[Buecher] Over a Torrent Sea (Spoiler)
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Dies ist meine Besprechung des neuesten Star Trek Titan Bandes: Over a
Torrent Sea von Christopher L. Bennett
S P O I L E R
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I think “Over a Torrent Sea” and Christopher L. Bennett`s first Titan
book “Orion`s Hounds” have a lot in common. I was impressed how he
introduced us readers to a very diverse and fascinating world of space
born beings in his first Titan book. In “Over a Torrent Sea” he is
exploring a water world and also this time I felt like an explorer
discovering an alien world with a lot of diversity and beauty.
Especially now after the Borg invasion there are some people in the
fandom who want a stronger emphasis on the theme of discovering new
worlds and civilizations. I think these fans should try the Titan series
and especially both books of this series written by Mr Bennett.
On the other hand both books have the problem that the science presented
by the author can be overwhelming. Especially towards the last third of
the book there are paragraphs I couldn`t process properly. I am not a
scientist and there were times when I felt overwhelmed. I neither had
the knowledge nor the patience to spend much time with these details and
just skimmed over them.
As much as I appreciate the impressive world building of this story, to
me it is indeed first of all a background. What mainly counts are the
characters and also from that perspective, this book has a lot to offer.
Exploring a water world provided the ideal opportunity to explore Lavena
more, a Starfleet officer who comes from an underwater civilization and
who needs a special suit allowing her to breathe when she leaves her
quarters. I must admit, before I read this book Lavena was one of the
Titan characters I was least interested in. In this book we learn a lot
about her, about her culture, her family, her strengths but also her
weaknesses. Lavena became a much more three dimensional character. There
is a lot I learned that makes her likeable but also a lot I have
problems with on a personal level. I understand why Lavena was an
irresponsible mother and although I have some sympathy for her and her
problems I am not willing to excuse bad choices in life with bad
experiences when the person was young. Being a mother myself I find it
difficult to forgive her past attitude and have even more problems with
it that she nearly left Riker to die on that floating island. It seems
Lavena finally decided to learn from her mistakes and is determined to
do better in future. Good, better late than never. We will see how
Lavena will be developed in future. On the other hand, who says that all
officers on Titan have to be likeable?
The confrontation between Lavena and Riker was very interesting and gave
good insights into both characters. It seems even in the present-day
Star Trek universe there are human families that are more prudish than
others. Being a German living in England I can see that there are some
general differences in attitude and maybe it is realistic that such
differences in human society didn`t disappear. Therefore I shared
Riker`s criticism of Lavena`s irresponsible neglect of her children but
not his view about her sexuality. She is an alien after all and that she
likes having sexual experiences with several partners is perfectly fine
in my book if nobody is harmed by it.
Compared to Lavena Riker was the extreme at the other end. I don`t share
a lot of his attitude but I can respect and understand it. I am not a
man but I think I can understand that it was more difficult for him than
it would have been for a naked female captain stuck together with an
officer who was for a short time a lover. It starts with it that it is a
fact that men react stronger to looks than women do. The vast majority
of porn is aimed at men and not at women. Also a naked man can`t hide
being sexually attracted. In spite I rolled my eyes a bit at Riker`s
prudish attitude I couldn`t help feeling very sorry for him. His
frustration and embarrassment was very understandable. That Riker was
not very well, that his wife could give birth at any moment and that
Lavena didn`t help at all to defuse the difficult situation only made
matters worse.
I didn`t expect a quiet, trouble free birth of Deanna`s and Riker`s
daughter. Such events are always a good opportunity for drama and the
author made good use of it. After what happened between Deanna and Dr.
Ree it was necessary to bring the tensions between them to some form of
conclusion. I agree that Dr. Ree was not responsible for his actions and
that it is very unlikely that he will enter this extreme “guardian mode”
again. What he did was frightening but on some other level also very
touching. I also understand now that Dr. Ree must love children very
much. My guess is that being rejected by the females of his own kind he
decided to be a doctor so that he can help children and their families.
I can also understand better now that what happened between Deanna and
him was not only traumatic for her but also much more difficult for him
than I realized. In spite of what happened I can see that Dr. Ree is a
good person and he would be a good father if he ever gets that chance. I
think both sides have learned important lessons and I would like it very
much if Dr. Ree will continue to play a part in the upbringing of the
little girl in future books.
What I also liked very much is the part Tuvok had in this book. Again, I
am so glad that he is part of the Titan series and I definitely don`t
want this to change! I was impressed by his strength of character, how
he as a Vulcan showed a lot of courage exploring and understanding
emotions including his own. As it is obvious with Riker and Deanna, also
in this case it was shown very well that having a wife, a husband, a
partner with you on board is not only a potential for problems but can
also be an asset, a source of strength. T`Pel is a remarkable woman. Her
ability to work with children is impressive and I liked her exchange
with Noah very much. I think being with a husband who is much more
emotional than the average Vulcan also helps her to understand emotions
better. I think she is still thinking that Tuvok`s change is more of a
disability than the beginning of something positive but it seems there
is at least a growing understanding. I am curious how this will be
developed in future, too.
I am very much looking forward to the next Titan book!
Baerbel Haddrell
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"." <.@trekdata.demon.co.uk> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:FgJxl.144621$q45.1...@newsfe07.ams2...
> Baerbel Haddrell
> ============
>
> Dies ist meine Besprechung des neuesten Star Trek Titan Bandes: Over a
> Torrent Sea von Christopher L. Bennett
>
>
>
> S P O I L E R
>
> *
>
> *
>
> *
>
> *
>
> I think �Over a Torrent Sea� and Christopher L. Bennett`s first Titan book
> �Orion`s Hounds� have a lot in common. I was impressed how he introduced
> us readers to a very diverse and fascinating world of space born beings in
> his first Titan book. In �Over a Torrent Sea� he is exploring a water
> that it is very unlikely that he will enter this extreme �guardian mode