I shared the release information for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Illustrated Handbook last month when it was published. Now, though, I’ve had the opportunity to read through the entire book, cover to cover, and like most Star Trek books published by Hero Collector, a division of Eaglemoss, it is a must have for any fan. And if DS9 is your favorite Star Trek series, you shouldn’t even hesitate to buy a copy of this hardcover. Let me tell you why.
Most of us that are fans of DS9 can probably close our eyes and guide someone around the space station. At least, theoretically. After seeing all the episodes multiple times, it’s easy to think you know everything there is to know about a place even if it’s fictional. But knowing how to make your way around a place and knowing how it operates are two entirely different things. That’s what this book is all about.
Yes, you’ll be given a tour of the space station, including the promenade, the quarters, and the operations center, but you’ll also learn how the subspace relays work, get an close-up view of the Cardassian interfaces, and the unusual features of the turbolift network.
You won’t just learn where everything is on DS9; you’ll learn how it functions from the replicator systems to how ships dock at the station. Even the habitat ring landing pads are explained. In fact, there isn’t much left out of this wonderfully illustrated handbook.
Moving outside of the station, you’ll get an in-depth view of the Defiant. In fact, you’ll get to know it so well, you could probably operate it yourself. You’ll learn where the impulse vents are and be able to pinpoint the forward phaser array. Beyond that, you’ll be close to a weapons specialist once you learn all there is to know about the damage the Defiant is capable of inflicting.
And I’m just scratching the surface of what this book offers. It’s a cornucopia of knowledge about DS9, the Defiant, the shuttles, Starfleet weapons, Bajoran weapons, and a multitude of devices necessary to run the space station and defend its ground.
There is so much to learn in this book, and even though I’ve read through it once, I know there are things I missed which is why I’ll read it again. I promise you if you’re a fan of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, you won’t be disappointed with this book.