#vbcoldwounds

Gather ‘round book clubbers! 

For it is that time again: Today we start our discussion of “Spirit Walk Book One - Old Wounds” by Christie Golden!

Let’s hear your thoughts! What did you like? What did you dislike? Which scenes stuck with you? Make sure to tag @voyager-book-club so I see your posts and get to share them!

Also, let’s look at Captain Chakotay again. Cause... reasons. 

*sigh*

What were we talking about? Oh, right! Book club stuff! ;) 

Next up is Spirit Walk Book 2 - Enemy of My Enemy as well written by Christie Golden which we will discuss starting March 20th! 

Here’s another thought I had while reading Old Wounds...and honestly I haven’t decided how I feel about it. Ms. Golden only spent a couple pages on this topic and then it wasn’t really mentioned again. Maybe it will be in the next book?

In the TV episodes, the entire premise of the show (at the beginning anyways) is whether these two crews, Starfleet and Maquis, can come together to work together. It was actually really disappointing that the tension between these two groups was resolved so quickly. I mean, we all wanted to see more Maquis Chakotay, am I right?? haha!

Now in this book, they are painting the Delta Quadrant Voyager crew vs those that have been in the Alpha Quadrant throughout the Dominion War. I’m really unsure of how I feel about this. On one hand...yes their experiences throughout the last seven years are very very different. Both groups fighting for their lives. The death and destruction in the Alpha Quadrant unimaginable. Agree with this. But the Delta Quadrant crew...they spent four years with their family and friends thinking they were dead. No contact whatsoever. They had no backup starships coming to help them. They were on their own. Now I’m not saying that one group went through worse than the other. They each had their struggles. And honestly, I think any Starfleet officer or crewman would know this. I just don’t see this animosity between these two groups being real. They are all Starfleet.

So anyways, the entire conversation between Lyssa Campbell and David Chittenden really kind of irked me. I just didn’t see it as realistic. He was being a child. Starfleeters are more mature than this. To me the ‘Them vs Us’ thing in this book just doesn’t compare to that of the tv show with the Maquis. And I’m really unsure of what it adds to the book. 

What do you all think? @voyager-book-club

(Again....maybe it comes up again in the next book?)

How long has it been since we’ve seen each other in person? Has it been a full eight years? That can’t be right. Does it just feel that long because of the war? When was the last time he was home?

Full story to be found on AO3.

@jhelenoftrek was kind enough to prompt me with the following: In lieu of the discussion Re: Sekaya. I'd love to hear the 3 minute video communication he has with her.

The crew each get three minutes to talk to their loved ones during “Author, Author”. Here is my take on how the conversation between Chakotay and his sister went. I am also heavily inspired by Christie Golden’s “Spirit Walk Book One - Old Wounds”, which is this month’s reading for the @voyager-book-club

Our @voyager-book-club has started discussing the third in the Relaunch books for Star Trek Voyager, Book One of the Spirit Walk series, Old Wounds. 

So I actually skipped this book the first time through reading these books. I was told that it wasn’t too important for the future books and I was DYING to get to the Kirsten Beyer books (which you will understand why if and when you read them). But, I have to say, I am so thrilled I went back to read these. 

It is that time of the month again. Time to discuss the next Voyager relaunch novel. This month, @voyager-book-club discussed Old Wounds, or Spirit Walk book one. 

Changing up my format from the last two book reviews. Rather than writing a top 5 list of moments, I have gone through and found a few moment that stood out in chronological order. Without further adue, here is my retrospective.

1. Return of Janeway the Pool Shark 

It is nice seeing Janeway, Chakotay, and Kaz enjoying a casual relationship outside of work. And nothing will ever bring me more joy than Janeway destroying everyone at pool.

2. Check in with the Wildman Family and Icheb

How fast do Ktarian children grow anyway? Little Naomi is all grown up already. Already on her way to being ‘Captain’s Assistant’. Also, Samantha finally got a promotion almost as overdue as Harry’s.  It is nice to see that Icheb was able to reassimilate (pardon to Borg pun) back into academy life after his experience with his classmates during Homecoming.

3. Sekaya

This book brings many new faces, as well as some familiar faces. Though never mentioned in canon, Sekaya’s presence has been known in the novels for some time now. Now she has devoted her life to learning more about her spirituality and is joining Chakotay on his first captaincy as a Spiritual Advisor. 

Chakotay left her behind on Dorvan V when he left to join Starfleet, and there still seems to be some unresolved tension around this. Suffice it to say, a few things happened while Chakotay was gone.  This has caused Sekaya to grow a lot while they spent many years apart. 

4. Harry Kim Dersves Better

I dislike Libby. A lot. ‘Poor Harry Kim’ seems to be a saying we can’t help but continue to say. I hope he moves on in the future and then maybe we won’t need to hear from Libby anymore.

5. Seven is a good friend

It is clear that the Doctor has had romantic feelings for Seven. I am glad that they decided to go with this friendship instead. Not only is Seven expressing that she learned from the lessons he taught her, but she is also expressing deep caring for the Doctor. I am glad Seven has embraced their friendship. 

6. Tom Loves the Delta Flyer

Tom is a great pilot. Tom is not a good Klingon. But he tries really hard. Tom is very supportive of B’Elanna’s studies throughout, however, he seems to have a hard time fitting in on Boreth. Not being able to understand read or understand the language does not help when he spends all of his time at a library.

His reunion with the ship they all built is touching, however, I HATE seeing B’Elanna sidelined. I hope having them split up will not be a mainstay.

7. The Panflute Plays for Chakotay even in the Books

8. This Dumb Idea

Attempting to perform the Zhian’tara at this point was probably one of the most stupid things for them to do. I feel Astall should have known better than to encourage this, especially while they are on a mission to go back to territory where many Maquis deaths occurred. You could see the consequences of this one from a mile away before they even began. 

9.  A Name I did not Expect to see Again