Destiny: The Complete Saga (Star Trek: Destiny #1-3) (2024)

It's taken 2 glasses of bourbon to admit that I'm reading this. And truthfully, I'm enjoying it.

Okay, okay - I admit it. I really enjoyed this book!! Don't judge me!!

An epic, thrilling Trek story with crossover from every ST series except TOS. With frequently shifting narrative perspective between four ship crews, one of which occurs centuries earlier, there's a lot going on here, with a large cast of characters, many well known from the various series. The author provides a crew guide, listed by ship, as an appendix, which is of great help in keeping things straight early on.

As a standalone, the scope of the story would certainly be way too ambitious. As a trilogy however it is absolutely epic. The series is essentially one long story, cut into three equally sized books, with each picking up seamlessly where the last left off. Action initially centers around conflict with the Borg, however the author introduces a new highly advanced and reclusive alien species and some intriguing cosmological mysteries with potentially catastrophic consequences for the Federation that promise to make the story much broader. Descriptions of the Borg collective consciousness and the experience of being devoured by its malevolence, erasing all traces of individuality and freedom are beyond chilling.

David Mack has a remarkable talent for capturing the spirit of ST and the dynamics and nuances of many of the key character relationships we have come to know and love. Great stuff, whether you're a fan of TNG, DS9, Voyager or, and especially, like me, all of them.

I write this, sleep deprived, as this trilogy kept me up all night, doing that, just one more chapter thing. I couldn't put it down.

This is Star Trek on an epic scale. It encompasses every one of the franchises, bar the Original Series and includes the Borg. Almost every world the Federation interacts with is involved and on top of all the high stakes intergalactic drama, there are the personal stories.

If you like Star Trek, you will want to read this.

(While reading previous novels may help with some of the details, it isn't really necessary. This trilogy, is at once stand alone and carefully placed within the Star Trek novels universe)

Intriguing Borg origin story. Well-written and good storyline.

David Mack does a great job of keeping this collected saga both tight and epic in scope. Focus shifts between multiple parties in quick order and Mack is a master at juggling every angle while making the plot move forward. Imagine a dark, mysterious, Borg-centric 'TNG'-universe miniseries set a few years after 'Nemesis' and you've got Star Trek: Destiny.

It was a good saga. David Mack did not disappoint me. We definitely got the movie Picard. I did not agree with his decisions through out the book. Even beverly and crew members were questioning him.

Great trilogy! The storylines evolved nicely over the course of the books and always kept me interested. It was a really interesting way to wrap up the Borg saga.

Destiny is the trilogy that changed the Star Trek Lit-verse. This is a massive story that unites all of the canon TV series (including Enterprise) and is the point of a focal shift in the novels.

The story of Erika Hernandez from Enterprise weaves in and out of the narratives of Captain Picard of the Enterprise, Ezri Dax, Captain of the Aventine and Captain Riker of the Titan. Chakotay and several characters from Voyager make cameo appearances. Voyager's side of this story is told in the separate novel Full Circle.

The Borg have come back to the Alpha Quadrant and this time they are here to destroy, not assimilate. Worlds are destroyed. Picard and his friends scramble to try and stop them. It's a riveting tale which held my attention from beginning to end.

From here on out the novels are interconnected into one large Universe. With the exception of The Original Series, there are no more 'stand alone' stories. It is one large over reaching arc which I believe was a smart move on the part of Pocket Books.

David Mack has done an excellent job of bringing together the crews of the various TV series and uniting the Star Trek novel-verse.

I never thought I'd say this, but this book needed more Voyager. I've never been a fan of Voyager, but even in the context of this book, it is made clear that they have the most history with the Borg next to Picard. And yet, they play the most marginal role in this huge climactic battle with the Borg. Instead we have a lot of focus on minor characters from Capt. Archer's era and Ezri Dax's new command. They are interesting enough characters, but it undercuts the grand nature of the events of this book to put them in such pivotal roles, instead of characters with more history.

I guess the point is that while this book charted a major turning point in the Trek universe, it didn't seem to serve the stories of the characters we are following. Picard has some nice moments, particularly illustrating his evolving relationship with Riker, but he is ultimately more of a bystander at the end.

Fantastic saga. This version was the entire "Destiny" trilogy of books (Gods of Night, Mere Mortals, Lost Souls) put into one collection at over 900 pages.

