Review: Second Self by Una McCormack, 2022

Second Self by Una McCormack,2022
My rating: 4.33 of 5 stars

In "Second Self," author Una McCormack takes us on a captivating journey through Raffi Musiker's life between seasons one and two of Star Trek: Picard. The novel delves into Raffi's past as a Starfleet Intelligence officer, her personal struggles with addiction, and her re-emergence into the world after the events of Picard's first year. The story unfolds across three time periods, exploring the complex history of the planet Ordeve and its impact on the Bajorans, Cardassians, and Romulans.

McCormack masterfully weaves Raffi's personal story with the larger narrative, as she navigates a world where right and wrong are often blurred. The novel also features Elim Garak, a Cardassian favorite, whose ultimate fate is poignantly revealed. Other beloved characters, such as Admiral Picard, Captain Rios, and Elnor, make appearances and contribute to the rich world-building.

The intricate structure of the novel, which requires careful attention from the reader, pays off as it explores themes of sadness, regret, and the consequences of one's past actions. "Second Self" enhances the Star Trek universe by shedding light on Raffi's character, her relationships, and the Dominion War's aftermath.

I rate this novel 4.33 out of 5 stars.

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Review: The Last Best Hope (Star Trek: Picard #1), by Una McCormack, 2020

The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Last Best Hope (Star Trek: Picard #1), by Una McCormack, 2020

The book follows Picard from the first moment he learns about the Romulan supernova, all the way through his eventual resignation from Starfleet after the synth attack on Mars — the final scene in the book takes place just moments before Picard and Raffi discuss his resignation in “The End is the Beginning.”

2019 Comics Countdown #1 and #2 by Kirsten Byer seems to be the blueprint for this novel. Between reading the comics and watching Season 1 of Picard, I wasn't sure how much I would get out of this book, so I set my expectations accordingly. To my delight, I enjoyed this read quite so. If the comics were the skeleton, then this book is the meat that thoughtfully fleshes out the characters and fills in the details the television show expects us to accept. I feel the author truly captures Picard's essence yet transforms him into the much older Picard character depicted on the television show. If I had read this book before season 1 of Picard, the depiction of the older Picard wouldn't have been so jarring and easier for me to accept. Another brilliant move by the author was to explain Raffi Musiker's relationship with Picard in a manner that allows us, the reader, to understand her motivations and experiences when she was a Starfleet officer. How she came to call him JL and her position as Picard's new "number one" on the USS Verity was handled carefully and just as craftily.

I rate this 4.8 out of 5 stars.

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