February 2024 sees the release of David Mack’s newest Star Trek novel set in the Picard era – Firewall. I had the opportunity to talk with the author about the book on the Literary Treks podcast, so definitely check that out! For more of my standalone thoughts, keep on reading on!
Star Trek: Picard: Firewall
Author: David Mack
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Published: February 27, 2024
Publisher: Pocket Books
View on Goodreads
Date Completed: February 18, 2024
My rating: 
Synopsis
Seven of Nine has had it with the Federation and Starfleet. Despite the vehement backing of Admiral Kathryn Janeway, Seven’s admission into Starfleet Academy and her very citizenship in the Federation are denied.
When an opportunity comes to potentially win her status, she jumps on board and ends up joining a band of vigilantes known as the Fenris Rangers.
During her time with the Rangers, Seven strikes up close bonds with her trainer as well as a budding romance with a fellow Ranger. Together, Seven helps bring law and order to a lawless area of space; an area of space abandoned by the Federation and Starfleet.
And by the end of this adventure, Seven will feel something that she hasn’t truly felt since the crew of Voyager returned to Earth – belonging.
Thoughts
To start, this book just dives right into Seven as a queer woman. I really enjoyed Seven’s relationship with Ellory in this story. It just made sense. It felt right. But – it felt really, really fast. As much as I hate to say it, it kind of felt forced. The fact that the first time they even shake hands, Seven feels an electric, or magnetic, connection to Ellory… love at first sight, maybe. I’m not too much of a believer in love at first sight. Definitely attraction at first sight, but this felt like more. I would have really appreciated more of a slow-burn romance between them. Nothing antagonistic. I’d have been fine with an instant connection for sure. But as for Seven finding her feelings for Ellory, something slower would have felt more natural.
All that said, now I really want to know what happens to Ellory. Does she die? Do her and Seven have a falling out before the events of season one of Star Trek: Picard? I have to know!!
The characters introduced in this book are all fantastically written and well-rounded. I enjoyed the villains and the heroes alike! In fact, I really liked the depth and the duplicity of the various villains. And even the fact that there were various villains that played off each others’ hubris. Sheer f—ing hubris!
I have to say, and this has nothing to do with what the author created in this book, I really hate the Federation and Starfleet of this era. This, to me, is not the Federation that Gene Roddenberry envisioned. However, it tends to ring pretty true to who humans are sometimes… But I do like how Mack explained the rise of the Fenris Rangers.
The Fenris Rangers, to me, are the new Maquis. But whereas the Maquis were like freedom fighters, the Rangers see themselves as, and really are, local law enforcement. As much as Janeway wants to say that the Rangers are no better than vigilantes, I say good for the Rangers for stepping up to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
And shame on the Federation for once again turning its back on its own citizens (rather, former citizens now) to go help the fracking Romulans!
I’m just glad to see Seven stand up for what she believes is right and that she no longer is making decisions based on what Janeway or Starfleet wants her to do. I love seeing Seven with a voice and a life of her own. I want more Seven stories!!
Conclusion
Overall, this is a very strong 4-star book for me. I’d even go a little further and say it’s probably 4 1/2 stars. I flew through this book and by the time it ended, I want more Seven of Nine stories in her time with the Fenris Rangers!
