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!
It’s the last before we get to the big one. Enjoy your hearts while they’re whole. ;)
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
As usual, my thanks go to Helen and @klugtiger for helping me put this together. You two always know how to give me the push I need. <3
Old Wounds Discussion - Star Trek: 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.
Honestly, there wasn’t much that happened in this first Spirit Walk book, except that we really got to know Chakotay a little better. I love learning about his life outside of Voyager and especially about his relationship with his sister. To me, this was the highlight of the book.
That being said, of course there were some great J/C moments, although I was a little upset how few there were with them actually in each other’s presence. I was really hoping for a big send-off scene between them when Chakotay left on his first assignment as Captain of Voyager. However, in the last book, The Farther Shore, we did at least get the scene of Kathryn promoting Chakotay and offering him Voyager. Which is exactly how it should have been. She was so proud in that moment. ugh! Beautiful!
So here’s a few (mostly JC) moments from Old Wounds
1) Chapter One - why yes, of course there is one in the first chapter!! First of all, Pool Shark Janeway makes her return! Yes! And Captain Chakotay’s thoughts are mighty full of this woman. Right off the bat we get this:
“Captain Chakotay thought Joan of Arc might have worn that same look of passionate determination, gipping a lance instead of a cue stick.”
This made me smile and giggle a bit. Chakotay thinking about Kathryn’s passion and grip...hmmmm...
Moving on....
2) Kathryn’s toast to Chakotay as he is leaving to board Voyager for the first time, while again, I was hoping for a little bit more between them, this toast was beautiful and to me said more underneath the words. I can imagine the look that was shared between them...
“To Captain Chakotay,” she said, her voice trembling ever to slightly. “The best first officer anyone could ever have, and a captain who will do Starfleet proud. If I could make one wish for you, Captain, Chakotay, it would be that you have a crew on Voyager who serves you as well as mine served me.”
I think a lot when unspoken during this speech. So beautiful!
3) In Chapter 3, after Chakotay orders the ship to ‘ENGAGE’, he sits there pondering what to do next. I loved this scene. I always thought that for the Captain, after the course was laid it and orders given, there really wasn’t much to do. Which is why I thought Kathryn spent so much time either in her ready room or flirting with Chakotay on the bridge. haha! So, the fact that the author touched on this and his thoughts during this moment on the bridge was fantastic!
“...he suddenly realized that he didn’t know what to do. Should he continue to sit in the chair, the new captain, in his proper place, and gaze at the screen? Should he walk around the bridge, checking in with his crew? Mysteriously excuse himself to his ready room to work on something in private? How the hell did Janeway manage it?”
So yeah, I just absolutely loved this moment!!
3) major JC moment here that I felt said way more about their relationship early on that anything ever has. It is about Sekaya and Chakotay’s medicine Bundles. She recalls “being surprised when Chakotay revealed to her that he had shared his medicine bundle with Janeway, and wondered a bit about the motivation behind that.”
Well obviously I don’t wonder about the motivation behind, since we all know how in love they are with each other. However, the moment when Chakotay shares his medicine bundle with Kathryn happens VERY early in the series! For him to share something so sacred with her at that point in time....it just speaks to how early his feelings for her came about. And at the time of the episode we didn’t know this background to the medicine bundle. For all we knew, he shares it with everyone!
This part of the book goes on to say: “Sekaya suspected that her brother just might be carrying a bit of a torch for his former captain.”
Can is just say....WELL DUH!!! Sorry to sound like a five year old here, but hey...my five year old niece could see this relationship at this point in time. Haha! But thank you for pointing out the obvious Sekaya...now go talk to him and get him to admit it. Then force him to tell Kathryn already!
4) “This is the real homecoming”
This is Chakotay’s thoughts when he boards Voyager for the first time as Captain at the end of Chapter 2. And it was perfect. Chakotay is home again. Of course the only thing missing is Kathryn, but hey, he’s at least got Voyager!! And Kathryn will......shit. sorry. no spoilers here!!
Alright, so those are a few of my highlights from Old Wounds. I have a couple other things I want to bring up, however, this post is long enough and I have to get back to work.
If you made it all the way through this post, then respond back! What did you think of these quick few JC moments?
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
Crell Moset did some pretty terrible shit. I hope Sekaya gets to kick his ass. On an unrelated note, I would love to see him interact with the Doctor.