There is some integration of stories from previous novels (Titan, Aventine) however you do not have to have read those books to follow the story here, I didn't. David Mack does a wonderful job giving you enough backstory in order to follow along as long as you have a general knowledge of the TV series characters.

This saga ties in characters from every Star Trek series plus other non-canon novels (mentioned above) and spans a timeline of thousands of years. It is a wonderful interpretation of the origin of one of the Federation's biggest foes and moves incredibly fast so you don't feel bogged down by unnecessary subplots.

I am a very slow reader but I finished this entire saga in about 1 month. It's incredibly engaging and is very hard to put down. If you're an avid Star Trek fan I cannot recommend this book enough.

I enjoyed the Columbia story arc the best. I really enjoyed seeing Ezri as a Captain. The Titan arc was also good. I thought the two weakest part of the series was the Enterprise / Picard and the Borg. This book had everything I hated about Picard in it. The Borg were also overused thanks to Voyager. Picard is basically useless to the story since he spends a lot of time doing nothing to help the situation except to hand wringing. The Borg don’t get interesting until book 3 up to them its the typical Voyager Borg run amok. The story overall was good and I recommend reading it since it is a gateway book to the other post nemesis books for Voyager, TNG, and DS9. There are even references from past TOS books like Vanguard in it.

After reading the books in Star Trek: Voyager Full Circle series, I needed to find out what happened to the Borg. Have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed how author David Mack delivered on that. Plus, it's always great to see what my favorite Next Generation characters have been up to. Lots of procreation it seems.

The revealed back story of the Borg is fantastic and I love how so many different seemingly unrelated events culminate in a unified finale.

In some way's its a shame that this is the first Star Trek novel I read as I doubt any other will be able to live up to this one.

"Destiny: The Complete Saga" by David Mack is a breathtaking masterpiece, a triumphant achievement in the Star Trek literary universe that left me utterly spellbound. As a Star Trek aficionado, I have ventured through numerous books in the franchise, but this epic crossover trilogy stands as a shining beacon in the vast cosmos of Star Trek literature. Mack's ability to weave together characters and storylines from across the Star Trek universe into a coherent and riveting narrative is nothing short of genius.

In "Gods of Night," the first book of the trilogy, the resurgence of the Borg presents a terrifying and relentless threat, igniting a storyline that is both exhilarating and deeply suspenseful. Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise find themselves at the heart of this crisis, showcasing the strategic brilliance and moral fortitude that have always been hallmarks of Picard's leadership. Meanwhile, Captain Riker's discovery of a figure from Starfleet's past adds layers of intrigue and depth to the saga. The seamless integration of multiple storylines across different starships and quadrants is a testament to Mack’s skillful storytelling.

"Mere Mortals," the second book, elevates the narrative to new heights. The discovery of a secret passage through subspace by the Borg is a plot twist that had me on the edge of my seat. Captain Picard and Captain Dax's quest through the nebula is a thrilling ride, filled with tension and uncertainty. Simultaneously, the plight of Captain Riker and his crew, held captive by the enigmatic Caeliar, introduces a complexity to the saga that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

The final book, "Lost Souls," is an epic culmination of the saga. The sheer scale of the Borg threat, with an armada of thousands set on extermination, brings a sense of urgency and desperation that is palpable. The unity of Captains Picard, Riker, and Dax in their final stand against the Borg is a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of the Federation. Erika Hernandez, with her unique powers and insights, is a brilliantly crafted character, embodying both the hope and peril that the saga hinges upon.

Mack's writing is not just about the grandeur of space battles or the intricacies of interstellar politics; it is a profound exploration of themes such as duty, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit. The way he delves into the psyche of each character, giving them depth and relatability, is remarkable. His ability to maintain suspense and emotional intensity throughout the trilogy is a feat that few authors can achieve with such finesse.

In conclusion, "Destiny: The Complete Saga" is an extraordinary work that has left an indelible mark on the Star Trek literary landscape. It is a saga that does more than justice to the beloved universe; it expands and enriches it in ways that are both unexpected and deeply satisfying. David Mack has crafted a work that is not only a must-read for Star Trek fans but also a compelling and thought-provoking journey for anyone who appreciates epic storytelling at its finest. This trilogy is a stellar example of science fiction writing that is as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally compelling, and it will undoubtedly stand the test of time as a classic in the genre.

finished book one. good start, really interesting; lots of setup but not uneventful. the Columbia chapters were especially intriguing. wasn't sure I'd enjoy chapters centered on characters I didn't know but the story does a good job of making you investigated in their situation.

