(Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 45) Intellivore

Title: Intellivore
Date Published: 1997
Author/s: Diane Duane
Main Plot:
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The Enterprise leads a small fleet of Starfleet vessels to investigate the disappearance of starships in an almost starless region of the galaxy. One of the ships had already been in the area conducting archaeological research on civilizations that disappeared eons ago. Legends and the little proof they gather are all they have to repel the greatest threat to the galaxy ever imagined.

My Short Review:
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An exhilarating story of how greed can take over the simple need to survive. An enemy so primal and yet so intelligent, it can anticipate your next move and be there with an open mouth just waiting for you to fall in. The parallels that Diane Duane invokes are all too real in today's world.

My Overall Rating:
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(Star Trek: The Next Generation) Dark Mirror

Title: "Dark Mirror"
Date Published: 1994
Author/s: Diane Duane
Main Plot:
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The Enterprise-D gets pulled into an alternate universe where a barbaric Empire exists instead of the peace loving Federation. A ship, one which is almost an exact copy of their own, is the first thing they encounter. The crew discovers the differences between the lives they know and the lives they could have had as they interact with their counterparts in this realm, and their battle to survive depends on their ability to outwit themselves.

My Short Review:
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At last! A mirror universe story of "The Next Generation" crew. I've always imagined how the alternate Picard would have been like. Diane Duane did a great job on this one.

Choices, the ones we make because it's easier than the alternative, could profoundly affect our future as a race. The way we go about our daily lives, the way we deal with other people, even the things we teach our children. What books to read, what shows to watch, even who we vote for during the elections. These freedoms, and all our other freedoms, are a responsibility that should be taken seriously. It's scary knowing that a lot of us make these mistakes because we couldn't care less, or even see them affecting the way we think and, ultimately, our future.

My Overall Rating:
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