Star Trek: The Lost Era: The Art of the Impossible by Keith R. A. DeCandido
This novel explores the Klingon-Cardassian relations when a Klingon ship discovers an ancient artifact on a planet in a region of space claimed by the Cardassians. The Federation is called in to mediate in the conflict, and Ambassador Curzon Dax proposes a rather unconventional approach to a solution.
I have read quite a few of DeCandido's books so far, but this one is certainly his masterpiece. Despite for once not focusing on the Federation and only sparingly offering known characters to relate to (such as Vaughn, Dax, and Ian Troi), this is one compelling read that manages to draw a lively picture of both cultures, Cardassian and Klingon. Not only must DeCandido be an expert on everything Star Trek, judging by all the little details he crammed into this story, but his writing style and tongue in cheek kind of humour, which never crosses the fine line to the ridiculous, turn this novel into a feast for every Star Trek-afficionado.
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review originally written in 2007.