the Titan sections were actually the hardest for me to read. the emotional turmoil that Riker/Troi are going through was just super painful for me. they are just non-communicative with each other when things are bad. it doesn't bode long term for their relationship. I'm really worried about them, even knowing what comes later (yes, I spoiled myself on this. I like to be prepared). in addition, I was just really really angry at the situation they were put in by Vale & Ree. the utter lack of sympathy for what Deanna especially was going through made me furious. I could highlight several passages on this but I won't even bother cause they'll just make me angry again. instead, this review has ranted on this already which I completely agree with.

also also there was one! single! chapter with Voyager. I see you and I love you.
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okay finally finished the entire trilogy. I really don’t have a lot to say about the final two volumes... the story of the Columbia crew continued to be one of the most compelling and heartbreaking. especially in book two.

I read quite a few reviews before reading this trilogy and was spoiled for the big reveal but it was still quite a revelation seeing it all unfold and the truth come out. I’m glad the Borg are finished with now.

and I hope this means that writers will take a step back and stop trying to annihilate the federation. I mean if you keep blowing up and the planets and starships and killing everyone you’re gonna have nothing to bloody write about soon cause everyone’s gonna be dead. you don’t always have to go big or go home guys.

on another note, I read numerous reviews that talked about how whiny Troi was in these books and I’d like to send out a personal f*ck you to them all lol. first of all, she wasn’t whiny. she was emotional yes and not thinking logically but considering everything she going through she had every right to be. second of all, she barely in these books. she appeared in a chapter like every hundred pages or so. there was not enough ‘screen time’ to warrant the vitriol. but anyways, Deanna defender talking here.

I look forward to getting around the Voyager POV at some point.

Absolutely incredible and the best Star Trek books I've ever read so far. For some reason for myself, I kept comparing all the books I've read so far to the Thrawn trilogy in the old Star Wars Expanded Universe. They are my favourite in terms of the Star Wars books. In terms of reading books related to sci fi franchises and their expanded universes, I kept comparing to that, but this is the first books I've read that surpass it by a wide margin. The ambition, the scale of the destruction and the sheer sense of hopefulness in the trilogy is unlike anything I read. Mack knows how to keep you invested and it's written in a way that's fast paced, easy to understand and it almost doesn't give you a minute to breathe. But this in all in service of the book.

Even though you feel like you know the heroes are gonna win and overcome the Borg, they are many moments in the book, where you feel like they won't. Mack does a really good job of messing with our usual expectations of the typical arcs in literature and sci-fi. This book also goes into the origin of the Borg and it worked much better than I expected. I won't spoil anything, but it was well done and the revelations of it are crazy. While, it may have been better not to reveal the origin, the book justifies in a way and it feel likes it work. It's non canon anyway, but it's a good potential origin story for the Borg none the less. The only issue I have with the book, is it can be way too depressing sometimes and I think with the current context with how the world is, I think those feelings were amplified for me. Anyway, I absolutely had a fantastic and emotional time reading this trilogy and I highly recommend it. 10/10

This volume is technically a collection of a trilogy, but there is no use in reviewing them separately. It is one continuous story arc for the trilogy. This is the first Star Trek novel I have read, and I loved it. This story would have made the great movie send-off the Next Generation cast deserved, definitely better than what they got in the last movie. But I don't really see how they could have filmed it. The story jumps around between different groups of characters and different times.
As all the reviews mention, there are characters from Enterprise, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager included. There are also characters from the novel lines.
Without giving to much away, the story brings together so many loose threads of Federation history, a cool, new, advanced race of aliens, and the Borg. I like the personal challenges and growth of the characters through these books.
The technology is great and awe inspiring as always from Star Trek. The action is great with the Next Generation characters in action across the galaxy. I think this is the big moment when Captain Riker grows up and teaches Picard something. And we get a new hero Captain (Hernandez) to look forward to great new adventures in the unknown (although I don't know if any Trek novels after this follow her, they should). It is a changed group and a changed Federation, Alpha Quadrant, Beta Quadrant, entire galaxy that emerges from the whirlwind of this story arc.
It was a great story on it's own, a great sci-fi adventure, and a great addition to the Star Trek universe.

David Mack wrote the crossover we all want. It is "the 2012 Avengers" of Star Trek where we finally get the cross over of all the series on Television and even the USS challenger makes a Cameo.

This is Epic, Huge, Fantastical, and just so much fun. I could not put this down.

