Star Trek Deep Space Nine #23: The 34th Rule Book

Quark's biggest deal -- by the actor who brings him to life!

For once, business is going well for Quark, not that anyone on Deep Space Nine™ truly appreciates his genius for finding profit in the most unlikely of circumstances. Quark is even looking forward to making the deal of a lifetime -- when he suddenly finds himself stuck right in the middle of a major dispute between Bajor and the Ferengi Alliance. It seems that the Grand Nagus is refusing to sell one of the lost Orbs of the Prophets to the Bajoran government, which has responded by banning all Ferengi activity in Bajoran space.

With diplomatic relations between the two cultures rapidly breaking down, Quark loses first his bar, then his freedom. But even penniless, he still has his cunning and his lobes, and those alone may be all he needs to come out on top -- and prevent an interstellar war!

Library Journal

The 34th Rule offers listeners who prefer the Deep Space Nine universe a tale about Quark, the quintessential Ferengi businessman. When the Grand Nagus of Ferengi refuses to sell a religious relic to Bajor, the Bajoran government retaliates by banning all Ferengi from Bajoran space. Quark and his brother Rom become political prisoners, but as Ferengi and Bajorans prepare for war, Quark may be the only one able to negotiate a peace settlement. Coauthor Shimerman plays Quark on the television series, and it's obvious he's enjoying himself in his performance here. His portrayal of both Quark and his brother are heartfelt and gratifying. Too much of the action depends on barked orders and sizzling weaponry, but explorations of race hatred and individual dignity make this title a good choice for sf collections with extensive Star Trek holdings. Languishing in a Cardassian labor camp, Tom Riker takes advantage of a prison breakout only to find himself at the mercy of a notorious Romulan renegade in Imzadi II: Triangle. Tom, who is the "accidental" twin of Will Riker due to a transporter malfunction, finds himself the focal point of a plot to destroy the Klingon Empire. Meanwhile, Worf and Deanna Troi make marriage plans as a frustrated Will examines his own feelings toward her. For Will and Deanna share a special relationship encompassing physical and spiritual aspects of the Betazoid psyche--they are Imzadi. Reader Robert O'Reilly does an outstanding job differentiating characters, and sound effects enhance the storyline. Star Trek: Next Generation fans have been waiting seven years for this sequel (Imzadi/Q-In-Law, Audio Reviews, LJ 9/15/92). Highly recommended.--Susan Dunman, Murray State Univ., KY