weapons on Tezwa, if revealed, may spark war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. It falls to Picard and the crew of the Enterprise to destroy these weapons before they ignite an interstellar conflict that would rival even the height of the Dominion War!

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss A Time to Kill, the seventh novel in the A Time To series and the first full-length Trek novel by author David Mack. We talk about the fast-paced nature of the novel, conspiracies in the Tezwan and Federation governments, the special ops mission to destroy the weapons, Ambassador Worf's role in the story, a cliffhanger ending, a tragic tale of an android and his emotions, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news segment, we report on a new addition to the 2019 release schedule: The Original Series: The Captain's Oath by Christopher L. Bennett, as well as review issue number four in the TNG: Terra Incognita series from IDW.

News
The Captain's Oath Release (00:02:48)
TNG: Terra Incognita #4 (00:05:40)

Feature: A Time to Kill
Fast-Paced Political Thriller (00:23:28)
L'Haan (00:28:44)
Secret Plans (00:31:07)
Cannonball Run (00:34:49)
Strike Teams (00:39:57)
Ambassador Worf Attacks (00:43:32)
To Be Continued (00:51:34)
The Tragedy of Data (00:55:30)
Ratings (01:01:57)
Final Thoughts (01:05:24)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Production
Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

A Good Day to Die.

For honor... for glory... for the Empire! The brave officers and crew of the I.K.S. Gorkon embark on a new mission to seek out new life and new civilizations... and to boldly conquer them for the greater glory of the Klingon Empire! But what lines must be crossed when Klingon lust for expansion comes face-to-face with Klingon honor?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson are joined by Earl Grey's Justin Oser to discuss I.K.S. Gorkon: Book One: A Good Day to Die by Keith R.A. DeCandido. We talk about what makes this book different from other Star Trek novels, cultures in transition, lower decks crewmembers, strong female Klingon characters, an enemy worthy of respect, the dilemma faced by Captain Klag at the end of the novel, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news segment, we talk about next year's upcoming Star Trek: The Q Conflict crossover comic from IDW.

News
Star Trek: The Q Conflict (00:02:53)

Feature: A Good Day to Die
A Different Trek Novel (00:09:32)
Klingon Attitudes in Transition (00:15:56)
The Plot & Challenges (00:24:01)
Klingon Lower Decks (00:29:14)
Klingon Female Characters (00:36:57)
Enemies Worthy of Respect (00:44:15)
The Dilemma (00:54:59)
Ratings (01:06:17)
Final Thoughts (01:13:48)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Guest
Justin Oser

Production
Bruce Gibson (Editor and Producer) Dan Gunther (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)

The War of the Prophets.

Trapped 25 years in the future, the crew of the U.S.S. Defiant is faced with a future that is nearly unrecognizable. Only days away from Armageddon, the galaxy stands on a knife's edge. On one side, the Bajoran Ascendancy: a cult-like theocracy led by the Emissary of the "True Prophets": Weyoun. On the other, the remnants of a Federation nearly brought to its knees. In the middle: Captain Benjamin Sisko, who must decide once and for all the outcome of "The War of the Prophets."

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss the second book of the DS9: Millennium trilogy: The War of the Prophets by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens. We talk about the events that led us to this point, an alternate future, Weyoun and the Pah-Wraiths, the mysterious Grigari, the mirror universe tactic, Starfleet's desperate "Project Phoenix," and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news section, we judge the cover of the upcoming TNG: Available Light by Dayton Ward, talk about the new Picard Stargazer one-shot comic coming from IDW, and review the first issue of Star Trek vs. Transformers. issue of the Star Trek: Discovery: Succession miniseries.

News
Available Light Cover (00:02:35)
Picard Stargazer Comic (00:11:14)
Star Trek vs. Transformers #1 (00:15:41)

Feature: The War of the Prophets
How We Got Here (00:21:10)
The Future (00:27:39)
Kai Weyoun? (00:36:40)
Grigari (00:48:31)
The Mirror Universe Tactic (00:51:54)
Project Phoenix (00:58:41)
Ratings (01:07:48)
Final Thoughts (01:13:04)

Hosts
Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson

Production
Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Jeffery Harlan (Associate Producer)