I also walked away realizing why we had 3-4 Borg stories since the Continuation of Star Trek began with Death in Winter. It seemed like so many Borg stories with the Next Generation and Voyager up to Star Trek Destiny. And now I know why we got so many. Because They kill Off the Borg in the Epic conclusion of Star Trek Destiny at the Battle of the Azure Nebula. This event is as huge , if not bigger than the Battle of Chreon, and far superior in its execution than the poor writing of Michael A Martain's "Romulan War - beneath the raptors wings" .

David Mack Writes huge Epics. He is an Epic Plotter, a skilled Character writer, but largely his vision and writing are so good I think this would have made a fantastic three part movie series with all the crews of all the series tied together by plot threads. No we don't get Archer, but we do get the USS Columbia from the Romulan War as it is found in the Delta Quadrant during the Dominion War but its mystery is finally solved in this epic Borg Tale.

I fully suggest reading UP to Destiny . Its payoff is larger if you do read the timeline books prior to Destiny.

Beaming out Now as you need to read Star Trek Destiny and enjoy the ride. Its EPIC and Huge.

Thank you David Mack

The Borgs Beginning and End Revealed

The final installment to this trilogy nicely bookended the origin and demise of the Borg. The story revolves around three starships captained by Ezri Dax, Riker, and Picard and Erika Hernandez who is living with the Caeliar. A smaller portion, but no less important, is spent telling the story of the MACOs stranded with the Caeliar's city of Mantilis-- where the Borg originated.

I liked everything about this book except for two things; Picard made to seem so impotent and unlike his established character, and Troi painted out to be a real b*itch without a good reason.

Top shelf expanded Trek! This 3 book series is required reading for the Borg enthusiast. Its got plenty of familiar faces from across TNG, DS9, and beyond. The war between the Federation, and Borg is fierce and the sense of desperation never lets up. I've read a lot of Exp Trek through the years and I cant recall a story arc that has hooked me so aggressively as ST: Destiny. The twists, and turns you take as you warp ever faster towards its conclusion is both explosive, and thought provoking. The climax will never allow you to view the universe, and the Borg Collective the same ever again.

The epic Star Trek: Destiny trilogy is finally upon us. This three-book, litverse crossover will shape the enter Star Trek shared continuity for years to come. David Mack has promised a truly epic, game-changer event with these books. This is a clash of civilizations: The Borg v The Federation. Who will win?

Read the full review at Sci-Fi Books Club

Outstanding Adventure

Nothing is as difficult to do as to get well loved characters right. These three books have all our favorites just perfect. I could hear their voices in my head as I read. I only regret that Voyager didn’t have a larger role. Excellent trilogy. I stayed up all night to finish.

A true Star Trek novel

This trilogy will never be a classic. It jumps around with the speed of a borg cube at transwarp speeds, but nonetheless it did something wonderful. It brought me back to Star Trek. I so filled me with the wonder and delight I first felt watching TNG, that I couldn’t put it down. In short, it was pure Trek, and that’s all I wanted.

my first david mack book and it didnt disappoint. this book jumps around the timeline but paints detailed pictures that are easy to get a grasp of . characters are well fleshed out and the ending builds continously. just when you think youve come to a conclusion you get another twist that complicates things and draws you back in. very enjoyable story

Great way to jump back into the saga, a real saga.

Superb understanding of the charachters, their interactions and a solid use of a universe endangering foe to full effect. Visually appealing wordsmithing on each page

This is probably the best Star Trek book/saga I've read in a long time. The author does an excellent job of telling several different stories across multiple time lines (hard to do well!) then successfully brings them together in a thrilling climax.

I highly recomment this to any Trekkie!

Bloody freakin' wow!

The characters all felt true to themselves, the story was outstanding, and I loved the way it fleshed out the Borg.

If this isn't canon, it should be.

With characters from TNG, DS9 and VOY, there's something here for any Star Trek fan.

GO.

READ IT.

Probably the best Star Trek book. Ever

It’s amazing. David Mack does an amazing job weaving together centuries of Trek history and laying the groundwork for Trek lit for the next 10 years.

The story grabs your attention from beginning to end. Ian’s it’s very well written.
The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is the characterization of Picard. I may be a bit biased, but I simply cannot see him giving up hope in the way the author has written. It dampened my liking of the last book

A Star Trek epic

This an impressive story that really draws you in like a good Star Trek story should. This would make an awesome trilogy movie or Tv series. It's definitely the final TNG film/series they should have made .