By BWilliams / 18:11, 23 February 2006 / Reviews - Books

In EX MACHINA Christopher L. Bennett proved that he could blend compelling storytelling, careful attention to scientific detail, and strong characterization into one, making his debut STAR TREK novel a home-run winner. Now, with his second entry ORION'S HOUNDS, the third installment in the highly successful TITAN series, Bennett delivers another winner that further explores the rich mysteries of the universe and the many crewmembers who populate Will Riker's starship.

Moving forward from the events of THE RED KING, Riker, Deanna Troi, and the crew of the U.S.S. Titan have resumed their mission of scientific exploration and discovery, when Troi, Tuvok, and the Titan's telepaths come under attack from a mysterious source. It's not long before Riker and the Titan crew come across a group of interstellar beings, called the Pa'haquel, who are attacking a group of benign space aliens. To make matters worse, as Riker attempts to negotiate a peaceful resolution, another group of aliens, one all too familiar to Riker and Troi, arrives to make matters even worse.

Bennett further expands his balanced handling of characters and plot by introducing us to the Pa'haquel, a hunter race new to the STAR TREK universe, and a race unlike anything we've previously seen. In many TREK film and episode outings, the aliens are mostly relegated to humanoid appearances. But who's to say that other aliens aren't possible? That's the fun of writing with an unlimited budget, one that Bennett takes full advantage of: he doesn't limit himself to human-looking races, both on the Titan and in space. Bennett further delves into the ship's multispecies crew, exploring their respective backgrounds, while portraying the Pa'haquel as anything but human. Bennett also makes excellent use of two mysterious alien races familiar to NEXT GENERATION fans, fleshing their backgrounds out further than any film or episode budget could allow.

Bennett also broaches an excellent question in the course of ORION'S HOUNDS: What does Starfleet do with Starfleet policy does not apply at all? Granted, Riker and the Titan crew are obligated to render aid and assistance to the aliens coming under attack, but where do they draw the line in taking sides in a nature-bound hunt for survival? Bennett carefully treads through this territory and provides both the Titan crew and the Pa'haquel with appropriate answers to these and other questions that arise.

Christopher Bennett's sophomore novel is another home-run winner, and any combination of strong plotting, careful scientific discovery, interesting characters, and unlimited potential always makes for an excellent tale, STAR TREK or otherwise. ORION'S HOUNDS is another excellent addition to the growing STAR TREK tapestry, and I for one am looking forward not only to the fourth TITAN installment but also to Bennett's next full-length work.

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